Sudbrook into national final (From Free Press Series)

Sudbrook into national final

SUDBROOK Cricket Club are in the finals of the ECB National Indoor Cricket Championships - but only after battling back from the brink of defeat against a resolute Isle of White representative side, on Sunday, in Bath.

Club coach and captain Mark O'Leary admitted his men were "dead and buried" at one stage, but a quick 19 runs from the bat of Ian O'Leary proved crucial, before the partnership of Dean Wallace and Robert Voke steered the club home with the vital remaining 30 runs.

"We looked out of it, to be honest," said a relieved O'Leary after watching his side book their place in the final for the fourth time in the club's proud history.

"We did extremely well to get back into it and that's down to some great batting from the players. It was tense out there for a moment, but we hung in there and came good in the end," he added.

In the end, Sudbrook eased past the Isle of White side's 89 score with two wickets to spare. The competition's reigning champions are used to success, after winning a string of trophies over the last few seasons. That's never stopped the club savouring every victory though, including Sunday's rousing win - as O'Leary explained.

"It's a massive achievement to get where we are and I'm very proud of what we as a team have done. We always want to do well, that's why we set ourselves such high standards. Hopefully now we can continue the trend we have set."

The ECB National Indoor Cricket Championship finals take place at the English Cricket Board's headquarters in Loughborough on March 14. Four regional champions - including Sudbrook - will battle it out in a knockout style competition with two semi final games deciding who makes it into the final showdown.

Sudbrook will face Canterbury in their semi final game and O'Leary admits he'll be doing as much research as possible on their opponents before the game a week Sunday.

"I will be looking at things like their batting scores to see what type of players they have," he said.

The side as a whole, though, is very confident of retaining the trophy they won last season. O'Leary puts that down to the unique team spirit in the Sudbrook camp.

"This side has been together for the last five or so seasons. We are used to the big game atmospheres and will have a coach-load of supporters coming with us, too, so we'll be confident of doing the business," he said.