The Last Saturday of the 2008/09 Sporting Calendar

Date: Friday 26 June 2009

Thunder rumbled round the ground for most of the early afternoon as a dozen Cranbrook tennis players slithered across the courts, and a dozen Under 14 cricketers from Simon Langton skated across the outfield of the 1st XI pitch, both to good effect.

Given the conditions the tennis was of a very decent quality, and the Cranbrook 1st VI outrallied the SES boys by six sets to three. The 2nd VI match was less competitive, but was completed before the rain started to pour down.

So was the cricket, where SES old boy Daniyal Jafree helped to bowl out his former school for just 66, taking 4 - 34, including the plum wicket of Max Bungay, who hit a full toss tamely to mid-on. The only players to reach double figures - bar extras! - were Robbie Page, run out for 14, and guest player Alex Hunter who got to 17 before tapping it for catching practice to short extra cover. In reply, Simon Langton reached 71 for 3 in the tenth over for the loss of just three wickets. Another 'guest', Lewis Piper, took 2 - 39, and Bungay 1 - 25, but the innings ended as it began with five wides shooting off somewhere in the direction of third man. Greasy ball, greasy footholds...and a speedy finish.

This was a sad way to end the juniors' season. The Under 15 game against the Langton was called off - a dearth of players, and the rain spoiled the Under 14s' day. I hope that those youngsters who get the chance to play for the 1sts in the coming week can rise to the challenge. Incidentally, the Lemon Cup semi-final, against Cornwallis Academy, will be played on Thursday afternoon at Sheldwich Lees, courtesy Sheldwich CC and their chairman Mr Martin Mills. Thank you, Martin!