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Result - Invalids

Sat May 21st Grannies Draw - skipper should have known!

Match report

I haven't often played in Grannies sides at Stonegate which have suffered from scoring too many runs and bowling far too well - this "winning" draw might be the first.
Memories of last year's Invalids semi-pro ringer and their sharp bowling seemed to become clearer and yet more fantastical prior to walking out to the square with their blazered skipper, Kit, coin in sweaty palm. Negotiations at the toss seemed to go our way. With only 9 men, many pleading some bowling or batting malfunction, I was quietly satisfied with what seemed like quite a decent deal; batting first in a time game.
Their bowling was a little tamer this year. Taking advantage of the unlimited overs allocated to his profoundly hungover strike bowler, the Invalids skipper didn't change the bowling until around the 25th over. Finn had really got into his stride by then and returned with a 61 liberally sprinkled with classic, haughty drives and dismissive swats down the slope into the brambles.
Our back of house team had been only a little less proactive. Invalids supporters were trawled for possible players and a fine catch was landed with Harry Wright, opening bowler for Eastbourne College and William Smith, the opposing skipper's own son. With a resolute Siebert (20) and Gardiner-Hill at the crease, 11 players and the average age of the team dramatically reduced the odds on a Grannies victory started to shorten. However, as tea was being prepared the wickets began to fall and a collapse seemed possible. Then the Gardiner-Hill was unleashed. A destructive 52 of the sort that typifies the player perhaps took one�s eye of Pryke�s elegant 15 and Daffarn�s stout 10 n.o at the other end. Grannies declared at tea with 197 for 6. �Too few� lamented the not optimistic Finn.
The Invalids never really got to grips with our fine opening bowling. The aforementioned Wright and Tom Gibbs bowled exquisitely with no luck returning with only one wicket each. Maiden after maiden was bowled as Invalid outside edges remained unscathed and in-swinging Yorkers were kept out. A change was needed to draw the batsmen out of their shells. Siebert, demonstrating the subtle loft, drift and vicious finger spin that one hears about on TMS, still could not get the Invalids to bite. Play and miss, play and miss. Candidate Toby Gundry (�I�ve not played for five years�) was just the man to turn the game around. With his 3 for 20 (including a double wicket maiden), Gardiner-Hill�s earth-quaking diving slip catch and Siebert�s spectacular direct hit run out, our opening bowlers were whistled up to winkle out the remaining obstinate Invalids. Alas, they were resisted stoutly. Indeed, even an over from the opposing skipper�s 9 year old son bowling to his father would not break them.
So a draw it was, perhaps a more detailed analysis of the Invalid�s team sheet may have made us favour an �overs� format but once bitten, twice shy.

Match info

A fun game at the home of Grannies cricket, usually in blazing sunshine with a drying wicket - bowl first I say.

Location
Stonegate ,
TN5 7ED

How to get there
the cricket pitch is shown on the map just to the right of the postcode. From the centre of Stonegate follow signs to Ticehurst and it is about 400 yds along the road on your left hand side.