Flitwick are out of the National ECB Indoor Tournament after losing the ECB Regional Final at Uppingham School.
Flitwick arrived at Uppingham School knowing that they were only 2 wins away from a return to Lords after beating Hunts Indoor Champions Ufford Park by 20 runs in their recent County Final.
12 overs a side was the format with bowlers limited to 3 overs a bowler with players retiring at 25 and then recyling back in
The day started well for Flitwick with a resounding 6 wicket semi final victory against Norfolk Champions Swaffham.
After winning the toss and putting Swaffham in they soon had them in early trouble at 0-1 from the 1st over due to a run out. Wickets continued to fall and Swaffham slumped to 41-4 from 7 overs with 3 of the first 4 batsmen run out.
Late order hitting from the tailenders got Swaffham up to 71 all out from 11.4 overs with all bowlers and fielders performing well for Flitwick. Chasing 72 to reach a Regional Final, Flitwick raced out of the blocks scoring 45 from the first 3 overs. The first batter retired with 25 when the score was on 57 but the remianing Flitwick players kept batting well and they raced to their victory target of 72 with 7 overs remaining.
The second semi final saw Halesowen from Worcestershire beat a depleted Old Lincolnians from Lincolnshire who were missing half of their regular players. Old Lincolnains posted 47-5 with Jonathan Bigham top scoring with 15 and despite Old Lincs opening bowler Jack Lawson taking two quick wickets to reduce Halesowen to 9-2 fthey got to their victory target further unscathed to get home with 32 balls remaining.
The Regional Final between Flitwick and Halesowen would see the winners playing at Lords in the National Indoor Final. Both clubs have been to Lords before and were determined to return in 3 weeks time.
Flitwick again won the toss and decided to bowl first with Halesowen getting off to the best possible start hitting 17 from the first over. Flitwick rallied and bowled and fielded well with Halesowen scoring 108-4 from their 12 overs. Chasing 109 for a Lords Finals Day on the 6th April, Flitwick collapsed to 51-5 before wicket keeper batsman Carl Ferguson batted on his own scoring 46 before being caught and bowled with the innings finishing on 85 all out seeing Halesowen return to Lords for the 2nd consecutive year.
RESULTS FROM ECB REGIONAL INDOOR FINALS DAY AT UPPINGHAM SCHOOL ON SUNDAY 16TH MARCH 2025:
1ST SEMI FINAL: Flitwick (representing Bedfordshire) beat Swaffham (representing Norfolk) by 6 wickets.
Swaffham 71 all out from 11.4 overs. Josh Pirie 19 (1x6), Ryan Bradbury 15, Jack Dennis 14, David Annakin 10.
Flitwick 75-0 from 5 overs. Liam Peters 25 - Retired (1x6 and 1x4), Harry Thurstance 24 not out (2x4), Joshua Malkani 16 not out (2x4)
2ND SEMI FINAL: Halesowen (representing Worcestershire) beat Old Lincolnians (representing Lincolnshire) by 4 wickets.
Old Lincolnians 47-5 from 12 overs. Jonathan Bigham 15, Lewis Townhill 11 not out (1x6), Ant Clark 10. Harry Byrne 2-7 from 3 overs, Ciaran Baker-Smith 2-11 from 3 overs.
Halesowen 52-2 from 6.4 overs. Eddie Rhodes 27 not out (3x4). Jack Lawson 2-17 from 3 overs.
ECB REGIONAL FINAL: Halesowen beat Flitwick by 23 runs.
Halesowen 108-4 from 12 overs. Eddie Rhodes 27 not out (1x6), Simon Gregory 26 - Retired not out, Wesley Griffiths 14, James Rudge 10. David Powles 2-22 from 3 overs.
Flitwick 85 all out from 9.3 overs. Carl Ferguson 46 (2x6 and 3x4), David Powles 11. Eddie Rhodes 2-8 from 1.3 overs, Harry Byrne 2-18 from 3 overs.
Halesowen will now head to Lords on Sunday 6th April 2025 for the ECB National Indoor Finals Day.
UMPIRES: Gabi Brown, Pradik Rachh and Chirag Upadhyay.
