Flybe triumph in cricket final

Flybe have emerged as the winners of the University of Exeter Sport’s ninth six-a-side corporate cricket league. The title was decided on Thursday 13 December during an evening of indoor cricket that saw two semi-finals, before the grand finale decided the season champions.

The corporate indoor cricket league provides businesses in the local community an opportunity to engage in friendly competition. Each team consists of six players, with each side bowling ten overs per match. The league runs for seven weeks in the Sir Christopher Ondaatje Devon Cricket Centre, with the top four teams competing in a head to head finals night to decide the overall winners.

The first semi-final was a relatively straight forward affair with the Met Office never really getting into the game against Filor Solicitors. Filor’s strong performance in bat, scoring 100 for three wickets, left the league regulars, with a real mountain to climb. Filor’s close fielding further suffocated any comeback attempt leaving an embattled Met Office on 56 all out and ending their title hopes.

In a stark contrast to the previous match second semi-final was perilously close as Flybe faced Francis Clark Spyros. Flybe opened the proceedings with competitive score of 70 for four which Francis Clark hunted down through a committed batting effort.

 Flybe’s fielders worked hard to keep the runs down despite being denied a close run out, and catch from behind, by the watchful eye of umpire Adam Peters. The match was won with just two balls to spare as Flybe finally dismissed the Spyros last batsman for 66, a mere five short of victory.

The final was set. Flybe would face Filor Solicitors in a match that saw two of the top fielding teams go head to head. The scores were low with bowling pace and lightning fielding dominating the proceedings. Filor won the toss, but quickly lost their star batsman Julian Fawkes to an excellent catch off the side netting. Some nervous running between the wickets also culminated in four run-outs in quick succession. The solicitors ended the innings on a disappointing 21 all out, from just three overs - the lowest score in the leagues history.

With such a low target the match seemed all but won as Flybe stepped into the crease, but the fast bowling of Filor took three early wickets to pile on the pressure. However, the experience of the Flybe side showed as they patiently played conservative singles to erode the lead and edge to overall victory.

The result is a fantastic achievement for Flybe who become the sixth team to win the prestigious competition. Captain Ruu Albertyn commented “It’s been a good season. We learnt a lot from last season and definitely came through with our fielding this season. Our batting was quite nervous against some strong bowling, but it was the fielding that won it for us. A strong bowling effort from the team built pressure and helped us get those important run outs that we needed to succeed.”

The night was concluded with an awards ceremony that saw Julian Fawkes (Filor Solicitors) receive the trophy for the most runs overall with an impressive 208 and Paul Earnshaw (the Met Office) being awarded for taking the most wickets – seven in the season.

Head umpire Adam Peters commented “It has been another brilliant season, filled with some very interesting cricket. The final turned out to be incredibly close, with both teams fielding well. I would like to thank all the teams for making the event so enjoyable this season and must say a huge congratulations to Flybe, whose victory is well deserved.”

The next corporate cricket league will take place in Spring 2013. If you would like to be involved please contact Adam Peters on 01392 725069.

Six-a-side corporate indoor cricket league season nine teams:

Francis Clark Spyros
Michelmores
Filor Solicitors
Landmark Information Group
Ashford’s
Met Office
Flybe
South West Water

Previous winners:

Active Devon (2)
Friends Life (2)
Thompson Reuters (2)
Pynes Hill Pirates
Atass Honey Badgers