Cropston beat the rain to tie

ON A day that turned out to be cricket between the showers and showers between the cricket Cropston travelled to Uppingham Town Cricket Club.

Cropston captain Ian Allen won the toss and with the weather likely to be a factor invited Uppingham to bat. With both teams ready to start a heavy shower delayed the start and reduced the match to 35 overs a side.

Cropston made early inroads and Uppingham were reduced to 13 runs for the loss of 2 wickets. This brought to the wicket to join Ben Farnsworth, Uppingham’s overseas player Gavin Morris who is a member of South Africas under 19 extended squad.

Together they put on 129 runs, Farnsworth who had hit five sixes was well caught on the mid off boundary by Joe Pollard going for a sixth for 59.

Morris continued to score freely he was then caught by Alfie Loakes from the bowling of Justin Earl for a well struck 74. Uppingham’s later batsmen continued to plunder the Cropston attack from their 35 overs Uppingham posted a score of 221 for the loss of six wickets.

Cropston made a slow start in their reply and after 8 overs had reached 14 for the loss of 1 wicket mainly due to accurate bowling and the heavy drizzle. Another heavy down pour took the players back into the pavilion.

After consulting the handbook the umpires came up with a revised target of 127 if the 20 over mark could be reached due to the weather to make it a game.

Cropston’s Stephen Punchard and Max Lewin now had a target to aim for and took the attack to Uppingham another rainbreak followed, Punchard was then dismissed for an attacking 87 including six sixes putting on 124 runs with Max Lewin.

Yet another downpour with seven balls left to bowl for a result, saw the players make for the pavilion again. With time now becoming an issue.The players returned for the final count down, with one ball remaining Max Lewin was bowled by Green for 32, Joe Pollard remaining 2 not out. The scores being tied at 127

The result being rarely seen, an even draw with the scores level.13 Points to Uppingham and 12 to Cropston.

Well done to all involved, both players, captains and umpires who managed to get a result when most games throughout the County were lost to the weather.