Fri Jul 25th Grannies win by 2 runs
Players
Match report
This was as close to the perfect cricket match as the match manager has ever been involved in.
Winning the toss on a scorcher of a day was a good start and the Grannies duly elected to bat.
Grannies: 263 for 5 declared
(Warner 75, Knight 51*, Weston-Simons 41)
The groundsman said that the ball would keep low on the wicket. Any doubts we had about the veracity of this statement were dispelled when James Philpott was cleaned up by a shooter after stroking 3 authoritative boundaries. And then Andrew Carr was unfortunate enough to receive a carbon copy delivery after only having had the opportunity to score a single.
With the fall of these two early wickets, 14 year old Sam Spencer, making his Grannies debut, came to the crease. The Bluemantles fielders closed in but Sam was soon taking advantage of this, playing some exquisite shots to push the score along and build a profitable partnership with Ed Warner that saw the Grannies go into lunch at 120 for 2.
After lunch, Sam was finally dismissed lbw by a ball that kept low (surprise surprise) for his highest ever score of 36. Ed kept going and opened his shoulders to keep the runs ticking over whilst the match manager kept practising his forward defensive at the other end. It was a surprise to all when Ed finally missed one and was bowled for 75.
With the same four bowlers being used in rotation to the same fields, Sam Weston-Simons took over from where Ed left off, scoring a rapid 41, and eventually Paul Knight joined the party getting to 51 before declaring. I wasn't counting, honest.
Bluemantles: 261 all out
(Weston-Simons 4 wickets, Bagley 3 wickets)
Things started well for the Grannies when Ben Scott produced a pearler with his second ball to have one of the Bluemantles' openers caught behind by the ever-reliable Chairman.
The Bluemantles were clearly intent on making a game of it, however, scoring at a rate of knots in the 50 minute spell before tea. Crucially, though, Sam Weston-Simons trapped the No.3 lbw shortly before the break and tea was taken at 4:45pm with the Bluemantles on 63-2.
Upon resumption, Mark Lesniak (aged 15) bowled a super spell, swinging the ball across the batsmen from around the wicket and eventually getting due reward when Sam Spencer took an outstanding diving catch to get rid of the remaining opener.
From then on, it was the Bagley and Weston-Simons show. As Sam concentrated on keeping it tight from one end, Martin picked up three wickets (one stumped, two lbw) as the batsmen struggled to score off his wily spin bowling.
To their credit, the Bluemantles never considered shutting up shop and the runs continued to be accumulated with Rupert Bairamian, in particular, proving a thorn in the Grannies' side.
An exceptional catch off his own bowling seemed to give Sam Weston-Simons second wind, and he clean bowled the No.9 to leave the Bluemantles 8 down with about ten overs left in the day.
With not every chance being taken, it wasn't until James Philpott executed a direct hit from square leg that the ninth wicket fell with four overs left and around 25 needed to win. The No.11 promptly hit two fours, and Bairamian struck ten off Sam's following over.
Enough runs were accumulated off Martin's final over of the day (his twelfth in row - not bad for a 67 year old) to leave the Bluemantles needing three to win off the final over.
Sam clearly decided that he had let things go on long enough, and produced a corker to bowl the No.11 with the first ball of the last over, giving the match manager his first Grannies' victory as captain.
Many thanks to all who played and produced a result for the first time in five years (after two draws and two cancellations).
Match info
If the sun shines, this is a wonderful fixture on The Nevill - a ground used annually by Kent. The past couple of matches have seen The Bluemantles have the better of two draws, and it would be nice to assemble a strong side to get the better of them this year!
Location
The Nevill Cricket Ground,
Nevill Gate,
Warwick Park,
Tunbridge Wells,
TN2 5ES
How to get there
FROM THE NORTH
From M25 junction 5 take A21.
Continue on A21 to junction with A26.
At roundabout continue on A26.
Bear left on to the A267 and turn left
into Warwick Park.
Turn left into Nevill Gate.
FROM THE SOUTH
From A267 continue on road towards
Tunbridge Wells Town Centre.
Turn right into Rodean Road.
Bear right onto Warwick Park.
Turn left into Nevill Gate.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
National Rail
Tunbridge Wells Station 0.75 miles
Passenger information - 08457 484950
or www.nationalrail.co.uk
Buses
From surrounding areas to Frant Road End
numbers 252, 254, 256, 280, 283 & 791.
Also via Hawkenbury End route 285 buses.
These stop at Forest Road with short walk to ground.