Cuppers: Christ’s Cruise Past Churchill

Christ’s 185-1 beat Churchill 101 all out

Christ’s cruised to a comfortable 84 run victory against Churchill in the first semi-final of cricket cuppers on Saturday morning. Chris Blake, John Barber and Harry Bardon set the tone with a dominant batting performance before the bowlers ripped into the Churchill line-up.

Churchill, winning the toss, opted to bowl and began tightly, with Milodowski in particular threatening the Christ’s openers. Blake was fortunate when a lose shot off Milodowski’s partner was dropped at gully; Barber took time to settle and was on only 2 from 12 balls.

But then came the turning point. With 6 overs gone, and Christ’s on 35, Barber smashed “T-force” for 20 in his first and only over. After this sudden acceleration Christ’s didn’t look back.

Barber reached 50 from 36 balls then, with Christ’s on 102, holed-out attempting another maximum. He was replaced by Bardon, the Christ’s captain.

Intent on ensuring Christ’s posted a big total, Bardon eschewed traditional technique in favour of a series of ugly swipes into the leg-side. Sadly for the purists, however, these proved remarkably effective.

Milodowski returned but was unable to stop the Bardon juggernaut, disappearing for 6 over mid-wicket – a shot Bardon claims he will “dine out on for months”. Bardon’s blistering innings saw him end 56 not out from just 26 balls, the more sedate Blake carrying his bat for 63. Christ’s closed on an imposing 185-1.

Knowing they required over 9 an over, Churchill began in an aggressive manner. De Villiers launched into a drive from Bardon’s first ball, but was easily caught by Harrison at point from the second. Dale soon followed run out, after a calamitous call saw both batsmen at the same end.

Danger-man Milodowski was bowled by Cade for 15, and when “Poirot” Williams removed Wiggit the game looked over with Churchill reeling on 29 for 4.

Hamish, however, had different ideas and went after the Christ’s bowling with some unorthodox hitting. This propelled Churchill past 50 but the other batsmen were unable to cope with the Christ’s bowling.

Woodward particularly was resplendent, taking 3 for 14 from 3.3 overs – he could have had 4, had Bardon taken a difficult chance. With those around him falling, Hamish manfully continued to resist but he took one risk too many and was well caught by Harrison, running in from the boundary to take a tumbling catch. This ended the game; Churchill all out for 101, to the delight of the many Christ’s supporters.

Christ’s, in buoyant mood after such a resounding victory, march confidently on to Friday’s final.