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Result - Yellowhammers

Sun May 12th Lost by 242 runs

Match report

This fixture has left its mark on previous participants. It is not just the fantastic surroundings of Sheffield Park but the challenge of competing with an excellent opposition. Indeed, the pressure of last year's fixture was such that the match manager is now in the Far East recuperating.
The day started well with sunshine and the possibility that rain wasn't going to arrive till early evening. However, things quickly changed as at the toss I was informed that the Yellowhammers were short as they were awaiting the 6 schoolboys from Eastbourne.
Having won the toss and elected to field in the hope that the sun on a damp wicket might lead to some early chances it became apparent that the captain had no ability to read the pitch. As Eddie Brennan held one end and got an early breakthrough, (finishing with figures of 11 overs, 1 for 44), the opposition adjusted to the conditions and played sensibly through to lunch before accelerating to 289 for 4 at declaration. The grannies had kept their heads up despite the onslaught and with high hopes went out to bat.
Sadly, the Yellowhammers had other ideas. On a wicket that was definitely not suited for early season batting they held their catches and as the rain began to come down some dubious LBW decisions seemed to be given with the intention that a result was going to be a definite outcome rather than come off for the draw, (I'm not bitter honest!). All in all the grannies crept up to 47 all out, (a score that Essex can only dream of!).
Thank you to all for playing, making the trip and to Nikki Todd and her colleagues for an excellent lunch.

Match info

This match will be played at Sheffield Park in Sussex at a ground that has played an important part in English cricket history. In 1876 a cricket field was established and The Australian XI opened their tour their between 1884 and 1896. Lord Sheffield's team included W.G. Grace. Such was the significance of this fixture to Australian cricket that they named their domestic trophy, or shield, after Lord Sheffield. As part of the resurrection of the ground by the Armadillos cricket club, the Grannies have made a significant financial commitment and bought into a five year debenture which allows us to host two games per season.

Location
Sheffield Park,
Forest Row,
TN22 3QX

How to get there
The Cricket Ground is within the National Trust's famous Sheffield Park Garden, Sheffield Park, East Sussex TN22 3QX Telephone: 01825 790231. It lies midway between East Grinstead and Lewes, 5 miles north west of Uckfield, on the east side of the A275 (between A272 and A22).

At the main entrance to the Garden, follow the road past the National Trust shop until you come to a five-bar gate. Go through the gate until you come to a second gate at the foot of the lake. There are signs from the main entrance to guide you to the cricket. If the gates are locked, the number for the padlocks is 1111.

Once through the bottom gate, follow the track around to the left and you will see the signs marked "Car Park". Please park within the signs; you should not park beyond the final sign stating that parking is not allowed beyond that point. You may however drive up to the pavilion to drop off any equipment, but must then return to the designated car park straight away. You will see the ground (and the pavilion) through the trees from the car park. The ground is surrounded by a deer fence but the gates through it will be unlocked.

There are one or two points that we would please ask you to note.

� The ground is within the confines of a National Trust Grade 1 garden.

� If gates are closed or locked when you come to them, could you please ensure that you close or lock them again after you have passed through.

� Please remember that there will be members of the public visiting the garden; in particular, there is a 10 mph on the roads down to the ground. We would ask you to observe it.

� Dogs are not allowed at all within the Garden and therefore not permitted at the ground.

� We are required to draw your attention to the fact that the two oak trees on the left of the vehicular access into the ground are not considered safe by the National Trust. We would therefore ask that you avoid walking or sitting beneath them.