So we were blessed with a bright and breezy day for the last game of the season, the annual Cup Challenge. Four family pairs were involved in the EC team. The Bosworth brothers, plus the Kerry, Scott and Robson fathers and sons. Oakers Daryl and Ben completed the lineup.
Earls Colne won the toss in a 40 over game, and elected to bat. Daryl Sleeman and Pat Kerry started quickly and soon 50 was on the board. Pat holed out at long on for 25, but Alex Robson (19) and Tom Bosworth (15) kept the scoreboard ticking nicely. However a mid-order collapse saw four wickets fall for just ten runs. Daryl finally fell for a fine 74. Oakers (always time for a 50) came in and marshalled the tail with a quickfire 36 before being last man out in the 37th over with 178 on the board. A fair score
After an excellent tea, Bures started even more quickly than we had, with skipper James Lee scoring at will. At the other end T Skinner was no slouch, but ran himself out for 25 to an excellent boundary throw from Ben Mason. James Lee followed soon afterwards clean bowled for 34 by Daryl. Soon after Griffiths fell to debutant 14 year old Mungo Robson. But runs were coming quickly and victory for Bures seemed likely. Two wickets in two balls from Oakers’s occasional off-breaks (Chris Ayers caught on the boundary for 55, plus the hapless Shennan out first ball) provided a glimpse of light, but Si Ayers had other ideas and quickly clubbed the winning runs.
Bures won by 5 wickets, and Challenge Cup remains with Bures. Next year we will win it back!
A great game played in the right spirit, we look forward to the return match