Skip over navigation

Result - Falconhurst

Sat Jul 2nd Grannies WIN by 26 runs

Match report

The Grannies batted first, under cloudy skies, on a pitch that appeared to provide some variable bounce. There was definitely something in the wicket for the bowlers and in these conditions, against some very classy variations of pace, our openers struggled to gain the upper hand.
Ashley Butterworth provided the backbone of the Grannies innings and went onto accumulate a score of 52 as the Grannies lost wickets at regular intervals finding ourselves 1-22, 2-26, 3-32 and 4-32. It say's a lot for Ashley's innings that the opposition later voted him our man of the match and presented him with an enormous hamper of fresh meat.
Thanks to partnerships between Ashley and Andrew Carr (who scored a very breezy and confident 23) and Steve McDowell (a late recruit and old NZ school friend of Julian Graham) who contributed a thoughtful and nicely paced 16, the Grannies tentatively pushed on.
With the Grannies precariously poised at 119-8, Henry Collins came to the crease at number 10 and started smashing the ball to all parts of the ground with one particularly memorable, extremely long, straight six. When Henry's cameo finished on 24, the Grannies were finally dismissed for 147.
Following a most sumptuous tea, the Grannies took to the field and had Falconhurst in serious trouble at 14-5.
Henry Collins bowled with pace and bounce and returned with match figures of 10-4-31-4. Henry was ably backed up by his opening partner Julian Graham 8-0-31-2(who also bowled with accuracy and guile). Falconhurst's team captain then came to his sides rescue as he started to get on top of the Grannies bowling and plundered 78 runs before being brilliantly caught in the deep by Andrew Carr off the bowling of Will Snowden.
When the captain's wicket fell at eight down Falconhurst were only 28 runs shy of the Grannies total of 147. The remaining Falconhurst batsman, however, didn't put up much further resistance and the Grannies had them all out for 121; winning by 26 runs.
Will Snowden bowled a crucial late spell, not only removing Falconhurst's danger man, but cleaning up the tail as well. Will finished with a very tidy 6.1-0-16-3. The Grannies fielding constantly surprised with Ed Gardiner-Hill,Ashley Butterworth,John Rayer and Andrew Carr all holding onto sharp chances on top of some excellent out fielding.
Falconhurst could not have been more hospitable and, as always, at this most beautiful of grounds, a great day was had by all.


Match info

A good fun village game in the countryside near Tunbridge Wells/Edenbridge with a good pub to retire to afterwards.

Location
Falconhurst,
Markbeech,
nr Blackham,
TN8 5NT