John Bigham Plate Final
Orton Park won the inaugural Peterborough Midweek League John Bigham Plate Final by 2 runs.
The Peterborough Midweek League in the last fortnight have renamed the competition as a mark of respect to John after the many years he has been involved in playing, umpiring and administrating local cricket leagues. John started playing for Peterborough Town (when they played at Crawthorne Road) in the late 1950’s before he stopped in the mid 1970’ to start a family and due to his work commitments. He got back involved in cricket in 1991 when his 11 year old son Jonathan joined Orton Park. Since 1991 John has been Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Fixture Secretary and Youth Co-Ordinator of Orton Park as well as being Registration Officer, Results Secretary, Treasurer and Safeguarding Officer of the Hunts League as well as Safeguarding Officer and Treasurer of the Rutland League, Border Counties Youth Cricket Association (BCYCA) and the local Hunts Umpires Association.
He has also umpired thousands of local adult and youngster matches and many local midweek finals. The 76 year old Peterborian is stepping down from umpiring and all his voluntary roles at the end of this season due to ill health and the Peterborough Midweek League committee have decided to rename the competition in respect for all he has done for local cricket.
To the match itself, Orton Park won the toss and from being 60-0 collapsed to 118 all out from 18.1 overs, with youngster Sam Jarvis being the leading batsman unbeaten with 38. The collapse was down to an outstanding bowling spell from Muhammad Zahid Nadeem who took 5-11 from his 4 overs.
Chasing 119, Strikers were in early trouble at 54-6. This was mainly down to slow left arm spinner Oliver Calpin who took 4-14 from his 4 overs. Ansar Hussain steadied the ship and the equation became 16 from the last over. This quickly became 10 from 5, but teenage spinner Divyeash Vaseeharan held his nerve to see Orton win by 2 runs. Hussian was the stand out batsman for Strikers finishing unbeaten with 36, while Vasseharan 2-24 and Oliver Beasley 2-26 also bowled well. Orton were also helped by two outstanding catches by the talented Jarvis.
John Bigham Plate Final:
Orton Park beat Strikers by 2 runs.
Orton Park 118 all out from 18.1 overs.
Sam Jarvis 38 not out, Jack Calpin 16, Muhammad Zahid Nadeem 5-11
Strikers 116-8 from 20 overs.
Ansar Hussain 36 not out, S.Saad 22 not out, T.Ali 20, Oliver Calpin 4-14, Divyeash Vasseharan 2-24, Oliver Beasley 2-26.
Umpires: Steve Ross and John Hyman.