Grace's batsmen fill their boots!
Match report 22nd June 2014 away to Southgate Synagogue CC
Grace’s 264 – 7 off 40 overs , Southgate SCC 184 all out off 35 overs – a win by 80 runs
Grace’s rolled up to play new opposition in north London on a perfect afternoon for cricket. Southgate SCC play at a lovely little ground with a flat outfield and a nice strip. Skipper Dom was happy that no toss was necessary as the home captain wanted to field first.
This meant Leo and Stuart renewing opening the innings – we didn’t get off to the best start as Stuart was LBW in the third over. This brought Dom in at three – he played his usual circumspect innings before uncharacteristically advancing down the strip to Mymin and being bowled. His total of 8 included a 5 resulting from an overthrow that reached the boundary!
Noddy had been held up in traffic but arrived in time to go in at number 4 – after some nicely hit boundaries he was caught off a leading edge for 15 after looking set for a big innings. Mendis then came in at 5 with the score at 77 for 3.Meanwhile at the other end Leo had taken a liking to the bowling and was continuing from his previous score of 50 with some perfectly timed back foot cover drives. The spectators were particularly entertained by his effortless 6 over the cover boundary!
Mendes must have had a hearty breakfast as he too took the attack to Southgate’s bowlers. His quick fire 50 came up off only 26 deliveries with three 6’s including one over the pavilion and also a one handed pull shot! The ball was pinging off his bat with some text book straight drives. After reaching his fifty he slipped and was LBW. This partnership had added a rapid 97 runs and took the score to 174 in only the 29th over. If Southgate had thought there’d be some respite Newton had other ideas and was soon dispatching the ball to the boundary, This partnership added 40 in only 6 overs against the tiring bowling attack. Leo had continued his classy driving – Southgate hadn’t learnt and kept bowling to his favourite area! Eventually looking to push the score along he finally mistimed a shot and was well caught in the covers for a Grace’s best magnificent 89 runs scored off 86 deliveries including 12 fours,
Simon then came in for a nice cameo of 14 to keep the momentum up – Newton meanwhile was continuing his assault finally being bowled for 48 off only 32 balls – Anosh continued the momentum adding to the 13 off the last over. Southgate had done a lot of chasing but credit to them didn’t give up.
After a welcome tea Newton and Mendis opened the bowling attack – Newton was on a hat trick ball but didn’t manage to get through the opener’s defence. Steady bowling kept the run rate down until Anosh held a sharp catch at slip – 33 for one after 6 overs. The Southgate middle order couldn’t dig in and wickets fell regularly taking the total to 52 for 4 after 10 overs. The 5th wicket added 44 before the tail started to collapse leaving the score at 127 for 9. The last wicket pair provided entertainment as a succession of clubbed shots added 57 before Mendis finally bowled the number 11 , Levein , for 23.
Mendis was the pick of the bowlers with 4 wickets for 31. It should also be mentioned that Leo still had the energy to pick up 2 wickets! One concern was that extras conceded 44 runs – easily the top score. So an entertaining game against friendly opposition – not the strongest we’ve faced – but application was still needed.