Old Basing spring surprise cup win (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Old Basing spring surprise cup win

10:44am Tuesday 28th August 2007 in General By Graham Merry

UNDERDOGS Old Basing upset the form book to record a thrilling six-run victory over favourites Hook and Newnham Basics in the Guy Jewell Cup final.

Hook started the weekend hoping for a league and cup double - but things didn't turn out the way they wanted.

On Saturday, their title dreams were dashed when they lost at Old Tauntonians and Romsey by 26 runs - although they secured enough points to gain promotion to Southern League division two for the first time in the club's history.

The Hook team were hoping the promotion party would at least feature some silverware as they lined up against Old Basing at May's Bounty on Sunday, but their opponents took home the Guy Jewell Cup following a great final played in front of a bumper crowd.

Guy Jewell Cup victory capped a fabulous weekend for Old Basing as both their Saturday sides earned promotion in their respective Hampshire Leagues.

On Sunday, Hook won the toss and elected to field, with young spin bowler Anek Divecha getting them off to a fine start by bowling a maiden.

The next over, Nick Willcock (30) got the Old Basing scoreboard moving with two boundaries and, with fellow opener Matt Love (25), the pair built a nice platform, sharing an opening stand of 50.

The partnership ended when Willcock was bowled by Ben Briggs (2-23) in the 10th over. Love, who had actually played for Hook on Saturday, followed with the score on 68 - one of two victims of Hook skipper Kevin Poulter.

Ian Crossley (11), Old Basing's captain when they last won the cup in 1998, tried to increase the run rate but was caught-and-bowled by Briggs.

Darren Turner (13) also looked to increase the score but he, too, fell foul of a Briggs catch.

Captain John Huntingdon (16) scored some valuable late runs in the final overs as his side finished on 120-6 in their 20 overs.

The Hook reply got off to a brisk start as Jordan Hobday hit the boundary rope in the first and second overs as 19 was amassed in the first 18 balls.

However, Old Basing hit back as Turner (2-23) removed both Hobday and Briggs to make it 26-2 after seven overs.

Hook regrouped thanks to Keith Lovelock (11) and Ben Allnutt (31), and seemed to be heading to victory as they reached 55 at the half-way point of the innings.

However, Angus Stronach's catch of the day, as he dived forward to snap up Lovelock, started the Old Basing victory charge.

Two balls later, Rich Willcock (3-24) struck again to trap Colin Lye leg before - and suddenly Hook were 74-4.

Allnutt kept the scoreboard ticking over, but then his stumps were shattered by man-of-the-match Willcock as the game swung towards Old Basing with the batting side left on 94-5 in the 16th over.

Hook was further hindered when Sahil Omar (2-19) dismissed Joe Allnutt and Graham Buckingham.

It was 20-year-old Rich Willcock who was entrusted with the final over. With Hook needing 13 to win, they only managed six, and Old Basing were able to celebrate their first cup win in nine years.

Delighted Old Basing skipper Huntingdon said: "I think our bowling and fielding won us the game. I can tell you that winning the cup feels a hell of a lot better than last year when we lost the plate final."

Rich Willcock picked up the man-of-the-match trophy - newly-named the Rita Thompson Memorial Cup, in honour of the late wife of Guy Jewell Cup organiser Cyril.

Willcock also picked up the Mary Jewell Cup for the best batting performance during the competition, while the bowler's award - the Guy Jewell Trophy - went to Hook skipper Kevin Poulter.

• See Thursday's Gazette for a report on the Guy Jewell Plate final between Burghclere and Ramsdell.