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Result - Dusters (T20)

Fri Jun 6th Grannies come up 4 short.

Match report

A full Grannies side arrive on time at the College to be greeted by 'we only have five players; a bug has decimated our team; we are scraping around for some others - and best if we bat first'. That is Dusters code for ' we know we have a lot of quality players available and are just trying to drag them away from last bits of work on a Friday - it's easier to bat in the light'. Historically this opening to this match always results in a toughly and we were not to be disappointed.

Last years 1st XI skipper, on gap year, opens with a series of classy 4's thru the covers off James Sibree but our LNZCC ringer, Sam Martin, ties them down with accurate medium pace to the toes. A quick LBW and the ex skipper is back in the hutch but replaced by some real class as their No3 strokes a cool 25 and retires. No2 follows with his 25 and things are looking a bit grim.

Enter debutante Matt Withers, recently returned from a year playing Aussie league cricket after leaving the Tonbridge 1st XI as their top keeper. Naturally, as Bob is keeping, he is brought on to bowl - not a natural talent but three wickets and two run outs later and we have the Dusters pegged back at 151 off their 20 overs. Not a huge total in the context of the match history but tricky on a slowish emerald green outfield.

Larry Brennan and Matt Gullick open and after settling in for a couple of overs start to stroke the ball around in their own inimitable style. Larry succumbs on 21 to an unlikely catch by the current 1stXI player (Greenidge - no relation we are told ) but Matt cruises thru to retire on 25. Toby Sykes produces a stylish 17 before being bowled which brings Matt 'the keeper' to the wicket. A rapid 26 rtd and we are right back in it - famous last words as they bring on a recent leaver whose accurate medium pace ties us down thru overs 11 to 16 but the golfing pair of Adrian West and John Gibbons seek to make amends and get us back into contention before both succumb while pushing hard. A last wag by our Kiwi and Saffy ringer (oops, candidates) see us to a nail biting last over but one last boundary eludes us and we finish on 148.

A great game on a beautiful track against very friendly oppo who then ply us with beer and BBQ as ever.

PS - we used the pink ball for the first time - which Bob's hands do NOT like.



Match info



Location
Dulwich College,
London,
SE21