Charlie Gwynn hoists high over mid-wicket [all pictures by Roy Honeybone]
Charlie Gwynn made an indelible mark on his St Cross Symondians debut, shining with the bat and the ball, his unbeaten 62 and economical two-wicket spell of left-arm spin bowling key factors in the defeat of defending ECB Southern Premier League champions South Wilts at Bemerton.
St Cross chased down the title holders’ 209-7 to win by five wickets with ten overs to spare – a result that could prove very significant in the long term.
Alongside Bashley (Rydal), South Wilts and St Cross Symondians have been the major SPL players in recent years, all three winning championships, and in 2021, South Wits did the double over their Winchester rivals on the way to securing the crown for the first time since 2015.
“It was a great team performance,” enthused St Cross captain Ed Ellis. “We set the tone from ball one and never let them get away, hardly gave them a boundary ball and stuck at it for the full 50 overs.”
In hindsight, South Wilts probably erred by batting first.
“We were going to bowl first,” Ellis confessed. “We thought the only time the pitch might do anything would be first thing, but to be fair it was pretty good throughout.”
The white ball did seam about early on and South Wilts lost two of their stroke makers Tom Morton and Peter Rowe, both trapped leg before, at 21 and 32.
Pivotal
St Cross chased down the title holders’ 209-7 to win by five wickets with ten overs to spare – a result that could prove very significant in the long term.
Alongside Bashley (Rydal), South Wilts and St Cross Symondians have been the major SPL players in recent years, all three winning championships, and in 2021, South Wits did the double over their Winchester rivals on the way to securing the crown for the first time since 2015.
“It was a great team performance,” enthused St Cross captain Ed Ellis. “We set the tone from ball one and never let them get away, hardly gave them a boundary ball and stuck at it for the full 50 overs.”
In hindsight, South Wilts probably erred by batting first.
“We were going to bowl first,” Ellis confessed. “We thought the only time the pitch might do anything would be first thing, but to be fair it was pretty good throughout.”
The white ball did seam about early on and South Wilts lost two of their stroke makers Tom Morton and Peter Rowe, both trapped leg before, at 21 and 32.
Pivotal
Left-hander Jack Stearman (left above) hadn’t enjoyed the most prolific of pre-seasons, but he knuckled down to play a pivotal role – his 61, which contained some eye-catching shots, taking 133 balls, but it was what South Wilts needed as the bowling was tight, wickets were falling and Symondians’ out-cricket was good.
Ben Draper, in contrast, has been in terrific form. He made a neat 34 before being bowled by Gwynn, who not long after got a leg before decision to remove the oft dangerous James Hayward (16).
South Wilts had been scoring runs for fun in the pre-season games, but they struggled to impose themselves as the overs ticked by.
Matt Falconer (above right) brought a ray of sunshine to proceedings. Still yet to sit his GCSE examinations, the 15-year old left-hander looked to have ‘time’ as he underlined his potential with some flowing shots in an unbeaten 34, a cameo which hoisted South Wilts’ total to 209-7.
Josh Croom soon removed teenage Symondians’ opener Ben Foster, but Harry Trussler (24) stuck to his task and watched Tom Foyle (39) go for his shots – in typical style, 32 of his runs came in fours before he lofted an intended big hit into Morton’s safe hands (76-3).
Brad Taylor (15) added some handy runs, but by now Gwynn was beginning to assert his authority. Some of the bowling became ragged, Croom often struggling to find his line and the normally economical Tom Grant (2-45) conceding 13 wides, albeit dismissing Trussler and Foyle in the process.
Ben Draper, in contrast, has been in terrific form. He made a neat 34 before being bowled by Gwynn, who not long after got a leg before decision to remove the oft dangerous James Hayward (16).
South Wilts had been scoring runs for fun in the pre-season games, but they struggled to impose themselves as the overs ticked by.
Matt Falconer (above right) brought a ray of sunshine to proceedings. Still yet to sit his GCSE examinations, the 15-year old left-hander looked to have ‘time’ as he underlined his potential with some flowing shots in an unbeaten 34, a cameo which hoisted South Wilts’ total to 209-7.
Josh Croom soon removed teenage Symondians’ opener Ben Foster, but Harry Trussler (24) stuck to his task and watched Tom Foyle (39) go for his shots – in typical style, 32 of his runs came in fours before he lofted an intended big hit into Morton’s safe hands (76-3).
Brad Taylor (15) added some handy runs, but by now Gwynn was beginning to assert his authority. Some of the bowling became ragged, Croom often struggling to find his line and the normally economical Tom Grant (2-45) conceding 13 wides, albeit dismissing Trussler and Foyle in the process.
Charlie Gwynn hits one of his nine boundaries
Gwynn lost Ellis cheaply (148-5), but was in control, playing the best innings of the day, one sumptuous pull shot to mid-wicket off Croom being particularly noteworthy.
The situation was perfect for Jack Bransgrove (32 not out) to score freely. He added an unbroken 65 with Gwynn as St Cross cruised home in the 40th over.
Discussing Gwynn’s performance, Ellis said: “He’s a really talented player, one we’ve tried to sign for several years, but he remained loyal to Fair Oak where he had played all his junior cricket.
“I've worked with him during his time at Oxford Brookes. He batted and bowled well, fielded immaculately. He’s fitted in perfectly. What more can I ask ?”
South Wilts skipper Ben Draper defended his decision to bat first but reflected: “We probably lacked ten per cent in the three areas of skill, but we’ll bounce back at Lymington on Saturday.
“Bashley thrashed us by nine wickets in the opening match of 2021 and we went on to win the title, so perhaps there’s an element of déjà vu about the result.”
The situation was perfect for Jack Bransgrove (32 not out) to score freely. He added an unbroken 65 with Gwynn as St Cross cruised home in the 40th over.
Discussing Gwynn’s performance, Ellis said: “He’s a really talented player, one we’ve tried to sign for several years, but he remained loyal to Fair Oak where he had played all his junior cricket.
“I've worked with him during his time at Oxford Brookes. He batted and bowled well, fielded immaculately. He’s fitted in perfectly. What more can I ask ?”
South Wilts skipper Ben Draper defended his decision to bat first but reflected: “We probably lacked ten per cent in the three areas of skill, but we’ll bounce back at Lymington on Saturday.
“Bashley thrashed us by nine wickets in the opening match of 2021 and we went on to win the title, so perhaps there’s an element of déjà vu about the result.”
