Last Ball Thriller in Title Decider

The 13s arrived at Fiskerton for the league title decider. Something had to give for the top 2 teams, having both played 8 won 8. An absolute belter ensued, fitting of any final.

The home team bats first so the KCC XI of...

Back Row (l-r) M. Shepherd, L. Brown, G. Flewitt, T. Newell, J. Cairns, C. Malik. P. Newell (manager)

Front Row (l-r) J. Wilkins, T. Kitching, J. Nice (c) T. Blacklock (wk), M. Chamberlain

...had chance to put their 30 minute preparation into good effect.

Shepherd roared in with the speed and accuracy that had been hoped for all season and opened with 2 successive maidens, to set the tone. Chamberlain found his usual line and length but was dispatched a couple of times by the powerful opener who had yet to be dismissed this season.

Fiskerton: 14-0 off 4

Find of the season, Wilkins, struck with his second delivery. A top edge saw Cairns spring to action from backward short leg to take a diving catch. Kitching provided an able foil at the other end as the spin kings took the pace off the ball. Wilikns produced a second moment to savour holding onto a sharp return catch to dismiss the number 3.

Fiskerton: 33-2 off 8.

It was an over too far for Kitching as the talented opener successively carted the ball to the ropes, bringing up a clinical and chanceless 35* for his 6th retirement of the season. A fine knock. The KCC management pleased that it took nearly 13 overs to do so. Wilkins finished with 3-0-16-2.

The number 4 kept up the tempo, with 5 an over being scored, in a wily duel with Nice and Flewitt, who both bowled excellently. Brown produced an excellent bit of fielding off the bowling of Flewitt. Blacklock removing the stumps with the batsman a yard out.

Fiskerton: 67-3 off 12

The number 6 gave a master class in backing up and running between the wickets but was matched by a superb over a piece from Brown and Malik, who conceded only 9 runs between them.

Fiskerton: 87-3 off 16

Senior pros, Shepherd and Cairns, had the responsibility of keeping the total below 100 and didn’t disappoint. Shepherd maintained his discipline and the number 4 was triggered plum LBW for a fine knock of 30. Shepherd finishing with 3-2-5-1. Cairns was miserly with only 3 runs coming from the final over.

Fiskerton: 96-4 off 18.

A superb fielding and bowling display with each player rising to the challenge, only 7 wides and no balls was a great effort.

In reply the U12 pairing of Chamberlain and Blacklock opened leaving the big guns down the order and Blacklock Snr watching through closed fingers!

The duo produced some nice tip and run before Chamberlain (3) was caught in the covers. Captain Nice strode onto the pitch after an all day sports day and couldn’t find the previous nights blistering form – chipping back to the bowler for a regulation caught and bowled.

KCC: 15-2 off 4.

Blacklock and Newell settled the nerves of the large KCC travelling support with sharp running and well timed off side strokes – As Blacklock Snr heart rate returned to safe levels.

KCC: 38-2 off 8.

With the Fiskerton bowlers maintaining an impressive line and length it became apparent that the middle order would be required to hopefully close the game out with both Blacklock and Newell looking likely to retire with 30 still needed.

KCC: 67- 2 off 12.

Blacklock’s (27) magnificent innings finally came to an end in the 13th over after being stranded halfway down the crease but left to a standing ovation and deservedly feeling very proud of his achievements. The pair shared a magnificent 3rd wicket partnership of 59.

Blacklock: The innings of his season along with faultless glovework

Shepherd, capable of finishing the game in a couple of lusty strokes, unfortunately came and went. Newell (36*) retired to another ovation after an exceptional knock and his most important innings of the season. However, the whole complexion of the match had changed.

KCC: 75-4 off 15

22 off 18 required with Cairns and Wilkins in the middle. An excellent 1st over saw 10 scored with 4 doubles accumulated.

KCC: 85-4 off 16.

12 off 12 as the tension racked up a notch and Ted was placing money on the tie. The penultimate over started promisingly with 6 runs coming off the 1st 4 deliveries before Wilkins (5) chipped to the covers. Brown came to the crease as a dot completed the over.

KCC: 91-5 off 17.

6 off 6. The suspense was raised to unbearable levels after a dot, before a brave piece of running saw Cairns take the strike. 5 off 4. You could hear a pin drop as the match swung into the home teams favour with two further dot balls. 5 off 2.

The penultimate delivery saw Cairns swing hard, straight through the line as the ball was launched skywards. The whole sidelines were willingly the ball to the long boundary ropes as the fielders set off. An agonizing wait ensued as the ball landed softly and took an eternity to reach the boundary with the fielders closing in. With the final roll the ball touched the rope leaving the scores tied and one ball remaining. The whole season coming down to the final ball of the final match – who said cricket wasn’t exciting!

With the fielders close in, another excellent delivery was bowled, Cairns couldn’t get anything on it but Brown was off like a rocket. Surely the bails would be removed. In fairness it was a melee of bodies and hard to tell what had happened until Cairns raced to the non strikers end hotly followed by the ball. A fling of the bat, a pitch invasion, tears and hugs and joyous scenes erupted as the KCC XI were victorious by a solitary run.

An amazing match fitting of a title decider played between 2 excellent and evenly matched teams. Huge credit to Fiskerton who bowled and fielded excellently conceding only 6 wides themselves.

Newell and Cairns: Vital contributions with the bat

Over dramatic, not in the slightest! You had to be there, absolute magic. Such character from both sets of players and such excitement. A massive and thoroughly deserved achievement from the U13 and a match that will live long in the memories of everyone in attendance.

http://newarkcyl.play-cricket.com/leagueTables/divisionTable.asp?id=6238&seasonid=24