Malvern too strong in Cricketer Cup final

OCCC 196 (Scriven J 44, Crump M 30) lost to Old Malvernians 251 for 8 (Milton 102, Scriven 4-37, Rollings 2-39) by 55 runs

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Will Rollings finally dismisses Milton for 102

Another impressive Cricketer Cup campaign ended in defeat at the hands of Old Malvernians in the final at a sun-drenched Arundel. We did well to restrict the holders to 251 for 8 after they seemed well on course for a score nearer 300, but as was the case when these two sides met in the 2008 final, we started the chase well only to fall away in a clatter of wickets.

Malvern won the toss and batted, and although we took two early wickets Milton (102) and Koaler-Cadmore (76) then added 143 for the third wicket in 27 overs in the only significant partnership of the day.  They batted without taking risks, pushing singles almost at will and keeping the run-rate moving with regular boundaries.  Neither batsmen looked remotely troubled and it took an error by Koaler-Cadmore, top-edging a sweep off Seren Waters to backward square-leg where Tom Crump took a good catch high above his head, to end the stand.

At that point OMs looked on course for a big score on a pitch which offered little to the bowlers, other than some low bounce, but wickets checked their progress as our slow bowlers regained the initiative.  Jack Scriven was the pick, finishing with 4 for 37,  although Bruno Broughton, Rob Jones and Waters all came in for some punishment earlier on.  Our only quick bowler, Will Rollings, proved hard to get away.  The decision to play only five bowlers which worked well in the semi-final was less effective on the day.

The target of 252 was considered slightly below par and it certainly seemed so when Waters (20) and Jack Scriven (44) got us off to a brisk start as we reached 40 in the seventh over. Waters was then bowled by a ball which barely got above ankle height but Michael Burgess came out and immediately unleashed some sumptuous drives.  There seemed little to cause alarm until Burgess charged Griffiths and was left stranded.  From 73 for 1 with us well ahead of the asking rate, that set us back, and the task became harder when Scriven was on the receiving end of a poor leg-before decision shortly after.

OMs then effectively squeezed the game, and boundaries dried up and singles became hard to come by.  Alan Cope and Tom Crump came and went, and Brad Scriven (25) looked to be in form before he drove straight to extra cover.  Matt Crump (30) Bruno Broughton (18) and Ollie Davies (28) kept the scoreboard moving with good placement and running but we fell steadily behind the asking rate and the damage had been done. In the end we could have no complaints at the result.  Griffiths finished with 6 for 31.

While the result was disappointing, reaching our fourth final in nine years was a remarkable achievement for Matt Crump and his team and the future is bright for an already young side with some outstanding cricketers due to leave Cranleigh in 2017.  Pressure for places will only get tougher and another final surely will come sooner rather than later.

A final word of thanks to the organisers and also to Arundel for hosting the final. While the weather and a large crowd helped the atmosphere, there are few better grounds in the country and it provided a perfect venue for this prestigious competition.  

Seren Waters dismissed for 20