LORD NELSON CUP WINCHMORE HILL SUNDAY 17 JUNE 2012
Judd Street Tigers 152-2 London Saints 95-8
Sunderland 108-7 Judd Street Tigers 112-3
London Saints 91-8 Sunderland 93-5
There is a new name on the venerable pot that is the Lord Nelson Cup, retrieved from the vaults of West X1’s former watering hole in Brentford. The Tigers’ emphatic victories over old enemies London Saints and London Sunderland ensured a first grasp of silverware for the embryonic Anschluss of West X1 and the Walthamstow Horizontals.
For once the rain stayed away and the Tigers took first use of the pitch in a format that had staggered innings to avoid ennui on the part of non-combatants. After a somewhat scratchy start it was the immortal hand and eye of Chris Boden, fresh off a ‘plane from down under, that took centre stage, as he and Mike Delanian piled on 92 for the first wicket. Taking advantage of a couple of shorter boundaries Chris struck 5 sixes in his 64 and Mike two in his 44. Chris Dane added two more maximums in a brisk unbeaten knock of 32 to help pile up the best total of the day.
The Tigers then took the field against Sunderland, who had Rowan Allerton, Phil Hill and Simon Warren guesting, along with former Westies John McGirr and St.John Costelloe. After putting up 45 for the first wicket (Campbell 34) they were pegged back by Jimmy Carter (2-20) and a surprising 3-14 from Richard Burgess, including two in two balls and Warren for a duck! Matt Webster bowled two maidens and conceded just 6 from his three overs as the Black Cats totalled 108 at exactly a run a ball.
Southampton then made a disappointing 91-8 against Sunderland, Grant top-scoring with 20 and the impressive B Wright (no relation) bagging 3-11. Saints then concluded their game against the Tigers, but fell well short on 95-8 (Thomas 25, Grant 18) with two catches by Webster plus another mean spell of 7 runs from his three overs. Mike Herlihy impressed with 2-14 and a catch with Delanian posting 2-32.
The fate of the cup was then decided as the Tigers knocked off the 109 needed to beat Sunderland, mainly thanks to a brutal 67 not out from Chris Wright, who had had a quiet day until then, but finished with consecutive sixes off Phil Hill. Sunderland’s Wright proved himself bowler of the day with 3-16 (aggregate analysis 6-0-27-6). Despite looking a bit dodgy at 60-3 after 11 overs the home side romped in with 16 balls to spare. There was indeed a fearful symmetry to the day’s proceedings
In the final session Sunderland clinched second place by beating the Saints by five wickets, thanks to a typically tyronic 31 from Rowan Allerton and a steady 16 from Costelloe, plus 17 not out from Howie. A very enjoyable day’s cricket with everyone getting involved with either bat or ball and played out in a great spirit.
Winchmore Hill Tigers 