The 150 Redbourn members and supporters who made the 300 mile round trip to Somerset had a day to remember as the Unicorns made an emphatic statement in the semi-final against North Perrott.

The opponents for the showcase final at Lord’s on Saturday 19th September will be Colwall CC from Herefordshire, who won their semi-final against Carlton Towers in Yorkshire.

As it stands the final is to be played behind closed doors with only the 11 players, a 12th man, a scorer and a coach permitted inside the famous ground. The MCC and Lord’s have their hands tied due to Covid regulations, but have graciously permitted The Cricketer Village Cup Final to be played there a few days before Somerset and Essex clash in the final of the Bob Willis Trophy. The Village Cup final is the only non-professional cricket match taking place at Lord’s this year.

We can only hope for a change in the regulations or for people in high places to take pity on the families of the players, who will not be permitted to be there to witness them walk out and play on the hallowed turf and share in every cricketer’s dream. Surely allowing a very small number of supporters, say 50 per team, is achievable if there is the will. We’d be happy to pay for any stewarding required too! Despite vigorous lobbying it seems unlikely the decision will be reversed but we’re not giving up yet!

Back to picturesque Somerset on Sunday…
North Perrott won the toss and chose to bat. Pace man Callum Moyle extracted some early sideways movement, but the openers reached 35 for no loss after eight overs. The introduction of left-armer Dan Darvell into the attack had an immediate impact having George Retter caught at slip by Dan Roe. Now bowling in tandem with Josh Arnold the spinners between them conceded just 38 runs in their allotted 16 overs. Their variation and control restricted the scoring rate whilst taking three crucial wickets. With the score on 59-3 at the halfway point of 20 overs North Perrott needed to accelerate. Conor Yorath’s reintroduction saw the end of the dogged Whorlow LBW for 32. A partnership of 64 for the fifth wicket gave the home side some momentum but Dan Roe triggered another collapse taking 4-40 off his eight overs leaving North Perrott with a disappointing total of 160-9 from their 40 overs. Darvell took 2-20 and Yorath 2-34.

Following a short rain delay two overs into the chase, Redbourn’s opening pair of Ed and Will Hales resumed and immediately took the attack to the North Perrott bowlers. By the first hygiene break at six overs Redbourn were 58-0 and six overs later the brothers had passed the 100-run mark, reaching 109-0.

Ed Hales holed out for 71 with the score on 120, having faced just 48 balls with 12 fours and a six. Connor Yorath fell cheaply shortly afterwards for five and there was a palpable nervous tension amongst Redbourn’s travelling supporters. There was no need to worry though, Will Hales continued to punish anything wayward and together with eighteen-year-old Hugh Craig steered their team to victory in just the 22nd over. Will Hales’ composed and elegant innings of 77 not out was from 64 deliveries with eight fours.

Lord’s awaits, for the biggest day in Redbourn Cricket Club’s history and in the cricketing lives of all the players.

It’s a shame their families won’t (currently) be there to share it with them, nevertheless they will have the whole community and beyond rooting for them and hoping they continue their sensational form into the final.

The Cricketer Village Cup Final is between Colwall CC and Redbourn CC on Saturday 19th September at Lord’s starting 11am and streamed live on the Lord’s YouTube channel.

Come on you Unicorns!

Click here for more match day photos from Alastair Cowe