PCA Masters v Derbyshire Phantoms (2)
The PCA Masters went into their last match of the season knowing that a win, or even a loss by less than 15 runs would find them taking second place to Essex in the 2007 Twenty20 Floodlit Cup.
PCA Masters captain Jimmy Adams lost the toss to Steve Stubbings and Derbyshire invited a strong looking Masters team to bat first. After a watchful start from openers Chris Lewis and former Derby favourite Kim Barnett, Lewis (8) skied Kevin Dean to mid on with the score on 27. Barnett's dismissal soon followed and new batsman Nathan Astle began finding the boundary at will, sharing a 50 run third wicket partnership with Neil Smith and then an 80 run partnership with Phil Simmons (24). .
Astle's innings was a master class of powerful hitting, placement and elegant timing. His 96 not out off of just 55 balls included 5 sixes and 10 fours and was executed without breaking sweat, true to his word that "running is overrated"
The only Derbyshire bowler to stifle the Masters onslaught was the experienced Kevin Dean who bowled four overs for 19 runs with two wickets to his credit.
The Derbyshire innings got off to a poor start with the experienced Stubbings and Weston unable to cope with the pace and movement generated under lights by Chris Lewis, who was well supported by Martin Bicknell at the other end.
Greg Smith and Hassan Adnan put together a useful partnership before they were dismissed by Lewis and Cousins respectfully, with Adnan making a run a ball 37.
Unfortunately for Derbyshire, only Pipe offered any resistance after that as he finished unbeaten on 38 off just 18 balls.
All of the Masters bowlers enjoyed some success with Malcolm, Cousins, Smith and captain Adams finishing off the Derbyshire innings for 135, giving the Masters their second comprehensive win over Derbyshire in the competition, this time by 48 runs.
This meant that the PCA Masters finished second in the competition and were left wondering what may have been if victory against Essex off the last ball had been achieved the previous evening.
Congratulations to all the Masters players who represented the PCA throughout the 2007 season in achieving excellent results in a superb spirit, both on and off the field.
Our big thanks to our sponsors Sodexho and Hilton Hotels who supported us fantastically throughout the summer.
We look forward to 2008.
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