21.8.11 - U16As v East Grinstead - SJCF Fianl

Worthing (150 for 9 after 45 overs) beat East Grinstead (118 All Out) by 32 runs

It was Worthing and East Grinstead who emerged as best group winners from their respective pools and who would battle to be outright winners for this prestigious trophy. In accordance with tradition, the U16s Bowl final would be played at Arundel Castle, a fitting setting for this county-wide-tournament, not won by Worthing since 1993.

East Grinstead won the toss and elected to field hoping to take advantage of some morning dampness. East Grinstead’s two opening seamers, Ben Davies and Will Taylor, bowled tight lines as Worthing’s batsmen found runs hard to come by. But Worthing’s opening pair of Harry Dunn and Bradley Lewis continued their good form with the bat this week, keeping the score ticking over at a steady pace until the 7^th over when Bradley was undone by a good length delivery. East Grinstead quickly introduced Nathan Bailey into the attack and soon had Worthing further on the back foot as he bowled with pace and accuracy, taking 3 wickets in quick succession as Worthing slumped to 59 for 4 in the  19^th over. Meanwhile, Worthing’s Dan Stuart, who came in at the fall of the first wicket was beginning to amass a score which would ultimately be critical to Worthing’s total. By lunch the score hard reached 75 with Dan on 27 at the end of the 29^th over

The resumption saw Worthing’s Ollie Carpenter immediately take the attack to the bowlers as he hit 3 fours in the first over of the afternoon session. However, two wickets in as many balls from East Grinstead’s Josh Hampson again hindered Worthing’s progress as Worthing looked to build a defendable total in the closing overs. Supporting knocks from Martyn Swift and James Allen gelled nicely with Dan Stuart’s fine batting performance as he passed his own 50 mark in the 41^st over. Dan continued to play superbly until the end of the innings, seeing Worthing grab a valuable 35 runs off the last 5 overs and while the total of 150 from their allotted 45 overs seemed low it did at least give them a total to bowl at.

The East Grinstead innings started with some drama as Martyn Swift opened the attack for Worthing only to see Ben Davies get dropped on his first delivery and then bowl their No.2 with a yorker with his second. Despite this, East Grinstead took the attack to Worthing, scoring in good time, Ben Davies making the most of his opportunity, playing nicely off his front foot including one tremendous six over long on. One further wicket for Martyn Swift and leg-spinner Mason Crane had done little to dent East Grinstead’s progress and by the time the game had reached the tea interval at the end of the 22^nd over, East Grinstead were in a strong position at 92 for 3 with Ben Davies on 40 not out.

The final session saw a change to the shape of the innings and to Worthing’s fortunes as their spinners began to take hold. Having bowled well all week, taking 27 wickets between them, the triumvirate of James Allen, Mason Crane, and Harry Dunn again proved. Today it was the turn of James Allen to take the plaudits in a spell that saw him take a match-winning 6 wickets for 17 runs. With 2 wickets going down straight after tea, it was the crucial wicket of Ben Davies, finally out for a fine 51, which proved the turning point. His departure at the fall of 7^th wicket to a perfect leg cutter with the score on 114 left too much for East Grinstead’s remaining batsmen. James collected the last three wickets and, deservedly, the Man of the Match award for his efforts.

And so, in the final analysis, Worthing won by 32 runs to take the trophy back to the seaside town but credit must go to both sides who won through to the final; an achievement in itself in a county where cricket is still a strongly contested sport and played in the best of traditions by many junior players at all levels across Sussex. As such, a big thank you must go to the SJCF Committee, Arundel Castle C.C., all participating clubs, helpers and parents for making this tournament what it is. Long may it continue.

Scorecard