Champions of Kent!! Victory in the Lemon Cup Final

Date: Wednesday 8 July 2009

The eleventh, and final match of a truncated season, brought the 1st XI due revenge for last year's defeat in the final of the Lemon Cup, against different opposition, but at the same venue of Wye CC. Last year our first date with Norton Knatchbull was postponed by rain, and this year's final looked likely to follow a similar pattern until the Wye groundsman stepped in and prepared an alternative wicket to that which had fallen foul of the overnight storms.

The match itself was reduced from 50 overs per side to 35, given the likelihood of more rain during the day, and the need to complete the match in one day. And what a match it was! St Edmund's secured a hard-earned victory by just three wickets, from the second ball of the final over, when hero of the hour, George Smith square cut the four that took us to 118 for 7, and the trophy. The balance of play ebbed and flowed, with St Edmund's doing their best to snatch defeat out of the jaws of a straightforward victory, over a highly competitive side, who had been unbeaten up until this final fixture.

Ben Easter won the toss and inserted Beth's GS on a wicket which was damp on the surface, and hard underneath. Within 14 overs Beth's had been reduced to 52 for 6, and in theory the game was won. Kemp (3 - 35) and Ben Clarke (3 - 17) both picked up a brace of wickets, and Rawlins and Pape also struck early. But Stollery (33) and Franklin (32) dug in, and put on 40 for the 7th wicket before Easter (2 - 17) broke through. Back came Kemp and Clarke, and Beth's were 117 all out in the 29th over. This was a nigh-on perfect performance in the field, with good, and brilliant catches being taken, the pick being Rawlins' effort in the gully. Worthy of Richie Benaud's effort to dismiss Colin Cowdrey in the Lord's test of 1956! At DoY's a few weeks ago, we bowled 40 wides - today just one!

The chase began well. Pape and Stone put on 48 in the first twelve overs before Stone (15) was deceived by a slower ball. Easter supported Pape who was batting with excellent concentration, putting the bad balls away, and leading the victory drive until, on 42, he pulled fiercely just in front of square, and fell to a superb catch. 44 were needed in 15 overs, but nerves started to play a part, and some very tidy bowling increased the pressure. Ben Clarke could not find any gaps, and Easter fell to a brilliant running catch at mid-wicket. With two overs to go we needed just four, with five wickets in hand. Opposition skipper Riley bowled the perfect over - a double-wicket maiden - so we still needed four from the last six balls. A dot ball added to the tension, but Smith cut hard and true, and the St Edmund's bench cheered long and hard - from joy, but also from relief!

Presentations were made; a huge piece of silverware was presented to Ben Easter, and each squad member won a gold commemorative medal. Photographs were taken, thanks offered to umpires, organisers, and the Wye club, and the 2009 season came to an end, and a run of six consecutive victories, including a cup win, left the leavers - Clarke, Rawlins, and Easter - with memories of a most successful season.

Many thanks to all the supporters who made the journey to Wye, and stayed to the end to share in the celebrations. And many commiserations to Master i/c, Antony Jones, trapped in deepest Hampshire (Sorry!) with the CCF Summer Campers, and thus unable to share in the victory which his efforts had made possible. Be there next year, Antony, as we strive to retain the trophy.