Warwickshire Pilgrims

Sussex Martlets 261-7 in 45 overs
Warwickshire Pilgrims 263-6 in 44 overs

Pilgrims won by 4 wickets

The Martlets put out a reasonably strong side against what we knew would be challenging opposition who were on the final day of their Sussex tour. Some last minute injuries meant bringing in replacement guests all of whom performed with great credit. The game started late at 12.10 as some of the Pilgrims had gone to wrong ground! Nevertheless on a beautiful day at St James’s we managed nearly 90 overs and over 500 runs.

Mike Murray won the toss and chose to bat with Phil Roper and Sammy Curtis opening. Their partnership of 72 runs came off only 56 balls and this set the tone for the day with Phil going on to score a stylish and talented 123 supported by George Martin’s hard hitting 63. Looking for a score of around 280 given the electric fast outfield, the Martlets lost their way slightly in the middle order but we reckoned 260 was challenging enough.

In their reply, the Pilgrims top order could not cope with Mike Murray’s deception and as he took four wickets, the visitors stumbled to 109-6 after 20 overs. However an outstanding partnership of 154 between No. 7 (Ball) who went on to make an imperious 121 and their skipper Hafeez, coming in at 8 and contributing 47, reversed the impetus of the match and the Pilgrims crossed the finish line with an over to spare.

We had a good day’s cricket despite this very disappointing result. The Pilgrims offered congenial and determined opposition, St James (enhanced by Neil Bushell’s star quality cooking!) looked after us superbly, the weather provided a glorious summer’s day and the setting was of course pure, magical Sussex!

The Martlets team was:

Mike Murray (Captain)
Ian Cox
Sammy Curtis*
Ned Lack*
George Martin
Lee McIlwraith*
Phil Roper
Will Ross
Matt Silk
Matt Stone
Peter Whyte (Wkt)
*= Guest (All from Oxted CC)

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