BACKReport by "Fingers"
"Win the toss, bat, win the game, beer, curry" E Choules circa 2001
This was the first round of the junior competition of the Berkshire CCC Evening Knock-out cup. The draw had recreated the final of the Berkshire League Knock-out Cup Final of last year and whilst this win didn't make up for losing that game it was a small measure of revenge.
The evening started badly with the toss taking place with only 8 players present and "hobbler" Sant looking nervous. A 'phone call was then received from Andy Johnson asking where everyone was as he had made his way past Stratfield all the way to Theale, a quick about turn enabled him to bat at six.. A 'phone call was then made to the Pykes (surprisingly running late) and was sufficient to distract them and make them miss the entrance to the ground.
Early wickets were then lost leaving T&T on 41-4 with Danny Spence the pick of the opposition bowlers. Andy Johnson and Mo Iqbal then came in and played in their usual belligerent style to force the score up to 140, Mo scoring all his runs (including 3 sixes) in one over off Sandland. Edward Choules anchored the innings for a very good 38 as he started to find some form after a slow start to the season.
A total of 140 didn't put Stratfield out of the game on what was an excellent pitch and despite the loss of the dangerous D Spence in the first over they were still in the game at 94-3. However, the pressure of the run rate made the Strafield batsmen continue to take chances and a combination of good bowling and fielding told in the end.
North Maidenhead or Lower Earley next in the semi-final of the Junior Cup.