Bray Boys Reign Supreme

Posted on August 24, 2009

Fresh from the knowledge that the 1st XI secured the league title again on Saturday, most of the team were nursing severe hangovers. Peacock yet again lost the toss but was surprisingly asked to bat on what looked a good hard wicket on a warm day.

Openers Wilson & Kerins took the opportunity with open arms in an opening stand of 139 before Wilson ran himself out for 57, his first ever half century. But Kerins continued in his normal attacking vein and reached 3 figures and was eventually retired by his skipper on 119 with 8 overs remaining. This score being the highest ever at the ground by an Eaton Bray player.

Harvey hit a lusty 6, surprisingly over cow corner as Bray racked up 249 in their 40 overs.

Knebworth Blues opener Dev Woolley is a big hitter and this total was well within his grasp. However, he hadn't banked on the opening spell of Joe Robb which sent him back to the pavilion bowled for just 24. Wickets were taken at regular intervals and the ground fielding was good, the example being set by Ryan Peacock who proved that someone in their family could field and was not frightened of the ball.

In total 8 bowlers were used and all got wickets, with Robb and Wilson getting 2 apiece. The latter even celebrated a bowled before the ball had hit the stumps!!! Peacock snr, in an impressive spell, bowled the only batsman left for 96, after he had been particularly brutal to the bowling of Jones, Barker and Tickell. Young Kiki Churchyard rounded off proceedings by bowling the final batsman as Bray were victorious by 36 runs.

The age of the Bray team was encouraging with only Jones & Kerins aged over 30 (just). This was in stark contrast to the opponents who had 4 players old enough to be Jones' Dad! The future looks bright for this young team.

-- Aching

Scorecard

• Result: Eaton Bray CC - Friendly XI Won by 39 runs
• Date: Sun 23rd Aug 2009 @ 14:30
• Ground: The Rye Gardens
• Type: Friendly
• Scoring: Standard
• Toss: Knebworth Blues CC - 1st XI won the toss and decided to bowl

Source: Eaton Bray Cricket Club