MATCH REPORTS
Warwickshire Imps vs Bourton Vale CC
Thanks to an administrative blunder from the Captain and a no-show, the Imps arrived at a very hot Bourton with 9 players. Fielding first in 35 degrees was not popular amongst the Imps team but was necessary given the lack of resources.
Both opening bowlers were unlucky to not take an early wicket. Ollie Reynolds bowled tidily and Omar Hanif threatened immediately, but the flat wicket and lack of fielders meant that the opening pair raced to 50 for 0 from 7.1 overs. Huzaifah came on first change and took the first wicket two balls after drinks, leaving Bourton on 96-1 from 13.2 overs. Thomas Stanley came out to bat at three and picked up where the openers left off, scoring 126 not out from 95 balls.
Huzaifah completed his spell with the figures of 8 overs, 1 for 48, which was a very good return. Bourton completed their allotted 40 overs on 327-2.
The Imps got off to a great start in reply thanks to Huzaifah and Tariq Hussain, who took us to 47 when the first wicket fell at 6.2 overs, almost up with the required rate. Tariq was dismissed on 47 from 28 balls, including 9 4s and 1 6. An assured innings from Ollie Reynolds (39 from 58) meant we were still in the game. Unfortunately it was always going to be too many and despite the Captain getting a few away (77 of 42), the Imps finished 238-8 (the equivalent of all out on the day) from 37.1 overs. 89 runs short of the target.
I am sure, with 11 players, we could have saved 30 runs in the field and scored another 50 with the bat, which would have made it a much more even contest. Many thanks to Bourton Vale for hosting us superbly. A huge thank you to the 7 debutants on the day, surely an Imps record? A special mention to Guy Shears for his tireless work in helping us get a side out at the last minute.
Next stop, Solihull School.
Full Match Scorecard: https://warwickshireimps.play-cricket.com/website/results/7661194
Warwickshire Imps vs Bourton Vale CC
The Imps travelled to Tanworth in Arden to help TACH celebrate 50 years at the David Brazier Memorial Ground. The Imps were welcomed fantastically not only by the hosts but by the sunny skies on offer.
Winning the toss via WhatsApp the evening before meant that the Imps got first use of a dry wicket, with a side including two TACH guests, Joel Ithier and Liam Gillespie. Regular Imps Tim Keyte and Tom Smith were playing for TACH, what could possibly go wrong?
Frank Ingram got a “jaffa” from TACH opening bowler Luke Wright, before Ali Hassan followed quickly after. When Jack Seifas departed for 26 off 27 balls, the Imps were in a precarious position at 34-3. Ishan Shinde (25 off 49) and Joel Ithier (58 off 74) put on 57 for the 4th wicket. A couple more wickets left the Imps 127-5 in the 29th over. Jamie Hughes missed a paddle sweep off the wiley Tim Keyte, who finished with figures of 2-27 from 5 overs. The Captain (54 off 36) then put on 51 with TACH’s Liam Gillespie (8) before former Imps guest Paul Townsend mopped up the tail and finished with 3-15. The Imps were all out for 209 off 39.5 overs.
The TACH response got off to a shaky start , with the two openers dismissed with the score on 20. Felix Shears bowled excellently (2 for 29 off 8), as did Ishaan Shinde (1-21). Leg Spinner Liam Gillespie came into the attack and bowled excellently (after a few Williamson-esque full tosses in his first over). He picked up the wickets of Jake Wright, Reverend Chris Kennedy and Andy Turnbull and ran out Paul Townsend during his spell and finished with figures of 3 for 34 off 8. (The Reverend is still praying for forgiveness for the run out).
The score was 109-7 when opposition captain Tom Smith arrived at the crease. A partnership of 72 between him and Oscar Newell (33 off 44) got TACH closer to the target and despite Joel Ithier removing Tim Keyte with 16 still requires, Tom finished the game in his own inimitable style, bringing up his 50 with three consecutive boundaries, before cutting Ithier to the boundary to see TACH home by 1 wicket with 10 balls to spare. No mention will be made of the overthrow allowing Tom to keep the strike.
A really fantastic day was had by all. A huge thank you to TACH for hosting us, thanks to Tim Keyte, Tom Smith, umpire John Whale and of course our own officiating maestros Hugo and Fynlee. We look forward to doing it all again next year, when Tom will be playing for the Imps.
Full Match Scorecard: https://warwickshireimps.play-cricket.com/website/results/6709531
Warwickshire Imps vs Bourton Vale CC
Glorious sunshine and an invitation to bat first was the ideal start to the Imps’ annual trip to the Cotswolds. An aggressive start from Elliot Evans (16 from 18) and Martin Allen (35 off 30) started the innings off well for the Imps, which was ably backed up by Jamie Hughes (22 off 27), Rhys Evans (31 off 39) and Paul Townsend (31 off 66).
The score was 118-5 when Match Manager Dom Harding came to the crease. He steadied the ship and scored an aggressive 41 from 45 balls, Frank Ingram saw it through to the end with 38 from 34 and a final flourish from Tim Keye (20 from 18) saw the imps to 256-9 declared from 48 overs.
The lunchtime pie not only had a disastrous effect on the home umpire, but also the Imps bowling attack, as Bourton plundered their way to 75-0 in reply. Despite a good spell from Rhys Evans (1-28 off 8) and a near-miss run out, the Imps always looked short and Bourton Vale reached their target 5 down in the 44th over.
Huge thank you to Bourton Vale for hosting us once again. As always a huge thank you to Hugo Russell and Fynlee Hateley for their superb officiating commitment.
Full Match Scorecard: https://warwickshireimps.play-cricket.com/website/results/7103916
Warwickshire Imps vs Warwick School
The match manager’s organisational prowess resulted in the Imps not only having an umpire and a scorer, but also 12 players on a scorching day at Warwick School. The Captain therefore stood down for the day and handed the reins to Jamie Hughes, who won the toss and elected to bat first.
West Indian professional Solozano started off positively, smashing the first ball for four. He also smashed the second ball, unfortunately this time straight into the hands of short cover. A partnership of 72 between Hamza and Amir Khan helped steady the ship, before some miscommunication saw them both finish in the middle, with Amir being run out for 40.
76 for 1 soon became 104-6, despite counter attacks from Paul Rowe, Haris Ajaz and Jamie Hughes. The Imps didn’t manage to see out their 30 overs and were bowled out for 153 from 29.4 overs.
That score never looked like enough and the Warwick opening pair put on 62 for the first wicket. Despite a good spell of bowling from Amir Khan (3 for 17 off 5), Warwick reached their target in the 27th over.
A huge thank you to Warwick School for hosting and to Hugo and Fynlee’s officiating expertise.
Full Match Scorecard: https://warwickshireimps.play-cricket.com/website/results/7103914
Warwickshire Imps vs King Edward VI School, Stratford
The second game of the Imps’ Centenary year was hosted at King Edward Stratford. The Imps won the toss and elected to bat first .The innings got off to a difficult start and despite a dashing 40 from 42 from KES alumnus and match manager Ben Ollerenshaw, the Imps slipped to 63-4. Imps debutant James McSweeney helped steady the ship alongside Tom Smith by scoring 40 and 53 not out respectively. The Imps finished their allotted 40 overs with 192-9.
Early wickets for Ruari Shears and Daniyal Boriawala as well as a miserly opening spell by Tom Street saw KES reduced to 7-2 and eventually 67-5. Boriawala, Jamie Hughes and Matt Moore all took two wickets apiece and captain-for-the-day Tom Smith managed to use all 10 bowlers. KES finished on 167-9 in 40 overs, 25 runs short of the target.
As ever, huge thanks to Hugo and Fynlee for their officiating prowess. And a huge thank you to Steve Mottram and Colin Davis for making up the “Imps Barmy Army” on the day.
Full Match Scorecard: https://kedward.play-cricket.com/website/results/7144268
Warwickshire Imps vs Solihull School
