Match report 17th April 2022 v Middlesex Development CC
So the 2022 season swung into action with a trip to a new ground in Chiswick to play new opposition. The Middlesex Development team is made up of youngsters with a range of disabilities – the youngest being 15.
First a big shout out to our trusty band of supporters who turned out once more to cheer us on including Chris “skippy” who made it down from Barton Seagrave.
Also great to see Glenn and Sam from the Unicorns who drove down from the midlands to play for us – we have a special bond with our fellow LGBTQ+ club
Normally bank holiday weekends are damp and chilly but we were pleasantly surprised to have a fantastic day for cricket , sunshine and about 20 degrees.
Ari ,making his debut as skipper, lost the toss and we were invited to bat first on a pitch that looked a bit patchy – the outfield is used for football and is a bit bumpy as a result.
Glenn and Michael opened for us against the young openers – the first overs set the tone as there were some wides as well as some accurate stuff – this was their first game as well. The score had reached 20 when Glenn edged behind and sportingly walked despite there being no appeal – Mahender was soon LBW and with Mendis and Michael also dismissed Graces were in trouble at 44 for 4.
Ari then played a captain’s knock together with Jesant in an entertaining partnership that saw runs flow before Jesant was caught behind for a classy 26 – 114 for 5. Newton reached double figures before being bowled trying a cheeky shot. After Ari was LBW for a quickfire 42 Graces tail failed to wag and we were all out for 155 in the 28th over. Our hosts had used 8 bowlers with Matt Dicks being the pick with 4 wickets for only 15 runs off his 4 overs.
Middlesex had been particularly generous with extras as these totalled 43 -This made them top scorer! – I can’t recall this happening before.
After a fine tea including a magnificent carrot cake Graces took to the field. Newton proceeded to get a wicket with our first ball bowling their opener. Our hosts were soon in deeper trouble with wickets falling reaching only 14 for 5 down. Ari was able to rotate the bowling to make a game of it – Ivy supplied the champagne moment bowling Haroon with their very first ball!
The early season wicket was a bit unpredictable with some bounce and also some keeping low. Middlesex battled gamely but wickets fell regularly and they were eventually all out for 56 – the last wicket pair showing some stubbornness. Newton and Dom picked up 3 wickets each.
Graces then retired to the clubhouse for some well deserved drinks and to relax in the sunshine.
So a winning start to the season and a chance to brush off the cobwebs in a very sportingly played game – sterner tests certainly to follow.