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Result - Band of Brothers

Sun May 22nd Grannies draw in nail-biter

Match report

This was a weird one. We won the toss, inserted them and a 4-man attack, consisting of Tom Hamilton, Tom Gibbs, James Caldwell and Jamie Warner, bowled well, taking wickets at regular intervals, despite chances being grassed with equal regularity. By mid-afternoon they were 170 for 7 but we were already spraying it around, making it terribly difficult for the keeper (!) and extras mounted, while tiring bowlers failed to put away the low order. Ultimately BB declared on 244 for 7, many too many for us to get in the time available, unless Tom Hamilton, whom they clearly remembered from last year (70 in 30), came off again. Suffice it to say that, placed in an impossible position, i.e. facing a loopy bowler, he didn�t, and the innings subsided, only Jay Stockham (31) and James Caldwell (20) of the top order making any. The captain had expressed confidence that we batted all the way down, so a bit of pinch-hitting would do us no harm, if unsuccessful, but ultimately had to put his money where his mouth was, when we lost our 8th wicket with 4 � overs to go. All was well as long as Jonny Morris, from the Draffan school of highly competent cricketers, was knocking it around then keeping it out (ending on 25*). However, on the last ball of the match, with the Grannies on 121, the captain was bowled. A draw for all money - except that Nick Noble (who had lived up to his name and played when his son Rob had to stay at home to revise for his A levels) had most unfortunately done his hamstring and changed, and, so the captain thought, gone home! He was though spied on the boundary, ready if not raring to go, and a draw, if hardly a winning one, was declared. Let no-one though think this was a hiding, as the scores might suggest. This was a tale of opportunities missed and of an attempt to win against the odds in the best Grannies tradition, finally, and with some justice, resulting in salvation from defeat.

Match info

Match against the famous BB to be played at the ground recently restored by the family of Lord Harris, Captain of England in 1878 on the tour to Australia that initiated the Ashes. For more on the ground and house visit http://www.belmont-house.org/cricket.html


Location
Belmont,
Faversham,
ME13 0HH

How to get there
From Faversham / M2, exit junction 6
Turn onto the A251 heading South in the direction of Ashford. Pass successively through the villages of North Street (2 miles) and Sheldwich (3 miles), before reaching Badlesmere (4 miles), turn right and follow the brown tourist signs for Belmont; a further 1.5 miles.

From Ashford / M20, exit junction 9
Take the A251, heading North in the direction of Faversham. Pass through the village of Boughton Aluph (2 miles), straight across the Challock roundabout (4 miles) and continue North until Badlesmere. Turn left and follow the brown tourist signs for Belmont; a further 1.5 miles