Sun Sep 2nd Grannies C.C. won by 3 wickets
Match report
With 400+ active and inactive members of the Grannies CC all presenting credible excuses for being unavailable for this short trip down the M4 for today's fixture, a slightly depressed match manager was reduced to calling upon the services of Avebury Cricket Club to honour the fixture and prevent an embarrassing cancellation. Many thanks to all 8 of them, as well as to the excellent James Streeter and Gwilym Thomas for making the game and ensuring a modicum of Grannies representation.
Winning the toss on a damp and green pitch, Grannies/Avebury decided to bowl first and were soon in the wickets thanks to excellent spells from Gwilym "Will" Thomas and Avebury's Rob Minton. Ball of the day went to Gwilym, whose final ball of his spell pitched on middle and clipped the top of off, to end a robust 40 from Trowbridge and Wiltshire star Tom Weaver. Change bowlers Richard Hughes and Monish Bhardwal were also excellent, with Monish's last seven overs yielding 2 wickets at a cost of just 4 runs. Pete "The Force" Force-Jones' unique brand of loopiness also tied the Queries in knots, and they ended their innings all out for 126 in the 39th over.
The Grannies reply was given early impetus by an excellent 48 from Jim Streeter, ably supported by a patient 14 from Gwilym. Patient contributions from Avebury's Andy Blake and Greg Dix kept the board ticking over, and despite a flurry of late wickets the match manager was able to contribute 20 not out to steer the side home in the 32nd over and given the Grannies their first win in this fixture for some time.
The Queries are very keen indeed to keep this fixture going and I believe our Committee shares this view. Its an excellent fixture - one of our best - and I would be delighted if we could have some more Grannies available for the 2013 fixture!
Match info
Around 50 minutes drive down the M4 from London lies the picturesque (apart from Swindon) county of Wiltshire. Its premier wandering club is called the Queries, and the Grannies CC is lucky enough to have a fixture with them every year. The fixture used to be played at Tidworth but has now relocated to Devizes CC - a wonderful ground with an excellent pavilion, fast outfield and good batting track.
Location
Devizes C.C.,
The Sport Ground,
London Road,
Devizes,
SN10 2DL
How to get there
From London on the M4: Leave the motorway at J14 and follow the A4 through Hungerford and Marlborough. Follow the A4 about 6 miles out of Marlborough until you hit Beckhampton roundabout (passing Silbury Hill and the Waggon & Horses pub). Take the first exit (signposted Devizes A361). On entering Devizes town centre (c. 7 miles) you will see a large police station on your right. The turning to the ground is after the police station, on the right, just before the canal bridge.
From London on the M3: Leave the motorway at J8 and follow the A303 to the South West. Just after Amesbury, leave the A303 and take the A344 towards Shrewton, then the A360 to Devizes. From Devizes Town Centre take the A361 London Road (signposted Marlborough). Go past the pond and St.James Church, and straight over the mini roundabout. The turning to the ground is 200m on left just after canal bridge.