Match Reports & Results

Weekend of 14th/15th August

So we’re coming to the end of our cricket season, with next weekend due to be the final weekend but looking doubtful with a number of people away – partly due to the T20s final weekend on Saturday which Sussex are in – so if anyone is at a loose end, could be an entertaining watch. I suspect this will also be the last update from me this season, thanks for reading them. I’m hoping we will get the chance to do winter nets in the new year, which to be honest, the lack of in 2021 felt a big hinderance to us getting into form. They are an excellent opportunity to come along and get some practice in with everyone else in the same boat of not having any form, so if you are interested in coming a long do drop me a message and I can let you know if plans get firmed up – its much easier to start then than try and start mid season when others are in form. If it is the case that the weekend just gone was our final weekend of the season, it was a great couple of games to finish on.

On Saturday we had an early start making the long journey up to Reigate for their final home game of the season, complete with post match bbq. On a ground which players such as Tendulkar, M Waugh, Alec Stewart, and WG Grace have played on, it was time for the Ferring Saturday team to be added to that list! (For anyone interested full list of internationals to have played there is Test cricketers who have played at Reigate Priory (reigatepriorycc.co.uk)). Sadly, our batsman didn’t quite live up to some of those names, making a slow and unsteady start, with Jake Awde out in the second over with the score just 8. Jonathon Bond and Alex King did steady things down a bit, however, when Alex was clean bowled for just 8 and the score only on 22 it was a sign of things to come. A couple more quick wickets fell and we were down to 26 for 4. But when the other opening bat Jonathon Bond fell to a wonderful catch by the keeper for 16 and the score still only on 37, it was down to Iain Wardley to try and give the score an element of respectability. With wickets continuing to fall at the other end, 10 man Ferring turned to the injured Colin King to bat in the hope that the usual opener might get us out of trouble. Despite his best efforts, he was unable to cope with the wicket and we found ourselves 66-9. However, a final wicket stand between Iain Wardley (24) and Alex Williams (10 not out) got Ferring up to 92, but fearing it could be an early start on the bbq, and that the locals must have been wishing for a more competitive opposition.

However, we determinedly set about our task of defending 92 and some tight bowling from Alex Williams and Mike Lewis set the tone that we still did have a chance. Both bowling 7 overs, picking up a wicket each and going for only 25 runs in total. Jake Awde then came on and bowled an excellent spell getting the Reigate dangerman out (who scored 58 not out against us earlier in the season) and all of a sudden we were in the game, Jake finishing with 6 overs 2 for 18. Reigate did then have their own collapse, with Malcolm House and Alex King both taking 3 wickets each as the pressure built and they were all out for just 79, Malcolm 8 overs 3 for 14 and Alex just 2 overs but 3 for 2. In the end quite a comfortable win for Ferring, followed by a lovely evening with the bar open and the bbq, thank you very much to Reigate for their excellent hospitality and a very enjoyable game.

On Sunday we played our last home match of the season (any games beyond now will be away), playing Ardingly. Given their long journey, and what felt like a strong Ferring team, Ardingly were given the choice of batting or fielding first, choosing to field. And given final game of the season and after a couple of wonderful shots the day before, captain Alex Williams decided he should have his once game opening the batting for the season. In an unexpected turn of events, he wasn’t the first man out, Joe Binns unfortunately playing on early. Knowing there was plenty of batting to come Alex played a few shots before eventually missing a slower ball and getting out for 18. However, an excellent 82 run partnership from Chris Paterson and Malcolm House got the score up to 110 before Malcolm was out also trying to accelerate the scoring. Excellent batting from both Chris (79) and later Alex King (63 not out) got Ferring up to a very respectable 231 for 6 off our 42 overs.

So Ardingly needed 232 from 38 overs to win, and Ferring needed to get them all out to win, a draw the result if neither of those happened. Ardingly set off well and despite good bowling from Jake Awde and Ben Adkin no breakthrough came. At the drinks break at 19 overs Ardingly were comfortably over 100 runs without losing a wicket, and nerves were building. Alex Williams and Alex King came on to bowl and initially kept things tight and Ardingly began to have to battle to score runs as quickly as they had been. This pressure told and Alex W made the much needed breakthrough to give some hope. A delightful slower ball then deceived the other opening bat who was clean bowled for 90 got Ferring thinking the game was not over yet for us. Further wickets fell, Alex W ending up with 10 overs 5 wickets for 47. With a further wicket for Joe Binns, the final over came down to needing 16 runs with 4 wickets in hand. However, a couple of suicidal run outs still meant with 2 balls remaining all results were possible, Ardingly needing 12 with 2 wickets remaining. Neither team managed what they needed with a very well contested draw the result played in exactly the spirit we want. Special note of thanks to youngster Harry Lewis for coming down to play for the oppo who only had 10 players and then fielding for us for a long time as well after an recurrence of Jakes knee injury. It has been noted that his batting probably stopped Ferring winning the match after he scored 4 runs, but also dug in to support the other batsman at a time when wickets had been falling and pressure had really been building.

Also, thanks again to the Henty for their hospitality, was really nice to go down there for one final post game drink this season.

Alex Williams