Gordie brings us home!
A typical April afternoon (cold with rain!) saw Grace’s start the 2012 season – at least 2 jumpers were necessary. Dom lost the toss (first time for a long time) and Pacific opted to bat first on an artificial strip. The start was delayed due to the footballers being very reluctant to leave the outfield so it became a 35 over match. Jonathan switched sides as we had 12 and Pacific only 10. A newly fit Noddy (welcome back!) opened the attack with Hemang and immediately they produced controlled bowling that was difficult to get away restricting Pacific to 30 for 1 off the first 10 overs. Manish and Anosh were first change and maintained the line – after 20 overs the score had progressed to 77 for 1.
The last 15 overs however saw the Pacific number 2 , Thornton , start to push things along with some fine driving and cutting. He was set to post a good total until Abhi held on to a sharp caught and bowled chance. The final total off 35 overs was 168 for 6. After a relaxing tea break Dom and Abhi started the chase , Dom was bowled playing over a straight ball and when Noddy departed shortly after hitting a long hop to backward sure leg who took a great one handed catch , it was not the best start. Mendes joined Abhi and the score advanced to 43 before Abhi provided Jonners with a second catching opportunity which he held (unlike the first!) for a good looking 25. When Mendes misjudged one and was caught and bowled we were in trouble at 45 for 4. This became 63 – 6 with debutants Tom contributing an encouraging 10 and Mittel running himself out attempting a suicidal 2nd run. Leo steadied the ship with Gordie to take us to 113 before edging to the keeper to become Ahmed’s third victim.
When Manish and Anosh holed out the game looked over at 124 – 9. However Gordie , supported by a very responsible Hemang , had other ideas. Good deliveries were patiently blocked with Gordie dispatching anything loose. When he took 16 off 3 deliveries Pacific heads dropped with their skipper rotating the bowling to try to break the last wicket partnership. A sharp catch was dropped at point but that was the only chance. Gordie made the most of this and finally hit a 4 to win the game and also to reach a well deserved 50. So a victory snatched from the jaws of defeat thanks to Gordie showing great concentration and application – a lesson that our batting will need to take on board for the rest of the season.