The final match of the season was against South Wilts CC. What with some schools having started term, teachers at Inset weekends, and end of holiday family weekends, we struggled to raise an XI. In historic Queries style one expected player failed to show, and one – James Roue – answered the call at the 11th hour. So we borrowed a player, lost the toss and took to the field. A mate of Dom Spencer’s then arrived, fielded well for a bit, pulled a muscle and left the field. Suffice to say that field placing on such a fast outfield was a challenge!
Opening bowlers Conor Grant [8-3-33-1] and Ollie Illingworth [5-0-19-0] bowled well, Conor especially so and then SW CC piled in to the first and second change bowlers to take them from 64 for 1 after 15 overs to 214 for 2 after 34 overs. After their big guns retired, Simon Campbell came on to bowl and between him and Conor G 6 wickets were taken in the next 6 overs, Simon returning figures of 4-0-15-4. S&SWCC 40 over innings closed on 228 for 7.
Whereas their top order had been strong and tail weak, our top order was rather weaker – 16 for 1 and 49 for 2 – but our middle order, batsmen 3 to 8, all came to the party and scored well. Ollie Illingworth was the anchorman, surprisingly hitting only one boundary in his 34*. Joe Cranch and James Roué hit a run-a-ball 25 and 24, then skipper Jack Bramwell [32], Simon Campbell [32] got us within striking distance and then Conor Grant rose to the challenge and came to the crease and hit 32 off 19 balls, including 6 boundaries, to win the game! Queries 230 for 6 in 37.4 overs and if there had been a MotM award, Conor would have been a very strong contender.
Many thanks to SW CC for an enjoyable game played in exactly the right spirit on a lovely sunny day. Thanks too to all the parents who came to watch.
After the match – asserted by 80 year old Brian Thompson to be his last ever for the Queries – Jack Bramwell presented Brian with a Queries shield and a Queries polo shirt in recognition of the many years playing for the Queries, managing matches, being an ardent Club supporter and a Committee member of long standing.
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