Barkby United’s Tom Flowers [Philip Wilcox/@philipw65]
Loddington & Mawsley 218, Barkby United 218-9 – Barkby United won by fewer wickets lost
In the last 16 of the 2023 Voneus Village Cup, in a local derby, Barkby United (Leicestershire) defeated Loddington & Mawsley (Northants) by the narrowest of margins, writes Philip Wilcox.
In a tense game which went to the very last ball, it was Barkby United’s final pair, Scott Moore and Adam Cookson, who somehow managed to scramble through for the run which meant the scores ended level, with Barkby United triumphing by virtue of losing fewer wickets.
In a match of small margins, Loddington & Mawsley may well regret the late flurry of wickets, which saw them fall from 214 for 6 to 218 all out with 10 balls left unbowled, and they may well rue the extras (15) they conceded in Barkby United’s reply.
Barkby United bowler Scott Moore; Loddington opener Martin Prowse [Philip Wilcox]
Batting first, Loddington & Mawsley were faced by a fine pair of opening bowlers, with the lively pace of Jack Johnson (2 for 43) and the naggingly accurate spin of Scott Moore (1 for 12) causing the batters early difficulties.
Only opener Martin Prowse, who scored a good half-century (56), stood firm, as the scoreboard slipped to 46 for 3.
He eventually got support from Ben Roberts, who went on to make a superb 85; Roberts played shots all around the wicket, and cleared the ropes on five occasions.
It looked as though Loddington & Mawsley were on course to make a challenging total, but Ryan Waplington (3 for 38) and Steve Flowers (2 for 38) cleaned up the tail: all out for 218, the match was evenly poised.
Barkby United made a good start to the run chase. Opener David Tew made a solid 31, and batting No.3, Tom Flowers scored an aggressive 80, causing the bowlers problems with his inventive strokeplay, as he happily hit balls from off to leg.
After Tew fell (90 for 2), Loddington & Mawsley’s bowlers nudged their way back into the game, supported by excellent fielding. The pick of the attack was spinner James Esler (3 for 34).
Barkby United’s Tom Flowers en route to his half-century; Loddington’s Ben Roberts top-scored with 85 [Philip Wilcox]
A fifty partnership between Flowers and Waplington (27) seemed to steady the nerves, but then three wickets fell for ten runs to make the score 194 for 8, and suddenly Loddington & Mawsley were not only back in the game but perhaps slight favourites.
Waplington was joined by Moore (12 not out), and their partnership of 23 took Barkby United to the verge of victory, when there was another twist in the tale. In the final over of the game, Roberts dismissed Waplington, which brought Cookson to the crease with four balls remaining.
Barkby United needed two runs for outright victory, but one run would bring the scores level, and gain victory by means of losing fewer wickets. Roberts, striving for that last wicket, bowled well, but off the very final delivery, Cookson and Moore just about managed the single – Cookson ended with a match-winning one not out.
Barkby United will travel to Milford Hall on July 16, with a spot in the semi-finals awaiting the winner.
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