Corporate Twenty20 Finals day

Isle of Wight Health Associates lead the way to IW County Press Corporate Twenty20 win



On a glorious sunny day at Newclose County Cricket Ground, Mark Price and his IW Health Associates were victorious on finals day of the IW County Press Corporate twenty20 competition that has been running at Newclose since early May.
It was an early start for the teams in the first semi (Wight agents and defending champions Red Funnel) as the days cricketing festivities got underway at 10.30am in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
Batting first, Wight Agents led by Lawrence Tolfrey, amassed a near record score of 191 for 5, with Joe Raby leading the way with a fine 61 before being run out. Joe was ably supported by a fine 44 from Tom Morgan and Adam Hose (29) and Danny Bishop (25). For Red Funnel captain Muhammad Gardezi (Raza) took two wickets as Red Funnel attempted to stem the tide of runs being scored by Wight Agents.
In reply Red Funnel made 149 for 8 wickets with number 4 A Ilyas top scoring with 42, while Adam Hose, fresh from scoring a half century for Ventnor 2nd XI on Saturday, took three wickets as Wight Agents moved in to the final later in the day.

In the second semi final Npower led by Murray Jones, faced a quietly confident IW Health Associates XI. Batting first, Npower lost George Hatt (6), Tom Dye (13) and Pat Morris (9) before George Nightingale and Gareth Bricknell put on 81 for the fourth wicket, as Npower made a below par 142 for 5 in their twenty overs.
Health Associates lost opener John Payso early, but a fine 49 for skipper Mark Price and 73 not out by David Pratt, saw the medics through to the final, despite a late flurry of wickets.
The final was therefore between Wight Agents led by Ryde skipper Lawrence Tolfrey and the IW Health Associates led by Mark Price.

Wight Agents won the toss and chose to bat and immediately lost opener Adam Hose, to a stunning catch by Andy White off his own bowling for nought. Adam was quickly followed back into the pavilion by Joe Raby, caught low down by keeper Dave Pratt again off the bowling of Andy white for 8.
Danny Bishop (48) and Lawrence Tolfrey (24) steadied the ship, while a late knock of 35 not out by the injured Pete Dickinson, so the Wight Agents team reach 135 for 6 in their twenty overs.
Replying, IW Health Associates got off to a solid start with openers Mark Price and John Sayso putting on 57 for the first wicket before Sayso was caught and bowled off the bowling of Lawrence Tolfrey.

Andy White came in at number three and hit a quick 20, while Mark Price was out for 40 off the bowling of Calvin Dickinson. 20 not out by David Pratt saw the Health Associates home to victory in the 19th over.
Newclose CCG General Manager Mike Scott “It has been a tremendous competition, and a very enjoyable finals day with both the family and colleagues of all the players enjoying both the weather and the cricket. I would like to thank all the teams who have participated in the competition as well the County Press for their continued support. We look forward to an even more exciting competition in 2011 .