Just six days after the Two Counties Veterans staged their Presidents Match at Elmstead, the Over 70s XI returned to play there against the East Anglian Veteran Ladies (plus a couple of Gents), and defeated them by eight wickets with nine anda a bit overs to spare.
The Ladies started well, with ex-England international Janet Southgate and Marilyn Smith not being afraid to put bat to ball. It took an ill-judged call for a run which finally separated them with Smith being run out for 26. Sue Benson then joined Southgate, and while they were together they had control of the contest. Benson retired when she reached 50, but after that control was taken back. Just before the close of their innings Southgate did something nasty to her thigh, retired hurt on 93, and took no further part in the match. In the 40th and final over a bowler, Bruce Tompkins, did finally claim a wicket. Two run outs and one retirement before that. 195-4 was the score they closed with.
The outcome of the match was never in any doubt as Jerry Hadcock and John Stuck soon had us well ahead of the required five an over. They added 95 before Hadcock was dismissed lbw for 28. Steve Isaac then joined Stuck in the middle. At the 20 over drinks interval, Stuck had reached 80 out of 134-1. Then with just eight runs required from 11 overs, Steve Isaac bizarrely hit the ball onto his own stumps, around his own legs, for 41, and the second wicket had also added 95. John Stuck took his score to 109 not out, before Chris Martin brought the match to a conclusion with almost 10 overs remaining.
EAST ANGLIAN VETERANS LADIES 195-4 (Southgate 93 retired hurt, Benson 50 ret., Smith 26)
TWO COUNTIES OVER-70 198-2 (Stuck 109 not, Isaac 41, Hadcock 28)