Sunday XI v. Knowle Village
DRAW
On Sunday 5th May Kenilworth hosted Knowle Village for their first home Arden Sunday League Division Three fixture of the season. Although the match ended in a draw it will be remembered for a sterling unbeaten century from home player, opener Henry Curran who carried his bat throughout the Kenilworth innings.
Home skipper Matt Casey won the toss and asked Village to bat first. Matthew Dadswell opened up from the pavilion end, and young Kieran Uma-Shanker from the bottom, both bowlers kept a tidy line in their opening overs, Uma-Shanker was rewarded with the wicket of Holmes, thanks to fine catch at short cover by skipper Casey, the visitors 11 for 1, Magee joined Tamplin, he looked in good early touch, but in Dadswell’s fifth over he enticed Magee to chip a catch to Tom Skinner at mid wicket, 25 for 2 after nine overs. Bradley joined Tamplin, and was soon looking positive, as spin replaced seam at both ends, Tom Skinner, from the bottom and Geoff Edmunds from the pavilion end. Tamplin tried to up the rate, but was trapped in front lbw for 26 by Geoff Edmunds, 51 for 3. Bradley was particularly aggressive towards Skinner, he and new batsman Lions moved the score along, putting on 69 together, when Bradley was caught by Casey again, this time off debutant Chris Page, just short of fifty, for 49, 120 for 4 became 122 for 5 when skipper Casey, replacing Skinner, bowled A. Rose for 1. The same fate befell next man in T. Rose, bowled for 8, you couldn’t keep skipper Casey out the game, running out Loons for 39, Knowle 148 for 7. Denton was next to go, young James Sparks bowling from the pavilion end, via a fine catch from young Louis Smithson for 1. Mahzer and Davey then batted to the end of their innings, 29 and 9 not out respectively. Knowle Village ending on 188 for 8 from their forty overs. Wickets shared, Matt Casey 2 for 39 off eight overs, Matt Dadswell 1 for 20 off six overs, Geoff Edmunds 1 for 18 off eight overs, Kieran Uma-Shanker 1 for 19 off five overs, Chris Page 1 for 12 and James Sparks 1 for 23, both off three overs.
After the tea interval, the Kenilworth openers Henry Curran and Darius Potten-Ravenshad strode to the crease looking to make a strong start to their reply. They had put on 27 when Potten-Ravenshad was bowled by T. Rose for 10. Curran was joined by Matt Casey, together the pair began to get the score moving, Curran in particular looked in good touch, the pair took the score to 103 when Casey got a leading edge off Bradley caught for 15. Bradley then bowled young Louis Smithson, Kenilworth 108 for 3. Curran had by now passed fifty, Kieran Uma-Shanker and Sheanne Imam were both run out for 2, and when Tom Skinner was caught off Denton without scoring, the home side were wobbling on 160 for 7 with five overs remaining. Matt Dadswell joined Curran, the pair added a quick 12 together before Dadswell was bowled for 6, Curran now into the 90’s, but running out of partners, James Sparks went for no score, 175 for nine, and Curran unbeaten on 96, it was down to last man Geoff Edmunds to help Curran get to a deserved century and in the penultimate over Curran got the single he needed, he went on to finish on 102 not out, hitting only 10 boundaries in his knock. His brilliant innings not quite enough to win the game for Kenilworth, the home side finishing on 180 for 9 from their forty overs, as the game ended in a tense draw. For Knowle, Denton and Bradley took two wickets each.
A great day for Curran who carried his bat throughout the Kenilworth innings and hit a superb century. Well done, Henry!
Knowle Village 17 points Kenilworth 10 points.
