Two Wins, One Unforgettable Day – Rastrick Reach the ECB National Club Twenty20 Area Semi-Final
CLEETHORPES 136–7 – RASTRICK 137–6
Rastrick won by 1 run
Swanepoel 41 (35), Waterson 26 (21), Hussain 3–13*
WOLLATON 185–9 – RASTRICK 191–7
Rastrick won by 6 runs
Swanepoel 75 (41), Ali 46 (34), Wagh 34 (17), Hussain 3–34, Swanepoel 2–26
Rastrick Cricket Club produced a superb display of T20 cricket on Sunday, August 9, completing a remarkable double to book their place in the ECB National Club Twenty20 Cup Area Semi-Final.
Playing two demanding matches at Wollaton Village Sports Association in Nottingham, Rastrick first edged past Cleethorpes by a single run before returning to the field later in the day and defeating hosts Wollaton by six runs.
Rastrick edge out Cleethorpes in a thriller
Batting first, Rastrick found themselves in early trouble at 42 for three, but overseas allrounder Aubrey Swanepoel steadied the innings with an important 41 from 35 balls, including three fours and two sixes.
Jacob Waterson then guided Rastrick through the closing overs, finishing unbeaten on 26 from 21 balls, while Shrikant Wagh provided a late flourish with 16 not out from just nine deliveries.
Rastrick closed on 137 for six, leaving Cleethorpes a challenging target.
The bowling attack responded brilliantly. Swanepoel struck early, dismissing opener Keast for just one, before Istikhar Hussain took centre stage with an outstanding 3–13 from four overs.
Cleethorpes captain Ian Mansfield fought a lone battle with 51, supported by David Mansfield's 39 from 30 balls, but Rastrick continued to take wickets at crucial moments.
Needing 12 from the final over, Cleethorpes pushed Rastrick to the limit but eventually finished on 136 for seven – just one run short.
Swanepoel leads the charge against Wollaton
There was little time to celebrate before Rastrick returned to the field to face hosts Wollaton.
After losing Moaaz Ajaz for two, Shoukat Ali and Swanepoel launched a superb recovery. Ali struck 46 from 34 balls, including four fours and three sixes, before Swanepoel produced one of the innings of the tournament.
The all-rounder smashed 75 from just 41 deliveries, including 12 fours and a six, putting the Wollaton attack under relentless pressure.
Fahid Rehman added a quick 17 before Wagh once again provided a spectacular finish, blasting 34 from only 17 balls, including four sixes.
Rastrick posted an imposing 191 for seven.
Wollaton refused to surrender, with Nicky Kirkwood hitting an excellent 64 from 35 balls and Hamish Llewelyn contributing 44 from 33.
But Rastrick's bowlers once again held their nerve. Hussain followed his earlier three-wicket haul with another 3–34, while Swanepoel and Max Swann claimed two wickets apiece.
Wollaton finished on 185 for nine, leaving Rastrick six runs clear and completing an extraordinary double.
Two matches. Two victories. A one-run thriller followed by a six-run success.
Rastrick's reward is a place in the Vitality Club T20 Cup Area Semi-Final, where they will face Northern Cricket Club of Liverpool at Denby Cricket Club, Derbyshire, on Sunday, August 30.
