Every journey has an end and that was very much the case for our teams fantastic run in the 2022 Vitality Club Cup T20 competition when we were beaten by Oxfordshire champions Banbury in the second semi-final of the Area Finals Day held at the home of Basingstoke and North Hants CC.
The first semi-final had ‘gone the distance’ with Essex champions Hornchurch chasing down the 121 posted by Kent champions Bexley with five balls to spare.
We then took to the field with Banbury batting first and we made early inroads. Indeed, at the halfway point, the Oxfordshire side were 51-3.
Ball continued to dominate and, at the start of the 18th over, Banbury had just 100 on the board, but, and crucially, they had wickets in hand and were able to post a total of 142-5.
Too many seasoned ‘Ninch watchers’, that total, while 20 more than had been posted in the first semi-final, was not ‘out of reach’ for our in-form batters.
However, we lost early wickets and, with the exception of Ross Acton who went in at the fall of the first wicket and was still there in the 15th over when he finally fell – but his knock was the one that glued the innings together.
Alas, no one was able to stay with Roscoe for too long and our innings eventually folded on 118 after 19 overs and three balls.
In the final it was Hornchurch who powered to victory, posting an impressive total of 174-6 thanks to a big innings from their professional who was once on the books of Gloucestershire CC and also turns out for Northants 2nd XI.
They then bundled Banbury out for 87 in 18 overs and five balls.
So, a wonderful day out that did not end as we might have wished for HOWEVER, we must thank the team for ALL their efforts in the T20 competition this season – they have given us SO MUCH pleasure during a run that saw them defeat Budleigh Salterton, Barton, Bovey Tracey, Sandford, Bristol and Newport, before coming up short against Banbury.
We must also THANK the minibus load of supporters together with the numerous folk who made their own way to Basingstoke to support the team and especially the four lads who donned fancy dress and, at the end of the match with Banbury, as they walked back towards the host clubhouse, received a standing ovation (a loud one too) for the way they had brought colour – and noise – to the proceedings.
Yes, we made ourselves known up in Hampshire and, while we did not come home with the ‘trappings of success’, we were winners on the day for there is little doubt that folk at Basingstoke will still be talking today about ‘that noisy lot from a place in Devon called Bradninch!’