Sunbury star gives award away after cup final defeat

Sep 17 2008 By Jon Batham, Staines News

EVENING STANDARD CHALLENGE TROPHY FINAL Sunbury.................202 all out Ealing ................... 203-8 (49.3 overs) Sunbury lost by two wickets

John Maunders orroved a shining example of sportsmanship in the face of gut-wrenching defeat on Sunday.

The Sunbury opener hit a superb century in his side's Evening Standard Trophy Final against Ealing, only to lose as Ian Blanchett snatched victory for the reigning champions in the last over.

By way of consolation Maunders received a superb bronze trophy as 'batsman of the match'.

However, no sooner had the Essex batsman taken hold of his award from former West Indian test great Alvin Kallicharan, then Sunbury committee members confirmed he headed to the Ealing dressing-room and handed over the trophy to Blanchett in recognition of his match-winning 45 not out.

Maunders told Herald & News: "Ian (Blanchett) and I played in the Middlesex seconds together back in the day and I knew he wasn't the worst number eight, to be fair.

"At 156-8 I thought we were going to win but with Blanchett at the crease there was always a chance of them getting home. I thought it was a slim chance but he played beautifully."

Maunders and Toby Roland-Jones got the cup bid off to a perfect start with a stand of 135, the latter hitting former Middlesex offspinner Chris Peploe out of the ground for six.

However, in an attempt to repeat the shot Roland-Jones lofted 'bowler of the match' Sameer Patel (5-28) to Tahir Afridi at deep mid-off, and cued a dramatic collapse.

Maunders reached his hundred, including a huge straight six, before perishing with five overs left, but with no other batsmen reaching double figures Sunbury were all out of the last ball of their innings.

"I'm disappointed I didn't bat the last five overs because if I'd have been there we might have got to 220 and if we'd posted that it would have been our game," Maunders added.

Ealing were coasting at 69-1 but three wickets from Adam London reduced them to 116-6.

Ealing skipper Luke Stoughton made 38 but Toby Roland-Jones spread-eagled his stumps and at 156-8 Sunbury were all but champions.

But they'd reckoned without Blanchett, who with the aid of a towering six saw his side home with three balls to spare.