CRICKET WORLD TROPHY

Ed McGregor hits century for OCs  

Old Cranleighans beat Old Grovians by 9 wkts 

Eighteenth Cricket World Trophy Final Old Grovians  vs Old Cranleighans Sunday 5/8/07 at Cranleigh School Surrey 

Result: Old Cranleighans won by 9 wickets

Toss: Old Cranleighans won toss and elected to field

Umpires: Keith Goswell & Clive Peacock

Scorers: S. Dawson & Mrs 

Man of the Match: Ed McGregor 

OLD GROVIANS192-6,45 overs(Wood 62,Verity 42,Cope 4-26) lost to OLD CRANLEIGHANS 193-1,32.5 overs(McGregor 114*,Crump 47*) by 9 wickets  Full Scorecard to follow. 

The match was reduced from 55 overs to 45 overs because of the late arrival of OGs held up on the M1 

On a glorious summer's day, the hottest of 2007, Old Cranleighans recorded their first ever appearance in the Cricket World Final with a resounding victory by 9 wickets. 

Old Grovians had some excuses. They had driven for 5 hours to get there and had lost three players to injury and imminent child birth from the side that beat Old Johnians in the semi final. 

Good seam bowling put OCs on top early with three early wickets,two were bowled with peaches but the third was a lazy miscued pull off a slower long hop outside off which was guided straight to mid on. 

Wood and Verity rebuilt the innings scampering between the wickets and latterly Wood  launched into some expansive drives and hooks  while Verity was more circumspect. These two added 114 before Verity attempted to pull a ball which beat him for pace and Wood having hit a tremendous hooked six got rather carried away and hit a catch straight to deep extra cover on the boundary. 

OGs scrambled another 30 odd runs with OCs spread around the boundary and finished on a respectable

193-6. 

OGs opening attack started well enough beating the bat and swinging the ball  but a tendency to drop the odd one too short gave OCs a healthy start despite losing Antipodean opener lbw. 

McGregor grew in confidence partnered by Crump and  severely punished the spinners used by OGs who perhaps should have given the bowlers more boundary protection earlier. 

OGs reintroduction of pace resulted in one minor injury and then a serious one resulting in departure to hospital.  For the rest of the bowling McGregor was dismissive as he  raced past his century and OCs won with 12.1 overs to spare. 

Much thanks to Cranleigh School for hosting the match and for Old Grovians for agreeing to travel so far. The catering was excellent and the ground looked immaculate. 

_____________

Shenley Cricket Centre has been booked for the 2008 final.   Old Eastbournians and Old Wykhamists have applied for 2008

______________

Old Tonbridgians win Cricketer Cup yet again beating Oundle Rovers by 68 runs Geoffrey Dean Reports