Lady Feversham Cup final

Harome 148 for 8, Rievaulx 138 for 7

Rievaulx's hopes of attaining their first knock-out cup final success evaporated towards the end of their innings at Harome. They lost wickets at crucial times and their lower order batsmen weren't able to keep up with the demanding run rate.

With Harome batting first, Rievaulx made an important early breakthrough, as William Lund's speed proved too much for Oliver Metcalfe, who was bowled for two. However, Harome hit back with a rare all-run five and a boundary in successive deliveries. Justin Palmer looked in good form, but he was snared into top-edging an intended hook shot off David Dunn into the safe hands of Lund for 13.

Phil Marwood made some lovely cover drives, while at the other end, Stephen Dodsworth, now with a big-hitting reputation to live up to, threatened mayhem until he snicked one from Mark Redhead (1 for 27) behind to Paul Atkinson for 15. Marwood hit a six in the tenth over, taking Harome's score to 66 at the halfway stage.

Another big six soon followed, as Marwood reached his 50 in the 14th over. He had reached 60 when, going for another big hit, he was caught superbly on the boundary by 12-year-old Daniel Medd off the bowling of Anthony Plowman. Having sampled one moment of glory, Medd decided he wanted more by nonchalantly holding a steepling catch off Dunn to get rid of Jodie Robson for a useful 24.

A few telling blows from James Greenlay kept the run-rate up until Dunn bowled him for 11. The same bowler accounted for the unlucky Darren Palmer for nought with a booming inswinger. Darren Smith did his bit with a massive six into the next field, but Plowman (2 for 36) had his revenge next ball, having Smith caught by Lund for 10. Dunn finished with impressive figures of 4 for 18.

If Harome thought their total was enough to win comfortably, the first over made them think again, as they conceded 17 runs. There is nothing scientific about Rob Marsden's approach to batting. His mission is to give most balls a good wallop in the often-fulfilled hope it goes to the boundary. But having smashed a six, he was expertly caught by Justin Palmer off Josh Greenlay for 23.

Rievaulx then became bogged down. Paul Atkinson and Mark Redhead forged a partnership before Redhead got underneath a ball from Darren Palmer and was caught by wicket-keeper Metcalfe for 16. Then came the crucial moment of the contest. Atkinson, whose commitment to Rievaulx has been first class, considering the distance he has to travel, looked in command. But, on 39, he was completely deceived by a craftily-flighted ball from off-spinner Justin Palmer - a champagne moment if ever there was one.

By this time the run rate required had increased to over eight an over. Rievaulx's task became even more daunting when James Greenlay (1 for 27) bowled Anthony Plowman for one. With four overs remaining, the big-hitting Lund was run out for eight, effectively ending Rievaulx's challenge. Justin Palmer (3 for 24) bowled Dunn with the last ball of the contest, as Rievaulx ended ten runs adrift.

The presentation of the cup to the Harome captain, Jodie Robson, was made by Lady Clarissa Colin. The man of the match went to Phil Marwood.

The final concluded another Feversham League season. It has a precarious existence, with just five clubs participating. Perhaps the knowledge that it is the clear intention to run the league in 2003 will cncourage other clubs in Ryedale to join, or rejoin. Tradition, if nothing else, demands it's continuance.

Updated: 09:58 Wednesday, September 18, 2002