Olton welcomed cricketers from Soar Valley Strollers for this regional play-off in the Portman Cup.

A huge effort had been put in by a team of friends and parents to dry out one particular patch of the ground after overnight rain and the game got under way only half an hour late.

Soar Valley batted first, and were really constrained by a magnificent opening spell of 4 overs for only 9 runs and a wicket by George Wilkinson. An excellent piece of fielding by Jonny Webb brought a run out, a difficult catch well held by Gary Hawkins then allowed Olton to dominate the innings. James Trueman (2-13), Jon Webb (2-18) Gary Hawkins and Joe Moore all bowled well backed up by superb ground fielding meant that Soar Valley could only muster 98 for the loss of 8 wickets in their twenty overs.

Jonny Webb and Gary Hawkins were in no mood to let the Soar Valley bowlers get on top and played some glorious strokes as they raced past the target in an unbeaten stand of 99 in 12 overs with Jonny 49 not out and Gary 43 not out for Olton to win by 10 wkts.

Olton now go on to play in the Regional Play Offs at Moseley CC in Streetsbrook Road on Monday Aug 6th against sides from Shropshire, Oxfordshire and Worcestershire.

Phil Williams - 30/07/2007

Olton and WW u15 team triumphed at home on Thursday July 19th in the Warwickshire County Final of the national Portman Cup.

Olton welcomed Small Heath CC to Grange Road. Small Heath only in their second year were playing in their second final. Skipper Gary Hawkins asked Small Heath to bat first on a for once beautiful evening.

Wajid and Atib got them off to a steady start ands they had made 44 runs for the first wicket when Jonny Webb had Atib smartly stumped by Liam Gately in his second over. Joe Moore then joined the attack and soon made his mark, bowling Wajid for 32 and striking twice more to dismiss Aqib (3) and Hassan (13) to reduce Small Heath to 88-4 in the 15 over.

Some lusty hitting by Aasim (24*) helped Small Heath to a respectable 133-6 with Jon Webb returning to take another wicket to finish with 2-25 and Harrison Faulkner bowling the final two overs at his end for 1-12.

Olton chase 133 convincingly

Set to make 134 to win, Olton opened with Jon Webb and Gary Hawkins. Jonny Webb set off like a train and raced to 41 when he was out in only the ninth over with 70 on the board. This opening partnership had effectively won the game.

Now Gary Hawkins took up the chase and when he had to retire according to the rules having made 50 not out with the score at 122 in the 14th, Olton only needed 12 more runs. Jake Scott (15*) made sure there was no panic as drizzle closed in and Olton ran out comfortable winners in the 17 over.

Afterwards Ed McCabe from the WCB presented both sides with their trophies.

Olton now progress to a qualifying round prior to the Regional finals. Olton meet the winners from Leicestershire at home in this match.