When a cricketer of Andrew Swarbrick’s stature and experience describes it as ‘the best game I’ve been involved in’ you can be sure something special had just taken place.
Swarbrick had more reason than most to wax lyrical about his team Chirk’s one run victory at title-chasing Cound in Shropshire County Cricket League Division One on Saturday.
After all, he scored more than 80 with the bat and took four wickets with the cherry – including the match-winning delivery!
However, today’s contest in rural Shropshire was very much about a group of cricketers producing a match to savour.
Second-place Cound won the toss and decided to field.
Chirk piled up 254 all out off 42.5 overs, Swarbrick cracking a typical 82 off just 59 balls, hitting 12 fours and three sixes. He added 76 for the sixth wicket with James Carter (28).
Liam Walker notched a fine 51 and Mark Shaw contributed 24.
Cound’s reply ended two short of victory on 253 off the full 45 overs.
The innings was all built around a monumental effort of 141 from opener Connor Glendinning.
When Cound reached 239-8 with Glendinning still there, a home win looked a near certainty.
However, Shaw trapped the mainstay lbw and Chirk were now on the verge of victory.
Yet the drama was not over as 14 more runs were added for the 10th wicket, the hosts now on 253-9 with a ball remaining and requiring two to win.
Enter left-arm quick Swarbrick to fittingly bowl Tomas Qurashi with the very last ball.
A one-run win for the jubilant Welsh visitors.
Swarbrick finished with 4-43, Nick Flack 3-38, but how crucial was that 1-66 from Shaw!
Unlike their first team, Chirk seconds did not have a day to remember.
Their promotion hopes took another dent when they were thrashed by eight wickets at home to high-flyers Ellesmere seconds.
Chirk, put into bat, were blitzed out for just 64 in 23.2 overs, only Gary Bailey (17) making double figures, while Troy Newton snaffled a stunning 7-17 off 12 for the visitors.
Ellesmere needed just 62 balls to ease to 70-2 and wrap up a 20-1 points decision.
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