THIS was quarter-final week in the Church Times Cricket Cup competition. Two matches were played, one waived, and the result of one had not been reported to us by the time we went to press.
London and Bristol met in a rematch of last year’s final at the Falkland Cricket Club, Newbury.
The game began badly for Bristol, thanks to a broken-down car on the M4. Although Bristol won the toss, and would have chosen to bowl on a green, damp pitch, they agreed to bat in order to avoid further delay.
Peterson and Molton started confidently, before Molton was lbw to Knowles with the score on 12. Rylands joined Peterson, and they began to score freely before Peterson misjudged a ball from Hamilton-Box and drove straight to mid-off with the score at 61-2. Rylands was joined by Murray, and the pair were looking very comfortable; but, at that point, one man changed the course of the game.
Allerton first bowled Murray. Then, returning to field at fine leg, he ran out Watson, who was coasting through for an easy single. The throw left Watson and everyone else who saw it completely stunned. Allerton didn’t end there, and, helped by Knowles, reduced Bristol from 61-2 to 85 all out. Allerton finished with 4-6 in four overs.
In reply, London started briskly. Rimmer fell lbw to Rylands, on 30-1, to be replaced by Kennedy. The other opener, Allerton, batted through, hitting seven fours and two sixes on his way to an unbeaten 53. London reached their target in 13 overs.
In their match, Exeter won the toss and chose to field. Under grey skies and spitting rain, Canterbury/Rochester accumulated runs steadily but slowly. Accurate bowling from Taylor, Elliston, McKinnel, and May, backed up by enthusiastic fielding and a fine wicket-keeping performance from Franklin, led to wickets falling just as any acceleration looked likely.
There was a fine innings from Baxter, and the Kent team, without some of their key batsmen, ended with a score of 115 for 8 wickets in 35 overs.
As the sunshine emerged, and under the gaze of red kites wheeling overhead, Exeter responded in a measured fashion, and, despite the loss of the openers, Taylor and Rylands (senior) were able to see the Devon team safely home with four overs to spare.
Hereford were unable to field a team, ceding their match to Leeds.
Bristol 85 all out (Rylands 32*, Peterson 33; Allerton 4-6, Knowles 4-25). London 86-1 (Allerton 53*, Kennedy*; Rylands 1-32, Watson 0-12).
London won by nine wickets.
Canterbury/Rochester 115 for 8 (Baxter 49; Taylor 2-15, McKinnel 1-26, May 1-29, Rylands 2-18). Exeter 119 for 2 (Franklin 27; Taylor 34*; Rylands 34*)
Exeter won by eight wickets.