Liskeard and their travelling band of supporters made the long coach trip to Hayle for the final of the Wickham Wines com-plementary cup in glorious sunshine.
On inspection of the wicket both skippers would bat if they won the toss, but unfortunately Liskeard lost it and faced a long hot afternoon in the field.
However they went out in confident fashion all fired up for the occasion. The new ball like the semi-final was given to the reliable slow bowler Pat Gilliat who slotted straight into line and length. With Martin Rowe at the other end bowling with pace and accuracy, Gilliat was rewarded in his fourth over when he bowled Jenkin for 0. Rowe ended his first four over spell conceding only five runs. He was replaced by Steve Marchant who started in the same way with a maiden. Gilliat then bowled Merritt for nought which brought Brighouse to the crease. He started to play his shots taking a liking to Marchant. Gilliat did have him dropped by Skews in his last over, but ended with great figures of 8 overs 5 maidens 2 for 12. He was replaced by the ever improving star of the future Chris Young and with his second hall he removed the Mylor skipper P Jullian caught by Kevin Clue for 21. Brighouse was really taking the fight to the bowlers riding his luck being dropped by White and Clue but finally it ran out for him two short of his fifty skying a delivery from Young to the safe hands of Tim Hyslop. Young then really got his act together clean balling the next three wickets to end with superb figures of 8 overs 3 maidens 5 for 2.
Adrian Vince was bowling with his normal accuracy making it difficult for the batsmen to score. Rowe returned to finish his final four overs conceding less than his first four. Vince had R Weetch caught behind by White for 0. With five overs remaining skipper Dave Skews took a tumble in the outfield much to the amusement of crowd and players. But it saw him limp off the field to be replaced by the 12th man Jamie Hine.
Johnston was run out for 15 leaving Mylor all out for 126 a target well within Liskeard's capabilities.
With the game starting at 1pm Liskeard would have to bat for about one and a half hours before tea, with a run rate of just over 3 an over it just called for sensible batting. Hyslop and Vince opened the innings and did just what was asked of them against some accurate bowling from the Mylor attack. They had put on 34 when Hyslop was caught by Jenkins off Johnston for 13. Missing his partner Vince went soon after for 13. Andy Miles was joined by Martyn Rowe and the pair ,batted with style to take the score to 66 when tea was taken. The short brake didn't have any effect on the two batsmen who carried on were they left off pushing the all around for ones and twos and dispatching the odd loose ball to the boundary. Rowe did hit one very large six much to the delight of the crowd the pair seeing Liskeard home in the 38th over both ending not out - Miles with a fine 33 and Rowe with a superb 46 winning.
Liskeard won a very sporting game by 8 wickets. Both umpires deserve a mention for the excellent way they officiated proceedings. A rather noisy crowd gathered to see the presentation of the trophy to the winning captain backed up by his players who have ended a pretty good season with some silverware.
The louded cheer of the day was reserved for the winner of the man of the match award chosen by the two umpires.With three or four players in contention it was a young player with ~ big future who took five wickets earlier in the day still with a big smile on his face - Chris Young accepted his tankard and bottle of champagne with pride.
Liskeard then carried on the celebrations which ended back at the sports club being well looked after by chairman Roger Terry. Skipper Dave Skews takes this opportunity to thank the hard work of the committee especially Jenny Marchant, the tea ladies with special thanks to my fiancee Gail, the backing of local people and businesses who have sponsored match balls. The team have looked smart with their T shirts this season backed by Baco Metal Centres of Plympton.
The last word goes to the hard work put in by Rob Marchant and Burt Bulmer who have got the pitch looking as good as it has for a long time. Backed with the facilities Liskeard have to offer they should be in a much higher league. With the help of the Liskeard based players that travel to lesser grounds to play it could be achieved. All those interested in helping us reach our goal are invited to the AGM on October 8, 7.30pm at the Liskeard sports club.
Scores - Mylor 126 (I Brighouse 48, P Julian 21, S Johnson 15, D Roy 12; C Young 5-22, P Gilliatt 2-12, M Rowe 1-8, A Vince 1-20). Liskeard 128-2 (M Rowe 46, A Miles 33, T Hyslop 13, A Vince 13; S Johnson 1-13, R Weetch 1-22).
Liskeard won by 8 wickets.