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'Graveney in Well Deserved Victory against Bounders'
By Richard Hussey
Bounders 140 all out
Graveney 141 - 5 wickets
Graveney Win by 5 wickets
After the initial dismay
of Abinger Hammer cancelling the fixture this week, Graveney were
pleasantly surprised to arrive at the sleepy, picturesque Surrey village
of Dunsfold. Due to Nick’s hard work once again a fixture had been
hastily arranged against a fellow nomadic team called The Bounders.
The first couple of
Bounders that arrived caused no alarm to the assembling Graveney team,
as they were, as Barry put it “more his vintage” but soon the sound of
youthful Australian accents were to be heard coming from the car park
which gave sudden cause for concern.
Paul Jeffels, skipper for
the day lost the toss and the Bounders decided to bat first, in a 35
over match. The opening batsmen looked to play their shots immediately,
but good line and length from Barry and Tim B soon ensured that wickets
were there for the taking with both opening bowlers picking up a wicket
apiece. As the innings continued it was blatantly obvious that the
Graveney fielders had overcome the abysmal fielding performance of the
previous week and there was not a misfield or dropped catch to be seen.
Jez set the standard by
taking a catch off of his own bowling, and was proudly showing off his
bruised finger later in the pub. Jay picked up a wicket, although the
Bounders batsmen had set about his bowling and at this point looked as
if they could post a fairly useful target.
Enter Kev Mcgill, who
completely bemused the Bounders middle order with his use of flight and
movement in the air and off the pitch. With the aid of a sharp stumping
by Dave Moody and an even sharper catch at silly mid off by the skipper,
Kev ended with the fantastic figures of 3 for 11 of 7 overs. Oli Jago
helped mop up the tail, taking 2 for 1 off 2 overs, leaving the Bounders
floundering on 140 all out.
Tea was taken outside the
lovely wooden pavilion, and slightly earlier than was scheduled, Paul J
and Oli began the Graveney innings. The Bounders opening bowlers were
fairly pacey and the left armer from the war memorial end of the ground
was swinging the ball in both directions. Both openers looked
comfortable until Oli nicked one behind to the keeper. Rich came in to
join Paul, and both slotted in to playing their normal game and got the
scoreboard ticking over nicely.
The Bounders secondary
bowlers did not fare too well with Rich hitting 3 sixes to the short
boundary on the leg side although at the same time had to avoid some
short pitched deliveries. After playing a solid innings Paul was finally
out for 42 in similar fashion to last week, coming down the wicket,
although this time he edged the ball to the keeper rather than being
stumped.
Barry joined Rich and
looked in form until skying one to long on. Rich after passing 50 tried
to put the ball into orbit but missed, getting bowled for 52. Big Tim
came to the crease after being promoted to 6 in the order but was given
out LBW for a golden duck. Combined with his solitary over earlier in
the day, it was not the best of games for Tim, although he did kindly
retrieve the scorebook from the pavilion, were it had been left, whilst
everyone else was ensconced in the pub after the game.
After a couple of lusty
blows from Howard, Jez, the finisher, scored the winning runs giving
Graveney a well deserved victory by 5 wickets.
All in all a great days
cricket against a friendly bunch. However they must sort out the service
in the pub if we play them again next year!!
Man of the match:
Kevin
McGill's 3-11.
Champagne moment:
To
be confirmed. |
