Suffolk Over-60s 2nd XI win Vase final

September 11, 2025

SUFFOLK won the National Over-60s 2nd XI Vase with a convincing five-wicket win over Bedfordshire in the final at Valley End CC in Surrey on Tuesday.

The final win followed semi-final defeats in both 2022 and 2024 in the same competition, which is the second tier of the national Seniors’ championships.

This year they beat Devon in the quarter-finals and then chased down 254 to beat Buckinghamshire in the semis. Another stellar performance in the field saw them restrict Beds to 177 for 9 in their 45 overs, which looked to be below par.

They were given a steady start by opening bowlers Paul Brown and Malcolm Grubb, who both completed their nine-over spells for just 25 runs, with Brown taking two key wickets.

Keith Starr and Ken Jones both kept up the good work with a wicket apiece and Phil Halliday (3 for 24) and Andrew Holding (2 for 11) finished the job off.

Suffolk’s reply was also steady, with six batsmen getting into double figures to reach the target with five wickets and 2.4 overs in hand. Holding, who had scored a century in the semi-final, nicked behind for eight but his opening partner Eddie Green added 35.

Skipper Tony Locke scored 32 then Steve Smith, who had also reached three figures against Bucks, deflected his first ball into his face and had to retire hurt.

Colin Macrow added 21 and Smith returned to score 19 before being run out. But although wickets were falling the required rate was always in sight and Rob Collett and Ken Jones saw the team home, both finishing with 24 not out.

The Suffolk team that won the National Over-60s 2nd XI Vase on Tuesday are pictured above (from left to right) Ken Jones, Keith Starr, Eddie Green, captain Nick Meakin (who missed the final due to injury), Paul Brown, Tony Locke, Andy Holding, Steve Smith, Colin Macrow, Malcolm Grubb and Rob Collett. Not in photograph: Phil Halliday

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Categorised in: