Matt Stokes put himself through the pain barrier to set up St Cross Symondians’ 120-run victory over Bashley (Rydal) – a result that ended the New Forest club’s hopes of winning the ECB British Gas Premier Division championship for the first time.
Playing for the first time since dislocating and lacerating an index finger against the Hampshire Academy in mid-July, Stokes top scored with 88 not out as St Cross posted a formidable 294-8 before bowling Bashley out for 174.
It was a real ‘match situation’ fitness test for the Southampton Solent University all-rounder, who was worried the hand injury might rule him out of playing for his native Guernsey in next month’s World League Division 5 tournament in South Africa.
“The injury occurred only six weeks ago, so I only had three day’s worth of tennis ball hits to keep the hand-eye on check and one grass net to see if I was fit enough to play against Bashley, but that was only against spinners,” he explained.
St Cross were 84-4 when Stokes arrived at the crease, but consecutive 80-plus partnerships, initially with Logan Van Beek, then Jack Bransgrove put the Winchester hosts firmly in charge – and Bashley all but out of the title race.
Van Beek, who had been playing for Holland against Ireland in the ICC Inter-Continental Cup in the days leading up to the game, hoisted five sixes and five fours in his run-a-ball 77.
Bransgrove was his typical free-spirit, crashing four maximums as he sped to 48 off 33 balls.
Stokes, in contrast, took things more sedately, striking one six and only three fours in his unbeaten 88, admitting he scored his runs with a degree of difficulty.
“I was in pain when vibrations ran through the bat and against the quicker bowlers,” he said.
“I wasn't able to strike the ball as hard as I wanted to due to be so conscious of my finger.”
But he overcame his mind games and played a lead role in St Cross posting a match winning score.
Simon Ridley took 4-48 for Bashley, who were in with a shout while Patrick Page (33) and Michael Porter (48) were together.
But when Page, who has returned to South Australia with 669 runs under his belt, became the first of three victims for spinner Charlie Ayres (3-36), Bashley lost their way.
Porter added useful runs with Phil Morris (25), but from 139-3 the innings folded, Harry Came taking 4-34 as the last seven wickets went down for 35 runs.
End
Playing for the first time since dislocating and lacerating an index finger against the Hampshire Academy in mid-July, Stokes top scored with 88 not out as St Cross posted a formidable 294-8 before bowling Bashley out for 174.
It was a real ‘match situation’ fitness test for the Southampton Solent University all-rounder, who was worried the hand injury might rule him out of playing for his native Guernsey in next month’s World League Division 5 tournament in South Africa.
“The injury occurred only six weeks ago, so I only had three day’s worth of tennis ball hits to keep the hand-eye on check and one grass net to see if I was fit enough to play against Bashley, but that was only against spinners,” he explained.
St Cross were 84-4 when Stokes arrived at the crease, but consecutive 80-plus partnerships, initially with Logan Van Beek, then Jack Bransgrove put the Winchester hosts firmly in charge – and Bashley all but out of the title race.
Van Beek, who had been playing for Holland against Ireland in the ICC Inter-Continental Cup in the days leading up to the game, hoisted five sixes and five fours in his run-a-ball 77.
Bransgrove was his typical free-spirit, crashing four maximums as he sped to 48 off 33 balls.
Stokes, in contrast, took things more sedately, striking one six and only three fours in his unbeaten 88, admitting he scored his runs with a degree of difficulty.
“I was in pain when vibrations ran through the bat and against the quicker bowlers,” he said.
“I wasn't able to strike the ball as hard as I wanted to due to be so conscious of my finger.”
But he overcame his mind games and played a lead role in St Cross posting a match winning score.
Simon Ridley took 4-48 for Bashley, who were in with a shout while Patrick Page (33) and Michael Porter (48) were together.
But when Page, who has returned to South Australia with 669 runs under his belt, became the first of three victims for spinner Charlie Ayres (3-36), Bashley lost their way.
Porter added useful runs with Phil Morris (25), but from 139-3 the innings folded, Harry Came taking 4-34 as the last seven wickets went down for 35 runs.
End
