Skipper SSgt Jay Boynton (REME) saw his time in charge of the army cricket team end in disappointing style as the soldiers slipped to defeat in the final of the Inter-Services 50-over Championships.
Chasing 270 to beat the Royal Air Force in Aldershot, the hosts fell 12 runs short as Boynton was denied the perfect send-off following eight trophy-laden years at the helm.
After winning the toss and electing to field the Reds came under immediate pressure as the RAF’s batters took a liking to the pace attack charged with opening the bowling – racing to 50 inside seven overs.
But the introduction of spin reaped immediate dividends as Sgt Denson Narayan (RLC) bowled AS1 Ellis Richards for 14 in his first over.
With WO2 Ross Dearden (RE) operating in tandem from the other end the army were able to keep the scoring in check and Narayan claimed a second scalp in the shape of Sgt Ross Diver shortly after the opener had brought up his half century.
Dearden saw his accuracy rewarded as he trapped the dangerous Flt Lt Adam Fisher leg before for 14 and after seeing their rivals reach 103-3 at the halfway stage, the soldiers had assumed an element of control. But Cpl Tom Shorthouse – a centurion against the Royal Navy a day earlier – and Cpl Ollie Rogoff then combined in a stand of 131 to drive the RAF forward and the latter went on to top score with 72 as his side closed on 269-6.
The army’s openers made a conservative start to the run chase as they attempted to establish a platform from which to attack later on.
Sgt Graham Wiseman (RA) showed intent with back-to-back boundaries before becoming the first of two wickets to fall in Flt Lt Luke Hansford’s opening over.
Cpl Liam Fletcher (REME) and Boynton both made it into the twenties only to depart when well set, leaving Capt Ollie Cross (RA) and Capt Ben Ringrose (RAMS) to repair the damage.
The duo put on 54 for the fifth wicket before the latter was caught off the bowling of Cpl Jon Hawk and when Cross fell for 69 the contest tipped firmly in the RAF’s favour.
The army’s lower order did their best to close the gap and after smashing a booming six straight down the ground, LBdr Jake Benson (RA) gave them an outside chance of victory in the last over of the day.
But with two sixes required from the final two deliveries he was caught in the deep as the soldiers posted a score of 258 to lose by 11 runs.
“Their powerplay was a lot better than ours,” a disappointed Boynton told SoldierSport at the close of play. “They built their innings with wickets in hand and going into the final ten overs that is key.
“They also had that big 100 partnership, but we were happy with 269 considering how well we had done with the bat against the navy.
“We had a couple of 40-run stands and one of 50, but ultimately, they performed better in the key moments. “That said, I’m proud we were able to take it to the final over.”
Dearden claimed three wickets and Boynton two as the army dismissed the navy for 217 in their opening match.
Wiseman then smashed 107 in a 201-run opening partnership with Fletcher and they went on to reach the winning target in the 42nd over, with the latter finishing unbeaten on 80. The senior service also lost to the RAF, with Shorthouse smashing 129 to help his side win by 89 runs.
