A below-par performance on the opening day scuppered the army’s hopes of victory in the Inter-Services Twenty20 Cricket Championships.
Batting first against the Royal Air Force at the Utilita Bowl’s nursery ground, the Reds lost key wickets early on as they struggled for momentum in the power play.
Useful contributions from Cpl Liam Fletcher (REME), Gnr Denzel James (RA), Sig Michael Cowdell (R Signals) and skipper SSgt Jay Boynton (REME) pushed the total towards respectability, but none went on to post a match-winning score.
A lack of late innings fireworks then saw them close on 142-8. The RAF made a steady start in reply, reaching 36 before opener Flt Lt Sam Moorby was dismissed by Sgt Denson Narayan (RLC).
A partnership of 105 between Cpl Tom Shorthouse, who earlier claimed three wickets with the ball, and Flt Lt Luke Hansford pushed them to the brink of victory and when the latter fell for 43, skipper Flt Lt Adam Fisher came out to hit the winning runs.
The action switched from Southampton to Lord’s two days later and once more, the soldiers batted first in their clash with the Royal Navy.
Again, early wickets proved costly as they slumped to 34-4 after six overs, before Boynton and James set about repairing the damage.
But after looking well set they both perished in the 20s, meaning the army needed late cameos from Narayan and Cowdell to edge their total to a challenging 148-8.
The senior service lost opener Cpl Sam Hewitt for six and then star batter AET Ben Johnston – who fired his team to glory last season – for just one as the run chase stuttered at the start.
Lt Cdr Dan Robbins held firm with a knock of 44 but with wickets falling at regular intervals the Reds seized control. Skipper Mne Finlay Marks tried desperately to keep his side in touch but when he became one of two wickets claimed by James in the final over the game was up.
Boynton also shone with the ball, claiming figures of 3-22 in his final short-format appearance for the army, as his team won by 16 runs.
The RAF lifted the trophy with a nine-wicket victory over the navy in the final game, with Shorthouse posting an unbeaten 66 to go with his 76 not out against the army.
Earlier in the day, the UK Armed Forces women suffered a comprehensive defeat at the hands of Marylebone Cricket Club – despite a half century from stalwart SSgt Amanda Potgieter (REME).
