01/09/2026
⚫🟡 T20 FINALS ⚫🟡
The T20 Squad faced off against Preston Strikers CC in the Palace Shield Twenty20 Division 2 Playoffs Final on Monday 31st August.
A very heavy celebration for the union of Mr and Mrs Hughes meant that everyone felt a little rough. Regardless, we were in high spirits for the game ahead. With the weather threatening the game, everyone banded together to get the pitch fit and ready for play to begin.
Winning the toss with his trusty £2 coin, captain David Atherton elected to bat first. Opening the batting, Luke Murray and Ryan Hughes took to the crease. Much to Murray's dismay, the first ball stopped short of the rope. However, the lads pushed hard and ran a begrudging 3. True to fashion, Hughes cleared the boundary in the first over and set the standard for the day. The pair worked well together, stealing singles and punishing loose balls to the boundary at every opportunity. At the end of the power play, the pair had a partnership of 45.
Continuing to work hard and pushing through, in the 12th over of the game, Hughes brought up his 50 from 39 balls. Unfortunately, shortly after, Hughes was finally caught for 58 from 47 balls, including three massive 6s and two 4s. A fantastic knock from the newlywed.
The overseas superstar joined Murray at the crease, again working well to rotate the strike and keep the score ticking over. With the last 4 overs to come, the score currently sat at 110-1. With wickets in hand, the lads knew they had to press on to apply the pressure. In the attempt to do so, Murray was unfortunately bowled, finishing on 39 from 44 balls.
In came the skipper, knowing what job was needed, and he was the man to do it. The new pair pushed even harder, taking 27 runs from the last 12 balls to leave the T20 Squad in a strong position of 144-2 from their 20 overs.
A quick hydration break, and the lads took the field. Woodgate and Lee Jackson opened the bowling with the standards they are known for. In their respective 2nd and 3rd overs, both dealt blows to Preston Strikers, cleaning up the top order and leaving Preston Strikers in a precarious position of 29-4 at the end of the power play.
A good day with the bat, but unfortunately not for Murray with the ball, as the Strikers moved to 44-4 at the end of the 7th over. Atherton replaced Murray to help build the pressure and, with the power play now finished, Jay Davies was brought into the attack, with the hopes of continuing the success he's had so far in this year's T20 campaign. And that he did.
In his second over, Davies claimed 3 wickets for 0 runs, trapping two lbw and having one caught in the deep by Alex Gaughan. In his third over, Davies claimed his fourth and fifth wickets, one being bowled and the other caught in the deep by Woodgate. A phenomenal and game-changing spell, finishing with 5/6 from 3 overs.
Woodgate returned to finish his allocated over and, on the fourth ball, trapped the last batsman lbw, leaving Preston Strikers on 76 all out, 68 runs short of the target.
A superb all-round effort from the squad, ending the T20 with a resounding clean sweep.
A huge thank you to all of our sponsors, audience and members for their continued support, not only during the T20 campaign but throughout the entire season.
"Thank you to everyone who came down to support us. It means a great deal to the lads, and we were so happy we got to share the moment with you all. The spirit within the club is what makes it so special, and so much of that comes from people who never step onto the pitch. We are forever grateful to you all. Up the 'Sco!" - Captain David Atherton as
⚫🟡 MAN OF THE MATCH ⚫🟡
At the end of the game, the T20 Squad was presented with the trophy for winning, as well as individual medals for each of the players. The umpires also awarded Man of the Match to the player of their choosing. The Man of the Match for the T20 Final was Jay Davies for his bowling. In his spell of 3 overs, Davies claimed 5 wickets for only 6 runs. A true game-changing spell! Well done, Jay!
Thank you to for sponsoring G'Ale!
As said above, a huge thank you to all of our sponsors for their continued support throughout the season! Hodgson Tool Hire Churcher Estates DS Smith Gray-Nicolls Alan Murray