Congratulations to Beaminster Cricket Club on their stunning win over top of table Shillingstone last Saturday, not least because they were playing against Sri Lankan legendary batter Kumar Sangakkara. Beaminster lie second in County Division 2 and look forward to a strong summer ahead. Support on a Saturday afternoon at the Rec is always appreciated!
Match report by Paul Edwards:
International career runs: 1. S Tendulkar (34357), 2. K Sangakkara (28016); Runs scored at Beaminster Memorial Ground on Saturday 28th: 1. J Handford (111), 2. K Sangakkara (82).
In the modern era of cricket, there is an obsession with statistics. Our phones, laptops, televisions are painted in ‘vital’ numbers with which we reach conclusions over who will win and lose. The Beaminster team, however, did not become entangled in this collage of data as they defied all odds to overcome Shillingstone by 7 runs in a spectacle worthy of a table-top clash. Arriving at the ground, a sense of excitement was in the air; witnessing one of the all time great test players isn’t an everyday occurrence after all. Crowds flocked to catch a first-hand glance at opposition talisman Kumar Sangakkara, former Sri Lankan international with 12,400 test runs and 38 hundreds. The sun beamed down, a light breeze kept temperatures manageable, the stage was set for a magnificent occasion. Captain Will Moss, with a determined steel in his eye, won the toss and elected to bat on a pitch that looked poised for runs. However, the innings begun with a falter as Chris Park (6) chipped opening bowler Finnigan Young (3-39) to a backpedalling mid-on. That brought youngster Jack Handford to the crease. With his team under early pressure from the Shillingstone opening bowlers, the elegant No. 3 played an innings of superlatives. Demonstrating poise, grace and, when required, power, he attacked and defended with laser-like precision as he glided to an effortless century. An innings of that kind was worthy of a game of such magnitude and spectators, from the casual watcher to the seasoned veteran, rose as one to congratulate a sensational knock. With Jack’s remarkable knock acting as a glue, others were able to play a flurry of shots in support. Boundaries were struck with regularity as Beaminster forced their way to a challenging target of 261-8 from their 45 overs. Despite making a distinguished account of themselves with the bat, the home team recognised that would have to demonstrate equal quality with the ball if they were to secure victory. Leg spinner Ollie Bareham (3-82), his captain’s encouragement ringing in his ears, opened the bowling with skill and guile. His unyielding accuracy made for early success as he took 3 early wickets to leave Shillingstone 72-3. However, as the partnership of Kumar Sangakkara (82) and Visakh Nair (47) grew, so did the worries of the Beaminster players. With every crisp cover drive, with every disdainful pull, the fielding side could only mop the sweat off their brow in awe as a master craftsman went at his work. It wasn’t until the bowling partnership of belligerent seamer Richard Runyard (3-41) and exuberant off spinner Paul Edwards (3-40), where breakthroughs were made. Wickets tumbled like the walls of Jericho as the pair lay siege to the Shillingstone middle order. In the blink of an eye the game hung in the balance with the batting side needing only 7 runs to win with 1 wicket in hand. In the dying embers of the match, Will Moss delved into the coffers of his arsenal, desperate for one last roll of the dice, where he found one final Runyard over. The towering fast bowler, summoning the last sap of energy from his body in the blazing heat, thundered to the crease, unleashing a tirade of pace and venom. Dot. Breathe. Dot. Breathe. In-swinging yorker. Wicket. Ecstasy. It was a thrilling end to what will surely be the match of the season. A triumphant Will Moss, once he had caught his breath said: “INSERT WILL MOSS HERE”
