THE I’Anson played in the annual Surrey Interleague Cricket Tournament at the Kia Oval on Monday and won their two games before narrowly losing in the final.

Each nine-a-side match consisted of five overs, with batsmen retiring at 25 and bowlers delivering one eight-ball over. Under the rules, the first four batsman cannot bowl

I’Anson openers Rob Parrott, with a total of 72 runs, and Nathan Phillimore, with 47, led the way, with Jordan Frost contributing 34 and Iain Jackson 26.

In their first match, the I’Anson made 77 and then restricted Surrey Cricket League to 70, Matt Hall taking a wicket with his first ball at the Oval. In the second game, the I’Anson totalled a healthy 108 and restricted the South Downs League to 80 with tidy bowling.

The final was against the British Tamil League and the I’Anson, bowling first, did very well to hold their opponents to 73. Huw Town-Jones bowled out two batsmen with his last deliveries and then James Crouch took a wicket with his first ball.

The Tamils were not to be denied, though, and restricted the I’Anson team to 66 through tight bowling in an exciting finish. Parrott retired on 27 and the I’Anson, somewhat unlucky in the final, lost by the small margin of seven runs.

But, as ever, it was a most enjoyable day and the I’Anson players gave an excellent account of themselves.

I’Anson team: Nathan Phillimore (capt, Grayshott), Rob Parrott (Blackheath), James Crouch (Puttenham), Ollie Pearce, Alex Wadey (both Lurgashall), Iain Jackson (Grayswood), Matt Hall (Headley), Huw Town-Jones (Tilford), Jordan Frost (Frensham).