Grace's prevail in tense finish
Octopus – Won by 61 runs
Veterans roll back the years
Charing X Med School – Won by 46 runs
Beddington – Cancelled (rain)
Another game falls victim to the weather
Torrential downpours made it impossible to get on the square.
Roehampton Bats – Won by 6 runs
Grace's return to winning ways
Welcoming new opposition Roehampton Bats to Greenford, Graces won the toss and elected to bat. Scott and Shofiq got the side off to a steady start before Scott was caught and bowled for 11 with the score on 25. The partnership between Shofiq and Mendis was looking promising until the latter mistimed a pull off Evans and was caught. The bowler had two wickets in two balls when Roop was adjudged lbw first ball. Shofiq and Modi then added 51 for the fourth wicket before Shofiq was LBW for a steady 42. Modi and Patel then took the score onto 163 before Modi was balled for an innovative 29. Patel went on to make an entertaining 37 as wickets tumbled at the other end in the chase for runs. Graces finishing their 40 overs on 182 for the loss of 8 wickets.
In reply, the bats were never up with the required scoring rate and at 42 for 5 seemed out of the game due an incredible spell of bowling from Modi who finished with figures 8-6-7-2. The Introduction of Evans provided the impetus required, scoring 75 runs and taking the score to 169 before the re-introduction of Tarun to the attack saw him caught behind. Nair who had batted patiently until this point , tried to hurry the score along and graces total looked vulnerable until he was bowled by Shofiq with little more to offer Roehampton Bats narrowly failed to reach their target, with Graces winning by 6 runs.
Man of the match for graces was Modi with 29 runs and 2 wickets for 7 in 8 overs and Man of the Match for the bats was Evans for his 75 runs and 4 wickets for 26.
FCO – Cancelled (no opposition)
Hillingdon Manor – Cancelled (rain)
50% of games rained off!
With this fixture rained off we have now reached the unbelievable milestone of having 50% of our games rained off – so far!
Hayes 2nd XI – Cancelled (rain)
6th game rained off!
Washington – Lost by 24 runs
Patel carries his bat as Grace's come close
A superb maiden half century from opener Patel was not enough to see Grace’s home against Washington at Greenford.
Stand-in skipper Hardisty won the toss and elected to bowl on a flat track. Washington reached three figures for the loss of only one wicket, and with little movement for the bowlers and a short boundary at one end, the visitors looked likely to post a high score. But the dismissal of Turner (42) and Smith (41), the latter to an extraordinary stumping by Hardisty, prompted a collapse. Bielby returned best ever figures of 5-32, but also conceded several sixes over the short straight boundary, as Washington chanced their arm towards the end of the innings.
In reply, Grace’s were unable to offer support to Patel who carried his bat for an unbeaten 65 including 7 fours and 2 sixes. A nagging seam attack and tenacious fielding made life difficult and wickets fell at regular intervals. As the innings went on, Washington’s fielders gradually retreated to the boundary until eventually the entire team (minus bowler and wicket-keeper) were on the rope.
Overall, a decent effort by Grace’s given the strength of the opposition. And many congratulations to Abhi for a great knock!
Hobgoblin Nomads – Won by 109 runs
Mamun gets 5 on debut!