GM Performance of the Round – Semi-Final
Simon Ward – 103 for Houghton Main v Astwood Bank
Photo credit: Phillip Wilcox
Houghton Main’s Simon Ward has been awarded GM Performance of the Round after scoring 103 in his side’s 21-run victory over Astwood Bank.
The Yorkshire side, who won the tournament in 2006, reached 232 for 6 after Ward smashed 103 off 109.
But it was hard work for the ‘keeper who had to dig deep following the loss of fellow opener Ian Simon (4) and captain Michael Brown (6).
Aided by Yousaf Rehman (42) and Callum Honeyman (31), he eventually managed to play freely after a sustained period of pressure to score 16 boundaries and a much-needed century.
In response, Astwood looked comfortable. Tom Underhill (83 off 62) and Sam Thomas (60 off 63) scored quickly to take control of the game, but when they fell to Honeyman and Biswick Kapala respectively, Houghton reclaimed the initiative.
Imran Khan, the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 22, then bowled economically at the death to restrict the hosts to 211 for 9 and secure Houghton’s place at Lord’s.
Speaking to The Cricketer after the game, Ward revealed how tough it was to score against the hosts.
“Normally I’m quite aggressive,” explains Ward. “But when we lost Ian [Simon] and Michael Brown, I had to knuckle down.
“They didn’t really give us many bad balls to start with, but then some boundaries came and I started to feel a bit more confident.
“I eventually scraped myself to 50, and then obviously ended up getting a hundred. They dropped me one short on 96 so it was a nice, easy way to get to there.”
It proved to be a match-winning knock from Ward, one which impressed teammate Michael Bates.
“Simon rained his instincts in a bit,” says Bates, who has 14 wickets in the tournament. “He’s typically aggressive, but I think he was 8 off 38 at one point! He was a bit entrenched, but he dug in and got a lot of support from Yousaf Rehman.
“They put on 97, and once that platform was built, Simon was able to accelerate, use his power and the short boundary to score really quickly.”
Houghton Main will now face two-time champions Reed at Lord’s in the final, and both Bates and Ward can’t wait for the opportunity to play on the hallowed turf.
“I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet,” admits Bates. “Every time someone mentions it, you get that emotional feeling inside that’s [like] wow, we’re going to be playing at Lord’s in a month’s time.”
“There’s a massive buzz about the club,” says Ward. “Everyone’s excited. Anyone that likes cricket, or was into cricket as a kid, it’s their dream to play at Lord’s. Thankfully this competition allows you to get there.”
As winner of GM Performance of the Round Simon Ward will receive a commemorative prize from Gunn & Moore, official cricket brand of the Village Cup
