Dave Shaw Cup 2015

Sunday 3rd May 2015:

Here we go again folks! Another season of fun packed Sunday afternoons with Cropwell Cricket Club.
A big crowd turned out on Sheldon Field this afternoon and were treated to bouncy castles for the young ones, a BAR-B-Q and refreshments and even a few fireworks out in the middle. The game itself was a cracker, it had over 350 runs scored, 16 wickets taken and dollies thrown out of the prams by both captains.

A damp and dismal start to the day had seen a few people doubt the game would go ahead, but luckily the rain subsided and the clouds thinned leaving a lovely early afternoon that saw the Butler captain win the toss and ask Bishop to bat.

Butler Captain Jason Britton, Bishop Captain Rowland Lee and Umpire Simon Barlow.

A decision that appeared very justified as the Bishop openers were both back in the pavilion within the first couple of overs with no runs on the board to speak of. The Bishop ship was steadied by the first fifty of the season by Darren Johnson, quickly followed by a great 69 by Neil King ably assisted by cameos by Daniel Lee 21, Rowland Lee 18, Max Sowter 11, John Bradley 8 and James Buckley wayed in with a run a ball 6. All of this meant Butler had to chase a mammoth 204 for victory.

Darren Johnson pulls Greg McLeod for 4, on his way to 50

Neil King drives the ball back down the pitch

Just as the players came off for the break the heavens opened. The covers were put on the wicket and the players ran to dry themselves off.

The run chase was on.... unfortunately the rains at tea had created a slight problem at one end of the pitch, the bowler was slipping in his delivery stride and a bag of sawdust was called for! They say catches win matches Bishop held on to a couple of beauts early on.

Andrew Black gets a hug from his son Max, after taking a smart catch at square leg.

Now who would of thought the re-appearance of that bag of sawdust could turn both team captains in to a pair of old fish wives, bickering and moaning... One walking off the pitch and had to be persuaded to return. It was like a scene from the comic strip!

Fortunately calmer heads returned and the game began to become more tense, Fred Dulwich with a fantastic 72 not out, ably assisted by Jason Britton 31 and Will Hunt 23 started to get ever closer to the target they needed for victory.

Fred Dulwich punishes another short ball on his way to 72 not out.

   

Falling short after a fantastic spell of bowling by Neil King who finished with figures of 4.3 overs 3 wickets for 13 runs. Bishop bowled Butler out for 160 in just under 38 overs.

The Bishop Captain receives the trophy from the Club Chairman

The victorious Bishop Team......


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