Sat Jul 30th Grannies lost by 7 wickets
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Players
Match report
With the sun out and a forecast for it to remain so the Grannies arrived at Ascott house ready to avenge last years defeat. The toss was always going to be significant as there remained some moisture in the wicket and what little cloud cover was present did not look like lasting long. Unfortunately, I lost it and we were put into bat.
The initial loss of Henry Weston-Simons to the opening bowler, (who bowled a searching line and length and deserved a lot more than he was rewarded with), brought Paul Knight together with James Battersby. They set about settling in and survived a testing period of bowling with fine shots square and in front of the wicket. Paul, (on 22), was bowled to the only ball that pitched and moved all day whereupon Patrick Tolhurst joined James who saw us through to lunch with a very respectable 103 for 2.
Lunch, as always, was spectacular, and sadly James fell on 47 shortly after play resumed lbw. It was an excellent innings that deserved a 50 especially given the morning�s initial bowling. Chris Checkley came to wicket not having picked up a bat for 2 years and proceeded to fluently knock off 25 runs quickly before Patrick fell for 21. Some lusty blows from Ben Kendrick continued the acceleration, accompanied by Peter Thomson-Glover with a final score of 180 all out looking like about 40 short of something defendable.
With Tom Gibbs settling into a good line and length it was no surprise when he bowled one of the openers with an inswinger. However, with the other left hander seizing on anything in his area and the pitch flattening out into a road, things were looking ominous. Gerald Slocock was unable to break the deadlock despite some accurate bowling before James Battersby claimed the other opener lbw, (having been lucky survive a plumb appeal a number overs before � and I know that is what all bowlers say, but it was true!).
With another delicious tea despatched Ben Kendrick proved unlucky as their number 3 hit it in the air to everywhere bar a fielder. Another bowling change led to James Thomson-Glover getting a wicket with his first ball but by this stage the die was cast and the Stragglers won by 7 wickets.
As always, thank you to all for playing, (particularly Henry who kept very well and without whom we would have been a few players short).
Match info
This is a beautiful ground on which to play cricket and always produces a very good game.
Lunch and Tea are excellent and the wicket is decent with shortish boundaries.
The fixture has something for everyone and there is plenty of space for families.
Location
Ascott Park Estate,
Wing,
Aylesbury,
LU7 0PS
How to get there
Best way to the ground from central London, is up the M1 to junction 9 and then up the A5 through Dunstable (anyone coming down the M1 should come off at Junction 11). About 2 miles beyond Dunstable take the A505 (signposted) to Leighton Buzzard and Aylesbury). Keep on this road (which becomes the 418 at some point) following signs for Aylesbury. In all the ground is approx 8 miles from when you turn on to the 505. As you speed along to Wing the entrance ground is on your left - it is well hidden behind trees and is extremely easy to miss. You will know you have missed it if you see any sight screens, a very fancy gatehouse or arrive at the village itself.....
The entrance you want is through farm gate and it does have a sign on mentioning something about cricket.