PHOTOS:
Carew celebrate victory
Shaun Whitfield took five wickets for The Rooks
Pictures by Susan McKehon
Carew (196 for 7) beat Newton Linford (123 all out)
Carew produced a brilliant all-round display as they reached the last four of the coveted National Village Cup, after they comfortably overcame Newton Linford by three wickets on a damp pitch at home.Despite heavy rain, the skies cleared at midday on Sunday, as the home side batted first and put on a challenging 196 for 7 off their allotted 32 overs, but in reply, the team from Leicestershire were bowled out for 123, they were 74 runs short of The Rooks' total.
Some mesmerising bowling by The Rooks’ Shaun Whitfield (5 for 19) and skipper Rhys Davies (3 for 16) the latter also claiming a run out with a direct hit sealed their semi-final fate.
The Rooks’ Tom Scourfield lost his wicket early, but experienced campaigners, opener Ian Sefton and No3 Nick Scourfield dominated the crease, the pair put on an impressive 97 before Scourfield was out for 27.
Whitfield didn’t last at the crease long as the on fire Sefton stroked 73 (four sixes and five fours), kept the scoreboard ticking over with decent innings by Tim Hicks (20), skipper Rhys Davies (16) and Tom Davies (14).
In reply, the visitors struggled against the accurate bowling of Whitfield and skipper Davies, the pair took eight wickets between them as Tom Davies also chipped in with a wicket.
For the visitors, only Dean Scraysbrook (34) and Sam Hopkins (27) had decent knocks as The Rooks proved too strong for their Leicestershire rivals.
In the semi-final, Carew have a plum home draw against Sessay Cricket Club from North Yorkshire, which will take place on Sunday, 7th August.
Carew will be aiming to win that tie and go on and reach the final for the first time in the club’s history, which will be played at the home of cricket in Lord’s.