Wiltshire CCC lose narrowly in opening NCCA Trophy fixture versus Cheshire
Wiltshire CCC v Cheshire CCC @ Marlborough College
Sunday 4th May 2025
A pleasant Spring day in the equally pleasant setting of Marlborough College saw Wiltshire begin their NCCA Trophy campaign against Cheshire. The sun was often hidden behind clouds, but it was a cold wind that caused spectators to get their coats rather than their suncream!
Having won the toss and electing to bat, Wiltshire set about their task diligently with Jack Mynott 73 (3x4, 2x6) and Jacob Lintott 53 (4x4, 1x6) putting on an impressive 133 for the first wicket. Jake Goodwin added 20, skipper Ed Young a lively 39 from 26 balls (5x4, 1x6) and newcomer Langley Manor’s Jack Campbell a valuable 19 not out with a couple of hefty 6s. The final total was 273 for 9 from their 50 overs with extras contributing 30. It was Steven Green ( 2 for 52), the 6th Cheshire bowler, who finally removed Mynott and Lintott, but the returning opening bowler Michael Finan did most damage with 3 for 45.
After a splendid tea break provided by Marlborough College catering Cheshire set about the task in hand. An inauspicious start saw Henry Dobson caught by Jake Goodwin off the bowling of Jack Campbell without a run on the board. However, the score moved on to 144 before a second wicket fell when Sam Perry 61 (9x4) was LBW to Jake Lintott. Alex Money held the innings together with a belligerent 81 (10x4, 1x6) until he fell to a splendid diving catch by Jack Mynott to give Will Naish a wicket. The required run-rate had become very manageable as long as Cheshire could stay at the crease. Seasoned campaigner Harry Dearden 51 (8x4) held the tail together with a match-winning innings. It looked as though he would see them home until he became a second victim caught behind (?) by Ben Draper (? Actually it wasn’t behind at all as Dearden skied one and Ben ran forward to claim the catch and give Jack Mynott a victim!). There was also a catch on the boundary for Archie Fairfax-Ross and 3 LBW decisions with one for Joe King and 2 for Jacob Lintott helping him to 4 for 47.
Another defeat, but with plenty of positives to take into Monday’s fixture with Wales at Warminster. It was good to see Jack Campbell bowling again after a difficult time with injuries, good to see Jacob Lintott pull on a Wiltshire shirt again and good to see young Jonathan Sadler get the opportunity of an outing in the first team environment.
Roy Honeybone, May 2025
