Grange return to complete some ‘unfinished business’ at Lord’s

Making their sixth appearance at the home of cricket, the York Senior League side earned a convincing 10-wicket victory over Great and Little Tew, of Oxfordshire.

Man of the match David Suddaby nullified any opposition threat, removing Tew’s middle-order with precision bowling to return figures of 3-36 from his nine overs.

They were unable to recover from that position, eventually capitulating to 114 all out which Woodhouse cruised to without loss inside 24 overs.

Captain Nick Hadfield, who hit the winning runs, spoke with pride at his team’s feat having lost their two most recent finals in 2008 and 2012.

He said: “In your wildest dreams you probably wouldn’t think you’d get here and win by 10 wickets in such a short time.

“Fair play to Tew, they’re obviously going to be disappointed but they’ve done fantastically well to get to this showpiece final.

“The 2012 loss definitely hurt us a lot. We had unfinished business to a certain extent – to come back and try and win it – but you never know.

“It’s a long competition so to get back here’s excellent and to win in that fashion is fantastic for the players, supporters and everyone else in the club.”

The result never looked in doubt following Tew’s surprise choice to bat first in overcast conditions after winning the toss.

With a slate coloured sky and the pitch tinged green, opening bowlers Suddaby and Steve Burdett went about their task astutely, stifling the batsmen.

The pair of Joe White and Ashley Hubbert had only reached 13 when the first wicket fell in the sixth over.

White (11) slashed at a wide delivery off Burdett and was held well on the up by Andrew Bilton at point.

Woodhouse continued to keep a tight hold on the scoring, but struggled to break the partnership of Jordan Garrett and opener Hubbert, who offered stiff resistance.

The pair nudged the score to 44-1 and were starting to create a steady platform upon which the rest of Tew could build.

That was until Josh Jackson, the only Woodhouse Grange player to be making his debut at Lord’s, dismissed Hubbert lbw for 17.

Experience showed from there on, and Woodhouse went about demolishing Tew’s middle-order, reducing them from 44-2 to 60-5.

Suddaby impressed, picking up all three wickets. However, he was made to wait for his first when umpire Paul Sparshott signalled no-ball after Harrison Smith had been caught.

Woodhouse had no need to worry, though, Suddaby trapping the promising youngster Garrett (9) – who earlier this season made a half-century on debut for Gloucestershire 2nd XI – with the next delivery. Suddaby then removed Marcus Jeacock first ball to set up a hat-trick but Tew were able to navigate the danger.

Five balls into Suddaby’s next over and he had his third, bowling Smith for 15, Woodhouse continued to restrict Tew and wickets came at regular intervals.

Andrew Horner sent Robbie Catling’s bails flying, before Jackson had Andy Harris caught and bowled and Hadfield dismissed Robbie Shurmer.

Lloyd Brock provided some late hitting to move the score above 100, but he departed to Chris Suddaby and Burdett finished things off to remove Ian Bryan.

“I had a lot of options with the bowling, which was good, as I could chop and change and bring guys on and, when they came on, they took wickets,” said Hadfield.

Joining Bilton out in the middle, Hadfield set about the chase methodically, the pair patiently building their innings until Bilton brought up his half-century in 63 balls. He then let loose, smacking three consecutive boundaries to finish 70 not out, leaving Hadfield to guide the ball for four and send the crowd into celebrations.

Hadfield said: “We didn’t do ourselves justice in 2012. I wanted the team to perform to their ability; if you get beaten playing well then you hold your hands up. But we played well and dominated.”