Last Friday evening a team representing the club took on a Copdock & OI CC team in a T20 cricket match, the first fund raising event for the newly formed Keith Cracknell Foundation. The Leiston team was represented by some friends from the past, Mark "Goldie" Goldfinch and Micky Lowe, David Head from the more recent past and Stuart Boardley and Harry Knights from the present as well as Harry's dad, David.
In wet conditions our hosts batted first and were restricted to 138 for 7 in their 20 overs. Extras from the less experienced bowlers made a significant contribution to the total and was probably the top scorer. Not the most daunting total to chase but after 5 overs with only 11 runs on the board the required run rate had increased alarmingly. With 3 wickets down and only a few more runs added an embarrassingly heavy defeat looked likely. However at that point the rain, which had been falling steadily throughout the evening, turned into a downpour sending players and spectators heading for shelter. There was no official announcement to proclaim the match abandoned just a general acceptance that there would be no more play. With not enough overs bowled to determine a result by Duckworth Lewis the club has claimed an honourable draw.
The return fixture will be about the same time next year when the club will host a football match against the cricket club at Victory Road. It is hoped to re-unite as many of the 2008 FA Cup squad as possible to represent the club.
Photos of the match are on the website.