Grateley beat Amport in last ball thriller

On a glorious summer's day in mid-July, Grateley, for the first time in living memory, fielded a cricket team. The opposition was neighbouring village Amport.

Grateley won the toss and elected to field. A fine display of pace bowling from opener, Charlie Clifton, soon had Amport in trouble at 10 for 3. However the ship was steadied by an impressive partnership between N Bone and M Startup for Amport, which put on 120 runs and gave Amport control. L Bone contributed 39 runs in Amport's total of 204 for 7 in 30 overs.

After tea Grateley began their response requiring 6.8 runs per over to win; a tall order. Matt Dowling and Mark Ayers saw off the opening bowlers with a steady 23 run partnership. Grateley's middle order batted very impressively with valuable contributions from Jeremy Crosby (32), Harry Clifton (31), Phil Brewer (25) and John Stamp (20). But Grateley struggled to keep pace with the required run rate.

The match built to an exciting climax. Some controlled slogging from Charlie Clifton and Gary Taplin put Grateley in with an outside chance needing 21 runs from the last over. Charlie showed his intent with 6, 4 and 6 from the first three balls. A single left Gary to face the last ball, needing a boundary. Gary was taking no chances; he took three paces down the wicket, sent the ball racing to the mid-on boundary to give Grateley a victory that, for much of the afternoon, had seemed unlikely.

A celebratory barbecue was held at the Plough after the game and stories of sporting derring-do went on long into the night.

Our sincere thanks to: John Stamp for providing the kit, Natalie Stamp for a wonderful tea, the Umpires (who included Tim Clifton and Paul Ayers from Grateley), John Nonnan for providing our advertising signs, The Plough for the barbecue, all the Amport and Grateley players for their enthusiasm, Amport for their hospitality and finally the many Grateley residents who came and supported so vocally. We hope to repeat this fixture in 2006.

- Peter Whent