The dioceses of London and
Southwark got their cup campaigns off the ground
on Monday at Kempton Park Cricket Club, but both sides were
depleted by injuries and absence.
Southwark won the toss, and opted to bat. Progress was slow,
owing to some tight bowling and a fairly sluggish wicket.
A crucial partnership between Stainer and Coulson, moved things
in Southwark's direction. Then Stainer was caught by Moffat at
first slip off Chrystal, and London were back in the
ascendency.
In reply, Moffat and Beeby also started slowly, thanks to some
concise bowling from James and Philbrick, but they gradually got
into their stride, and, once the bowling changed, accelerated the
scoring. Beeby was run out for 30, at which point Barnes joined
Moffat at the crease, and they saw London to their target in 29
overs - not before Moffat reached his half-century, to crown a very
good personal performance by last year's captain.
Also on Monday, Salisbury won the toss and put
Exeter in to bat first at Sherborne School.
Economical Salisbury bowling, and a steady flow of wickets, meant
that Exeter were dismissed for just 54 in the 29th over. Ben Dyson,
a young curate from Wimborne, excelled, taking four for 11.
In reply, Salisbury lost wickets, as Butcher took three for 22,
but 12 from Jack and 14 from Rimmer saw them home.
Coventry emerged as winners over
Birmingham in a hard-fought, fluctuating game at
Harborne.
Coventry batted first, and began strongly, reaching 130 for two,
before ending up with 185 all out. The notable innings was Tom
Moffatt's 55, who is now in his 43rd season playing in the
Church Times Cricket Cup.
Chris Turner (in his 41st season) was the most economical of
Birmingham's bowlers.
Birmingham looked in trouble at 105 for six, and with one
injured player unable to bat; but the tail wagged. Cox (29) and
Hinton (33) looked as if they might carry the team over the winning
line, but Coventry held their nerve and nearly all their catches,
and the innings closed on 178 in the final over.
Budd, playing his first game for Coventry, looked a very useful
acquisition.
Meanwhile, at Castle Rising, Leicester built a
useful total in the sunshine on a good wicket with a slow outfield.
Norwich, particularly Ellis, bowled accurately,
and were quick in the field - including a run out. But clouds
gathered later, and the ball swung around for Hill and Norman
before rain stopped play.
Southwark 132 all out (Stainer 29,
Coulson 39, Moffat 3-36, Chrystal 3-26). London
133-1 in 29 overs (Moffat 51*, Barnes 36*, Beeby 31, James 0-17,
Philbrick 0-26).
London beat Southwark by nine wickets.
Exeter 54 all out (Dyson 4-11).
Salisbury (Rimmer 14, Jack 12; Butcher 3-22).
Salisbury beat Exeter by six
wickets.
Coventry 185 all out (Moffatt 55, Vogel
39, Gandon 29, Burch 20*; Lanaham 3-39, Trethewey 2-27, Parker
2-32, Turner 1-20). Birmingham 178 (Hinton 33, Cox
29, Lanham 29, Turner 21; Vogel 3-54, Gandon 2-29, Budd 1-16, Tash
1-29, Burton 1-39).
Coventry beat Birmingham by seven runs.
Leicester 163 for 6 from 35 overs
(Orridge 37, Norman 30, Broadley 24, Humm 18; Ellis 2-24, Child
1-9). Norwich 7 for 3 from 6.5 overs (Child 1*
(extras 6), Hill 2-5, Norman 1-1).
Match abandoned: Leicester and Norwich share the
points.