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Result - The Old Spots

Sat Jun 7th Grannies win.

Match report

The Year of the Ham(string)

Grannies 284 for 4

Brierley 78
Scott 62*
Knight 33*

Old Spots 222

Scott 2-17
Weston-Simons 2-24
The "Gette" 2-42

Once again Follies Farm reminded us of the perfect English summer afternoon of cricket� the warm sunshine sent the swine sheltering in the shade� and upon winning the toss the skipper had no hesitation in sticking the Old Spots in to roast in the sun. The Follies wicket is definitely a tale of two ends�one hard and bouncy, the other slow and low. The now customary little n' large duo of Draff and Jim took the opening spots and from the start Draff was swatting boundaries. On 20 he got one of the slower lower deliveries and lifted it to mid off. James Brierly came in an went for it from the start crashing it stylishy to all corners and with Jim starting to get into his elongated stride the run rate surged. What the Old Spots needed now was a rank long hop which, just before the second bounce, Jim duly despatched into mid off's hands. Jamie Williams, one of Bob's international barrister cricketers, came in and continued to cart it to all parts. Half way into the innings and the talk turned to tea and the legendary ham sandwiches. This signalled a good passage of play for the Spots�they got Jamie for 30, then James for a fine 78 before putting a temporary squeeze on the two new batsmen, Knighty and Scottie (he's another James hence use of surname). But you can't squeeze quality like this for long� Knighty initially played second fiddle to Scottie who was on his way to 62* after coming into this match on the back of a century (and incidently then going on to score another the following week� but by the end of the innings both players were flaying leather. Knighty finished on 33*.

Tea� one of the best in the Grannies fixture list. And the skipper didn't stop crapping on about it.

The Old Spots never give up the match� they know the conditions and play simple effective cricket. We had a good total and with Dom Ely getting an early breakthrough out confidence was up. But their second wicket partnership started to get on top of the excellent new ball partnership of Ely and Stanners. After a dozen overs the Old Spots were ahead of the run rate. Time to take the pace of the ball�and no one does that better than Chris "the Gette" Bazalgette. With his looping, swinging, flighted half volleys just (and always) outside offstump his first over induced their opener to play on. Time for a double change� Knighty came in up the hill and first ball nipped one back into the Old Spot's skipper and most dangerous bat. Knighty got into his stride and bowled well, unlucky to not get more success, finishing with 2 for 46. It was left to a Granny deserter (James Lamb) to take the long handle to the Gette peppering the cows over the fence at long on until he miscued to mid off where the skipper ran round in circles before latching onto the skyer. Sam was brought into the attack to accelerate the downfall �bowling from the hard and bouncy end at full pace before pulling his hamstring�after which he reduced his pace down to the low 90s mph� off two paces. The end of was nigh, but not before Knighty took a blinding catch at fly slip and Scotty rounding off his excellent all round effort with a brace of wickets.

The usual hospitality followed in the setting sun. What more could a Granny want? Another ham sandwich?

Match info

A new fixture for the Grannies in 2006 this is a beautiful, privately owned ground attached to a pig farm deep in the heart of Surrey. No coincidence then that the ham sandwiches at tea are some of the best you'll taste! The Old Spots play their cricket in the same spirit as the Grannies which makes for a competitive but friendly game. Nice place to bring the family to.

In 2006 we gave them a hiding...and in 2007 they beat us in a more balanced contest, but it is fair to say that we didn't perform to our potential.

Location
Follies Farm,
High Street Green,
Chiddingfold,
GU8 4YB

How to get there
Follies Farm is a mile out of Chiddingfold on the road to Dunsfold. Chiddingfold is on the A283 about halfway between Milford (just off the A3) and Petworth. The ground is not visible from the road but is down a track perpendicular to the road running through the farm. Mind the pig!