Seconds suffer Worcs defeat
Fri 6 May 2016
REPORT | By Pete Johnson
The weather was bang on form again for the final of the Second XI Championship match between Leicestershire and Worcestershire at The Wilson Ground, Oakham.
In the far distance, as you look out from the pavilion balcony, you can see a large house or mansion on the perimeter of the village of Burley on the Hill. Just after lunch yesterday we looked on as a helicopter landed within its grounds. The whirring of the helicopter blades rudely interrupted the silence of this oasis of tranquillity.
On inspecting the photographs in the Wilson Pavilion, I noticed a photograph of Percy Chapman, who made his England Test debut in 1924. Percy was an Old Oakhamian, attending the school from 1910 until 1914.
Leicestershire resumed on their overnight total of 44-2, trailing by 79 runs. Lewis Hill 7*, Aadil Ali28*.
Ali, and Hill treated the opening attack of Russell and Morris with respect and caution, with Hill receiving most of the strike. Worcestershire made their first breakthrough in the 12th over of the morning, Hill (25) going lbw to Morris, the pair having added 66 for the 3rd wicket.
Soon afterwards Ali (43) was caught behind by Rhodes off King, who had replaced Morris at the Pavilion End. Rob Taylor went first ball lbw to King. Just after this Adam Tillcock (3) went lbw to Hepburn, who had replaced Russell at the Veterinary Hospital End.
Tom Wells was offering stubborn resistance whilst wickets fell around him. County went into lunch on 113-6, still trailing by 10 runs. Wells 22*, Sayer 1*.
In the 7th over after lunch Wells (32) went caught behind by Milton off Morris, who had replaced King at the Pavilion End, with County now being just 8 runs ahead. Morris no doubt murmuring ‘start the car’ as Wells, wishing he could have stayed at the crease longer, made his way back to the pavilion.
Spin twins Rob Sayer and James Sykes then added 43 for the 8th wicket to put a bit of space between the sides. Sayer’s innings including a maximum and 4 fours. Sayer (33) became a further lbw victim when he was trapped in front by King.
Sykes (24) went caught behind by Milton again off King and the innings ended when Atif Sheikh (5) was bowled by left arm spinner Twohig. Liam Hurt 8* was the not out batsman. County were all out for 194, leaving Worcestershire needing just 72 to win from 43 overs remaining in the day.
Worcestershire knocked the runs off in 14.4 overs, losing the wicket of Oli Westbury (14) with the score on 24, who was smartly taken at first slip by Ali off the bowling of Wells. George Rhodes 18* and Alexi Kervezee 32* saw Worcestershire home by 9 wickets. Worcestershire taking 23 points and Leicestershire 5 points. The match finished at 4.36pm.
Sincere thanks to all at Oakham School who have been involved in the preparation of staging this match at such very short notice, and for their ongoing commitment and support over the 3 days.
The facilities were excellent, and the food was first class. So much so that the highest compliment you can give to the food was that it was on a par to that served up by John Stew and his team at the FCG.
Finally, a special mention to Finn, a member of the groundstaff at the FCG. Finn has supported the groundstaff at Oakham over the 3 days arriving very early in the morning, and leaving late in the evening. Well done ‘The Mighty Finn’, another one to add to Jari Rantenan or Manfred Mann
