Adams scores ton as Over-70s reach final

September 4, 2022

DAVID Adams scored a century as Suffolk Over-70s reached the final of the National 70+ County Cricket Championship.

They will face Kent – the only side to defeat them in their ten group games – in the final on Thursday, September 15th at a venue to be confirmed.

Suffolk, who had already beaten Sussex and Berkshire/Buckinghamshire in the knock-out stages, defeated Hertfordshire by 67 runs on DLS, after a rain-interrupted semi-final.

After Hertfordshire won the toss and chose to bowl at Langleybury CC, Adams batted through the whole 45 overs of Suffolk’s innings as he scored 119 not out off 135 balls with seven fours.

He shared in a third-wicket stand of 121 with Rob Jenkin, who made 56 off 62 balls with six fours and one six as Suffolk posted 240 for 4.

Hertfordshire, who were set a revised target of 189 from 30 overs after a rain break, closed on 121 for 7, with David Hinchcliffe returning impressive figures of 9-2-26-3.

Peter Christie, Ken Jones, Stuart Carpenter and Jenkin all took a wicket apiece in what was a convincing victory.

Skipper Neil Hames said: “Again, it was a good team performance, and with David Adams scoring a century it means that four of our top five batters have scored centuries; I don’t believe any other county has the same batting in depth as Suffolk.

“David and Rob Jenkin were able to play attacking shots from the beginning of their innings, and due to the outfield being slow our score was worth way more than the 240.

“We were also fortunate that we have seven bowlers, so I was able to rotate the bowlers to suit the condition of the pitch.

“We now face Kent in the final, who are the only side to have beaten us this year. However, whatever the result I believe it is a great achievement for our county to be in the final bearing in mind we are one of the smallest counties, by population, in the competition.”

Suffolk Over-60s 2nd XI  were unable to make it a double final appearance for the county this season when they lost to Sussex by just 11 runs in the Vase competition two days earlier.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat first at Buxted CC, Sussex scored 248 for 6, with Andrew Norburn producing excellent bowling figures of 9.1-1-36-3.

Andy Harrison, batting at No.5, then struck 11 fours and one six as he scored 95 off 99 balls in Suffolk’s reply.

Andy Foreman (34), Eddie Green (32) and Clive Heaps (20) also made useful contributions, but as the run-rate soared to around eight-an-over, the visitors fell just short of their target on 237 for 9.

Skipper Steve Bulger said: “Sussex and Suffolk were two evenly-matched sides – it was a good, competitive game that was always going to be close.

“However, a combination of good fielding and average batting saw us lose by 11 runs. We pushed hard in the last few overs, but could not quite reach the required target.

“We have had a good season and our very good team spirit has enabled us to beat better counties.

“Andy Norburn and John Morgan have starred with the ball, with all our bowlers having to bowl their nine overs as we didn’t have a sixth bowler to call on, and sometimes didn’t have five recognised bowlers.

“Our batters have been superb – Steve Bumphrey, Ed Green, Rob Collett and, before he got injured, Steve Bloomfield, with both Andy Harrison and Clive Heaps chipping in.

“Having finished eighth best side in the country last year and the eleventh best side this year, everything looks good for next season.”

With three Suffolk teams for those aged 60 or above, anyone aged 59 plus who is interested in playing, should contact Ken Jones on 07941 677958 or via email kennethwjones@btinternet.com

The Suffolk Over-70s team that defeated Hertfordshire in the semi-finals are pictured above. Back row (left to right): Peter Christie, Chris Watson, Rob Jenkin, Stuart Carpenter, Ray Black, David Hinchcliffe, David Adams, Kathy Parker (scorer), Clive Witherly. Front row: Peter Boughton, Peter Webb, Neil Hames (captain), Ken Jones, Derrick Messent, Gerry Baglow.

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