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Result - Armadillos

Sun Jul 23rd Grannies win by 119 runs

Match report

Due to a few last minute dramas 9 Grannies arrived at Sheffield Park more in hope than expectation that the match would make it to lunch due to the torrent of rain which had been forecasted.

The covers had been on all night and, despite a damp outfield, both sides were keen to play. It was agreed that we would play 20 overs from 5pm, rather than 6pm, in order to give the best chance of beating the weather and getting a result.

The Grannies won the toss but, with only 4 of the 9 players having actually arrived at that point, the practicalities of bowling with a one / one field meant that the Grannies would bat first.

Jay faced up and was watchful in seeing out the first over. Simon sadly didn't have the luxury of being watchful as the first ball of the second over was an absolute jaffer which cut back off the pitch to take the top of his off stump.

Ed strode out to the wicket with the Grannies 0 for 1 off 1.1 and immediately settled any nerves which may have been jangling as he and Jay set about building a score which our bowlers and four / three field could defend.

Ed's innings was a thing of beauty and as he glided to a chanceless 50 off just 34 balls the Grannies in the pavilion had stopped Googling 50 greatest rain dances and were eagerly awaiting his 100. Sadly it wasn't to be as a smart catch saw him depart for an effortless 65.

Jay, by then well set, took on the role of the aggressor and was next to pass 50. The feast or famine theme continued with Jonny being caught behind without troubling the scorer.

Jay and Lewis then put on 43 for the fourth wicket before Jay, gentlemen to a fault and not wishing to overshadow Ed, departed for 64. Lewis departed shorty after for a well made 27.

Will caressed 25 off 21 balls, producing a range of shots each more expansive and aesthetically pleasing than the last. Peter came and went and it was decided that despite the now steady rain the Chariman really should don his whites.

The weather was showing no signs of improving and in order to make a game of it and at least let the 'Dills have a bat before the weather did for us all it was decided that 200, or the fall of the next wicket, would signal the Grannies declaration. The sixth Grannies wicket fell with the score at 200 so that was that and rightly or wrongly the Grannies called time on their innings in the 38th over.

The Grannies took to the field to defend both score and honour. Peter got us going with a wicket off the first ball of their innings and all was going swimmingly. Easy this cricket lark, even with 9 men!

Ed came on from the other end and found their number 2 bat, Ben Pullen, in the mood for beating the rain as he took 12 off the second over. Peter went for two fours before taking two wickets with the last two balls of his second over. It really was helter skelter stuff.

Ed found his line and length and got in amongst the wickets with an LBW. At 26 for 4 off 4 we wondered if we might be done before tea. The 7 Grannies outfielders 'crowded' the bat for Peter's hat trick ball but it passed without incident.

Pullen then found a willing ally in Hugh Griffin and they put on 41 for the 5th wicket before Ed bagged his second LBW of the day trapping the dangerous Pullen for 21. Ed then snared his third LBW of the day with his very next ball. The Grannies again 'crowded' the bat for the second hat trick ball in 7 overs but again it passed without incident. With the score at 67 for 6 off 10 thoughts were turning to a famous Grannies victory.

Lewis came on to try some flight and guile as Griffin and Jack Bebb looked to dig in and take the 'Dills through to tea. Ed however, clearly keen for another crack at the catering, had other ideas and confirmed his status as an all rounder by running out Griffin for 28 from short fine leg.

Tea was taken at 74 for 7 off 13 and the Grannies, conscious that the rain was still coming and going, made short work of it before heading back out to try and take the last three wickets and send us off to the Griffin in style.

Lewis finished off his over before passing the ball to Gordon at the other end. Gordon was instantly on the money and, had it not been for a wide in his first over, would have finished with figures of 3 wickets for 0 off 2.5. Gordon's three wickets, all taking the top of off, wrapped the match up with the 'Dills score on 81.

The weather was a real test for the drainage at Sheffield Park and the fact that we played 57 overs of cricket is a credit to the Armadillos investment of time, effort and skill.

Thank you to all who played a part in an extraordinary match. Thanks must also go to the Armadillos for their hospitality and being as keen to play on through the rain as we were.

I'm off for a lie down!

Match info

In addition to the named players:

Ed Gross
Lewis Roberts
Tom Atkins

The match will be played at Sheffield Park, Sussex, 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.

Location
Sheffield Park,
Uckfield,
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).

Use the main entrance off the A275, signed Sheffield Park and Garden. Follow the sign to the visitors car park. Continue past the car park through the two sets of wooden gates. 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 "Armadillos CC 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.