BATH'S vociferous, toga-wearing supporters cheered every run and every wicket to the rooftops at headquarters yesterday but it was the Doncaster Town followers who were singing at the end as their team won a highly committed and hugely entertaining Abbot Ale Cup final.
Bath made 229 for five in their 45 overs and Doncaster Town replied with 233 for four in 44.2 overs.
In a match of constant oscillation on an easy-paced pitch, Bath were precariously perched at 106 for four before a rollicking partnership of 113 in just 13 overs between Ben Staunton and Mark Sage eventually presented the Yorkshire side with an imposing target.
Both Doncaster openers perished cheaply to the lively Ian Shrubsole, before an unflustered third-wicket partnership of 117 in 24 overs, between Peter Ellis and Simon Widdup, established the platform for a victory charge. It was particularly appropriate that the admirable Ellis should have been unbeaten as his side squeezed home with four balls to spare.
In a national competition which began in April with 422 clubs, it was somehow fitting that the winning team should have such a local flavour.
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