Archived Match Report

First XI vs. Harborne - 31 Aug - Very entertaining for the spectators...600 runs in the day..

And so to the last game of the season....

Division six title in the bag but still something to play for as Harbourne had secured a winning draw against the Frome in the away fixture. So a win was specified.

Harbourne won the toss and put Frome into bat. Wicket had seen some heavy rolling and looked a good one to bat on in the sun..it proved consistent but utterly lifeless and keeping low. Alec and Mark established a very good base, reaching 130 before losing our first wicket. Mark run out on 45 in a calling mix up. Alec resolutely standing his ground as Mark came down to join him for a chat following a cut to a fly slip position. Alec caught soon after on 72 so two new boys in the form of Stevie Wilson and Andy Rogers and the rate accelerated. Par was probably 275 given the Badge outfield , but that was passed and Frome ended on 317. Stevie made a quality 45 before holing out toward the end, Andy protecting his average with 84 and Nicko punching 21 before the close. Just 3 down. I thought were going to reverse the order this week?

How many tea ladies does it take to make a Canon Frome tea ? 3 it would seem. Thanks to Mrs G , Mrs Badge and special thanks to Fiona and Steve Fortnam who arrived with additional egg sandwiches and then some. Despite Fortz not playing they had remained committed to the Frome tea rota.

So 317. Was it too huge a total for the young Harbourne team, the majority of whom were U14 and U15 ? Looked to be so as their no2 fell for 0 in the second over. ...and the next wicket fell......some 220 runs later ! Some wayward bowling aside Guypta and Bharaj batted superbly and Frome looked increasingly ragged. Gupta made 105 and the supporters of both teams were disappointed for Bharaj who ended on 93 well caught by Simon C off Luke who then went on to secure a fifer. Was that enough to snaffle the bowling cup for the season ?

Probably an inevitable collapse for Harbourne and they were close to an all out loss finally finishing on 286 for 9. But they were going for it to the end. Those boys will be playing Birmingham prem league for sure.

So. Some additional shout outs: Hopey who was dis chuffed for not having his short leg catch mentioned from last week, Lloydy for snatching one out of Hopey's hands, Stevie for a ridiculously good one hander at mid off. Mark G for a very good take into the sun on the boundary , and all round great performance from Rogers taking a good catch early on and bowling vey well for his three wickets. Also make mention of James G and James Hughes. Just so I have got a name check of every player. You lot are worse than the U9s. I think I will also mention Matt Richards as 12th man just because.

So that's it. Season over. Job done. We'll be back... But a few decisions to be made now. Keep an eye on the web site. Plenty of help required on the ground over the winter. So ask what you can do to assist.

Cheers all.