Sunday XI v. Olton & WW

On Sunday 16th September, Kenilworth’s Sunday XI hosted Olton and West Warwickshire for their final Arden Sunday Cricket League match of the season, that also was the Club’s final match of 2018.

Home captain Geoff Edmunds won the toss and opted to bat first. Openers Henry Curran and Adie Sellar began in a positive manner, both batsman keeping the scorer busy, racing to a fifty run partnership inside the first ten overs, the pair had put on 71 for the first wicket when Sellar was caught for a solid 38. Curran was joined by the in form Elliott Haynes Sorrell. Sorrell needing 17 runs to make a thousand runs for the season, but unfortunately he was caught by Rigoni for 13, falling agonisingly four runs short, but a brilliant effort from Sorrell, ending on 996 runs for the season, Kenilworth now 92 for 2, Chris Prophet joined Curran and was quickly into his stride, stroking three elegant fours.

Curran completed his fifty, but fell soon after for 51 (8 x 4), the home side 127 for 3. Young keeper batsman George Baines joined Prophet, together the pair added 52, Prophet bowled by Rigoni for a fine 57 (7 x 4 & 3 x 6). Jono Sparks was the next man in, he and Baines plundered the visitors bowling adding an unbroken stand of 52 for the fifth wicket, as Kenilworth posted a decent 231 for 4 from their forty overs, Baines unbeaten on 29 and Sparks 31 not out, for Olton, Sunil took 2 for 29.

So, Kenilworth went out to field for the last time in 2018, regular opening bowler Matthew Dadswell was partnered by Jono Sparks, Sparks opened up from the Leek Wootton end, the Olton openers looked to make a strong start to their sides reply, but when Arshad and Cullen had put on 23, young Dadswell had Cullen brilliantly stumped down the leg side by George Baines for 17. Arshad was looking to be positive, but in the tenth over was caught by Andy Dadswell off Matthew Dadswell one handed just behind square on the leg side, and two balls later Dadswell had Loud caught by Baines without scoring, young Matt Dadswell taking the first three wickets for the second game running. Sparks was soon in the act, bowling the Olton number three, the visitors rocking on 46 for 4 in the eleventh over.

The spin of Tom Skinner replaced Dadswell and Darius Potten-Ravenshad replaced Sparks, spin from both ends now, but the wickets kept falling, first Skinner, then one for Ravenshad, Olton in deep trouble at 65 for 6. Another wicket for Skinner, thanks to another catch from Andy Dadswell at cover, two more for the inspired DPR, Olton on the brink at 93 for 9.

But the last pair of Rigoni batting at ten and number eleven Griffin, started to put bat to ball, the pair went on to blaze 61 together on seven overs, before skipper Geoff Edmunds bought himself on from the Leek Wootton end, as he lured Rigoni down the wicket, only to become keeper Baines second stumping, Rigoni out for an entertaining 28, Griffin not out 31, Olton all out for 154 in the 33rd over.

The wickets shared, DPR with 3 for 25 from eight overs, Matthew Dadswell with 3 for 40 from eight overs, Tom Skinner with 2 for 35 off eight overs Jono Sparks 1 for 30 from six overs and finally and fittingly, a last wicket for Geoff Edmunds to end the season.

Kenilworth the winners by 77 runs, ending the season in a creditable fourth place with six wins.

Well played everyone who played, scored, umpired, made all the delicious teas and all the hard work preparing the ground so we can play the game we all love.

Thanks all.

Furthermore……

The Club is grateful to ALL the players in ALL the sides who turned out to play this season. It has been a good year overall. Hopefully, it was an enjoyable year.

SPECIAL THANKS go to a vast array of people – especially to those who have helped out pre-matches to get the games on and to the devoted Ground Staff who have committed so much time and energy on and around the Ground throughout the season that often goes unnoticed and is taken for granted by most, to the players who helped out closing down the ground on the last match of the season, to the Selectors, to our Social Media gurus, those who supplied photos on them too, to Andy Dadswell for doing the reports all season that have been published on here and in the Press, and finally but not least – to our dear and crucial tea ladies for preparing the food for the players and officials so they were fed and watered week in, week out.

ALL UNSUNG heroes and heroines, the lot of you. WELL DONE and THANK YOU.

It could not have been done without all your efforts and the Club is so grateful and thankful to you all.

And THANK YOU for all those who visited the Ground during the season to watch and support the sides.

Please continue to support the Club during the close season months when events are being arranged!

ROLL ON the 2019 SEASON NOW!