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as5680 · 03-16-2021, 05:57 AM

TOURNAMENT REVIEW: 1869 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

This year's County Championship turned out to be almost an exact copy of last year, as Essex successfully defended their title by beating Middlesex in the final. Middlesex eased through to a second successive final, led by Royal Artillery Barracks' championship winning pitcher Henry Clarke. He shut down Kent until the sixth inning, by which time his team already had a five run lead after scoring one in the first and four more in the third. One run in the sixth was all Kent could get, giving Middlesex the win by a score of 5-1.

The other semi-final between Essex and Surrey looked to be just as comfortable when Essex scored in the first inning, added three more in the fifth and took that 4-0 lead to the eighth. Surrey fought back though, scoring one in the eighth and two more in the ninth and having a runner at second base waiting to score the tying run, before Greenwich pitcher James Hicks completed the win.

There was some controversy about the location of the final, as Essex felt that they should have home advantage, being the reigning champions and having played at Middlesex last year. There was no provision for this in the rules however, which only said that a coin should be tossed. Essex, as reigning champions, were allowed to call the toss but called incorrectly, meaning another meeting on Middlesex's home field.

The final was a close fought battle, with both teams scoring in the second inning and Middlesex then taking a 2-1 lead in the fourth, only for Essex to tie the game in the sixth. Heading into the ninth, the score was still 2-2 and extra innings seemed certain, until Essex's George Reeves came to bat with two men on base and two out. It was Reeves' first appearance in any official game, having joined Greenwich this winter, and his hit allowed both runners to score and put Essex ahead 4-2. Middlesex got one runner to third base in their half of the ninth inning, but could not score and Essex had their second championship.

Again, just like last year, Essex pitcher Hicks was named as Best Pitcher, while the champions also had the Best Player in their ranks. That award went to infielder Willie Wade of The Regent's Park, who hit well in both games. Attention now turns to the league season, with the Metropolitan League's fifth campaign beginning on 20 March, along with the university championships at both Oxford and Cambridge.

03-16-2021, 05:57 AM	#67
as5680 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Didcot, England Posts: 1,426	TOURNAMENT REVIEW: 1869 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP This year's County Championship turned out to be almost an exact copy of last year, as Essex successfully defended their title by beating Middlesex in the final. Middlesex eased through to a second successive final, led by Royal Artillery Barracks' championship winning pitcher Henry Clarke. He shut down Kent until the sixth inning, by which time his team already had a five run lead after scoring one in the first and four more in the third. One run in the sixth was all Kent could get, giving Middlesex the win by a score of 5-1. The other semi-final between Essex and Surrey looked to be just as comfortable when Essex scored in the first inning, added three more in the fifth and took that 4-0 lead to the eighth. Surrey fought back though, scoring one in the eighth and two more in the ninth and having a runner at second base waiting to score the tying run, before Greenwich pitcher James Hicks completed the win. There was some controversy about the location of the final, as Essex felt that they should have home advantage, being the reigning champions and having played at Middlesex last year. There was no provision for this in the rules however, which only said that a coin should be tossed. Essex, as reigning champions, were allowed to call the toss but called incorrectly, meaning another meeting on Middlesex's home field. The final was a close fought battle, with both teams scoring in the second inning and Middlesex then taking a 2-1 lead in the fourth, only for Essex to tie the game in the sixth. Heading into the ninth, the score was still 2-2 and extra innings seemed certain, until Essex's George Reeves came to bat with two men on base and two out. It was Reeves' first appearance in any official game, having joined Greenwich this winter, and his hit allowed both runners to score and put Essex ahead 4-2. Middlesex got one runner to third base in their half of the ninth inning, but could not score and Essex had their second championship. Again, just like last year, Essex pitcher Hicks was named as Best Pitcher, while the champions also had the Best Player in their ranks. That award went to infielder Willie Wade of The Regent's Park, who hit well in both games. Attention now turns to the league season, with the Metropolitan League's fifth campaign beginning on 20 March, along with the university championships at both Oxford and Cambridge.