On a scorching day in South-West London, Cranmorians Cricket Club, Emeriti Cricket Club, Old Amplefordian Cricket Club, Old Priorians Cricket Club and Old Wimbledonians Cricket Club assembled at the Old Wimbledonians Association Ground to play in a T10 round-robin tournament. Heavy rain over the previous three days meant the squares would provide an even contest between bat and ball, and acclimatising to the pitches and managing workloads throughout the day would be more important than just power-hitting.
The day started with a convincing win for the home team, Old Wimbledonians against Cranmorians. Emeriti came back from certain defeat to nearly surprise pre-tournament favourites, Old Priorians, as in the final over William Jay took two wickets and only went for two runs, before OP’s squeezed a quick single to win off the last ball.
In the second round, Cranmorians used their warm-up against OW’s to good effect as they caught the OA’s cold. The OW’s continued their good form against the OP’s and established themselves as the team to beat. James Thomas smashed a rapid 80. What a day he may have had if his regular trips to the bar could have been stymied by his captain! The next round saw OA’s put in a complete performance to upset the OW’s and Cranmorians lowly score of 60 seamed well below par before an excellent bowling performance saw Emeriti fall short off the last ball again.
With all teams having lost at least once, OW’s knew that winning their last game would guarantee them at least a share of the title. Emeriti looked to have scuppered their plans as they cruised towards the total of 78. That was before 14 year old Heran Doshi bowled an outstanding final over taking two wickets and leaving the run-chase an agonising 1 run short. OA’s continued their good form and dispatched OP’s by 5 runs.
Going into the final round, both Cranmorians and the OA’s knew wins in their final games would give them a share of the title. Another fine all-round performance by Ben Holder helped Cranmorians to victory and a rapid half-century by Hugo Barnard ensured the OA’s had too many for the Emeriti to chase down.
The standard across all the matches was excellent and it was fitting that three teams could not be split. Thanks as always to the Old Wimbledonians for hosting us so well.
Results
Emeriti 77 for 4 (10 overs) lost to Old Priorians 78 for 6 (10 overs)
Cranmorians 72 for 5 (10 overs) lost to Old Wimbledonians 73 for 4 (7.3 overs)
Cranmorians 79 for 5 (10 overs) beat Old Amplefordians 64 for 7 (10 overs)
Old Wimbledonians 114 for 1 (10 overs) beat Old Priorians 87 for 9 (10 overs)
Old Wimbledonians 70 for 7 (10 overs) lost to Old Amplefordians 71 for 4 (9.1 overs)
Cranmorians 60 for 4 (10 overs) beat Emeriti 57 for 6 (10 overs)
Old Wimbledonians 78 for 4 (10 overs) beat Emeriti 77 for 7 (10 overs)
Old Amplefordians 82 for 4 (10 overs) beat Old Priorians 77 for 6 (10 overs)
Old Priorians 63 for 5 (10 overs) lost to Cranmorians 64 for 2 (8.5 overs)
Old Amplefordians 114 for 3 (10 overs) beat Emeriti 86 for 7 (10 overs)
Top Bowler Award - Heran Doshi (OWCC)
Top Batsman Award - Hugo Barnard (OACC)
All-Rounder Award - Ben Holder (CCC)
Joint Winners - Cranmorians CC, Old Amplefordian CC, Old Wimbledonians CC