Oldlands 243-9 beat Frocester 3rds 2416 by one wicket

OLDLANDS beat Frocester thirds on Saturday in a game that had absolutely everything.

On winning the toss at a sunny Oldlands Cricket Ground, visiting skipper Billy Partridge had no hesitation in batting first and his side were soon into their stride.

The dangerous Barbadian Renaldo Hyland was driving powerfully on his way to a rapid 25 before being well caught by Dave Walton off the pick of the Oldlands’ bowlers, Pete Waite.

With Waite also bowling the evergreen John Evans and Walton yorking Tony Clarkson, the home side would have been delighted with a score of 63 for three on a wicket offering little assistance for the bowlers, accompanied by a lightening fast outfield.

At this point, however, Steve Tegg joined Ben Spyvee at the crease and after a watchful start, the pair began to play with more assurance and aggression in putting together an impressive stand of 174 to regain the initiative and establish an extremely strong position.

Spyvee was eventually bowled in the penultimate over by Brad Thomas for a fine century, with Tegg (75) following with three balls of the innings remaining, well caught by Nathan Freeman at deep square leg off the bowling of the impressive Dave Brookes.

With the score closing on 241 for six, the home side were under no illusions that a testing challenge lay ahead in their run chase.

In reply, the in-form Nick Grove (ten) was caught by Hyland off the bowling of Ashley Babbage with the score on 25.

But then Brookes (41) and Thomas batted well to get Oldlands back in the game, taking the score to 101 before Brookes was caught behind by Steve Hudd off the bowling of Tegg.

With Tegg, Spyvee and Matthew Tuck bowling tightly and picking up wickets at regular intervals the home side were then on the back foot, reduced to 173 for six and with 77 required from the final 10 overs, the visitors were once more looking favourites.

Waites’ arrival at the wicket, however, reversed the momentum flow yet again, rekindling Oldland’s hopes with a quick fire innings of 31 which included four boundaries and a six.

The game ebbed once more with his dismissal and left Oldlands on 14 required off the final two overs and then seven from the last six balls with two wickets in hand.

A two run off the first delivery, followed by two singles, a run out and a dot ball built an agonisingly tense finale where three runs were required to win from the final ball of the match. Thomas was on strike and, after careful deliberation, the field was set.

The last ball was just short of a length on off stump Thomas, who ended unbeaten on 85, moved his feet quickly and gave himself room to cut.

With third man up in the ring and accompanied by a roar from the large home crowd, the ball sped to the boundary to complete an amazing win.

A quite thrilling game of cricket that will be remembered for years to come, played in fantastic spirit by two very evenly matched teams.