Over 60s Claim Championship!

More silverware for the Kent Trophy Cabinet as the 60+ team won the Spitfire National Championship with a hard fought win by 12 runs over Wales at Oakham.

Put into bat on a damp wicket, Kent overcame this disadvantage and a catalogue of injury misfortunes in the field to prove themselves the best of the 33 counties who now enter the Championship.

Peter Eames gave the innings a brisk start with a quickfire 23 whilst Frank Packman settled in at the other end. Bob Phillips for once did not last long but the defining part of the innings was a partnership of 97 for the 3rd wicket between Frank and Chris Swadkin which ensured we would set a challenging target. A measure of the difficult conditions is that only 8 boundaries were hit in the whole of the Kent innings but quick running between the wickets kept the score ticking. Although Swadkin was bowled for 60 with 8 overs left, Packman carried on to a well deserved 50 – his 56 as anchorman was crucial to the cause. Colin Breed and Andrew Dixon then threw the bat to ensure we reached a final total of 195-5.

Both teams were entitled to feel confident at the half way stage but soon into Wales' reply Kent's prospects took a dive when opening bowler Paul Eames pulled up with a groin injury after just 2 overs of his spell. Fortunately "super sub" Ray Stringer had brought his kit with him and came on to field and Neil Richards began what proved a telling spell of spin bowling. However it was some time before the combined pressure from the now 4 pronged Kent spin attack bore fruit. Wales opening partnership passed 50 and at the halfway stage were 75-0 – requiring 120 from the last 22 overs. However as with many a run chase wickets proved crucial, Richards returned to persuade both openers to sky catches (one to sub Stringer) and slowly the pressure built. Although wickets did not fall immediately the run rate climbed and although 2 further injuries struck, leaving more things for the captain to think about, at 142-2, Wales now needed 54 from 8 overs and in attempts to keep up wickets began to tumble and Kent were able to win the game by 12 runs.

The full Scorecard is at: http://www.hcc60.play_cricket.com/scoreboard/scoreboard.asp?id=11834867

A great day for this group of players, some of whom had seen success in the 50+ team in the past but for others their first experience of winning a major Trophy – a great advert for the value of the competition and for keeping on playing!