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Result - Odiham & Greywell

Sat Sep 13th An 8-wicket victory for the Grannies

Match report

Odiham & Greywell 195-7 (35 overs)
Grannies 196-2 (33.4 overs)

When candidate Tim Downes stroked the winning runs through extra cover, amid lengthening shadows, the Grannies completed an emphatic - some might even whisper the word 'clinical' - 8-wicket victory over Odiham & Greywell. Three Grannies half centuries turned the pursuit of six runs per over into a largely calm affair on a bright autumn afternoon, and the win came with eight balls to spare. It is fair to say that such an outcome had looked improbable a few hours earlier: with the home side racing to 44-0 in the first three overs of the match, the decision to insert them did not look like paying dividends. At 80-0 off 10 overs, the logic still seemed a little shaky and this blazing start was soon converted into a sparkling century stand by Odiham openers McLaughlin (57) and Munt (67). A score approaching 300 in the ThirtyFive35 match did not look out of reach. Jon Staniforth troubled both batsmen with his usual immaculate lines but had no luck, while 15-year old seamer Adam Minshaw stuck manfully to his task despite nothing going to hand. These two bowlers are too proud and skilful to consider the leg-stump full toss/dolly to square leg gambit: they would rightly feel there is something ignoble about such a dismissal. There was a weary inevitability, therefore, about Adam Hill accidentally following this blueprint with the first ball of his spell. Yet such is the game - rubbish is sometimes rewarded, and following this fluked wicket the Grannies' fortunes began to change. Mike Fernie's eight overs were a wily masterclass in line and length, leaving Matt Siebert to provide the star turn with his off-spin. He bowled beautifully, taking 4-15 as catches were held - Jeremy Wynne judged perfectly a spiralling steepler - and Odiham's run-blitz was slowed to something more like a walk with heavy shopping. Bob Percival was in splendid, feline form throughout behind the stumps, whatever the extras column might say. And to cap a creditable team fielding display, young Adam Minshaw returned to bowl a superb over at the death - a great effort after a difficult start. His father Andy was dropped twice before reaching double figures as he opened the Grannies' reply. However, he and Nick May capitalised, their solid start morphing into a dominant partnership with both players middling the ball to all parts of Odiham's attractive ground. Minshaw senior fell first for 59, bringing in Jamie Williams, whose graceful back-cuts had onlookers mumbling mistily about Jack Hobbs. By the time he had departed for a brisk but lovely 51, the task was all but complete. Nick May attempted to inject drama by being dropped with the scores level, but survived to make an excellent unbeaten 75. Odiham were gracious in defeat, knowing that a couple of early catches held would have made the Grannies' run-chase considerably more fraught and that there is always next year. In a touching gesture, the home side's captain Chris Turner presented the Grannies with a pennant to mark Odiham's 250th anniversary. The very friendly association between the two clubs is only a couple of centuries shorter than that, but has promise.

Match info

A last hurrah in the Hampshire countryside before autumn sets in! This fixture is a Grannies favourite, with the results see-sawing over the last decade or so. Having said that, we have won the last two matches and a hat-trick would be nice. Anyway, a fine afternoon in pleasant surroundings with convivial opposition and a good bar.

Location
King Street,
Odiham,
RG29 1NF

How to get there
http://www.odiham-greywellcc.co.uk/