Holwhites gear up for cup final
By Jim Brock
Comment
HOLTWHITES Trinibis will be looking to upset the odds when they take
on Wormley in the final of the Hertfordshire Trophy this Sunday, The
Enfield-based cricket club, who play in Division 5 of the Saracens
Herts League, have already knocked out two higher-ranked sides on the
way to the final and will be hoping that their good form continues.

The Hertfordshire Trophy was established this season for teams that
play in Division 3 and below of the Saracens Herts League.

And the Holtwhites Hill-based side has defied their poor league form
to reach the final, which will be played on the nursery pitch at
Shenley.

They beat Division 5 leaders Hatfield Hyde by eight runs in the first
round and then defeated fellow Enfield side Northampton Exiles, who
play in Division 4, by 35 runs in the second round.

A last-over win against Watton-at-Stone, who lie second in Division
5, set up a semi-final away to Clarendon.

The Division 4 side batted first and were eventually bowled out for
122 off 45.3 overs.

Kyal Bacchus Brown (2-32 off 10 overs) and Jack Tarling (3-22 off 10
overs) took five of the first six wickets to fall before Qadir Younis
(2-15 off 10 overs) and Alex Dell (2-3 off 2.3 overs) polished off
the tail.

Holtwhites were struggling at 15-2 before skipper Mark Davis (48) and
Bacchus-Brown (25) got them back on track.

Davis was the fifth wicket to fall at 117-5, and despite Clarendon
taking another three wickets, the visitors crept home with just over
six overs to spare.

Backed by a large travelling army, Holtwhites are confident of
collecting some silverware on Sunday.

Davis said: "We have beaten Exiles and Clarendon and they're both
similar clubs to Wormley, so we've got every chance."

Holtwhites, who have received sponsorship for the final from Briggs
Sports and Waitrose, are already guaranteed £375 for reaching the
final, and will get another £375 if they win.

Although some of that may help buy some celebratory drinks, a lot of
it may be used to boost the club's thriving colts section, which has
around 80 players.

Sunday's final is welcome news for the club which has had a difficult
season. The 1st XI finally secured their Division 5 safety with a win
at Hatch End on Saturday, but the 2nd XI has been relegated from
Division 7.

Habib Younis (6-35 off 17 overs) and Anuj Saush (2-27 off 16 overs)
were the pick of the bowlers as Hatch End were bowled out for 94.

A patient knock of 22no by Daniel Bonner, coupled with David Evans'
unbeaten 59, then guided Holtwhites to a nine-wicket win.

The 2nd XI came within a whisker of inflicting Met Police Bushey's
first defeat in three seasons in a top versus bottom clash.

Luke Mather top-scored with 47no as Holtwhites finished on 140-9,
with Met Police sneaking victory off the last ball at 141-9 off their
53 overs. Siggy Cragwell used all of his experience to make life
difficult for their batting attack, finishing with figures of 8-53
off 23 overs.