Here’s the match report for our game at Hampton Wick
The Wick keep it in the family!
Hampton Wick Royals v Graces 31st may 2021
We usually play ‘The Wick’ at the end of the season and have been blessed with perfect weather at their glorious ground on the edge of the deer park. Thankfully after the continual rain of the past weeks the skies cleared for perfect cricket conditions and sunscreen application was necessary.
This game saw 3 debutants , Simon who has played for the England deaf team together with Sam and Michael from Sutton. Newbie Bena played his 3rd game for us.
Robert kindly scored for us utilising coloured pens for different bowlers resulting in a lovely looking score book – my own scoring efforts are far less pleasing on the eye!
As ever we had a great turnout of supporters and partners along to cheer us on – the bar was open throughout the afternoon!
Skipper Stuart lost the toss , we then fielded against young skipper Jack and his mainly youthful home team on the usual top notch wicket and outfield – they have what appears to be a conveyor belt of talented youngsters who make us run around the field – it’s been quite a few seasons since we’ve beaten them – could we make it two wins for the weekend?
Our hosts kept it in the family as dad Abid Ikram was accompanied by his two sons Zain (16) and Raffi (19) – this was the first time they’d all played together in the senior side.
Ted Goodwin was joined by his two talented daughters Erin (14) and Paige (17) – Paige was the first woman to represent the Wick in a men’s league match.
Sam and Manish (bowling medium pace due to a finger injury) opened our attack against young Zain and his dad Abid. Things progressed smoothly for the hosts until the 9th over when Sam bowled the senior partner for 9. Ted Goodwin strode in at 3 and had to promptly stride back out as Sam produced another accurate delivery to trap him first ball LBW – our tails were up!
The third Ikram (Raffi) was in at 4 as Graces fielders moved in for the hat-trick ball. Could Sam manage it? The fielders watched as he produced a great delivery to bowl Ikram! So a hat-trick for Sam on his debut! – you can see the hat-trick ball on social media. It’s all the more remarkable as Sam hadn’t played a game this season!
Those of you who were at Sutton last season recall that Sam came on late in our innings and proceeded to run through our batting order – he didn’t fail to live up to expectations!
This took the score to 34 for 3 and the home team had some rebuilding to do – Ahmed in at 5 led a charmed life as he was dropped twice before first change Bena finally got him with a low catch to Manish – Bena also bowled number 6 Flint for 5 taking the score to 94 for 5 after 22 overs.
Debutant Simon showed some nice movement with the ball during his spell of bowling.
Meanwhile young Zain had been playing really well , showing a range of classy shots (particularly cover drives) keeping the score mounting up and showing his team mates how to do it – he eventually reached an almost chanceless century before Adam stumped him in the 38th over. He scored 116 out of their total of 193. A few of his pull shots ended up in the car park to the consternation of the car owners present. This was Zain’s first century for the senior team – it won’t be his last with his talent. Paige Goodwin had provided a great supporting role for him in the final few overs as well as picking up a wicket later.
For Graces Sam picked up 3 wickets for 28 runs and Manish went for 23 for his wicket. Bena conceded 38 for his 2 wickets and Dom bowled 8 tidy overs all the way through for the first time in his Graces career!
After a BYO tea in the sunshine Dom and Michael opened against the 2 promising young Goodwin sisters – another first for Graces. Dom fell for a single bringing Leo in at 3 – an entertaining partnership followed as Micheal showed himself to be a skilled bat with a range of shots. Together with in form Leo 84 runs were added until Leo was caught for a quick and entertaining 41 in the 17th over. Michael almost immediately followed him back as he was run out for 33 in the same over.
Bena batting at 4 showed himself to be a fine rounder and a welcome addition to our squad as he took up the attack together with Scotty. Scotty was caught for 13 in the 25 over bringing Adam in with the score at 112 for 4.
We had always kept up with the run rate and as Bena went on the offensive , host skipper Jack rotated his bowlers (using a total of nine!) trying to slow the runs down. Adam supported ably with a fine cover drive being the pick of his shots – this partnership took us over the line with 3 overs left – Bena finishing on an entertaining 61 (including some big sixes) not out and Adam not out with 23.
So a rare win for us against the always welcoming Wick by 6 wickets
A great game full of firsts for both teams – it looks like a really promising season for us with the great additions to our playing squad.
After the game everyone enjoyed drinks and socialising on the grass outside the clubhouse in the glorious sunshine as the deer could be seen approaching the boundary fence.
Let’s hope the great weather lasts!
Jonners