City club off to Lord’s Indoor cricket

Canterbury are off to Lord’s again – to play in the ECB indoor cricket finals after proving themselves superior to any other club in London and the East.

On Sunday Wimbledon, representing Surrey, and Sparsholt (Hampshire) suffered the same fate as many before them when they visit the unbeatable Kent champions at St Lawrence.

Canterbury, who have not lost a Pharon League game since 2017, began by making what was by far the biggest total of the day – 130 in the first semi-final against Wimbledon.

An opening partnership between Sam Burt and Isaac Dilkes – both scored 26 – was worth 59 before their retirements and Stuart Drakeley being caught at point for nought. Then Max Campbell, in mid-order, let loose with 38.

Wimbledon’s reply lasted nine overs. Canterbury’s attack of Campbell, Justin Macvicar, Dilkes and Ben Cooper was too mean for them.

The versatile Cooper took two cheap wickets in his first over and Canterbury won by 87 runs.

The second semi-final went to the fourth ball of the last over, Sparsholt beating Ifield (Sussex) by one wicket.

In the final Sparsholt just froze. Even though Canterbury could not get them out (Dilkes took 2-11), they closed on 39-5.

An easy target for Canterbury? Of course it was ... except that there were a few anxious looks among supporters when, to the fourth ball of Canterbury’s innings, Dilkes was caught and bowled off the roof.

But there were no further alarms. Burt, whose wicketkeeping had been exemplary, retired on reaching 25 with a sweet drive for four.

Alex Beck and Cooper did the rest.

Canterbury’s success, as someone kindly explained to me, was also available for Facebook viewers.

Of the Canterbury squad that won the national title in 2011 only Cooper and Macvicar remain.

Since then the introduction of several youngsters has paid dividends.

Now their mothers will be offered a special day out on March 31. What better than a trip to London to watch cricket – on Mothering Sunday?

The day normally includes a tour of Lord’s.

ECB Regionals results Semi-finals

Canterbury 130 (M. Campbell 38, I. Dilkes 26, S. Burt 26); Wimbledon 43 (J. Huxtable 16, C. Annand 13; B. Cooper 2-4). Canterbury won by 87 runs. Ifield 82 (S. Dorrington 29. D. Grove 21); Sparsholt 83-5 (M. Hawarth 41not). Sparsholt won by one wicket.

Final

Sparsholt 39-5 (D. Banks 10; I. Dilkes 2-11). Canterbury 40-1 (S Burt 25not). Canterbury won by five wickets.