BUNTINGFORD hosted a 40- over friendly on Sunday against old boy Steve Ryan s select team. Every year the former player brings a team to Norfolk Road for the Steve Ryan Shield with Buntinford winning last year s contest. Batting first the home side lost

BUNTINGFORD hosted a 40- over friendly on Sunday against old boy Steve Ryan's select team.

Every year the former player brings a team to Norfolk Road for the Steve Ryan Shield with Buntinford winning last year's contest.

Batting first the home side lost Calder, Church, and Clements in quick succession, before Scott Nash and Jude Preetam Alex took the score to 103 before Nash went for 33.

Soon after, Preetam Alex was out for 27, and the Buntingford innings collapsed in dramatic fashion to see them all out for just 117.

In reply, Steve Ryan's team made a fine start and at 62-1, looked to be in pole position.

At this point, Mike Townsend took a fine catch behind the stumps to dismiss the dangerous Groome for 19, and a couple more wickets soon followed.

Chris Jordan (3-17) then took the prized wicket of Poullton (37) lbw to set up a great finish with the away team requiring 10 runs from their last two overs.

Scott Nash then bowled a maiden over and Preetam Alex (4-1-10-0) restricted the batsman to just four runs in final over, with Steve Ryan's team falling six runs short of victory.

As a result the much-prized shield will remain in the Buntingford trophy cabinet for another year.