Sunday will go down as one of the club’s most memorable in its long and illustrious history. Victory over Banbury in the South Final of the Vitality Club T20 saw us reach the National Final. A remarkable achievement for us as a club.

We started off the day by squaring up to a strong Bexley side. After losing the toss, Ronnie and Billy took early wickets as the Kent Premier League champions, were reduced to 14-2. A stand of 60 looked like Bexley were going to set us a big total to chase but some excellent bowling and fielding saw them go from 74-2 to 94-7. Wogan led the way with 3-35 whilst Adeel and Ronnie’s 8 over only going for 33 runs. Some late innings hitting saw Bexley post 121-7.

Muz and Hanko got us off to a good start but we went from 34-0 to 55-4 as the Kent spinner, Adam Riley, took 3-8 from his 4 overs. This brought the brains of Billy together with Adeel and the two of them combined to bring us to within touching distance of the total. With 4 needed, in strode Lord Luke and he dispatched his 2nd ball to the fence to see us through to the South Final. Cue scenes of joy from the players and the band of supporters who had made the journey to the well appointed Basingstoke CC.

Victory meant we played Banbury in the final with a place in the National final at stake. Banbury, the current Home Counties Premier League champions and a side with a wealth of county cricket experience, went into the final very confident with a large vocal backing.

Billy won the toss and elected to bat first. Muz and Hanko put on a quick fire 41 before Muz fell. Ronnie, Jalpesh and Adeel all fell cheaply but we were still well placed due to Hanko’s brilliant batting. His 50 took 35 balls and he hit 6x4s and 4x6s in his 78. Some tight bowling saw us stumble a little when Hanko got out but Lord Luke and Billy batted sensibly (not often a word you would associate with either player) and put on 50. Billy (32 off 15) and Luke ( 20 off 12) saw us post a very good score of 174/6.

Banbury knew they had to get off to a good start…but they didn’t. Billy’s first over went for just 2 before Ronnie took a wicket with his 2nd ball. Billy then removed the dangerous Sabin in his 2nd over before Ronnie’s 2nd over saw his take 2 wickets in 2 balls as Banbury found themselves 14-4. It then got even better when Billy took his 2nd wicket and he had them 17-5. Adeel and George then tighten the screw, backed up by some excellent fielding. Wogan then entered the fray and took 2 wickets as we homed in on a brilliant win. Billy came back on and took the final wicket to spark scenes of unbridled joy from players and fans alike.

We now continue our journey with the National Final at Wormsley Cricket Club on Sunday 11th September. We will be up against Barnt Green, who play Birmingham Premier League, and we are very much looking forward to what promises to be a fantastic experience for all.