Army's cricketers win men's Inter Services 50-over championships after thrilling victory over RAF
The Army are celebrating Inter Service cricket success after beating the RAF in a final-over thriller in London.
The sides came to Vine Lane in Uxbridge off the back of victories over the Royal Navy to set up a winner-takes-all 50-over tournament decider.
Winning the toss and opting to bat first on another scorching day, a classy century from RAF skipper Tom Shorthouse was the rock on which the light blues scored 229-7 in their 50 overs.
Adam Sutcliffe and Luke Hansford chipped in with some useful runs in the middle order, while tall Army spinner Jake Benson picked up 3-56 in eight overs.
In reply, the Army were 26-2 when Keddy Lesporis was caught behind, and they found it hard to up the run rate at first, owing to some tight RAF bowling, from seamers and spinners alike.
After the fall of the third wicket – Denzel James – Oscar Kolk and Oliver Cross came together and put on 105 runs, Kolk falling just short of his 100, out on 95.
The impetus Cross gave to the chase, with an increasing number of boundaries throughout his innings, ensured the red shirts got over the line, hitting the winning runs on 70 not out with his Captain Jay Boynton at the other end.
Cross, who was Player of the Match, said it was especially satisfying to win in such a fashion.
It brings to an end a week of high-quality and closely contested Inter Service cricket in the sunshine.
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