The Oldbury Ashes Sunday 10th September
Young Uns 187-9 of 40 overs. N.Hopkins 56. T.Sullivan 39. P.Evans 31. B.Pearce 2-34. C.Johnson 2-49. J.Russell 2-51.
Old Uns 191-6 in 36 overs. J.Russell 71 B.Ainsworth 22. R.Gazard 20. D.Garrett 2-29
The Old Uns won by 4 wickets.
The competitive hormones were running fast in this high octane end of the season clash. The Olduns were out for revenge for the last two years, egged on by mischievous wind-ups made in The Anchor on Friday night by certain Younguns - would they eat their words?
The Younguns chose to bat, and Nigel Hopkins once again was in full flow despite tidy bowling by the Bobs Gazard and Ainsworth. Runs were steady but spritely fielding stopped them from getting away. After seeing off the opening attack, the Olduns pounced with a more than a baker's dozen from Johnson and Russell. The vital breakthrough came when Nigel Hopkins couldn't cope with Russell's variation and fell to a superb caught and bowled just after reaching his 50.
No such problems for Evans and Sullivan as they devoured some of the pies being thrown at them, but tidy bowling by Bill Pearce removed Sullivan, and 'dangermouse' Garrett. The Younguns struggled to build a big total, and whimpered to 187-9 in their 40 overs.
The Olduns ate their tea with gusto and soon tucked into the Younguns attack. Following the early wicket of Bill Pearce to Lloyd Preston-Allen, Jim Russell steadied the innings with good support from Bob Ainsworth and later Bob Gazard. The main threat was Derek Garrett storming out of the sun with his exocets, but Russell stood unperturbed as catches were spilled and edges raced to the boundary. The reward for survival was a very generous over from Nigel Hopkins - thanks!
Russell's departure thanks to good bowling by Sam Phelps brought two heroes to the wicket for the finale of this unlikely victory. Cracking Ken Hedges (15) and the Mighty Malcolm Lynden (14) stormed home, with Malcolm finishing the innings with a 6! There were England style celebrations from the Olduns Barmy Army drawing long faces and 'we'll get you next year' looks from the Younguns.
The Olduns were able to celebrate in style, with the new Oldbury Ashes trophy (courtesy of messrs. Poole and Johnson) keeping them company on the Ship bar.
That's all folks - the last match report until next year!