Sandy Ross T20 Cup

Semi-final 1: Sussex Martlets (132 for 8) beat Haileybury Hermits (97) by 35 runs

Semi-final 2: Cryptics (137 for 9) lost to Free Foresters (138 for 4) by six wickets

Third-place playoff: Haileybury Hermits (133) beat Cryptics (81) by 52 runs

Final: Sussex Martlets (144 for 5) beat Free Foresters (143) by one run

Under rather leaden skies following overnight rain the Cryptics, Free Foresters, Haileybury Hermits and (a few of!) the Sussex Martlets arrived in good time for the tournament’s 10.30am start. The Martlets drew the Haileybury Hermits and despite being four for two posted a creditable 132 for eight from their 20 overs with Marcus Campiopiano steadying the ship with 64. The Hermits, always behind the rate, were dismissed for 97 with Matt Sawyer taking four for 14.

On the adjacent pitch the Cryptics made 137 for nine but were overhauled by a useful looking Foresters side who knocked off the runs for the loss of only four wickets.

A pause for lunch, provided by our hosts at St James, was followed by the playoff for third and fourth place. The Hermits made 133 and then dismissed the Cryptics for 81, Billy Wright (a good footballing name) took five for 18.

The final between the Martlets and the Free Foresters could not have been closer, with the result going down to the very last ball. The Martlets posted 144 for five with Campopiano again the backbone of the batting, making 56 not out. The Foresters made a positive start amassing 30 before the first wicket fell. Two quick wickets restored the balance then Dave Smith, who had scored 75 in the morning game, set about the Martlets bowling. When Smith holed out for 47, however, the Martlets looked like certain victors. The Foresters, of course, had other ideas.

By steadily reducing the required rate, the equation boiled down to four to win from the last over. A two, a run out, a new batsman needing to score two runs to win off off the last ball. A swish, an attempted bye, a run out! The Sussex Martlets had triumphed.

CWG thanked all concerned for their contribution to making the day such a success and Stuart Ritchie presented the Cup to Michael Murray, the winning captain. The Sandy Ross Cup, now in its seventh year, is a well-established date in the club’s fixture list and long may it continue.

For detailed information on each venue, please visit our Venues page