Flyford play out tense tie in mid week thriller

Report by Joe Allsopp

On a beautiful but chilly evening, Flyford rocked up at Eckington. Your correspondent was asked to captain for the second T20 in a row. I met their captain for the toss, who very politely asked how many we have, I explained that eventually we will have 11 but 2 are going to be late so, ideally he would like to bat first rather than we field short. Very sportingly, their captain said he would like to bat first so the toss will be going ahead. He then won the toss and stuck a short handed Flyford in the field. 

Despite the missing fielders Flyford started well, restricting them to just a handful of singles each over for the first 5 overs due to some very tidy and disciplined bowling from Andrew and Connor. Which particularly impressive from Connor who asked me at least 3 times if he was serious about being asked to open the bowling. Andrew got a deserved wicket in the fifth over thanks to a fine catch in the gully from Josh Nullis. 

The sixth over introduced Josh Nullis into the bowling attack. And certainly, Eckington went on the attack scoring 29 off a single over.

Ryan and Matty Stewart took over the bowling from there and very much steadied the ship. Ryan bowled incredibly well, getting some very good bounce and finding the edge of the bat at least 8 times, despite the huge volume of edges Ryan somehow did not pick up a wicket despite deserving 2 or 3. Matty bowled with a very attacking line and good pace and produced some excellent figures of 2 for 15 off his 4 overs to continue his excellent form. 

With 5 overs left, the match was very much in the balance and this was highlighted by a couple of off colour remarks from the Flyford captain (obviously forgetting that there were kids playing). 

Up steps Dickson to follow the captain's request to keep things tight. Bowling a relentless off stump line, Dickson finishes with figures of 3 for 14. Connor bowled his remaining 2 overs to dovetail perfectly with Dickson, taking a couple of wickets in the process to finish with figures of 2 for 15. (We won't mention Walks missed stumping in the 17th over). 

This excellent bowling and fielding display from Flyford meant that Eckington were restricted to 128 on a very small pitch. 

Flyford’s reply with the batting began incredibly well with Ash and Benny. Going at over 7 an over and very good contributions from both. Ash was eventually trapped lbw 15 and Benny had to retire due to scoring 25. 

This lead to the father and son combination of Steve and JoshNullis being at the crease. They built on the great foundation that Ash and Benny had built. Steve was eventually caught for 2 after a couple of extra lives. 

With Flyford now 2 (effectively 3) down, Ryan strides to the crease with chest out and doesn't hold back. He scores a very useful and quick 12. A good catch on the boundary means the captain comes into bat at 6 and delivers a true captain's performance being caught at point for a golden duck. There are more than few that would say it was a no ball but I'm not here to comment on the quality of umpiring decisions. 

However, this means that the in form Matty is now at the crease. He delivers a trademark super aggressive innings and has to quickly retire 27 after flurry of boundaries. 

Dickson is unable to translate his bowling prowess into batting, he also is out for a golden duck holing out to mid off. 

At this point, the match is well and truly finely balanced. Flyford requiring 33 off the final 4 overs. Connor is fresh to the crease but doesn't waste any time making the most of any potential run. Him and Josh move along nicely for the next three overs taking the score to 121 for 4 after 19 overs (Flyford requiring to 8 off the last over). 

Connor pushes the first ball for a single, Josh then smashes then ball for a massive 6. This ties the scores but also forces Josh's retirement after scoring a lovely 25. 

In comes, the 14 year old Andrew to bat, with the scores tied and 4 balls remaining. Eckington obviously bring in the field. His first is pushed into the offside no run. He misses the second and Connor thinks about running a bye but wisely decides against it. There are 2 balls left and Andrew makes contact with this one but there is still no run. So, this means the scores are level with a single ball to go. The Eckington bowler trundles in, Andrew has a big swing, he makes contact....and is caught at mid off. 

The match ends tied!

Awards

Matty Stewart:  3 for none and 27 off not many

Tit: Josh ran one when Connor ran 3

Champagne Moment: Josh's 6 to tie the game

Thanks for Coming:  Your correspondent, didn't bowl and out for a golden duck!