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Result - Old Amplefordians

Sat Jul 31st The Grannies lose by 75 runs

Match report

Old Amplefordians 121 All Out in 29.2 overs
The Grannies 46 All Out in 17 overs

A theoretically strongish Grannies side was soundly beaten by an OAs team that had consumed a cumulative 126 pints of Harvey’s the night before.
With the second Lions test looming late afternoon, the OAs pushed for an early start and a slightly shortened format; a 30-overs a side format was thus agreed, with the OAs batting first.
The early omens were exceptionally promising, with Armour and Burton’s pace and swing double act reducing the oppo to 15 for 4 inside the first few overs. Lions build-up viewing seemed eminently achievable.
But we Grannies are a capricious bunch.
Despite an exceptional debut performance from Fergus de Mestre, teasing the OAs middle order with his deftly flighted left arm orthodox, the scoreboard began to tick over as the ale-ridden fog cleared from OA minds.
A target of 121 always looked competitive, but surely not even the oppo presumed it would prove that competitive.
The Grannies’ innings will not be recalled with any great fondness by those in attendance, and the grand total of seven runs mustered by the first seven batsmen will give the reader some indication why I do not wish to dwell on the details.
A few lusty blows from Wilkinson towards the end helped propel the Grannies beyond prep school embarrassment territory, but only just. Next year we hope the OAs choose something stronger as their pre-match refreshment.

Match info

Team also includes Will Dunn's friend Tom Kerridge. It's now a 40 over a side game; meeting time revised to 10am.
Also playing for the Grannies was young Fergus de Mestre.

Location
Worth School,
Paddockhurst Road,
Turners Hill,
Crawley,
RH10 4SD

How to get there
From London
Join the southbound M23 and leave it at Junction 10A (the second exit after Gatwick). Go up the slip road and take the first exit marked Balcombe B2036. Keep on this road until you reach a pub on the left called the Cowdray Arms. Once there, take a very sharp left onto the B2110 (Paddockhurst Road), signposted to Worth Abbey, Turners Hill and East Grinstead. The School is ¾ of a mile along this road on the right hand side. Follow the signs to School reception.

From East Grinstead
Take the B2110 to Turners Hill. At the crossroads, go straight over and within a few hundred yards the road forks left towards Handcross and Worth Abbey. The School is two miles down this road on the left hand side. Take the turning signposted School and follow the signs to School reception.

From Brighton
Follow the A23 for approximately 15 miles, leaving it at the sign marked Handcross and East Grinstead. Turn right at the mini-roundabout and follow for about five miles the signs for East Grinstead (B2110). At the junction with the B2036, turn left and fork right almost immediately at the Cowdray Arms pub. The School is ¾ of a mile along this road on the right hand side. Follow the signs to School reception.

From Horsham
Take the A281 to Lower Beeding and then the B2110 to Handcross. At Handcross the 'From Brighton' instructions above apply.