Sun Sep 9th The Grannies turn a losing draw into a Winning One
Match report
Skipper Fry lost the toss and was delighted when the HAC skipper elected to field, have listened to a right earful from his own side, all of whom were intent on batting first on what reputation assured us was an excellent batting track. Openers Sebastian Phillips and Alex Rushent got the Grannies off to an excellent start with an assured 50 partnership before both departed in consecutive overs. Australian stand-in Liam Kelly failed to live up to what were admittedly ludicrously high expectations and was out for 2. Strachan and Cowley failed to trouble the scorers, and suddenly the famous "Grannies Collapse" was in full flow at 57 for 5. Some stylish hitting from Andrew Carr (27), with good support from Ashley Butterworth (3) and Henry Walpole (7), ticked things over to take the Grannies total into the nineties before all three departed, leaving Bob Robinson (12), Martin Bagley (10) and the Skipper (36*) to wag the tail for the Grannies, which they did in some style, the Skipper and Bagley sharing a 50 partnership for the tenth wicket. A total of 166 in 51 overs was not brilliant, but definitely competitive on a wicket that was not living up to its billing.
The Grannies were itching to make amends for the somewhat lacklustre performance with the bat and the opening bowling of Rapid Alex Rushent and Demon Bob "The Bowling Machine" Robinson got us off to a fine start, with just 33 runs coming off the first 10 overs and 2 wickets falling to the metronomic Robinson. Rushent was unlikely to have 2 catches dropped off his bowling by the Skipper as stand-in keeper, whose enthusiasm for the task is in no way matched by his ability (though he is ecstatic with the fact that he only conceded 4 byes!). Wickets continued to fall to Bob Robinson, who bowled quite beautifully on a wicket giving some assistance, moving the ball both in the air and with some exaggerated seam movement. Runs proved hard to come by as excellent fielding from Walpole at square leg, Strachan at cover point and Carr at mid-on kept the HAC batsmen honest. And once Robinson had removed the dangerous Jim Chondery for 26, the Grannies were able to turn the screw and go all out for victory. At which point the HAC batsmen retreated into their shells, dug in, and held on grimly for a draw against the beguiling spin of Martin Bagley at one end and Seb Phillips at the other. The HAC innings closed on 108 for 7 in 39 overs, and the Grannies flawless record against the HAC was preserved.
A huge thanks to Seb, Alex, Liam, Frank, Rich, Ashley, Andrew, Henry, Bob and Martin for answering my cries of distress, arriving on time, playing brilliantly and supporting the Grannies in their hour of need. Well done!
Match info
Friendly fixture against the HAC
Location
Armoury House,
London,
EC1Y 2BQ