THE rule-change for the 2017 Church Times Cricket Cup competition, from 40 to 35 overs per innings, does not appear to have affected scores. Two teams roared past the 200-run mark in this, the first week of the competition.
At Shalbourne, Salisbury beat Oxford by 121 runs, thanks to a career-best innings of 98 not out by a school chaplain in Wimborne, Philip Jack, who had previously served in the Oxford diocese. Had he scored four off the last ball of the innings, he would have notched up a century — and possibly a large bar bill.
Salisbury ended with 235 for 6, Rimmer scoring 57. In reply, Oxford could manage only 114 all out, despite a solid 73 from Wingfield Digby, enjoying an active retirement.
Tom Moffat is another seasoned player. He turned out for Coventry against Leicester, and contributed 34 runs to their total of 209 for 3. He also took what was described as a “sparkling” catch at slip to help take Leicester down for 111 all out, after a promising start had put them at 62 for 0. Coventry’s top scorer was Budd; Leicester’s Pickersgill.
More dioceses have combined forces this season. Chester/Liverpool took on Carlisle/Blackburn/Durham at Kendal. Carlisle’s opener, Charles Jefferson, is a new recruit to the side, having been formerly captain of Chester. On this pitch, 20 years ago, he shared a 92-run opening partnership with Norman Goodwin, Chester’s current captain.
This time, however, he managed only 23, but that still made him top scorer in his side’s disappointing 63-run total. Humphries excelled in bowling, claiming three wickets. In reply, Chester knocked off the required runs in 8.1 hours. Pennystan finished the innings in style with a six knocked into the pavilion.
More disappointingly, Exeter could not get a team together to face Bristol; so the latter take the points. Also, Lincoln scratched, giving the points to Norwich/Ely.
Salisbury 235 for 6 (Jack 98 n.o., Rimmer 57). Oxford 114 all out (Wingfield Digby 73; Strain 3 for 12). Salisbury won by 121 runs.
Coventry 209 for 3 (Lanham 50, Moffatt 34, Gandon 46, Budd 57 n.o. Leicester 111 (Pickersgill 42, Orridge 31; Gandon 4 for 21, Lanham 3 for 23). Coventry won by 98 runs.
Carlisle-Blackburn-Durham 63 for 7 (Jefferson 23). Chester-Liverpool 68 for 0 from 8.1 overs. Chester won by 10 wickets.