UK Armed Forces Pull Off Sensational Win Against MCC

The UK Armed Forces cricket team has pulled off a sensational two-wicket victory against Marylebone Cricket Club in their one day game at Aldershot.

Chasing 259 to win, UKAF lost four wickets in an over and was floundering at 15-4.

But half-centuries from Jordan Relph, Ash Watson and Densan Narayan ultimately saw them win with two overs to spare.

The UK Armed Forces welcomed the MCC to Aldershot hoping to reverse their fortunes from 12 months ago, when the military men suffered a heavy defeat.

The visitors were soon getting in the runs though, making life difficult for the forces side's bowling attack.

With Middlesex academy player Tom Lace in fine form, the scoreboard rattled along at almost 10 an over.

A change was needed so wily campaigner Jimmy Iago entered the fray but unfortunately, Luke Robinson suffered a rare mishap in the field and the chance for a wicket looked to have gone.

In the very next ball, however, Iago got his man. He outwitted Ed Ballard with an 'inswinger' and UKAF had the breakthrough to push the score to 58-1.

The RAF Regiment officer then watched on as team-mate Densan Narayan claimed a second MCC wicket.

Luke Stoughton was the next to go but the visitors were still going well at 98-2.

UKAF kept chipping away, though. RAF spin bowler Tom Shorthouse combined with Graham Wiseman to get the prize wicket of Lace.

He was out after making 70 and by now the MCC were 163-4.

Runs were still coming for the batting side and, aided at times by the military's misfortune, they amassed a competitive total.  

Although they lost wickets late on the MCC completed their 50 overs, reaching 258-8. 

The home side's reply had barely got going when a devastating spell of bowling from Harry Horsley ripped through UKAF's top order.

First Shorthouse was gone for 7, then Tade Carmichael was out as 15-1 became 15-2.

Already reeling, skipper Adam Fisher was the next to be dispatched, having survived the hat-trick ball.

Sutcliffe too was out for a duck, with UKAF 15-4 inside the opening overs of the reply. Surely the game was all but lost for the forces men?

Not so. Somehow the UKAF innings remained afloat and gradually they began to eat away at the total.

The MCC bowlers were beginning to look a spent force as the remaining batsmen made crucial contributions. 

There were half-centuries for Jordan Relph, Ash Watson and Narayan as the MCC lead diminished. Wickets continued to fall and it was left to Narayan and Iago to get their side across the line in a tense finale.

The early collapse was now a distant memory as UKAF closed in on a remarkable victory.

Iago struck the winning runs and boasting rights were secured for the season.

UKAF have one remaining fixture this summer, when they play Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl in July.

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