Grace's winning streak continues!
Match report 29th June home V Southall Dragons – won by 66 runs
Most of the Grace’s team realised they’d made a mistake by not packing their long sleeve jumpers after arriving at a slightly chilly Greenford to play new opposition Southall Dragons. A slightly late start resulted in a 35 over game – Grace’s were invited to bat on what appeared to be a nice flat track.
Opener Stuart drove the first delivery for 4 (a sign of things to come!) and added 20 for the first wicket off 6 overs before Dom was LBW to a ball that cut back on him . Naroshan came in at 3 – the visitors had found a good line and length which Stuart patiently defended. The 2nd wicket pair took the score to 61 in the 13th over before Naroshan was bowled for an entertaining 17 off 18 deliveries.
Noddy then joined Stuart in the middle and also patiently saw the accurate bowling off. The pair’s patience was suitably rewarded as the supporting bowlers were unable to emulate their openers and the score board started to speed up with both batsmen scoring freely with a range of drives and pulls. Southall didn’t help their cause with a series of drops – Noddy being the main recipient!
Stuart continued the attack with some great drives and cuts reaching his maiden fifty for Grace’s.
A century looked there for the taking before he drove into the covers and was sharply caught (one of the 2 Southall hung onto) for a stylish 85 off only 78 deliveries. The partnership was worth 96 in only 12 overs! The score was now 157 for 3 – Anosh then came in and carried on the attacking display – Noddy brought up his fifty with a six (off 47 balls) before he was finally caught with the score at 193 for 4 in the 36th over.
Regan and Mendis came in at 6 and 7 and both hit sixes before being bowled going for it – the Grace’s innings finally came to an end at 225 for 6 – Anosh adding a brisk 30 not out. Sid again had no luck with the ball as a Southall batsman edged him through the slips! Skipper Dom looked happy as the batsmen had given the bowlers something to aim at!
After a warming tea the sun finally came out as Southall started their reply. In Newton’s first over opener Jasmeet played on driving – a great start for the home team! The second wicket pair played well adding 29 until Baines, the number 3 , was caught behind by Jonners off Mendis for 14. Karan, the number 2, was magnificently caught in the covers by Naroshan who somehow managed to get both hands to a really sharp chance. 59 for 3 became 75 for 4 as Mamun got a finger to a ball driven back at him to deflect the ball onto the non-striker’s stumps and run out the number 4, Prad.
This summed up the contrasting fielding displays as Grace’s made few errors in comparison to the visitors. Credit to the Southall batsmen as they decided to go for it and with an array of shots kept the scoreboard moving. Mamun picked up an LBW before Naroshan held onto another great catch running in from the outfield to catch the dangerous looking Suraj.
After this the visitor’s fight seemed to be lost as the last 4 wickets fell for zero runs – 2 wickets apiece for Mendis and Regan.
So an encouraging performance with both bat and ball against very friendly opponents who are keen to play us next season.