Whitehaven Cricket Club marked its 200th anniversary with a game against the MCC on Sunday.
The fixture looked in grave doubt on Friday due to the recent torrential rain but thanks to the efforts of groundsman Ray Armstrong and his team, a full weekend of cricket was played.
A very strong MCC side featured players from all over the North of England and it was no surprise that Darlington RA ‘s Vishal Tripathi, with 70, and George Brown (42) formed a great opening partnership of 114.
However Whitehaven bowled steadily throughout and only Adam Jackson, with 30, achieved any other score of note.
Whitehaven’s Lewis Keeler has been in outstanding all-round form this season, He and Maddie Wood both claimed two wickets as the visitors closed on 199.
Ironically this meant that Haven had to score 200 to win.
Keeler, who must surely be in the thoughts of the Cumbria county selectors, was again prominent smashing several boundaries in his 52 while club professional Terrance Warde also scored 52.
Josh Foster (30) and Leo Sanczuk (23) both batted well as the host’s fell agonisingly short on 196-8.
The day was a great success with a large crowd in attendance and the after-match entertainment saw the club packed to the rafters.
The MCC really made the day special and they presented the club with a plaque to mark the 200th year.
During the tea interval a ceremony was held during which the clubhouse was renamed The Arthur Lamb Pavilion.
Arthur, who died aged 31 last year, was a tremendous worker for the club as well as playing and umpiring. He was a much loved figure by the whole of Cumbria’s cricketing community and is sadly missed by everyone involved in the sport.
The club was delighted to have Arthur’s parents Christopher and Barbara as special guests during the day.
