Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th June
Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th June
Match Cancelled
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Kent Regional League Match - 40 overs
Lordswood Conceded
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Friendly Match - Proper Cricket
Ash 249-6 dec (43 overs)
New Ash Green 79 all out (23.4 overs)
Ash won by 170 runs
This is the hardest match report anyone at the club has had to put together. Following the sudden passing of Matthew 'Q' Quantrill on Monday and - for several reasons - no games on Saturday, Sunday's friendly at Ash was the first game for NAG to get together. With the opposition and location certainly fitting, having been one of Matthew's favourites, we began with a minute silence. Flowers were laid at each end of the wicket and the two sides stood in appreciation of Matthew's life.
After this reflection, the game proceeded. Karl Bartlett had won the toss and elected to bowl, opening with Ed and Felix Quantrill to no avail. His side mustered few chances to make a dent, with only Mick Sumner bringing about an edge from Jan Leaver which flew past Matt Scanlan at slip and a drive over Kieran Poole at mid-on. These missed chances were costly as Leaver went on to make an unbeaten 101.
However his partner, and Ash skipper, Sam Mason struggled against Sumner but stuck around to carve out 32 on very short boundaries, before being bowled by the paceman after an opening stand of 66. The stylish Mark Tripp came in and made 10 before he was adjudged LBW from Poole after compiling only 10. He was the key wicket, they thought, but in came Peter Maddocks who slashed NAG's bowlers around the ground, including sending Bartlett's spin into the adjacent field.
Shortly before his side reached the 200-mark, though, he fell when stumped by Brad Lonergan off the returning Ed Quantrill. Leaver was still there with 78 and continued calmly sending Felix Quantrill and Poole, both in their second spell, to the rope. Simon Benn was his fourth partner who notched up 18 and then was caught sharply at mid-wicket by Callum Whittern with his elbow, armpit or collar.
This buoyed NAG knowing David Harley, the ex-NAG man, was in next. He strolled to the crease and having failed to hit anything from Poole, resorted to batting left-handed. This did the trick sending the ball flying towards long-on for a one-bounce four. This annoyed Poole and amused his team-mates so he ran in with a yorker and bowled Harley comfortably for a lowly 4, the very next ball. He then caught and bowled Pat Hurley (2). Sumner, at the other end, was replaced by Toby Quantrill (Matthew's brother) for the last over in which he sent the ball down with comparative ease after claims he had only played the beach variety. Leaver was able to reach his deserved century and Ash finished on 249-6.
Louis Van Gaal's decision to bring on Tim Krul for a penalty shootout earlier in the week was considered a masterstroke, and so maybe Bartlett putting himself at nine could be.
Scanlan and Lonergan began the NAG chase and put on 34 before the former drove straight to the impressive Mason at cover for 22 off Darrell Newman. Martyn Green came to the crease but could only add 4 before missing a Newman straight one. Felix Quantrill crafted a single before he, too, perished to Bob Fulford, caught by Benn.
Could Harley then dent NAG's pride any further when he came on? Oh, yes. His first ball was slowly sent down to Lonergan who drove straight at Mason for an easy take, only for Sumner (0) to do the same a few deliveries later, while in between seeing off the third Quantrill, Toby, for 4.
At 47-6, the visitors were reeling and matters were not helped when Ed became Tripp's first victim after making a stern 8. Up stepped John Howland to show the juniors how it is done but only managed 2 before having his bails removed by a Maddocks' twirler. Less than 200 to get for Bartlett and Poole was the challenge. With short boundaries, anything was possible. On the other hand, what seemed less probable was Bartlett blocking out Tripp only for the ball to roll back and dislodge a bail. He trudged off while Poole lay giggling in the middle. With Whittern at the other end, Poole slapped 16 before top-edging to Payne at square-leg to give Mason a maiden Ash wicket.
Then, a nice touch by Mason meant the three Quantrills could return to the fray but none could manage any threat. The most amusing moment of the game was provided when, after seeing Ed bowled, Felix ran towards his brother wielding his bat. He simply knew he could have chalked off those runs if Ed had been patient. The NAG chase was up at 79 for 13.
A thank you is due not only to Ollie Cooper for scoring and Messrs Jasper Holliday and Michael Gallagher for umpiring, but also to the other club members, families and friends who turned out to support.
Both teams then enjoyed each other's company at The White Swan, encompassing what Matthew's core beliefs of village cricket were. It truly was a lovely evening to spend with teammates and it undoubtedly showed the spirit of this very special club.