I'Anson League Cricket 2020 Launches
The 2020 I'Anson League campaign finally got underway last weekend and the three Blackheath men's XIs were straight into the action.
The 1st XI, Division 1 champions in 2019, started their defence of the title with a narrow win away at Grayshott. Winning the toss and batting first, Alex Bertola's men set a challenging total of 264 for 4 in their 45 overs, with Will Melhuish getting into late early mid-season form as he marched imperiously to 134 before being run out, supported by his brother Pete (30) and Ronny Harrison (45 not out).
What should have been a comfortable victory turned into a very exciting finish as Grayshott struck back and fell just 3 runs short at 261 for 9 from their 45 overs. With wickets spread around 7 different Blackheath bowlers it was a true team performance, but one that will need to sharpen up in the coming weeks if they are to retain the title.
https://teamtamer.com/tt/ttevent?id=1672
Meanwhile at Blackheath the 2nd XI took the opportunity of a "no promotion-no relegation" season to field a very young but very talented side against a strong Chiddingfold 1st XI that was in Division 1 only two years ago, and although we came second on the day there were some very promising individual performances.
Batting first, Chiddingfold made good use of a typically true Terry Brockman-prepared wicket to amass 254-8 in their 45 overs, with 71 from skipper Matthew Wright and 84 not out from Tom Gleave, newly returned to Chid after playing at a higher level with Rowledge in the Southern Premier League. Stand out bowling performances came from 15-year old Ed Eves (2-34), veteran Graham Webb with 9 overs for 20 runs, and Chris "Rabbit hunter" Lewis who snaffled 3-34 at the death.
Our inexperienced batting line-up was never likely to challenge that total, but even so some magnificent cover drives from 13-year old James Fortescue (31) and a very mature 68 from 17-year old Ben Stefanik were enough to see us to a respectable reply, bowled out for 185.
https://teamtamer.com/tt/ttevent?id=1749
Finally, to Grafham and our 3rd XI, where there should have been much celebration for the very first home game played from the newly-refurbished pavilion... except that Covid-19 meant the new facilities had to remain closed, just as at every other cricket ground in the country.
Grayswood 3rd XI won the toss and batted, setting a stiff target with 211-8 from their 40 overs. For Blackheath, young star Will Nash and veteran Neil Cozens shared the honours with 3 wickets apiece.
As with the 2nd XI, a relatively young and inexperienced Blackheath batting line-up struggled to match the total they were set, but we finished on a creditable 174-9 thanks to a very impressive 44 from 12-year old Rob Greenway and a typically nuggety 22 not out from skipper Colin Parrott.
https://teamtamer.com/tt/ttevent?id=1720