The 15th Cheriton 6s again provided exciting non-stop
cricket on Bank Holiday Monday with nearly 1200 runs
scored for 95 wickets off 134 overs! After 15 matches,
and nearly 10 hours action it was debutants Ropley of
County 1 who claimed the Flower Pots Cup for the first
time with victory over the Hampshire Hogs.
In the highly competitive group stages many matches
went the full distance. In the Green Group Hampshire
Hogs topped the table after wins against Steep by 2
runs, holders Fair Oak by 3 wickets and Wessex Exiles
by 5 wickets. They were joined by Steep who went
through on bonus points despite losing to The Oaks by 3
wickets, as they had beaten Exiles by 6 runs earlier in the day.
In the Gold Group Ropley saw off Tichborne Park by 5
wickets, hosts Cheriton by 3 wickets and finally edged a
close encounter with Ventnor by 4 runs to top the group.
Ventnor made the semis having won their other two
games by wide margins.
In the first semi-final, Steep could only achieve 27 all out
and lost to Ropley by 5 wickets, while Hogs beat
Ventnor’s challenging 49 for 4 with 2 balls to spare.
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With both teams in the final for the first time this was
about who wanted it most on the day. For the Hogs this
proved a match too far as Ropley’s tight attack restricted
the total to 35 all out. A rampant Ropley reached the
target with nearly two overs to spare to lift the Flower
Pots Cup at the fist attempt.
The large crowd had enjoyed a great day’s cricket as well
as the Flower Pots Inn Beer Festival, hog roast and other
refreshments throughout the day.
The Complete Property Best Batsman Award was won by
Alex Stogden of Ropley; the Windwards Bananas Best
Bowler Award went to Tim Lewis of the Hogs for achieving
the first ever hat trick – all bowled - in the competition’s
history!; the Cheriton Computers Catch of the Day was
won by Charlie Russell of Hogs for holding onto a steepler
in the semi final; Charlie Freemantle of Ventnor won the
Wilds Sports Biggest 6; Martin Peters, the Ropley captain
earned the Housden Consulting Healthy Sportmanship
Award, and Tom Friend of Ventnor won the Knight Frank
Champagne Moment for hitting an enormous 6 off a no
ball while falling backwards!
Teams interested in playing in the 16th Cheriton 6s
competition in 2009, Hampshire’s longest running 6-a-
side, should contact Philip Housden on 01962 771371.
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