Kerridge hold nerve in nailbiting Bowdon finale
AFTER a disappointing performance last weekend which resulted in a loss, Kerridge came out on top this week against Bowdon, crossing the line in a nail biter of a game which ebbed and flowed right to the last over.
Having won the toss, the home side decided to bowl first on a rock hard pitch in glorious summer conditions, many would have batted but Kerridge captain James Knight decided a chase was the way to go.
Bowdon, having lost an early wicket, scored at a decent rate due mainly to Jack Halsall (78) before being caught and bowled by Ste Regan and Jack Ryan (53) who was run out by John Grayston taking on a risky single.
Having had this pair make scoring look easy the visitors were to end up losing the other eight wickets for just 30 runs as they were all out for 161 inside the 38th over.
Knight with 4/25 was the pick of the attack with wickets also shared out amongst Adam Banks (2/26), Regan (2/53) and Chris Wood (1/23)
After a fine tea, looking to attack and run down a reasonable target Kerridge made a solid start with Luke Wild (17) and Nish Dodangoda (28) opening up,until having lost Wild already two wickets fell in consecutive balls and the score board now read 63/3 and the away side applying all the pressure, Will McGinnis and Knight having done so already in previous games came together at the crease and showed great resilience and patience as they combined in a 55 run partnership to steal back the advantage before McGinnis departed for his 40.
As before one wicket brought two and Harbige came and went and was quickly followed by Beard with the game now well in the balance and four wickets in hand and 27 runs required Knight holed out for 40.
Grayston took over and after scoring a boundary was bowled on 142/8 and was soon followed by Banks on 153/9.
Four overs remained, one wicket in hand nine runs required and the opening bowlers back on. Wood and Phil Ravenscroft chipped away and care of a boundary and a hard ran three had got to within one of a draw and two away from the win.
With the game entering the final over of the day and the field surrounding the bat, Ravenscroft hadn’t been given chance to have a swing but somehow pierced the field and found a gap amongst the wall of fielders and ran the two runs required to win the game.
The Trafford side left on their haunches having given it their all and thrown everything but the kitchen sink at the final pairing and could not believe they had come so close to victory. Match ball sponsor on the day Slater Harrison & Co Ltd
Having bounced back from a heavy defeat the previous week this win and show of grit will carry them well into next week now when a tough away trip to Malpas awaits.