Match Report: Village Cup 2023 Second Round

After being thwarted by the weather, which cancelled all warm-ups and the first round of league games, the E&MWCC men’s senior cricket team finally got their season underway under brilliant sunshine with a second round match of the National Village Cup at Hook & Newnham Basics. Easton had progressed thanks to receiving a walkover in the first round, so this was their first competitive full game of the season.

Captain Seb Stannard (2nd from left) with his opposite number Harry Warner flanked by the two umpires after the toss

The rustiness showed as, after being put in to bat, Easton slowly inched to 43/4 in 20 overs thanks to some very good bowling by Hook’s openers Armstrong & May and the spinner Divecha, aided by a still-soggy outfield which did not allow the ball to travel fast or far. Captain Seb – top-scoring with 31 – then led a rescue act assisted by Neil Rose. Jordon Banks hit sixes of successive balls in the final over to push E&MWCC up to 137/7 in 40 overs.

Playing against a team ranked at least three divisions above them, Easton showed fight as they regularly chipped away at the Hook lineup. Jordon Banks replicated his back-to-back batting feats with the ball as he took two in two to end with 3/32 in 6. Oscar Hunwick also took three wickets and the Boulton brothers Olly and Sam troubled the Hook batters, but the total proved to be about 30-50 runs short as Hook keeper Ollie Webster saw them home with an unbeaten 21, with three wickets and twelve overs to spare.

And so E&MWCC’s Village Cup march ends at the second hurdle, but with a much-needed game under their belt for many players, before the league season begins the coming weekend – weather permitting of course!

For the full scorecard, click here to go to Play-Cricket.