Sat Jun 25th Grannies win by 2/3 wickets
Players
Match report
Heavy overnight rain, fortunately deflected by the covers at St Johns and a diligent groundsmen, meant that play could have begun on time at 1130 had not the Grannies captain been stuck in traffic between Swindon and Oxford. As it was play began at just before 12 with the Grannies having won the toss and electing to field - the skipper deducing that a damp pitch and a forecast of good weather later dictated ignoring Dr Grace's maxim.
Demijohns began well, seizing on anything over pitched but then a smart catch at 1st slip by Davis off the impressive Gibbs to remove the free scoring DJ captain saw the oppo become becalmed and the Grannies apply increasing amounts of pressure with all bowlers delivering consistent lines in particular, length being occasionally variable.
Following an excellent lunch DJs resumed at 63-2 with honours even in the first session. Wickets occasionally fell but the run rate never increased and so the Grannies were happy to leave gaps in the field (of necessity with only 10 Grannies turning out) while pushing for wickets. A long spell from Davis, ably supported by Yeates preceded an excellent spell of tight bowling from Hodgson to which the DJ batsmen had no answer.
As the DJs started to push for the declaration more chances were forthcoming, with 2 smart catches at the wicket by Hooper removing some potentially dangerous middle order batsmen and turning the game towards the Grannies. The DJ innings was completed by Watt with one of the most nonchalant one stump runouts this correspondent has ever seen. The TV cameras didn't require slow motion replays because even in real time everything seemed to slow down.
So the Grannies were left to chase 177 to win from roughly 150 minutes of batting. At 17-2 this looked like a tall order but Hodgson and Philpott put on approximately 100 for the 3rd wicket. Hodgson in particular batted marvellously well, scoring all round the wicket and putting pressure on fielders who started to wilt in the heat. With check-in beckoning at Heathrow for a flight to Edinburgh he announced to a reassured captain that we were both there for the duration and then promptly holed out to long off.
Perhaps distracted (albeit not surprised) by his misplaced faith, the skipper succumbed 3 overs later, playing against the spin and skying a catch to deepish mid wicket which was well taken by the back-pedalling DJ fieldsman.
Suddenly the DJs sensed a chance, with the Grannies still needing 60 to win. Notwithstanding some somewaht outdated views as to etiquette in friendly cricket, Rowland ("not played for 2 years skipper") came to the crease like a wizened pro and played just the sort of mature innings that was needed, quite in keeping in fact with his advancing years. Punching the ball into gaps and galloping (or was it gambolling?) for the other end, Rowland, ably supported by Davis took the game away from the DJs. Even when Davis gave a return catch to a grateful bowler, bringing Ely to the wicket for what the skipper assumed would be a match-winning innings, victory was confidently anticipated.
Two overs later and Yeates arrived at the wicket to provide the coup de grace, Ely having playing a delightful clip to backward square which was gleefully snaffled, prompting some sledging from the DJs opening batsman about inability to play shots which brought a new definition to irony.
A few smartly struck shots to the boundary by Yeates were followed by a sumptuous pull shot over mid wicket for 6 by Rowland to seal the victory. With very little food left after either lunch or tea this completed a very good days work by the Grannies.
Match info
Very pleasant all day game against keen opposition. Now at a new venue - St John's College sports ground, fantastic lunch and tea. Bowlers please apply early.
Location
St John's College sports ground,
Woodstock Road,
Oxford,
OX2 7AD
How to get there
Travelling north on the Woodstock Road in Oxford the turning to the ground is on the left hand side after Frenchay Road and before the turning for Lathbury Road on the right. The ground is hidden behind the houses so the entrance is a small lane between 2 of these houses. If you get to St Edwards School on the Woodstock Road you have gone too far. If you turn the map to a satellite picture you can see the ground to the left of the pointer.