Curtis Bennett Shield 2007
| For the first time the Civil Service Cricket Association took the finals of the Curtis-Bennett Cricket competition to Northern Ireland. The Location - Stormont Cricket Ground, a prestigious venue which has hosted England, Australia, Ireland and other international teams. The Finalists - HMRC (North) and HASSRA Yorkshire & Humberside. HMRC (North) Innings HMRC took first knock, making a solid start, but batting was not easy on a slow pitch against accurate bowling and sharp fielding. Progress to a score of 76 for 2 wickets after 20 overs - the halfway stage of the innings – was steady but unspectacular. With HASSRA skipper Sharples directing operations like an animated windmill, his team kept up the pressure. Wickets tumbled and even the HMRC lynchpin, opener Williamson, eventually fell to a fine ball from bowler Newton for a gallant 53 runs. At 106 for 6 wickets HMRC were in trouble. With grim determination they fought back with Jenkinson amassing 21 valuable runs before he was well caught by Lister. Others gallantly contributed, pushing the score along and Cooper in particular carved out 21 priceless runs, remaining defiantly unbeaten at the end. HMRC finished at 157 for 8 – not a big score but a creditable total on a difficult pitch. HASSRA Yorkshire & Humberside Innings HASSRA began carefully until opener Dobson went for a big hit, only to see Jenkinson leap in the air to take a fine one-handed catch. Trower started to cut loose with a magnificent array of shots but then Jenkinson did it again - another superb tumbling catch to dismiss him for 48. Although Woods added 21 valuable runs, HASSRA slumped to 110 for 6 before Crang steadied the ship with a brave 28, taking the score to 142. Then HMRC captain Wright struck, bowling both him and Lister. It was tense but absorbing cricket. Jenkinson came back on to bowl, producing a venomous delivery to shatter the stumps. HMRC celebrations were premature - the umpire had signalled "no ball". A crucial decision! The last over. 7 runs needed by HASSRA: only 2 wickets left. Runs came off every ball but with one ball left, the scores were tied. The last ball. Fielders crowded round the batsman as the bowler unleashed a fizzing delivery...which eluded everybody and raced to the boundary for 4 runs! HASSRA Yorkshire & Humberside had won by the skin of their teeth. Duncan Farrer described the contest as "terrific stuff". He said. "Both sides should take credit for contributing to such a tremendously exciting match played in good spirit. "Thanks go to all concerned, especially organiser Peter Crossley, who saw it through with his usual mixture of cajolery, coercion, entreaty and humour." Marian Holmes, CSSC Chief Executive, presented the trophies at the end of a competition, which successfully reached its conclusion despite one of the wettest summers ever. The CB Plate final took place on the following day at the same location. The powerful DSRA side beat a game HASSRA West Midlands team by 8 wickets to take the trophy. |
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