On one of the warmest Sundays of the season, Patrington’s McKinley Trophy provided plenty of entertainment on a fine day as Patrington’s under-30s, led by Connor McKinley, registered a three- wicket win in an excellent game of cricket.
Batting first, the over-30s posted a decent-looking total of 249 all out, built on the back of yet another Ash McKinley masterclass.
The overs’ captain carried on his golden summer, putting the unders’ attack to the sword, hitting a scintillating 115 from just 73 deliveries, featuring 14 fours and six maximums – a few of which are contenders for some of the biggest hits of the season. Supported by Glenn Ratcliffe (31) and Curtis McElwee (30), the overs looked set for a huge total, but the unders fought back well.
Bob Eldon-Smith (2-19) and Jordy Critchley (2-3) took a couple of wickets apiece as Connor McKinley used 10 bowlers in total, with 12-year-old Archie Ratcliffe singled out for special praise.
Coming on first change, the leg-spinner was up against dangerman McKinley and his dad Glenn, and after a nervy start, the youngster bowled beautifully, taking 1 for 24 from his five overs, including the prized wicket of his dad.
After a lengthy lunch break, the unders set off in pursuit of the 250 target. Despite the early loss of James Medcalf, opening batsman Jordy Critchley was joined by captain McKinley, and the pair batted superbly in an excellent second-wicket partnership. With the spin twins of Grant Van Es and Danny Collinson at the overs’ disposal, they soon came into the attack. However, they couldn’t contain the duo; McKinley took Collinson for 24 in his second over, and when Critchley hit Van Es for two sixes, it looked as if the unders would coast to victory. However,
Glenn Ratcliffe was introduced into the attack and claimed the wickets of both batsmen, firstly Critchley (60) caught at long to make it 138 for 2 in the 18th over. Jacob Duffill (19) joined McKinley, and the pair took the total to 173 before McKinley (87) fell 13 short of what would have been a fine century. His innings spanned just 62 balls and featured 12 fours and three maximums.
A couple more wickets for Ratcliffe (4-48) and a wicket apiece for Van Es (1-45) and Jack Eggett (1-15) saw the unders’ innings stutter to 216 for 7 and still 34 short of victory with seven overs remaining. The overs now looked like favourites, but with Liam Murrey (21*) looking solid, he was joined by 13-year-old Mikey Ineson at the crease.
Ineson, playing his first season in senior cricket, showed no sign of nerves and batted superbly. He mixed solid defence with some excellent strokes, hitting five fours as he and Murrey saw the unders home at a canter. Ineson, finishing on an unbeaten 28 from 23 balls, would go on to claim the player of the match award for his contribution in what was a thrilling end to an excellent game of cricket.
A huge thank you to everyone involved – players, spectators, officials, volunteers – all of whom contributed to another brilliant day where the club remembered the lives of three special people.
Many thanks to the over-30s match ball sponsor Martin Devlin and many thanks to the under-30s match ball sponsor, Michael Dane “Dingo” Hall.
