Chipping Sodbury 2nds Gain Promotion In Nail Biting Final Match
Article Date: 5th September 2011
Sodbury made sure it was a day to remember for the cricket club as they pulled off a dramatic 2 wicket victory to get the win they needed to guarantee the league title.
Frenchay won the toss and elected to bat first and posted a very competitive 213 for 7 from their 45 overs.
All of the home side's batsmen made starts but the Sodbury bowlers were able to pick up wickets regularly to ensure the run rate was kept in check.
Pick of the Sodbury bowlers was Jack Townsend who claimed 3 for 39 and he was well backed up by Tom Febry (2 for 35) Adrian Forrester (1 for 50) and Nick Wake (1 for 18).
Sodbury needed to bat well to chase down their target and were indebted to Nick Wake.
By his own standards, he has had an average season, but he picked the best time to finally make a big score.
He anchored the innings magnificently to keep Sodbury in the game. He shared an opening partnership of 31 with Lee Walters (15) and a 75 run third wicket partnership with Mark Reynolds (23).
When Wake eventually holed out for 81 with Sodbury on 163, the game was evenly poised. Nic Anderson (29 from 32 balls) took the attack to Frenchay but three quick wickets put Sodbury in trouble.
Crabtree and Anderson came together with the score on 197 for 7 with 4 overs left. The Sodbury contingent in the crowd made themselves known. The nerves were at an all time high, win the match and get promoted, but lose and it was a different story.
Fielders try to Suffocate Crabtree
The field had come in for the new batsman, moreorless everyone was on the single. The bowling was tight and Crabtree was struggling to get the ball away, but managed to run faster than he had done for years to keep the scoreboard ticking.
But Sodbury only managed 5 from the next 12 balls. 200-7 off 43.
Then Crabtree lofts one over the in field, RUN RUN RUN came the screams as the ball stops short of the boundary.
Final Over Looms
207-7 off 44. The final over came with Crabtree on strike, 7 needed for promotion and facing the pacey France in gloomy conditions.
The first ball arrives just above knee height and the ball is dispatched to the point boundary to a call of NO-BALL from the umpire. The crowd goes wild, an amazing roar on a September cricket pitch!
The bowler's back foot had broken the return crease, he had done the same during his previous over but the umpire hadn't called it.
Suddenly only 2 was needed from the last 6 balls, surely it was only a matter of time...
The next ball zipped through to the keeper as Crabtree made room but missed. Calls of wide from the boundary were met with a stony faced expression from the umpire.
2 runs needed from 5 balls.
France then bowled a full ball that Crabtree blocked to the gully region, 'YES!' he called, Anderson pelted it down to the danger end and dived for his life, but as he fell to earth he could see the ball zoom in and dislodge the bails, still a foot short. "I didn't need to do that" says Crabtree.
Still 2 runs needed for promotion, but now from just 4 balls. Not only that but a new batsman was in. Skipper Forrester strode to the crease. You could cut the tension with a knife. Next in was No.11 Ben Weaver who was watching on with hope in his heart.
France began his run towards the right hander, the ball pitches outside off stump, Forrester, who has enjoyed an excellent season with the ball, puts one foot towards it and lofts it OVER EXTRA COVER FOR 4 RUNS!!!!!!!! The Sodbury players go wild and invade the pitch, no one can quite believe that it's all come down to this! LET THE CELEBRATIONS BEGIN!
Paul Crabtree provided excellent support with 10 not out as Sodbury crept home with just 3 balls to spare. Forrester’s men had battled hard all season and thoroughly deserved their championship.
They were soon able to join up with their first team at the home of cricket to celebrate the greatest day in Chipping Sodbury Cricket Club’s history.....but not before the team photo...
and champagne!!
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