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Result - Armadillos

Sun May 19th Grannies win by one wicket

Match report

A fantastic setting, good weather, an impressive team performance and a memorable Grannies' victory after a tense finish.

The Grannies won the toss and elected to field. After an early breakthrough when Robbie Noble had the Armadillos' star opener caught behind by Olly Priestman, the Armadillos began to assert themselves, scoring at a comfortable 6 per over. But they were restricted by accurate spells of spin bowling from James Howie and Simon Leefe. James (4-38) only narrowly avoided a 5-wicket haul as a result of two inspired runouts - first when Tom Brierley rifled in a return over the stumps from the boundary, and then George Marsh scored a direct hit from deep square leg with only one stump to aim at.

The Armadillos still finished with a challenging 222-9 declared after 48 overs. This looked easily achievable when Tim Brocklehurst, batting at 3, cruised to a rapid 59 and the Grannies were 93-2. In true Grannies' fashion, however, wickets then began to fall, and the innings subsided to 187-9, with 36 still needed for victory and only one wicket left. But help was at hand in the shape of number 4, Tom Brierley, who had batted throughout with style and power. Ably supported by last man Pari Job, Tom kept the strike, retained his composure under pressure and accelerated with a memorable display of shot-making to finish the game with 3 overs to spare and a match-winning 95 not out.

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.