Family feud for the Marc brothers
The Marc brothers come face-to-face for the first time this weekend in club cricket's most prestigious knock-out tournament.
Former Middlesex fast bowler Kervin Marc returns to his roots on Sunday as a member of the Radlett squad who visit Shepherd's Bush in the second round of the £13,100 Evening Standard Challenge Trophy.
And waiting to ambush the 30-year-old paceman is his younger brother Ernie, a hard-hitting middle order batsman.
"I've never faced Kerv before and I'm really looking forward to it," said 28-year-old Ernie.
"He told me he's injured but I'm not sure I'll buy that one. We were very competitive as youngsters. He is still pretty quick and I know he will want to bowl well on his return to the Bush."
Kervin, who had two seasons with Middlesex in the mid-nineties, was in the Shepherd's Bush team that reached the semi-finals back in 1993, the second year of the 50-over event which features the London area's leading 112 teams.
He later moved to Sutton in the Surrey Championship, then joined Radlett three years ago, helping them to lift the Challenge Trophy at the Oval in 2003.
Ernie, who represented Middlesex and London schools, said: "The Bush have been my club since I was aged 10. I love playing for them, they're a great bunch of fellows.
"I've never faced Kervin before because he has been playing mostly Premiership cricket. It's curious we haven't met in a cup match. It has been a long time coming."
Holders Finchley begin their attempt to win the trophy for a record fourth time on Sunday with a tie at Harrow Town.
It will be advantage Lordswood against Wimbledon. Their tie has been switched to the Kent club's ground because Wimbledon's outfield is doubling up as a car park for the tennis championship.
Second-round ties: High Wycombe v Eastcote, Barnet v Hertford, Shenfield v Hampstead, Wanstead v South Hampstead, Waltham v Brondesbury, Fives & Heronians v Cockfosters, Gidea Park v Winchmore Hill, Hainault & Clayhall v Sawbridgeworth, Ardleigh Green v St Albans, Enfield v Hornchurch, West Herts v South Woodford, Beaconsfield v Welwyn GC, Harrow Town v Finchley, Shepherd's Bush v Radlett, BWIA Cavaliers v Ickenham, Wembley v Ealing, Kenton v Saffron Walden, Dartford v Malden Wanderers, Bexley v Chingford, Normandy v Sunbury, Osterley v Tunbridge Wells, Purley v Dorking, Esher v Teddington, Old Emanuel v Blackheath, Mitcham v Spencer, Gore Court v Beckenham, Bromley v Kew, Lordswood v Wimbledon, Trojans v Dulwich, Richmond v Maori-Oxshott, Hayes (Kent) v Bickley Park, Chessington v Walton-on-Thames. Other dates: Third round: 3 July, fourth round: 17 July, quarter-finals: 7 August, semi-finals: 21 August, final (The Oval): 18 September.
