Date Search

64 records found

Sunday 13 June 2010

Match Report

The Lord’s Taverners v Fly Emirates XI
St. George’s School, Windsor Castle
MANAGER: ROGER OAKLEY
ADMINISTRATOR: LORD’S TAVERNERS HQ

To download the match scorecard please click here.

Fly Emirates XI 251 for 8 (35 overs)
The Lord's Taverners 252 for 6 (32 overs)

The Lord's Taverners won by 4 wickets.

This eagerly awaited day could not have started on a better note as we learnt that Maurice Flanagan, the Emirates EVC, had been awarded a Knighthood in the Queens Birthday Honours, to the great delight of all involved.

We were again honoured to have the presence of The Twelfth Man at the reception and lunch where our own inimitable President, Chris Tarrant, issued advice to the opposition, reminding them that although they led 11-4 in the series they would have a match on their hands on this very day.

Fly Emirates XI batted first and ignoring the reputation of our new opening bowler, Matthew Hoggard, speedily moved onto 145 for 1.  Arshad Ali scored a brilliant 111, ably supported by Khuram Khan 42, Rizwan Ahmed 32, and Shafeer Reyal 31, whilst the only bowler to distinguish himself was Paul Taylor, who nipped in at the end of the innings to take 4 for 39.  The fielding was excellent and not a catch was missed, which must be a Taverners first.  The 35 over innings ended on 251 for 8 leaving a challenging target at over 7 an over.

Our debutant Arun Harinath, the current Surrey opener, had an unfortunate time being caught at 3rd man for nought second ball.  England’s Young Cricketer of the Year, James Taylor, was soon caught at slip for 10 and John Crawley bowled for 14, which left the Taverners tottering at 52 for 3.

This brought together two former Leicestershire captains in Vince Wells and Paul Nixon who batted splendidly to put on 129 in less than an hour before a brilliant bit of fielding resulted in a run out.  The Taverners were fortunate that several catches were dropped in the course of the innings, with the Emirates fielding being below the usual high standard.  Paul Nixon reached a well deserved century and guided the team to victory by 4 wickets with 3 overs to spare with a display of clean striking and concentration, with a cover driven 4 to win the match in fine style.  This is only the second time that the Taverners have beaten The Fly Emirates team at home and the opposition were given a hard time at the end of the match by their boss.

A huge debt of gratitude is owed to the players, umpires John Price and Mike Denness, scorer Trevor Sturgess and the indefatigable Andrew Green on the PA.  The players come far and wide to play for the Taverners and a special mention must be made of Matthew Hoggard, Paul Nixon and James Taylor who played at Old Trafford, just 24 hours earlier, and were due to play at Durham the next day.  It was beyond the call of duty, but hugely appreciated.

Perhaps the most important aspect of the day was the presentation of a minibus, heavily sponsored by Emirates, for children from the Battledown Centre for Children and Families in Cheltenham and Gloucestershire.  As ever it was wonderful to see the pleasure which our minibus gives to these under privileged children and their admirable helpers, and it reminds us all why we give something back to the game.

...Back