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Result - Wiltshire Queries

Sun Aug 22nd Match Drawn

Match report

Our annual fixture against the highly competitive Wiltshire Queries eventually petered out into a rather tame draw; batting second, the Grannies were left needing around 160 runs in the final 20 overs of the game and decided, on the basis of (i) having lost 4 quick wickets in 5 overs and (ii) having been soundly thrashed the year before, to haul in sails and play out for the draw in appalling light and against quality bowling. The not out batsmen Paul Knight (46*) and Dominic Fry (36*) struggled to deposit the ball over the fence with sufficient regularity; but were given little opportunity to up the rate as the Queries bowlers maintained a disciplined line and length throughout.

Chasing 220 to win in a little over 40 overs, our innings had not started well, with the mercurial Ed Gardiner-Hill caught behind off the second ball of the innings. Paul Knight and Matt Gullick consolidated well, but Matt too knicked off shortly before tea where we were 36 for 2. After tea, Knight was joined by Henry Weston-Simons, who added impetus to the ever-slowing run rate with a breezy 15. There then followed a touch passage of play as Weston-Simons, John Tilbrook, Quinton Newcomb and Tim Piper all departed in rapid succession without giving the scorer much of an opportunity to draw individual wagon wheels!

The Grannies could have some cause for complaint that they were unable to face the same number of overs as they bowled at the Queries; but, "at the end of the day" it was this rapid succession of wickets than set the tone for the final session of the day.

Earlier in the day, the Grannies had lost the toss and were invited to take the field against a typically young and thrusting Queries side bristling with positive intent.

The Grannies were buoyed not only by the late inclusion of Dom Ely into the side, but also by the excellent high quality shirts procured by the Match Manager with the assistance of Merchandising Manager Nick Yeates.

The shirts promised "Revolutionary new cricket shirt design incorporating lightweight moisture management fabrics with engineered mesh back panel for enhanced cooling and ventilation. Athletic fit with ergonomically designed sleeves and side panels top provide maximum range of motion."

Not much of this was in evidence in the first 7 overs of the day as the Queries raced to 42 without loss. Dom Ely looked menacing from the top end and regularly had batsmen playing and missing; Paul Knight struggled to find his usual swing from the other end and was replaced by Grannies Stalwart Jon Staniforth.

Ely was soon in business, though, inducing a series of leading edges and bowling a series of unplayable deliveries. This fine spell, ably supported by "Stanners" at the other end, had the hosts reeling at 96 for 5 at lunch. Ely had all 5, and his figures of 5 for 34 in 13 overs tell the story better than any further verbage! Mention must be made of some excellent fielding, notably from John Tilbrook who took a number of body blows as well as a sharp catch, and Matt Gullick who seemed to be in business almost every ball.

After lunch, the Grannies continued to keep pressure on the run rate, with Match Manager Fry taking over from Ely and continuing to take wickets from the same end, ably assisted by Bob Percival's immaculate glovework with a lightning stumping off the left arm medium pacer, followed up with a sharp catch rising outside off stump. Useful spells from Quinton Newcomb and Tim Piper also followed, with Piper picking up the final wicket (the only "non-Dom" to take a wicket for the Grannies, with Ely and Fry sharing the other 9!)

However, the Queries consolidated well and ate up a large number of overs, closing their innings on 219 all out from a little over 52 overs.

Overall, a thoroughly entertaining day on an excellent ground and a first-class catered lunch. Very many thanks to all of those who played in this "Wiltshire Tour 2010" fixture, and I look forward to having you all back again next year.

A really, really credible performance from all, in a season where the Grannies have struggled to maintain performance in all-day games!

Team: Gullick, Gardiner-Hill, Knight, Weston-Simons H., Newcomb, Tilbrook, Piper, Fry, Ely, Staniforth, Percival.

Man of the match:

Fielding: Dom Ely: An inspired spell of swing bowling against quality batsmen.

Batting: Paul Knight: Anchored the Grannies' response with a measured not out.

Match info

Around 50 minutes drive down the M4 from London lies the picturesque (apart from Swindon) county of Wiltshire. Its premier wandering club is called the Queries, and the Grannies CC is lucky enough to have a fixture with them every year. The fixture used to be played at Tidworth but has now relocated to Devizes CC - a wonderful ground with an excellent pavilion, fast outfield and good batting track.

Last year saw a triumph of Youth (the Queries) over Experience (You-Know-Who!). We hope to improve upon last year's performance, particularly our somewhat impatient batting in the morning session!

We will be joined by John Tilbrook, a friend of Quinton's; Gwilym Thomas has left us for New York but Dom Ely is a more than adequate replacement! Henry Weston-Simons make us up to the full eleven.....FOR NOW!

Location
Devizes CC,
The Sports Ground,
London Road,
Devizes,
SN10 2DL,
United Kingdom

How to get there
From London on the M4: Leave the motorway at J14 and follow the A4 through Hungerford and Marlborough. Follow the A4 about 6 miles out of Marlborough until you hit Beckhampton roundabout (passing Silbury Hill and the Waggon & Horses pub). Take the first exit (signposted Devizes A361). On entering Devizes town centre (c. 7 miles) you will see a large police station on your right. The turning to the ground is after the police station, on the right, just before the canal bridge.

From London on the M3: Leave the motorway at J8 and follow the A303 to the South West. Just after Amesbury, leave the A303 and take the A344 towards Shrewton, then the A360 to Devizes. From Devizes Town Centre take the A361 London Road (signposted Marlborough). Go past the pond and St.James Church, and straight over the mini roundabout. The turning to the ground is 200m on left just after canal bridge.