Preston reach regional final of national village cup again!

28 May, 2018 | Categorised in: ,

Preston have reached the regional final of the National Village Cup for the second successive year after a thrilling last over victory by 4 runs at Northchurch. Needing 7 to win with 3 wickets in hand, Northchurch lost all 3 as Max bowled faultlessly and Preston fielded brilliantly. We will now play Langleybury at home on Sunday 10th June.

Scorecard

Batting first, Preston got off to a bad start, losing Dan Plumb in the 1st over. Will Mercer fell soon after (8 for 2), and Jack Stevens then watched a mini collapse from the non-strikers end as Preston faltered to 47 for 5.

David Fleckney joined Jack and the pair knuckled down to dig Preston out of the hole. They put on 89 with Jack passing 50, before Fleckers was run out for 33 from 65 balls. Jack was now seeing it like a football, and reached his hundred with a massive six to deep mid-wicket.

Jack fell for 113, but Max Anderson thumped a quick 20 and Preston managed to use up their 40 overs with number 11 Oli Gallimore running a quick one off the last ball before shouting “in” to make sure everyone knew he could not be out.

Tea was taken with Preston feeling very comfortable on 207 for 9, and the Barmy Platoon of Bomber, Kaos, CaseyWalks and Callum hopped into Bomber’s car for a quick trip to local Camra pub of the Year the Valiant Trooper for a refreshing one in the hot sunshine.

The enthusiastic supporters returned to find the scoreline reading 65 for 1 off not many overs, as it seems Preston’s opening bowlers took a bit of tap. But Pete soon had a caught and bowled, Oli G snuck a yorker through, and Jack Stevens dived athletically to take a catch, and Preston were in the driving seat again with Northchurch 77 for 4. Mark Hobley then batted very well for Northchurch, eventually making 65, and slowly hauled the target in.

Casey Walker and Callum Blair watch the last few overs at Northchurch

Casey Walker and Callum Blair watch the last few overs at Northchurch


Preston got a 5th and then a 6th wicket, but the spectators of both sides were now very nervous. Northchurch finally needed just 14 runs off the last two overs, to be bowled by Jack Stevens and then birthday boy Max Anderson, and our Twitter feed takes up the tale: