Smeed and Rew ensure a comfortable victory against a valiant Clifton College

"It felt like we were back to a bit of normality"

King's College, Taunton: King's College, Taunton 252-3 v Clifton College 186-6 - King's College, Taunton won by 66 runs

King’s College, Taunton marched on in their Autumn fixture list with a 66 run victory over Clifton College.

James Rew and captain Henry Smeed did the damage for the hosts as King’s posted a daunting 252 for 3 from their 35 overs. Despite a courageous chase, spearheaded by their middle order, Clifton could never keep up with the rate and came up short, finishing on 186 for 6.

On an immaculate King’s wicket, the home side won the toss and chose to bat first. With the sun shining down there were runs to be had and openers Rew and Taylor Ingham-Hill got off to a productive start.

Having seen off Clifton’s opening attack of Ben Kellaway and S. Goodwin, Ingham-Hill departed for 22 trying to attack off-spinner Ryan Kilmister.

Charlie Sharland arrived with the score at 40 for 1 and was equally busy at the crease. He too got himself in, but was bowled by J. Davies for 20.

This brought Smeed out to the middle where he and Rew put on the match-winning partnership.

Smeed, younger brother of Somerset’s new star Will, has only recently returned to the game having missed all of the 2019 summer through injury. 

Rew and Smeed complimented one another perfectly, batting sensibly, running hard and capitalising when the ball was there to be hit.

Both brought up their half centuries and began to accelerate as the innings break approached.

Smeed, a naturally hard-hitting batsman, neared his century, a landmark that the sizeable crowd were desperate for him to achieve. Rew, too, was keen to assist his captain and ran selflessly to ensure Smeed could face the deliveries required to reach three figures. 

This enormously impressive display of game management and selflessness was further enhanced by Rew himself nearing the 90s as well.

It was not to be for Smeed as he was ultimately run out for 94 off only 60 deliveries, an innings that included 10 fours and 4 sixes.

Rew carried his bat throughout the innings for a fantastically composed 90. For Clifton’s bowlers, as is so often the case, the figures did not tell the whole story.

Ben Kellaway was particularly tidy, his seven overs going for only 22 runs. But King’s’ proactive batting and acceleration at the back end of the innings ensured Clifton would have to produce something very special to head back to Bristol with a win.

Captain Ollie Meadows and fellow opener Phillips began sensibly, knowing that early wickets would all but confirm victory for King’s. But despite Meadows’ bright start he was dismissed by George Thomas. 

Sonny Baker, meanwhile, was offering nothing for the Clifton batsmen at the other end, bowling with terrific control and accuracy. His four overs cost only 10 runs.

Phillips fell victim to spinner Will Chesterman and Clifton were in trouble on 32 for 2 in the 11th over. 

Naish followed shortly after, caught and bowled by Chesterman, but Clifton’s middle order of Kellaway (36), Shay Sainsbury (41), Goodwin (29) and Hamid (32) dug in superbly to take Clifton to within sight of the target.

However, they could never quite match the require run-rate and ultimately came up 66 runs short. Two wickets for Thomas, Chesterman and Veale were vital, breaking Clifton’s encouraging middle-order partnerships.

Clifton’s effort was admirable considering how easily teams can wilt when chasing big totals. But unfortunately for them the game was won thanks to fantastic knocks from Rew and Smeed.

“It was a really good performance from both sides,” Robert Woodman, head of cricket at King’s, told The Cricketer.

“The sun was shining, plenty of people were watching from the side and the pitch looked immaculate. It was brilliant. It felt like we were back to a bit of normality.

“It was a really good and unselfish innings from Rew. It was impressive, not just that he scored 90 runs but, even at a crucial time with potentially getting on the honours board for the first time, he decided to play for the team.

“It’s amazing to see Smeed out there batting again after his injuries. It was really good to see the way he batted.

“The Clifton middle order built some good partnerships but our spinners, Chesterman and Josh Thomas, bowled really nicely to restrict them from getting too close.”

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