Hampton Wick even the score!
Match report away to Hampton Wick Royals CC 7th September 2014
So after what seems to have been an endless summer our last (possibly) fixture arrived down in lovely Hampton Wick nestling at the edge of Hampton Court Park. The morning clouds cleared as Gordie won the toss and opted to field (a decision possibly influenced by our recent batting first performances). Last season Regan had ripped through their top order before hitting a rapid 80 to win the game for us. The home team featured a 14 and 16 year old and I don’t want to calculate the combined ages of the two teams as there would be a serious discrepancy!
In Regan’s absence (and the late running Newton!) Mendis opened the attack and immediately bowled the young opener Jones. This raised hopes of a similar game to last year but the other opener Hirsch and the number 3 Miller showed some good skill as they steadily accumulated runs against Gordie , Mamun and Anosh. Grace’s seemed to be doing a lot of chasing on the big outfield as the total continued to rise with few, if any, chances being given.
The century partnership came and went before Gordie deceived Hirsch with a juicy full toss which was hit straight to Mendis at mid on for 68. So 120 for 1. After drinks Newton arrived and entered the attack, bowling well as usual. Anosh eventually snared Miller LBW for 49. This signaled a slight wobble as the number 4 Blanchard attempted a single and was run out by Newton for a duck. The home team were now 144 for 4. Some lusty blows took their total to 211 for 5 (Newton caught & bowling the number 5 the only further wicket)
Grace’s had bowled well on a track that had the odd ball keeping low, rarely allowing the batsmen to dominate – the home side had showed us the way with good footwork coming down the track to spin. Niroshan typified the fielding attitude chasing everything – the boundaries were very long!
So tea was taken in the lovely club house before Gordie and Leo opened the batting for the visitors. Things didn’t go to plan as Gordie played early skying a catch to mid on for a single – when Leo was bowled for 7 Grace’s were 11 for 2 in the 4th over with some work to do. Scott went in at 3 and played diligently supporting Mendis who looked in good touch with some silky drives until looping a catch to point. Stuart ,at 5, played positively for a quick 14 before being LBW. 53 for 4 became 62 for 5 in the 18th over as Scott was LBW for a patient 13.
The batting seemed to follow a pattern as the middle order Grace’s batsmen looked set and then a misjudgement cost them their wicket. Niroshan was bowled for 9 and Simon mistimed a drive to mid on taking the score to 81 for 7 in the 23rd over. This brought Anosh together with Newton who was playing his usual attacking innings as he blasted his way to an entertaining 43 including the day’s only 6. He lost Anosh on the way – a good supporting role with lots of running! Jonners came in at 10 – 134 for 9 in the 35th over – Newton was eventually caught bringing Mamun in to share the last 4 overs – Grace’s were going down fighting as the last pair ran some cheeky runs taking the final score to 144 for 9. So a loss by 67 runs but a very enjoyable game against very hospitable and sporting hosts.
So if this was the final game it typified the season for Grace’s with a game played in good spirit against accommodating opposition on a lovely sunny afternoon!