A match that went to the final ball where it was poised on a knife edge. Nick Ebbeck was bowling the last over having been held back until the 28th before being thrown the ball. The experienced Rory Field had conceded just three from the previous over, as from his penultimate over, and the Sussex Sharks, eight down needing 10 runs from the final over to regain the trophy. At the crease were Marcus Kipling and Alex Towers, on 9 from 9 and 3 from 15 balls respectively. Marcus, running quickly smartly scrambled three runs from the first ball and the pair then traded three singles as the tension rose among all at the ground and especially the knot of Sussex players standing on the beautiful turf of the county ground just outside the boundary rope. So 4 needed from two balls – the rate higher than at any time in the chase. Marcus took two and so it came down to two needed from the final ball – could Metro repeat their epic one run victory over Warwickshire Bears from 2008?
Wide ball! And all changes with the scores level and probably no-one at the ground aware of how finely balanced the game was. Sussex had lost one less wicket so would win the game unless Metro could take a wicket to tie on both runs and wickets. At that point the rule book would have been needed as Metro would have won having scored more than Sussex from the first ten overs. The ball was defended into the ring of totally blind fielders surrounding the batter and with Alex backing up well a run was scored for a two wicket victory to secure Sussex’s sixth Primary Club Cup triumph, only Metro have now won the cup more times. Sussex thus win both of their cup matches this season off the final ball as this win repeated their semi final victory over Lancashire Lions; the first ever time this has happened in UK blind cricket.
Earlier in the day Metro had posted what looked a below par 177/9 from their 30 overs. Although they had some reasonable partnerships none reached 50, nor did any individual. Thomas Froud came closest with a rapid 46 before he was caught by Joe Harrison off the bowling of Phil Daniels. However a key moment in the game may well have been in the seventh over as the Metro openers had scored 45 when Matt Dean came down the track and played a shot fielded with electric speed by Ian Morris to get the ball back to Si Ledwith and take the first of an amazing six run outs in the innings. That feat is a record as no team has taken six run outs in the final of any UK VI cricket cup before. With Metro scoring slowly after that to reach 85 at drinks Sussex surely felt in control as Si took two catches and kept very well with his excellent positioning saving several runs. Dave and Phil Daniels were the stand out bowlers, Dave conceding just 16 from his six overs while Phil picked up two wickets for 13 from his six.
In the chase Metro struck early as Sam Hoskin bowled Dave Daniels in the first over and kept up the pressure by taking their chances in the field with five catches. Sam also bowled Ian Morris so drinks were taken three balls early with the Sharks on 70 for 5 and the game perhaps looking more in the balance than expected. When Dan Field, 42, was caught by Matt Dean to end the highest partnership of the day at 64, 44 runs were needed from the last seven overs.
Cue the thrilling end of a great day and a brilliant advertisement for VI cricket. The man of the match awards went to Sam Hoskin, totally blind; his 3 for 26 denying Dave Daniels the award while partially sighted player was Si Ledwith for outstanding keeping, two catches and the assist in the first run out. Sussex made a point of acknowledging the contribution made by Thomas – without his runs the finish may have been less thrilling.
BCEW want to thank Tom Belcher, Gary Wallis-Tayler and the team from the Sussex Cricket Foundation for their exceptional hospitality, welcome and support for the game; Jon Philby the Sussex Cricket Chair who presented the trophies and the Primary Club whose continued support enables cricket for the visually impaired to take place throughout the summer.
Thanks also to the day’s match officials – umpires Yolanda Harris and Ian Piggott, scorers Steve Field and Seb Egan.