Lodi Tournament

The Final

Ljubljana v Lodi

Sunday, 3 June 2001

After the disappointment of coming 2nd last year, we hoped to finish the job this year and bring home the trophy. Lodi elected to bat first, and, after smashing 15 from the opening over, it was clear that they wouldn't make it easy for us. However, Steve Mayland took wickets with successive deliveries in the 2nd over of the innings, and the hattrick ball found the edge, but eluded the outstretched glove of 'keeper Greg Davies. This was not too costly, though, as Brad Eve struck in the 3rd over to leave Lodi 23/3 and in some trouble. Ljubljana persevered with good bowling and clinical fielding, and Lodi were only able to post a very modest 88 from their 12 overs. Best bowling figures went to Mayland (2/6) and Oman (2/9), with Davies picking up 3 catches behind the stumps.

Oman(29) and Geldart (21) put Ljubljana in control at 42/1 after 6 overs, but anyone who has seen us bat this season knows that nothing is to be taken for granted, and so it proved. Good bowling at the middle order whittled away our dominance, and we needed a miracle from our last wicket pair of Greg Davies and Steve Mayland, with 19 required from the last over. Boundaries had been scarce from our batsmen in the competition thus far, so there was a predictable feeling of hopelessness in most members of our team. However, Steve dispatched the first ball of the final over for an almighty six, the ball clearing the road and taking some minutes to find again. He followed that with 3 consecutive fours, and the scores were then tied with 2 balls left. Astonishing. A leg bye from the 5th ball gave the trophy to Ljubljana in what must surely be the most dramatic final over in the tournament's history. No-one disagreed when Steve Mayland, for his bowling throughout the competition, as well as his batting in the final, was awarded Player of the Tournament.