So, the week leading up to the game against Barnsley was a struggle for the skipper, many texts, calls and emails sent out and still the day job to be done (busy time of year there too!)!! Holidays, injuries, cycling, all that was missing for excuses not to play was a note from peoples mum’s! Thanks to some people playing slightly injured (or more than slightly) and wasting brownie points we managed to get out 10 (including an excited Jack Goodwin, making his full debut after a non starter last weekend).

A hot and muggy day brought a substantial crowd down to the ground to witness the visit of Barnsley. The skipper won the toss (yes you read that right!) but had no real option with people having to leave early but to bowl first. Some way wood bowling that has led to many questioning the length of the pitch (full toss city!), some spectacular fielding (Jack Goodwin diving on the boundary, Richie’s sensational run out, dfp’s ridiculous dodgy arm catch) and some less spectacular fielding (I won’t name and shame – we can all relive the incidents!) meant that Barnsley set a stiff total at 234-9. An infuriating carrying of bat from the Barnsley opener for 96* (why he didn’t retain the strike to get his hundred I can’t work out!) combined with a controversial “no-ball” called for height despite hitting the stumps (at the bottom) were some of the other highlights!

So to the chase…. Stevens was promoted to the top of the order due to his time restrictions and gave us a brisk entertaining innings. Cartwright was looking in imperious form, and supported by Kutchera (falling to the risky post 4 ball), Harmer (looking in good touch before being LBW…..) and Goodwin (bowled with the score approaching 200) kept Sherston ahead of the rate and when he was out for a great 109, Sherston required around 30 off the last 7 overs. Some tight bowling, good batting but questionable running (three run outs) took us to the last over needing 5 to win. Ball 1 A Moore attempted single resulted in a Hulance run out, which brought the debutant Goodwin to the crease. The last man…..

Ball 2… Goodwin flashes, tough chance dropped at slip and a single scampered…
Ball 3… Moore aggressively hits two into the leg side..
Ball 4… Moore takes the single on offer to tie the scores…
Ball 5… Goodwin tries to pierce the field to win the game but is unfortunately caught.

Great effort from Jack who ensured Sherston didn’t lose, and tried to valiantly hit the winning runs and managed to tie the game! We all believe the kid will be a hell of a cricketer in the future.

Could it have been a different story if Sherston had 11, possibly, however at the end of the day we should all have been proud of the day. The 10 of Sherston matched the 11 of Barnsley.

Proud to be #teammagna

Full scorecard available here: http://sherstonmagna.play-cricket.com/website/results/2433365