ABBERTON RETAIN PDQ CUP IN SEPTEMBER SUNSHINE [21/09/09 17:27:00]
Kemsley Robb lifted the PDQ Cup for the second year in succession as Abberton held off rivals Elmstead Grasshoppers by 53 runs at The Brow, the Lions turning in a fine bowling and fielding display after their opponents had looked favourites for victory early in their run chase.
Batting first, the home team started well enough with the dehydrated Steve Snell (pictured right) hitting twelve boundaries and some imperious shots in a top score of 71 and Richard Moxon as immaculate as ever before being trapped leg before wicket for 33.
Robb himself made 22 and there were other useful contributions from Tabish Zaman and Dan White lower down the order but the final score of 201 was a little disappointing as only fourteen runs were gleaned form the last seven overs of the innings, Mark Perrin taking 2-26 from ten overs for Elmstead.
Although not a massive target, the ball was staying quite low and confidence in the home dressing room was high at the interval. Perrin followed his exploits with the ball with an excellent 75 and, with David Sargeant (36), took the score to 78 before the second wicket fell.
This was quickly followed by a couple more as Ryan Savill with the tremendous figures of 10-6-19-4 and Tabish Zaman 2-18 swung the game firmly back in favour of the hosts.
Paul Gates (19*) was Elmstead's last hope but when he lost man of the match Perrin to occasional bowler Robb, the game was effectively over, the skipper going on to grab three wickets as Elmstead's tail folded like a cheap suit and they were dismissed for 148 in the 39th over.
The Abberton fielding was on the nail throughout with many players distingushing themsleves with either sharp catches (Snell, Robb and Zaman) or very safe groundfielding (White and Moxon). Tom Pike also looked in fine fettle beind the timbers.
A very large crowd were treated to some exciting cricket with both teams being well supported in their efforts and a fair number of neutrals finding the time to journey to Abberton for the match.
The winning Abberton team - back row (left to right) Gregan Savill, Dan White, Tom Sawdon, Steve Snell, Mark Paget (Twelfth Man), Paul Welton, Richard Moxon. Front row (left to right): MIke Abrey, Kemsley Robb (Captain), Tom Pike, Tabish Zaman, Ryan Savill.
More photos from the match will appear later
