Low scoring run chase fails!
Match report 10th May v Roehampton Bats
Lost by 22 runs
After the previous week’s wash out Greenford was warm and sunny for the visit of Roehampton Bats. This game saw two debuts, Matthew and newbie Dean. Dom won the toss and not being too sure about the green strip invited the visitors to bat.
Rob continued his great swing bowling getting the wickets of both openers (bowled) leaving the score at 19-2, a great start. Newton also was accurate restricting the scoring. The visitor’s number 3, James (F) was not going to let himself be dominated by the bowling and attacked anything loose. Having caught everything against South Loughton Grace’s then proceeded to drop at least 5 in the afternoon including the number 3 twice. These were to prove costly as he went on to make an entertaining 47 before Mamun eventually bowled him. In the meantime wickets fell regularly at the other end – Rob got his third wicket bowling Thew, the number 4, for 2 runs. Dean took a sharp catch at point off Anosh while Matthew took a sweet catch at deep mid on to see Dixon (no 6) out for a duck.
James was supported by Cox and Brunner at 7 and 8 as 59 for 5 became 88 for 6 and 109 for 7. Being short of a fifth bowler Dom bowled himself – this resulted in a wicket for him, bowling Brunner for 15. Newbie Dean also chipped in with 4 overs and one wicket. Dom also took a nice catch at mid on and Roehampton were all out for 129 in the 36th over. As tea was taken Grace’s could feel happy about a great bowling performance but perhaps ruing the dropped catches which would have seen the visitors out for under 100.
Encouragingly the pitch played nicely after last season’s unpredictable bounce.
Dom and Stuart opened our innings and after a promising start a mix up resulted in Dom’s run out 19 for 1. Stuart soon followed being caught mistiming at deep square leg. 19 for 2 then became 23 for 4 as both Naroshan and Newton were bowled by the accurate Dixon (AL) Grace’s were in trouble and Jonners came in at 5 and dug in , Dean at 6 had a nice cameo before being caught for 11 – 37 for 5. Scott in at 7 in the 13th over then batted sensibly with Jonners for the only partnership of any significance in our innings.
Roehampton had understandably been very chirpy as Grace’s early wickets fell but became quieter as the total advanced. The bowling was rotated and eventually Jonners was LBW for a dogged 18 in the 26th over – 54 precious runs had been added taking the total to 91 for 6. Grace’s were now back in the game but when Scotty was out LBW to the accurate James for a well crafted 27 , Roehampton spirits were raised – 106 for 7. At this point there were still 12 overs left so Grace’s still had plenty of time to score the 24 needed with the 3 remaining wickets.
However despite 11 from Anosh the pressure told and our tail failed to wag and we were all out for 108 – our last 4 wickets falling for only 2 runs. It should be noted that extras were 2nd top scorer in our innings (24)
Sociable Roehampton then joined us in the club house for drinks and après match discussions about a very entertaining game!
After a great bowling performance Grace’s should have been able to reach the low total especially as the wicket played really well – definitely a case or more application and patience from our batters as well as the importance of catches!