Cannock claim the upset at Stratford

Sep 23 2008

Cannock went into the final game of the season away at Stratford Upon Avon knowing they had little to play for except pride.

With another miserable week of weather, and the location of the ground, the Cannock players arrived to scenes that more suited a rugby pitch.

However, where there is a will there is a way and with Stratford needing a win to achieve promotion into the Premier League, the groundsmen were busy trying to overcome the odds.

Finally, at 4pm with the entire square covered in saw dust and the game reduced to 25 overs a side, Cannock were invited to bat and openers Talbot and Womble ventured to the centre.

Trying to be positive both batters put away a couple of early boundaries, but Stratford captain Lamb having taken the new ball quickly dismissed Womble (9) and number 3 Woodcock. Talbot and skipper Hickey set about stopping the customary Cannock collapse and put together a fine 50 run partnership, before Hickey (19) gave Lamb his third wicket.

Francis, who has struggled with the bat this season was bowled, trying to hit across the line.

Aussie Talbot, stood firm in the tough conditions and hit a number of large 6's to try and give the home side a total to chase, and was eventually dismissed for a well made 73 in the penultimate over.

Cannock closed their innings at 125 for 8 off 25 overs. Lamb the pick of the Stratford bowlers with four wickets.

The equation was simple, Stratford chase the runs and gain promotion. Fail to do so would see Bromsgrove take the honours. With their fixture already abandoned a number of the Bromsgrove side ventured to the game to cheer on the Staffordshire side.

League leading run scorer Brian May would surely hold the key to the chase, and he an fellow opener Best got the home side off to the best possible start, taking 18 runs off the first two overs from Womble and Francis. Shortly after the Stratford openers brought up their 50 partnership in just the 8th over and it looked as though Stratford would cruise to victory.

Phil Heighway and Talbot were introduced into the attack and immediately Heighway struck a double blow in his first over, dismissing firstly May (22) and then Best (25). When Talbot grabbed Killian first ball Stratford had lost 3 wickets for no runs. Heighway took his 3rd and 4th victims as the home sides charged faltered, until enter skipper Lamb, who tried to single handedly drag his side into the Premier League.

He took a liking to the previously un-playable Heighway smacking 18 runs from the fourth last over of the game and suddenly Stratford were back in the game.

Robinson, one of the real positives for Cannock this season was given the task of bowling the penultimate over of the season with Stratford still requiring 24 runs. His first five deliveries went for 11 runs leaving 13 required from 7 balls, but Robinson kept his cool and had Malkin stumped for 6.

Talbot had to bowl the final over of the game, with 13 runs required, 2 wickets in hand and skipper Lamb on strike.

Fortunately for Cannock, Lamb swung a bit too hard and missed a straight one and was bowled from the first ball of the over. With the very next delivery, number 11 Sutton was clean bowled by Talbot and Cannock had scored an upset win by 12 runs. The Stratford crowd and players who were so vocal early, were stunned.

Heighway finished with 4/32 from 7 overs and Talbot 4/20 from 8.2 overs.

Cannock 8/125 Stratford All out 113