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Result - Old Spots

Sat Jun 5th Grannies win

Match report

An Anomalous Day

Anomaly 1: it was sunny. At last a real hot sunny summer day of cricket and there are few places that you�d want to be for that combination. It was still and warm so Jim got a few sarcastic groans from the team when he won the toss and chose to bowl, and then placed himself at first slip whilst the bowlers did the work. Martin Stringer and Stanners opened the attack and both hit a good line straight away restricting both batsmen.

Anomaly 2: average age of the Grannies team was below 40.

Anomaly 3: the fielding was committed and athletic (Stanners...don�t worry about the drop). We were able to keep a tight ring of fielders and the batsmen couldn�t score easily. Result: the Old Spots were in the 18th over (of 40) before they passed 50.
The pressure was building and the bowling change worked. Will Addison bowling his slow left arm bowled their opener. Then with their remaining opener beginning to open up against Scottie�s left arm darts, Will induced an edge from a flashing drive, and Jim fielding at second, third and fourth slip, took a reflex catch in his left hand. The bowlers kept tight lines, James Marriage taking over from Will picked up 2 for 42, although he did let a chance go down and was punished the next over by the Old Spots skipper David Leng.

Anomaly 4: The plan worked. Leng was dominating so Chris Good came on to take the pace of the ball with some legspin flight and guile. Leng holed out in the deep...another good catch by...oh dear I�ve forgotten who took it...answers on a postcard please (I suspect it was Will)..

Martin came back to get some numbers in the wickets column...Stanners got spanked in one over by a guy who had one shot...which Stanners obviously liked the look of and they were all out for 174

Tea: ham sandwiches....need I say more?

Yeates Snr and Jim opened the batting. Yeates snr planted his foot too early and was adjudged in front. Yeates jnr lasted a little longer but unfortunately not much so we were 2 down inside 4 overs. Scottie marched out, white as a sheet, and after two or three singles and twos he declared that he wasn�t up for any more twos as he was feeling a bit sick...blaming it on Miss Scott (of 6 months).
Scottie and Jim took the score up to just short of 100 before Jim knicked one behind for 64.

Anomaly 5: we didn�t collapse. Will joined Scotty and fluently took us to within sniffing distance of the target before Will tried an ambitious mow off their opening bowler and Chris joined Scottie to see us home.
Beers and banter followed...and Martin began a new career as a lumberjack, but without a saw or axe instead using the rear of his car.
Halcyon days on the pig farm.

Match info

A new fixture for the Grannies in 2006 this is a beautiful, privately owned ground attached to a pig farm deep in the heart of Surrey. No coincidence then that the ham sandwiches at tea are some of the best you'll taste! The Old Spots play their cricket in the same spirit as the Grannies which makes for a competitive but friendly game. Nice place to bring the family too.

In 2006 we gave them a hiding...and in 2007 they beat us in a more balanced contest, but it is fair to say that we didn't perform to our potential. 2008 was our year once again with a good total to defend, and last year we lost the game with poor bowling and fielding.

Location
Follies Farm,
High Street Green,
Chiddingfold,
GU8 4YB ,
UK



Location
Follies Farm,
High Street Green,
Chiddingfold,
GU8 4YB ,
UK

How to get there
Follies Farm is a mile out of Chiddingfold on the road to Dunsfold. Chiddingfold is on the A283 about halfway between Milford (just off the A3) and Petworth. Heading south on the A283 at Chiddingfold turn left at the green (not the cricket pitch). Follow this road out of Chiddingfold for about a mile and take the first turning left. Follies Farm is on the right hand side. The ground is not visible from the road but is down a track perpendicular to the road running through the farm. Mind the pig!