Sun Jul 13th Grannies win by 8 wickets.
Players
Match report
The Seven Heroes of Hambledon
On Saturday evening before my first game as a Grannies Captain, I was faced with the daunting prospect of playing a match having only recruited seven players. It seemed to me to be the decent thing to do to leave the choice as to whether to play or not with the opposition Captain.
Encouraged by my comments that �whilst we only have seven, it�s a very good seven�, the opposition captain Gerry elected for the game to proceed. I failed to tell my own players that we only had seven men, ensuring that no one else would decide that they might prefer to stay at home and watch the test match, resulting in the game being cancelled.
In the meantime, the opposition skipper attitude had initially hardened into �lets get them in & roll them over� before moderating to �it will be a longer game, if we [Brigands] bat first�. Ultimately though a sporting compromise was reached, under which four opposition fielders generously volunteered to make up our team.
Matters were not helped by three of the seven Grannies going for a quiet drink in Fulham on Saturday night which turned into a �bit of a session�. Alex Rushent being decidedly the �worse for wear� on Sunday�.. however his skipper knew that Alex�s class would show despite too many mojitos!
Bowling
Father & Son Bob & Dominic Robinson opened the bowling, with both keeping runs tight and Robinson senior picking up an early wicket. First and Second bowling changes brought excellent and unchanged bowling performances from Alex Rushent [19 Overs 4 Wkts 13 Runs] and James Scott [5 Wkts for 36 Runs]. The Brigands were in a state of shock to be dismissed for just 92 (after a run of 5 consecutive victories. There was a degree of irony and humour in that 3 catches were taken by Brigands fielders. It is fair to say that the Brigands on- loan fielders acquitted themselves with integrity and honour apart from a Son who rather understandably, spilled a sitter of a catch looped to him by his father!
Batting
Alex Rushent (38) and James Philpott (20) opened the batting with Rushent playing his shots and Philpott supporting with commanding authority. This classy pair saw the Grannies to 70, before Liam Kelly and Jo Brennan brought the team safely home without any further scares to a stunning 8 wkt win. Joe Brennan adding to his excellent stint behind the stumps and Kelly having also contributed with the best catch of the day.
The Pub
The Brigands were gracious in defeat and attended a sociable drink at the Bat & Ball after the game. It was telling however, that six of the seven Grannies were the last to leave the pub, with James Scott only absent on �kit bag� delivering duties.
It was a remarkable victory which left the �Seven Heroes of Hambledon� suitably satisfied with their days work and ensured that in the �Original Home of Cricket� the Grannies are known as a force to be reckoned with.
Match info
Apparently the site of the first ever cricket match, this fixture is played next to the Bat and Ball pub, which is full of cricketing memorabilia and serves great food. The bounce on the wicket is extremely low, but it is possible to score runs on, as James Philpott showed last year.
Location
The Bat and Ball, Hambledon,
Broadhalfpenny Down,
Hambledon,
PO8 0UB
How to get there
The Bat & Ball is 4 miles west of the A3M, between Hambledon and Clanfield.