Sunday side secure promotion
Stonham’s Sunday side, captained by Luke Edgar, achieved promotion to Division 2 of the Hunts County Bats League, despite losing their final game of the year. Last Sunday Stonham faced a Videc Vidcom side, who weren’t having such a good season. The away side batted very well, especially considering their gloomy league position, and ended up scoring a grand total of 250 runs. None of Stonham’s batsmen really got going, and eventually reality set in that victory was practically impossible. However, one of the reasons for Stonham’s recent successes is their willingness to never give up and fight right until the end of each match. This was typified by a slightly unexpected and very pleasing maiden half century by 16 year old Ant Stowe (pictured), one of Stonham’s promising youth players. The Stonham innings concluded with a tail-end partnership between Ant and Jordan Storer, another very promising youngster who batted solidly to help Ant keep the strike as much as possible to secure his ‘fifty’. On the final ball of the innings and to the amusement of the crowd, Ant, who had accumulated 61 runs, played a classic forward defensive block, ensuring that Stonham were not all bowled out and that he remained not out at the end of the innings. Stonham finished on 175 for 9 wickets.
The Saturday side, captained by Stephen Lewis, have managed to secure their place in Division 5 of the Two Counties League for yet another season, after a rare and exciting tie against Stowupland. Towards the end of the match it looked almost certain that Stowupland were going to cruise to victory, but Stonham kept taking wickets and some tight bowling at the end saw Stowupland running a bye from the final ball to save the game.
There are just two games of cricket remaining for the ESCC 1st XI: today’s game away at St Oysth and next weekend away against Needham Market.
Both team captains have done a remarkable job at organising the various cricket logistics during the 2018 season and have continued to promote a positive and happy atmosphere around the club, which has certainly contributed to the club’s successes this year.