TWCC U17s retained the Jonathan Langdale trophy in the 2008 TW Festival by beating newcomers Banstead (Surrey) in the final at The Nevill on Friday 15 August by 5 wickets.
The 8-team, 14-match Festival usually attracts groundsman-challenging weather conditions, and this year's event proved to be no exception. However, despite gale force winds and occasional downpours both short and prolonged, only two matches were not completed.
In their half of the draw, TW opened the Festival against local side Bells Yew Green, who were playing in their first TW Festival. Batting first, TW scored 145-5 in a match reduced to 20 overs-per-side with Tom Elliott and Caspian Paget both just failing to score 50s. In reply, BYG were restricted to 111- 6 at the close, with Hulbert having scored a win-threatening 46.
TW's second game was against Dartford, returning to the festival after a year's absence. Wells scored 195-5 with 39 from Chris Williams and 34 from Theo Burley to give support to a cultured knock of 54 from James Madgwick. Chopru (52) led a spirited response from the visitors with McKenzie (43) lending robust support. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Dartford's innings was that Wells' keeper Theo Burley completed 4 stumpings in a stunning display of glovemanship which had the spectators buzzing. Despite a supreme effort, Dartford could not quite make the Wells' total and finished 186 all out.
The third qualifying fixture had to be reduced to 15 overs-a-side, and Reigate Priory (the third of the newcomers) were all at sea, and collapsed to 50 all out as Emmerson Wood took 3 wickets, with Chris Williams and Wes Bryce-Borthwick picking up two apiece. Again Burley was at the top of his game with 5 victims including a further 2 stumpings. Wells eased past the target for the loss of two wickets, with E.Wood to the fore with a quick-fire 26.
In the Final, thankfully played in sunshine, Banstead rather struggled to total 177 all out from their 45 overs. Opener Cole was the only player to have much impact, making 46. Chris Williams picked up 3 wickets, with Tom Elliott and Matt Green weighing in with 2 each. Wells lost 2 quick wickets, but once Madgwick (43) and Elliott (62) came together with measured and well-paced performances, the result always seemed inevitable; useful contributions from Chris Williams and Caspian Paget kept the trophy on home soil with a huge 18 overs to spare. Tom Elliott was named Man of the Match.
The TW squad was:
Alex Williams and Theo Burley (captains), Tom Dowding Tom Elliott, Wes Bryce-Borthwick, Matt Green, James Madgwick, Caspian Paget, Sam Stickler, Max Thorpe, Benjamin Watts, Percy Watts, Chris Williams, Callum Wood, Emmerson Wood
The TW squad was managed by Ian Wright and Jamie Baldwin and the Festival was organised by Mark Williams. |
