What an absolutely amazing days cricket we were privileged to witness at Chapel’s scenic ground last Sunday. Both of the Semi’s along with the Final produced low scoring games as devoid of runs as a toad is of feathers. With all three games producing nail biting finishes the equal of many of those T20 and 100 matches that we pay to view on our UHD flat screens from the comfort of a favourite armchair in our cosy abodes.
The first Semi on Sunday’s saw a seasoned and experienced Old Glossop eleven beat the exciting young Hayfield side by the narrow margin of ten runs. The second of the matches to determine a place in the Final witnessed Dove being lucky, in my view to secure victory, largely due to Eddies fine catch, over a strong Whaley Bridge team by three runs. Confirming once again Russ Wilde’s firmly held view of Dove as being a bit of a ‘bogey outfit’ for his much loved ‘Bridge Brigade!’ Not to worry Russ I have put you a half in behind the bar at the Centre of the Universe! As a result of these two low scoring engagements there was much speculation during the ‘Tea Interval’ as to what the Final would have in store for the teams and the gathered throng.
The Final certainly didn’t disappoint in managing to produce a low scoring game! Dove batted first and struggled to 43 for 4 and were somewhat relieved to see their innings close on 99 for six due to determined, concentrated batting from their later batsmen. Joe Hall with 26, Jack Gregory’s 21 along with a useful and as it turned out vital 19 from Ben Bagshaw brought a modicum of respectability to Dove’s total. Ellis Walsh’s 2 for 12 and Akhil Kalavagunta’s 1 for 6 off their allotted four overs were the pick of the Old Glossop bowlers all of whom put in tight spells with the ball.
Old Glossop were certainly very much in the driving seat with them needing a 100 runs to secure victory. Dove’s opening bowlers reduced Old Glossop to 18 for 3. What a relief it was to see A K strut back to the hut after only making 1 run after his fine innings of 60 and bowling figures of 1 for 18 made a significant contribution to Old Glossop’s deserved Victory over Dove in the Bissenden Trophy Final on the 11th August at Hayfield. Jack Thornley’s 35 off 31 balls yesterday steadied the ship and put Old Glossop in sight of Dove’s 99. Accurate bowling and athletic fielding prevented Old Glossop from keeping up with an achievable run rate. Their innings ended an agonisingly 4 runs short of the Dove total providing an exciting finish to a memorable final. Dan Gilbride with 3 for 10 and Kian Vernon with 2 for 20 are worthy of a mention as far as the Dove bowlers are concerned along with James Gemmell’s two first class catches.
Once again the Dove players demonstrated that they all pull together, are very much looking out for one another and possess an almost unbeatable determination and concentration as a team. It is a pleasure to be involved with this commendable, supportive group of loyal Club ‘good all round eggs.’ Commiserations to Old Glossop and thanks for providing worthy opposition in a final, yet again! Sincere congratulations to Captain James Gemmell and his tidy crew and all those in the background in the boat house, who make such a valuable contribution to Dove’s thriving set up, on lifting the first of this Season’s Silverware!
Dove wishes to extend its sincere thanks to the League for enabling the T20 Competition to take place, Chapel-en-le-Frith Cricket Club for the use of their modern facilities along with their staging of the enjoyable and well organised Finals Day, the losing semi-finalists and all of the Clubs who participated in the initial Four Leagues to determine the Teams who would be on the podium, so to speak for the Finals and for the sporting manner of their participation. We are also grateful to our men of stamina in pristine white jackets Michael Beech, Howard Lund and Malcolm Strong for their much appreciated endeavours, all of the Scorers for their meticulous works making sense of the electronics, the Chapel ground staff for their splendid endeavours to prepare the track and outfield and the League Representative from the Host Club Nick Pearson for making the presentation and his kindly words of support. Not forgetting the enthusiastic and loyal supporters of every Club in the League; where would the wonderful game be without your valued involvement?
It is a fact that those amongst you and the Clubs who did not enjoy glory in this competition will survive to do battle again with your compatriots and friends with renewed vigour in the times ahead of us!
Sincere kindly regards
Roger T Marshall
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