Earl Shilton 1st XI claim narrow 17 run victory
EARL Shilton Town CC 1st XI were in impressive form winning at home in an exciting finish against Maher CC 1st XI on Saturday.
Shilton won the toss and decided to bat. Unfortunately, they got off to a poor start losing James Lester first ball of the innings.
Captain Sam Smart came in at number 3 to join Giles Holmes, and they moved the score on to 25 before Giles was out for six.
Ellis Simons came in next but lost his wicket for 0 runs, which led to Phil Crouch coming in who was also out for 0 runs, bowled with a ball that cut back a long way and kept low, leaving the score on 32-4.
Kyle Chamberlain came in to join Sam, and together pushed the score along until Sam lost his wicket after reaching a valuable 40 runs, and the score on 57-5.
Kyle was joined by James Millinship and they moved the score onto 98 for 6, before James was out for 18.
Kyle was still going strong at this point and after being joined by Evan Donaldson they managed to get to 123 before losing Kyle for 46 after a great knock came to an end.
After late contributions by Evan 6, Tom Verow 6, and Ryan Patel 8 not out, although a relatively low score, Shilton finished on 148 all out off 44.3 and something to bowl at.
Maher took to the field knowing the score was well within their reach, however they lost an early wicket with Sam Smart trapping the opener Anand Patel LBW , before retiring early with an injury.
Young Josh Robins, who is improving every week, took over from Sam and finished on figures of 2-42.
Determined to build on recent good form, Shilton bowled and fielded really well as a unit, producing an excellent performance of character.
It was a game no one could not take their eyes off, with batsman and bowler trying to overcome each other.
Apart from 42 from the opening batsman Rahul Sundavadra, Maher lost wickets at regular points throughout the innings.
F Odedra tried to see Maher over the line, but turning down singles and not running built up pressure on himself before Phil Crouch took his wicket with him trying to play a big shot. Phil produced another excellent performance constantly creating problems for the batsman and taking 4-28 off 7 overs.
Tom Verow stepped up to support Phil and took two valuable wickets finishing with 2-13 off 4.1 overs and the important last wicket, with a catch in the slips by Sam Smart to win the game with Maher all out for 131 off 33.1 overs.
Captain Sam Smart said: “What a great performance all round. The lads knew we should have scored more runs, but were determined to do everything we could with the ball and in the field to secure the win. Once the wickets started collapsing, we knew we had the ability to get the job done. Really proud of the lads today.”
Chairman Mick Coe said: “What a day! For me, the thing to take away from both the 1st XI and 2nd XI teams today was the players commitment and desire to not give up, and to face what is in front of them.
“The club are so pleased with the commitment of all the players this year, and their attitude and a realisation after a few difficult years, that by pulling together in one direction anything is possible.”
Next week the 1st XI play away at Highfield Rangers CC 1st XI and the 2nd XI at home against Bombay CC 2nd XI.