Ben Johns shapes up for a big hit [Les Chase Photography, Lymington]
Ben Johns left the field to a standing ovation from a 500-plus crowd after producing a batting masterclass which guided Calmore Sports to a seven-wicket victory over Foxton Granta and a place in the Lord’s final of the Voneus national Village Cup final for the second year running.
The left-hander oozed class as he struck a magical, boundary laden 95 - Calmore chasing down Foxton’s 183-8 to win the Loperwood Park semi-final tie with five overs and more to spare.
Ironically, he was caught five runs short of what would have been a richly deserved hundred, toe-ending an intended pull shot which, had he middled it, would probably have sailed over the mid-wicket boundary for Calmore’s match winning six-hit.
But he’ll go to Lord’s on Sunday September 18 for Calmore’s final against Worcestershire-based Dumbleton boasting a Village Cup aggregate 494 runs – by some distance the highest in this season’s competition.
Sadly, former England captain David Gower, who was at the first half of the semi-final on behalf of the competition organisers, The Cricketer magazine, was unable to stay and watch Johns match winning innings.
As one of England’s most attractive left-hand stroke players of his era, Gower would certainly have given the nod of approval to his knock.
Having lifted the trophy last season, Calmore Sports will start as hot favourites against Dumbleton, currently second in the WEPL Gloucestershire League.
The Evesham-based club beat Rainsford, situated on the outskirts of Liverpool, by 70 runs in the other semi-final, defending 166-9 and skittling their hosts for 96.
Calmore looked to have their hands full when Foxton openers Lewys Hill (39) and Adam Webster (36) set off at seven runs an over, but the complex of the game changed significantly when three wickets fell for four runs – two of them to Mark Lavelle (3-25) – and the visitors slipped to 76-3.
“It was a case of sticking in there when they got off to that 72-run start, but after that triple breakthrough we were able to apply the press as we’ve done previously and contain them,” explained Calmore Sports captain Mark Lavelle, who is getting married this week.
Three pronged
The left-hander oozed class as he struck a magical, boundary laden 95 - Calmore chasing down Foxton’s 183-8 to win the Loperwood Park semi-final tie with five overs and more to spare.
Ironically, he was caught five runs short of what would have been a richly deserved hundred, toe-ending an intended pull shot which, had he middled it, would probably have sailed over the mid-wicket boundary for Calmore’s match winning six-hit.
But he’ll go to Lord’s on Sunday September 18 for Calmore’s final against Worcestershire-based Dumbleton boasting a Village Cup aggregate 494 runs – by some distance the highest in this season’s competition.
Sadly, former England captain David Gower, who was at the first half of the semi-final on behalf of the competition organisers, The Cricketer magazine, was unable to stay and watch Johns match winning innings.
As one of England’s most attractive left-hand stroke players of his era, Gower would certainly have given the nod of approval to his knock.
Having lifted the trophy last season, Calmore Sports will start as hot favourites against Dumbleton, currently second in the WEPL Gloucestershire League.
The Evesham-based club beat Rainsford, situated on the outskirts of Liverpool, by 70 runs in the other semi-final, defending 166-9 and skittling their hosts for 96.
Calmore looked to have their hands full when Foxton openers Lewys Hill (39) and Adam Webster (36) set off at seven runs an over, but the complex of the game changed significantly when three wickets fell for four runs – two of them to Mark Lavelle (3-25) – and the visitors slipped to 76-3.
“It was a case of sticking in there when they got off to that 72-run start, but after that triple breakthrough we were able to apply the press as we’ve done previously and contain them,” explained Calmore Sports captain Mark Lavelle, who is getting married this week.
Three pronged
“It was a case of sticking in there when they got off to that 72-run start, but after that triple breakthrough we were able to apply the press as we’ve done previously and contain them,” explained Calmore Sports captain Mark Lavelle, who is getting married this week.
Jonny Atkinson (33) and Adil Abraham (28) added 51, but Calmore’s three-pronged spin attack was pegging the run rate and, in a bid to increase the rate, wickets fell – Ben Perry (left)(4-23) prospering as some superb catches were taken in the outfield, none better than two by Johns.
“When I put Foxton in at the outset I would have settled for 183 as a score to chase. The pitch was so flat 183 off 40 overs was a below par score,” he added.
A flat surface and fast outfield was perfect for a Calmore run chase and Will Brewster, with a well made 40, and Johns set the tone with 129- run opening partnership.
“That’s as well as Will has played this season and he was the ideal foil for Ben once again,” Lavelle continued.
Johns, then on 20, was dropped – a stiff chance to mid-wicket – in the eighth over, but that was the only offering he gave in an otherwise masterly knock. It was certainly a jaw dropping moment for Foxton, who knew Johns was the man they simply had to get out.
Timing the ball superbly, he straight and cover drove and played some Goweresque shorts off his legs, clearing the boundary rope three times alongside scoring 12 fours.
Having made an unbeaten 99 in Calmore’s four-wicket win at Sparsholt the previous day, Johns was probably seeing the ball like the proverbial football.
Lavelle (25) provided handy support but, from Johns’ perspective, probably took the strike away too often, putting the left-hander under unnecessary pressure as he looked to score his second Village Cup century of the season (he made 100 at Ventnor).
With the game almost won, all the crowd wanted was for Johns to hit the magical 100. But he went for the big hit, miscued it and was caught for 95. It was a great shame. A century was well deserved.
Jonny Atkinson (33) and Adil Abraham (28) added 51, but Calmore’s three-pronged spin attack was pegging the run rate and, in a bid to increase the rate, wickets fell – Ben Perry (left)(4-23) prospering as some superb catches were taken in the outfield, none better than two by Johns.
“When I put Foxton in at the outset I would have settled for 183 as a score to chase. The pitch was so flat 183 off 40 overs was a below par score,” he added.
A flat surface and fast outfield was perfect for a Calmore run chase and Will Brewster, with a well made 40, and Johns set the tone with 129- run opening partnership.
“That’s as well as Will has played this season and he was the ideal foil for Ben once again,” Lavelle continued.
Johns, then on 20, was dropped – a stiff chance to mid-wicket – in the eighth over, but that was the only offering he gave in an otherwise masterly knock. It was certainly a jaw dropping moment for Foxton, who knew Johns was the man they simply had to get out.
Timing the ball superbly, he straight and cover drove and played some Goweresque shorts off his legs, clearing the boundary rope three times alongside scoring 12 fours.
Having made an unbeaten 99 in Calmore’s four-wicket win at Sparsholt the previous day, Johns was probably seeing the ball like the proverbial football.
Lavelle (25) provided handy support but, from Johns’ perspective, probably took the strike away too often, putting the left-hander under unnecessary pressure as he looked to score his second Village Cup century of the season (he made 100 at Ventnor).
With the game almost won, all the crowd wanted was for Johns to hit the magical 100. But he went for the big hit, miscued it and was caught for 95. It was a great shame. A century was well deserved.
Lord's here we come - again ! Calmore celebrate their semi-final victory [Les Chase]
