Surrey CCC VI Team win T20 cup to claim an unprecedented double.
Fresh from their triumphant league campaign, where they were unbeaten throughout, the Surrey CCC Visually Impaired Team were in buoyant mood as they faced Gloucestershire at Frimley CC in the final of the Blind Cricket England and Wales T20 cup where they were aiming to complete a league and cup double.
Following a delayed start, due to rain, Surrey lost the toss and were unsurprisingly asked to bat first. As has been the pattern this year, Ralph and Turner opened up in blistering form and were determined not to let Gloucestershire settle. Turner was first to 50 but just as it appeared Ralph would join her, an edge behind saw him dismissed for 48. A slight wobble from Surrey saw the score go from 127-0 to 138-3 with Khan and Paddick falling in the same over from Page. Then when Kirkby was run-out to leave the score at 157/4 there were a few nerves in the Surrey camp. However Surrey's strength in depth shone through, and a fine stand between Hari Kumrai and Richard Claridge left Surrey finishing on 190-5 from their 20 overs.
Gloucestershire’s reply was steady as they looked to keep in sight of the required 9.5 runs per over. However, Surrey had other ideas and in the 14th over, with the visitors looking to accelerate, Surrey put the squeeze on with Woodford, Ralph and Turner each only going for 5 an over and then only 7 an over from the final two overs, with Claridge providing some impressive death bowling. Amit Amin finished on 2-40 and Gloucestershire were 33 runs short of the target, meaning that Surrey had completed the unprecedented league and cup double in 2016!
To complete the double, in just their second season, is a truly remarkable achievement for the Surrey CCC VI Team. Congratulations to all of those who have been involved with the team this year and long may this success continue in years to come!!