An Enstone epic. There are landmark events in life that are indelibly seared in the brain. Moments such as when fear is conquered and you ride a bike for the first time without stabilizers. Another is your first kiss, hell without wishing to be too gushing, even your wedding day or the birth of a child. It has to be said that rarely does sport draw comparison with such memorable moments. Yet, without doubt or without even risking the slightest potential for an accusation of hyperbole, events at Enstone cricket ground on Sunday 18th June did achieve a likeness with those truly epic life events. Indeed, for the eleven Enstone representatives involved; whilst their time on this mortal coil may have been shortened by nerves, adrenaline or even straight mind pulping anxiety at the match’s finale, they will know that they were players, or fate plucked contributors, to an incredible piece of sporting drama that has assumed immortality.
Not that it was certain that eleven men would have the opportunity to have greatness thrust upon them. On Wednesday, as anticipation built, there were in fact only nine confirmed for action. Only by Saturday were eleven players allocated; Sam King and Alex French joining the party. In a further mischievous subplot, by then the opponents had ceased to be Astons, who could not get a team. Instead Islip – regrettably with only 10 players - would provide the fixture’s opposition on a perfect, hot June Sunday. Thus, the stage was set to determine whether Enstone could seize the day and record their fifth consecutive victory. At first the sporting gods seemed to be in a benevolent mode as fate awarded the winning of the toss to Captain Speke. The decision was made to field based on some previous tight bowling displays that had been the bedrock to the team’s winning run. Therefore, despite the baking temperature that restricted the ill phrased: ‘warming up’ to the most conservative efforts, morale was high and expectation honed. For the first session none of this optimism was misplaced. Hence, like when the sea is a cool blue mirror and a status for calm benign tranquillity favourable for you to venture upon, so the early bowling and fielding suggested a victory was merely a formality. Indeed, although Islip’s opener Epton prodded and occasionally drove convincingly, he would succumb for 15 expertly trapped LBW by Watts from a leg stump delivery. To compound this early ascendancy, Speke claimed three wickets: Crawford (6) with a fine catch by P Anthony in the slips; Sagir (4), caught by Peterson (after a decisive field change to midwicket) and Amman (1) also caught this time in the covers by Watts. Equally, Islip’s third man Thompson was removed by a fine catch in the covers by Wilson off K Anthony’s bowling. After an opening that could be summarised as a passage of shock and awe, Enstone had imposed a vice like hold. Indeed, there was no let up for Islip. P Anthony bowled tightly and was unlucky not to be rewarded with a wicket, whilst Peterson brought into the attack in the 18th over clean bowled Shahid in his second over for 12 to stifle a passage of post drinks resistance. With the visitors by this point reeling on 42/6, Enstone were now into the Islip tail and further fine performances in the field were now recorded. French recorded 2/5 with the removal of Nelson (7) and Abbas (3) both clean bowled whilst Stewart charitably stated that he had: ‘lured him [Faizaan] with poor bowling’ into conceding a regulation catch to Speke for 2, meant that the Islip innings closed on 78. Tea was taken and for the second week running it appeared as though Enstone could be home and hosed early. However, each of the following must be considered in consigning this suggestion to nonsense: the skill and determination of Islip in the field, the malevolent forces of fate and perhaps the fatigue of fielding in the heat. Whatever the truth, a deemed sporting certainty was about to be subjected to the most rigorous strain. Thus, Speke and King opened and for a time it appeared as though there was nothing to threaten the Enstone advance towards glory but with the score on 15 Speke was caught off the bowling of Sagir for 7. King followed with the score on 16 and suddenly there was a ripple in the sea of calm. Forder and Wilson moved the score to 26 before the latter was removed when caught off Amaan’s bowling. Two quick wickets followed as Gregory and Anthony were lost both without scoring. A storm of apprehension was now brewing as Enstone had slumped to 31/5. Calm appeared to be restored as progress to 41 was made between Watts and Foden. However, when the former was bowled by Shahid, the momentum appeared to be shifting to Islip as Shahid then bowled Anthony and Stewart whilst Crawford broke Forder’s resistance on 20 by bowling him to leave Enstone suddenly cut adrift in travesty’s tempest on 56/9. Victory, once seemingly assured, now appeared dashed as a now gargantuan figure of 23 was required from the final pairing of French and Peterson. Yet, this final passage of the game is what makes the occasion such a memorable one and also what makes cricket such a fascinating sport. After staring down the barrel of defeat from a former point of expected victory, French and Peterson battled with determination, heroism and fortitude akin to the efforts at Rorkes Drift when a plethora of Victoria Crosses were claimed. Thus, as the outcome of the day was confined to Enstone’s final wicket, each shot that registered on the scoreboard brought claps of approval as the heart rate of those watching and supporting the home team was temporarily eased as runs were added. Equally, each play and miss brought gasps of relief as a piece of sporting theatre was played out. Eventually, to the delight of the partisan support, French and Peterson magnificently steered the good ship Enstone through a passage of unexpected storm fury with the former recording 14 not out and the latter 9 to claim a famous, nail biting victory. Well batted gentlemen, surviving that cricket crucible – a medal as big as a dustbin lid is warranted for each of you for your redoubtable displays! Therefore, to close, as stated at the start, a fantastic performance by French and Peterson at the close but this was an epic for all involved. Many thanks must go to Islip for providing opposition after a cancellation and contributing to such a thrilling spectacle of cricket. For Enstone, forward in victory – JUST!
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