THE arrival of hot weather heralded the start of the 2014
Church Times Cricket Cup, the world's oldest one-day
knock-out cricket competition.
But the weather wasn't favourable for last year's losing
finalists, Lichfield, and their neighbours from
Birmingham. Their match on 12 May would have been
the first since the unexpected death after a short illness of the
Revd Jeff Reynolds, Lichfield's popular captain, but was abandoned
because of poor weather and a pitch unfit for play.
When Lichfield did take to the pitch a week
later, against Coventry at Ragley Hall, they lost
the wickets of Gregory and Darlington early, before a fine
third-wicket stand of 157 between Cranston and Rylands put them in
control of the game. Coventry lost wickets quickly in reply, and
only Gandon offered resistance.
On the same day, Leicester won the toss and
elected to bat against Peterborough at Thrapston,
but were all out for 93 with Orridge (18) and Hill (12) the top
scorers. Morton, Foster, Davies, and Purnell shared the wickets,
ably supported by some athletic fielding. In reply, Peterborough
reached 94 for the loss of only three wickets, with overs to spare.
Morton added to his two wickets by scoring 43.
Liverpool elected to bat first against
Manchester in Warrington. A partnership of 102
between James and Emmerson helped Manchester to a seven-wicket
victory.
Guildford beat a depleted
Chichester side at Normandy CC. Guildford batted
first and made 213 for eight in their 40 overs. Moray Thomas
carried his bat for 77 not out, and Aiden Watson scored 42 and
Chris Owen 32. Peterson bowled tightly and effectively for three
wickets for 11 runs in his eight overs.
Chichester began well, scoring freely at about six an over for
20 overs. Kemp got to 103, and Peterson (25) and Simmonds (18)
chipping in; but then wickets tumbled, and without a full team they
fell 40 short with over ten overs to left. Moray Thomas took four
wickets for 30.
At Marlborough, Salisbury beat
Oxford comfortably by eight wickets. Seymour did
the damage, taking five wickets for just eight runs.
The group matches must be played by 22 June, before the
quarter-finals on Monday 23 June, and semi-finals on Monday 7
July.
The final will be played once more at the Walker Ground in
Southgate, north London, on Thursday 4 September.
Could team secretaries please email match reports to
cricket@gavindrake.co.uk as soon as possible after the conclusion
of the match.
Lichfield v Birmingham
Match not played: points shared.
Lichfield 263 for 4 from 40 overs (Andy
Cranston 101, Mark Rylands 105*; Parker 1 for 25).
Coventry 51 all out from 20.3 overs (Andrew Gandon
31; Andy Cranston 3 for 19, Doug Hemming 2 for 8, Richard Reeve 2
for 14, Matthew Lefroy 2 for 7).
Lichfield won by 212 runs.
Leicester 93 all out (Orridge 18, Hill 12;
Morton 2 for 10, Foster 1 for 12, Davies 3 for 11, Purnell 2 for
15). Peterborough 94 for 3 (Morton 43*; Miles 1
for 11).
Peterborough won by 7 wickets.
Liverpool 181 for 6 (Cook 42, Gibbs 22, Corbett
31, Birch 32*, Brown 15). Manchester 183 for 3
(James 85, Lindop 20, Emmerson 56*, Cowling 16*).
Manchester won by 7 wickets.
Guildford 213 for 8 (Thomas 77*, Watson 42,
Owen 32; Peterson 3 for 11). Chichester 172 all
out (Kemp 103, Peterson 25, Simmonds 18; Thomas 4 for 30).
Guildford won by 40 runs.
Oxford 82 all out (Seymour 5 for 8, Windsor 2
for 2). Salisbury 83 for 2 (Rimmer 33*, Windsor
24*; Wingfield-Digby 2 for 32).
Salisbury beat Oxford by 8 wickets.
* Not Out