Victory lifts Grafton clear of the drop zone
ANY lingering relegation worries for Temple Grafton were promptly put to one side as they stormed to a 99-run victory to ensure Cotswold Hills League Division One cricket for at least another season.
But for skipper Adam Kirk, league positions are secondary for a club that prides itself in welcoming anyone looking to play the game in one of the best settings in the league.
“We are not too worried about which division we are in – we enjoy the competitiveness of league cricket but we are happy to fall where we fall,” the 23-year-old skipper explained.
“We have a group of players who have been at the club for a number of years and just won’t play anywhere else and that says a lot about what we try to do down there. We have had players join us from a higher standard including the Birmingham League who have moved to the area and once they find us they don’t look back.
“We are very lucky to have one of the most picturesque grounds in the league and we also have a great group down here. The last couple of years have been brilliant and that has seen us get a second league side down here. We want to give as many people who join us a game of cricket, whatever their level. We are all about playing cricket and having a bit of fun.”
It has been a rollercoaster season for Temple Grafton with relegation looming until a decent run hoisted the side into mid-table going into their final two matches –at home to Long Itchington and then away to Rowington.
Kirk added: “It has been a mixed bag of results this year which has been down to availability. I feel that when we have our best XI out we are capable of beating anyone but it doesn’t happen every week.”
It certainly happened on Saturday as visitors Ashorne and Moreton Morrell failed to match their hosts.
Liam Killian and Paul Rowe bolstered the score but when they were out the home side were left on 225 all out. Killian’s 85 came off 87 balls and included two 6s while Rowe was also in a hurry with his 42 coming off 36 balls and that also had two 6s.
Of Ashorne’s attack, the wickets were shared between Ben Freeman (3-43), James Cutts (3-52), Irfan Khan (2-33) and Howells (2-38).
Runs proved hard to come by for the visitors though with just four batsmen making double figures.
Phil Whitehead (22) and opener Dave Howells (21) led the way with Thomas Cox (16) and Khan (11no) adding to the tally but they were all out for 126 with ten overs to spare.
The wickets were shared around with skipper Kirk (3-44) and Sam Roberts (3-40) the star turns, ably assisted by Dan McAdam (2-21) and Rowe (1-13).
