Delight at Over-70s success in Bowl
September 6, 2026SKIPPER Gerry Artindale has spoken of his delight at his Suffolk side winning the National Over-70s Bowl.
Suffolk beat Berkshire by six wickets at the David Lawrence Memorial Ground in Potters Bar on Thursday to claim the title and make it two wins in national finals in two days for the county.
Suffolk Over-50s had won the 2nd XI County Championship Plate the day before, beating Sussex by 14 runs in the final at Tring Park CC.
Peter Boughton was the batting hero of a busy few days as he top-scored in the semi-final win over Cambridgeshire on Tuesday before doing the same again in the final.
Ken Jones had taken four for 22 as Berkshire were dismissed for just 148, Ken Jones claiming 4 for 31, Peter Christie 2 for 33 and Malcolm Grubb 2 for 38.
Boughton, who shared in a second-wicket stand of 83 with captain Gerry Artindale, scored 71 off 86 balls to pave the way for a comfortable win with 13 overs to spare.
It had been a similarly emphatic win in the semi-final when Cambridgeshire were restricted to 192 for 5 in 40 overs at Woolpit CC, Grubb returning 2 for 32.
Boughton (82 not out) and Dave Hinchcliffe (79 not out) secured a nine-wicket success as Suffolk replied with 193 for 1 with 10 overs in hand.
Suffolk had been slightly disappointed to finish 19th out of the 28 counties in the Over-70s qualifying competition.
That meant they missed out on both the Cup and Plate competitions, but victory in the Bowl made up for that.
Captain Artindale said: “We were a bit unlucky to be in a Group which included Kent and Essex, this year’s finalists, and Middlesex, winners in 2024. Outside of those games we were unbeaten all season.
“We won all three play-off games comfortably by eight wickets, nine wickets, and six wickets.
“I am delighted we won the trophy as this is recognition of the excellent all-round performances the team has put in all season.”
Boughton finished the season with 499 runs at 49.90, Lorrie Austin 307 (including 100 not out v Cambridgeshire at Eaton Socon), Artindale 250 (including 102 v Cambridgeshire at Bury St Edmunds), Ken Jones 186 and Dave Hinchclifffe 179.
Ken Jones took 13 wickets at 31.69 each Dave Hinchcliffe 12 with and (economy rate of 3.36, while John Morgan claimed 10 victims and Grubb nine.
Tags: Gerry Artindale, National Over-70s Bowl, Peter Boughton, Sussex, Tring Park CC
Categorised in: Seniors' Cricket