The Percy Chant Memorial Cup 2005

Henstridge v Stalbridge

With relegation already confirmed for Stalbridge and Henstridge beating the hosts earlier in the season it was time for one big last effort. Not just a league game, this was also for The Percy Chant Memorial Cup which has been played between the two sides since 2000. Henstridge had won the cup for the first 4 years but Stalbridge put their name on the cup with a win last year and were looking to retain it.

The toss between Henstridge captain Jon Fryer and Stalbridge captain Simon Miles was made and it was the Henstridge skipper who won and elected to bat first on a dry and flat batting wicket. This being the 6th consecutive loss of the toss for Stalbridge.

Some tight bowling at the start of the innings saw deliveries flying past the outside edge of the Henstridge openers, Pete Anyan and Jamie Dike. It wasn't long before Dike then edged a super out swinging delivery from Steve Forshaw behind to keeper Chris Hedges who took a comfortable catch. This brought Jit Bhattacuarayat to the crease and with some continued tight bowling edges were coming but to the dismay of the Stalbridge side not falling to the fielders. Anyan and Bhattacuarayat then settled into a good rhythm before Anyan was stumped by Hedges off the bowling of Mark Chant for 27, this ending a partnership of 91 which seemed to be taking the game away from Stalbridge. With this wicket going down the Stalbridge side grew in confidence and it wasn't long before a 3rd wicket came, this time Alcock went LBW to Chant without troubling the scorers. The 4th and most important wicket came without another run on the board, Bhattacuarayat being given LBW off the bowling of Jason Forsey for 70.

This almost definitely turned the game for Stalbridge who had not had much luck, if any before the drinks interval. Wickets then fell at a consistent rate and only M Lewis 23 really gave the scorers and the Stalbridge team much to worry about. Henstridge finished their innings at 174-8, Forsey 3-51, Chant 2-28 and Forshaw 2-33 doing the damage to the home side who really should of gone on to make over 220.

So, with Stalbridge having to chase 175, Henstridge were still feeling confident having knocked Stalbridge over for 88 earlier in the season, it was Mark Chant and Chris Warne to open the innings. The Stalbridge Openers started with some fluent stroke play, Warne making it look very easy putting both opening bowlers through the covers with ease on a number of occasions. This pair took the score onto 68 before Warne was bowled off the spin of Danny Vincent for 45, this then brought 15 year old Rob Burfitt to the crease who would be looking to take the attack to the bowlers.

Chant was next to fall as he was bowled from a full pitched delivery from Raisbeck, for 28 with 80 runs on the board.  Burfitt and new batsman Moore then took the score onto 120 with a quick partnership before Moore was done by the bowling of Bhattacuarayat to depart for 16. Burfitt was then joined by fellow youngster Reece Wilson and it was this partnership that flourished for Stalbridge. With the pair coming together at 120

the pair saw the match home for an unbeaten partnership of 56 which saw Burfitt making an unbeaten 52. This quite possibly being one of the knocks of the season with some fluent and immaculate stroke play. His 50 being brought up with a superbly timed 6 straight back over the bowlers head.  Wilson finished with 29 Not Out and to see both youngsters batting so well together really was a pleasure to watch, both who are sure to have exciting futures with both bat and ball.

So, a jubilant Stalbridge side finished the season with a flourish and deservedly beat their local rivals. After the game Henstridge umpire Graham Pearce presented Stalbridge Skipper Simon Miles with the Cup which has now been won by Stalbridge on the last 2 occasions.

28th August 2005