EMW 2's v St Mary's

In a game of fluctuating fortunes, EMW 2's showed great determination and courage to secure a last ball victory against a very competitive St. Marys side at the splendid David Roth Cricket Ground in Easton.

St Mary's were asked to bat first and they set off like the proverbial train, racing to 53 off 10 overs. The introduction of evergreen veterans Trevor Yeates and Trevor Foreman put the brakes on and they removed openers Mark Minikin for 32 and Tom Lee for 25 and pegged back the St Mary's batsman to 115 runs after 30 overs. Amit Sapkal batting at number 4 for St Mary's played a very mature innings and started to cut loose but the introduction of Trevor Compton to the attack removed him with an outstanding diving catch in front of the wicket ( his second in two weeks!) by 'keeper Dave Ling . The game then swung St Mary's way with D.Vickery ( 25 ) and N.Field ( 23 not out) putting on a run a ball partnership of 34 runs and, with the tail wagging ,St Mary's finished off with 180 for 8 at the end of their innings. Trevor Yeates was Easton's most economical bowler with 1 for 24 off 10 overs, Trevor Foreman took 3 for 37 of 10 with great support from Trevor Compton 1 for 13, debutant Stuart Batistich 1 for 24 and Ben Stanbrough 1 for 50.

Nathan Field storming down the hill, opened the bowling for St Mary's and soon had the Easton batters in trouble. He dismissed Paul Sanders (5) and Gareth Goodhall with consecutive balls and went on to return fantastic figures of 10-1-18-3. Unlike St Mary's, EMW battled to 26 off 10 overs but key a key partnership between Trevor Foreman ( 23 ) and Ben Stanbrough ( 22 ) initially put Easton in a position to secure , at this stage , as many batting points as possible. When evergreen Dave Ling arrived at the wicket, Easton were 78 for 5 and he and Malcolm Aitken ( 29 ) took the score to 125 when Man of the Match Dave was joined by 16 year old Ethan Brackstone batting at number 9. Dave Ling hit the ball to all parts of the ground and together with Ethan Brackstone put on a magnificent partnership of 52 runs with Dave Ling being run out for a well struck 66 ( including 6 fours and 1 six ) off the second ball of the last over. Trevor Yeates scored a run off the third ball and Ethan another single off the next ball followed by Trevor Yeats being caught at backward point going for the winning runs. He and Ethan crossed which meant that Ethan needed to score one run for victory off the last ball of the last over. Showing courage and a great temperament beyond his age, Ethan ( 14 not out )struck the last ball for 4 at which stage the famous EMW balcony erupted with applause and the attendant wedding party in the adjacent village hall ( the bride must have been wondering where everyone was!) witnessing a famous victory for Easton.

It was great to see all a very sporting St Mary's team enjoying a beer in the clubhouse after the match. EMW took 22 points and St Mary's 10 points from the match.