Sunday saw us host the Vitality T20 Cup Group 8 Area Final…and we only went and won it! An 88 run win over Norfolk’s Horsford CC saw us progress to Finals Day later in the month.

We opened up the day with a thrilling 2 run win over Potters Bar. After winning the toss, Hanko fell for 1, just moments after his dad had arrived after a 500+ mile trip. Muz, Ronnie and Jalpesh chipped in with some useful runs but some tight bowling and sharp fielding kept us in check. Skipper Billy kept his head however, and his 43-ball half century and Adeel’s 31 saw us to a slightly below par 150/5.

Bar started off well before Adeel’s introduction saw us pull the game back into the balance. James Scott looked like he was going to win the game for Bar but Hanko cleaned him up and we looked to have the upper hand once again. Jameo then had a chance to seal the win but somehow dropped P Scott. This meant Bar required 11 off the last over but Dave held his nerve and, even though the last ball of the game was dispatched for 6, we were into the final.

Billy won the toss and batted first again in the final against Horsford, who had beaten Richmond by 37 in their semi final. Muz and Hanko fell in quick succession after getting starts and when Ronnie fell for 20 we were in a spot of bother at 58-3. However, the brains trust of Billy and JP batted brilliantly. Rodders was unbeaten on 67, whilst JP was there at the end on 61. Their 129-run stand saw us post 187/3 and a place in the South finals day was very much in our reach.

We knew we would have to be at our best with the ball and in the field and we certainly stepped up. Ronnie and Billy took 2 wickets, to rip out the Horsford top order. Hanko then took 2 to make his dad’s trip worth it in the end before Adeel spun his magic and his 4-20 saw us bowl the Norfolk champions out for 99 and a place in the last 8 in the country. We will now face Bexley CC at Basingstoke CC on Sunday 28th August.

An amazing day, 2 amazing performances and something to look forward to at the end of the month.

* A huge thank you to everyone who helped out on the day and made sure the event was a success.