THE CRICKETER VILLAGE CUP ROUND-UP: Round Three

The third round of the Village Cup has come and gone. There were some substantial margins of victory and defeat in amongst some commendable displays with both bat and ball. Below is a round-up of some of the standout ties of the round

Champions looking ominous

Folkton & Flixton 308 for 4 bt Ebberston 97 by 211 runs (N Yorks [North])

Folkton & Flixton continued their imposing start to their defence of the Village Cup. After brushing Heslerton aside with a 10-wicket victory in their opening match, they had the chance to bat first away against Ebberston and their batsman filled their boots. Harry Walmsley made 110 and Will Norman, who lifted the trophy last year, scored 102 not out. Rich Malthouse also added to his 85 in the first match with 61. They set a total of 308 for 4 and Ebberston were blown away for 96, with Tom Norman taking 4 for 15. They advance to the regional final, where they will host Cayton.

One man in the Pelsall engine room

Pelsall 183 bt Himley 99 by 84 runs (Shrops, Staffs & W Mids)

The Village Cup often produces tales of single performances which you tend to only find in village cricket. Pelsall’s Jake Lee was in such a mood on Sunday. He walked to the crease at 7 for 2 and things didn’t improve a tremendous amount as the innings progressed. By the time Lee had reached 46, his team were 104 for 8. Only No.9 Kiran Patel had joined Lee and opener Tom Wright in the double-figures club. No.10 Sam Harbage stuck around and it allowed Lee to open up his shoulders. They put on 65 for the ninth wicket and by the time he was the ninth to fall, he had dragged Pelsall to 169 for 8. He finished on 83 from 82 balls, including 14 boundaries. Harbage was ran out on the last ball of the innings for 19 as Pelsall finished on 183.

A disciplined bowling performance from Pelsall meant that Himley were never in the contest, unless they could produce a Jake Lee performance of their own; 32 for 1 became 43 for 4 and the wickets kept falling at regular intervals. They were dismissed for 99. Milford Hall will travel to Pelsall in the regional final.

Similar story in Hampshire

Liphook & Ripsley 177 bt Sparsholt 99 by 78 runs (Hants)

In almost a carbon-copy scenario to Pelsall’s, last year’s finalists Liphook & Ripsley had George Neave largely to thank for their progression into the regional finals. Liphook were stuttering at 122 for 7 with Neave nursing the ship before taking matters into his own hands. His scruff-grabbing 41-ball 88 yanked Liphook to 177, using only 34.4 of their 40 overs. This match was a rematch of last year’s Round One tie which saw Liphook emerge victorious by only seven runs – their closest game in their run to Lord’s. Liam Doran was the chief perpetrator this year, his 6 for 57 wiping out the Liphook side around Neave.

Sparsholt’s chance for redemption was in front of them, only Neave had stopped them from skittling Liphook and 177 would have felt achievable. It wasn’t to be however. Tight bowling from all Liphook bowlers, a hallmark of that run last year, meant that 99 runs later, Sparsholt were all out. Oscar Amis took 4 for 18 from eight overs.

Liphook face Sarisbury Athletic in the final, who have looked imposing in their fixtures to date and emerged victorious against the similarly strong Hook & Newnham in Round Three. Sarisbury won by four runs, defending their 235 for 6.

Start as you mean to go on

Astwood Bank 167 for 3 bt Dumbleton 163 by 7 wickets (Worcs)

Dumbleton were left to rue a major collapse in the Worcestershire group against Astwood Bank. Openers Rupert Salmon (68) and Matt Nicholson (47) put on 94 for the first wicket. At 109 for 1 they looked set to post an imposing total, but no one else reached double figures as Dan Taylor ripped a hole in the side of the innings, taking 5 for 37. They limped to 163 all out in 32.5 overs.

Things didn’t improve for Dumbleton when they took to the field. Keeper Tom Underhill was in savage form as he struck 85 from just 32 balls with eight sixes to complement his eight boundaries. It meant that the target was dealt with in 15.4 overs as Dumbleton’s Village Cup life expectancy when from two weeks to two hours in a matter of minutes.

Elsewhere…

There was a close tie in South Lancs where Egerton were able to defend 120 against Salesbury. Far from being skittled however, Salesbury finished on 109 for 9 after their 40 overs. A game of attrition, with some strike-rates to challenge the 1950s.

Last year’s GM performer of the tournament Ahsan Sayed made a good start to his and Fillongley’s 2019 campaign in Warwickshire. He claimed 4 for 40 as Water Orton posted 175 for 9. Fillongley opener Andrew Carty held the innings together, as the target was surpassed in the 39th over, five wickets down. Carty finished on 74 not out from 117 balls.

2017 winners Reed are other former champions making strong strides in 2019. After dismissing Sawbridgeworth for 91 in their first tie they dismissed Sharnbrook & Bromham for 55 after posting 313 for 3. Sean Tidey made 147 and 2017 Lord’s man of the match Richard Wharton made 108.

Worlington’s Craig Estlea added another century to his Round One effort against Chappel in Essex & Suffolk. His 136 off 57 balls helped his side post 310 for 5 before dismissing Chappel for 231. Estlea now has 396 runs from the first three rounds of the competition.

The Regional Finals take place on June 9.