The Ashfords Corporate Cricket League

Semi-final 1: Pynes Hill Pirates v Thomson Reuters

Pynes Hill Pirates won the toss and decided to bat first, looking to rely on the season’s leading run-scorer Andrew Feather. However the start did not go according to plan, with Trick bowled from his first ball faced and Feather send back to the pavilion by the impressive bowling of Moisan. Pynes Hill were 11 – 2 and now without Feather. Strawbridge and Pollard rescued the innings and a late flurry from Harris allowing Pynes Hill to post a competitive 85 – 5. Pollard top-scoring with an impressive 36 from 28 balls.

Thomson Reuters needed 86 to win with a strong batting line-up. A solid start accumulated 21 – 0 from 3 wickets, but some tight overs and 2 wickets left the score halfway at 39 – 2. So,  needed 47 from the last 5 overs with 4 wickets remaining. The batsmen then really ran hard and a couple of dropped chances and missed run-outs left Thomson Reuters with 8 needed from the last over with 2 wickets remaining – games have been won and lost with some magic in the last over. So Trick lined up for the last over bowling to Hussain, 3 balls later it was all over, Thomson Reuters winning with only 3 balls to spare.

A great close game, Pynes Hill were a little unlucky with missed chances but the game was played in a good spirit and handshakes all round!

Semi-Final 2
Exeter Physio v Friends Provident

Exeter Physio won the toss and asked Friends Provident to bat first. The start was uninspiring with Murray ran out without even facing a ball. Exeter Physio bowled tight and never let Friends Provident get going with batsmen getting in but not passing 15, with the total finishing on 72 all out. James taking 2 wickets in his two overs.

So Exeter Physio needed 73 to win and they simply strode to victory within 7 overs. Some great running, clean hitting and neat deflections took them to the total only losing 2 wickets. Richardson scored an impressive 30 not out in 16 deliveries. Heaver produced the moment of the finals night half-volleying the ball from distance into the stumps to run-out Gear.

Friends Provident once again managed to reach the finals night, but couldn’t repeat the success of season 3.

Final
Thomson Reuters v Exeter Physio

Exeter Physio won the toss and asked Thomson Reuters to bat against the new ball that always swings. A rather modest start of 23 – 1 off 3 overs gave the remaining batsmen some work to do to post a competitive total against an impressive Exeter Physio. However, the batsmen responding with some magnificent indoor cricket batting of tap-and-run, deflections and nudges. All the top 5 contributed with P. Elliot top-scoring with 26 not out from 13 balls and some good runs from Hussain with 19 of just 7 balls.

So Exeter Physio needed 107 to win. 9 came from the first over with some great running, which indicated a close game – but then Moisan struck with his first ball, which slowed the scoring rate down. The main turning point was the bowling of A. Blake. He bowled 2 overs and only conceded 5 runs (of which a 4 should have been fielded) taking 2 wickets. Off his 11 delivers, he took 2 wickets, and there were 2 run-outs. Exeter Physio couldn’t cope with his turn and bounce.

Thomson Reuters had won by bowling out Exeter Physio with 3.1 overs to spare for just 40.

Congratulations to Thomson Reuters for retaining their title.

The finals night was played in a great spirit, with handshakes and quips all round with a bit of friendly ‘banter’ during the games.

WINNERS: Thomson Reuters
RUNNERS-UP: Exeter Physio
TOP RUN-SCORER: Andrew Feather (Pynes Hill) 159
TOP WICKET-TAKER: O. Smith (Friends Provident)
TEAM AWARD: Flybe for their endless efforts

Many thanks to all players and teams for playing in seasons 4 & 5 and we hope for many more seasons. The feedback has been extremely positive with all 8 teams requesting details of future Corporate Challenges. The next is 5-a-side football in March.

Many thanks to Ashfords for sponsoring Seasons 4 & 5. 'Leading law Firm Ashfords' ethos is straightforward – to provide high calibre, cost effective and practical solutions to assist you and deal with the legal issues that you face.'

For more information about Corporate Challenges please contact us on 01392 725119 or a.g.fry@exeter.ac.uk

Thomson Reuters, Exeter Physio, Friends Provident, Pynes Hill Pirates, Met Office, Landmark, Ashfords & Flybe all competed.