Into the Final! - Lemon Cup
Date: Wednesday 2 July 2008
The semi-final draw for the Kent Under-19 Cricket Cup pitted St Edmund's, at home, against Leigh City Technology College from Dartford. Because of the marquee, we had no home venue available, but, thanks to connections with Sheldwich CC, we were able to borrow the villagers' ground, and entertain our visitors there.
This was probably the most exciting 1st XI run chase that I have watched or umpired in 36 years at the School, and it had just the right outcome - a three wicket win for SES, in the last over of our 30, in pursuit of 181 to win.
Leigh batted first, and when they had struggled to 100 - 7 in the 22nd over, we were quietly confident that we would be facing a modest target. But, an unbeaten stand of 80 for the eighth wicket, in just eight overs left us a little deflated at the tea interval. Two Bens - Kemp and Easter - both picked up two wickets, very economically, but the Leigh No 3 Mr Birring completed a century, and frequently found the shorter leg-side boundary, with 6 sixes and 11 fours in his priceless knock.
Our reply, with the loss of two early wickets, got off to a stuttering start, but Pape and Clarke laid the foundations for a recovery with a stand of 54 for the third wicket, before Pape sliced a drive to cover. Callaway came and went before Clarke and David van Rooyen put together the partnership that won the match. Scoring at the required rate of eight an over, they brought victory within touching distance before both fell, Clarke for 64, and van Rooyen for 33. Some nerve-wracking moments then followed before George Smith hit his first ball for six, and Oli Perry his second for four to seal the win with five balls to spare.
Many thanks to the Sheldwich club for the use of their facilities, and excellent wicket. And so to Wye for next Wednesday's final against either Norton Knatchbull or Harvey GS. The match is scheduled for an 11.00am start, and, hopefully, will be as excellent a game as today's semi-final proved to be.
