THE MOOSE CRICKET CLUB

The Moose and Bluemantle's assembled at a sun soaked Nevill Ground on Friday 8th August, 2025 to do battle for the Bairamian Cup in a 40 Over aside game. In addition to the prize of the vaunted Cup - which arrived at the ground in Moosey possession - there was added intrigue as both sides were attempting to wrap-up unbeaten seasons with a victory in Tunbridge Wells.

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The Moose won the toss, and elected to bat expecting the batter-friendly surface usually served up at the Nevill. Newcomers Adam Ranson and Zak Webb opened up for the Moose, adding a quickfire 32 for the first wicket inside the first 5 overs. However, with the wicket of Webb for 9, the Bluemantle's applied some good pressure with economical and probing bowling from Baron (2/11 off 8) and Birkbeck (0/68 off 8), exerting more control after switching from pace to off-spin. Charlie Hinchliffe - returning to Moose duty after several years away - batted watchfully against a moving ball and Ranson advanced to 37 before being caught behind off Baron (2/11 off 8). When Hinchliffe fell for 15 off the bowling of Hobden (3/37 off 8) the Moose were 71 for 3 off 18 overs and in need of some acceleration in order to post a competitive total. Thankfully, the middle order rallied, with debutant Theo Rimmer making an enterprising 25 batting at four, and James Howie compiling an expertly paced, counter-attacking 63 including successive maximums off the bowling of Birkbeck. Howie was ably supported by Max McGahan (16) and Martin Semmens, who made a stylish 24 before being trapped LBW by Bluemantle's skipper, George Burrough (28/2 off 4). An all-run 6 off the final delivery of the innings saw the Moose climb to 208, which was slightly below par on a good wicket, but defendable with a strong showing in the field.

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Things started well for the Moose, with Hugo Williams (2/37 off 8) striking with the final ball of his first over to remove Jamie Tukuri for 2, thanks to a sharp take at mid-on by Neil Peakall. However, Alex Bryant (78) and Teddy Birkbeck shared an impressive 112 run stand for the 2nd wicket to steady the ship and put Bluemantle's in a commanding position at the half-way point. Despite the lack of penetration, the Moose attack bowled with good control and kept the Bluemantle's run rate in line with the 5.3 runs per over required. Neil Peakall (0/22 off 4) and leg-spinning debutant Kit Rawlins (0/37 off 8) bowled without luck and both could have picked up a deserved wicket or two, but the breakthrough the Moose were looking for was provided in the 23rd over when Moose captain, Harry McGahan (1/46 off 8) removed Birkbeck for a well made 44 and the Moose began to sense an opportunity. Martin Semmens (1/39 off 7) bowled a guileful and miserly spell and was justly rewarded with the wicket of Felix Horsham for 18 in the 28th over, and four overs later the returning Hugo Williams bowled Alex Bryant to leave the Bluemantle's requiring 50 runs off the last 8 overs with 6 wickets in hand. With the game in the balance it was the cat and mouse contest between Collins (33) and Semmens which would define the outcome, and after surviving two catchable chances off Semmes in the slips, Collins took a decisive 17 runs off the 36th over to all but win the game for the Bluemantles. Collins fell the next over to the pace of Webb (1/12 off 3.1), but the damage had been done and Louis Baron (23*) and Charlie Hobden (6*) saw the Bluemantle's home to secure the Bairamian Cup.