Skip over navigation

Result - Odiham & Greywell

Sat Sep 9th Winning draw for Grannies

Match report

There is a time for heroes. But sometimes fate intervenes.

Straining to etch their names in the history books, the ten men of the Grannies were cruelly denied the chance of a famous victory by unseasonal September rain. Messrs Staniforth, Fernie, Maisey and Stone were desperate to get out on the pitch to wreak havoc on the batsmen of Odiham & Greywell. But instead they were confined to the pavilion by persistent rain halfway through the match.

The home team had provided the usual excellent fancies and dainties to eat at the interval but, such was the mood of the Grannies' bowling attack, raw meat would have been more appropriate. Sadly, they did not have the chance to even mark out their run-ups for the second innings. The closest they got to the wicket was at Chairman Bob's enforced post-tea warm-up, and a brief jog to pull on the covers.

What a pity, for this game had everything apart from a second innings: a Grannies collapse, savoury waffles, two superb half-centuries, a disputed run-out, several other run-outs which were indisputable, a delightful rural location, plus a young off-spinner giving the ball more of a rip than is frankly decent in a friendly game.

The bare facts are these: batting first after winning the toss, the Grannies were bowled out for 126 on a pitch which proved slightly sportier than it looked. When the first rain break came, things had appeared rosy: 90-1 after 22 overs, with Jim Streeter and Jamie Williams mastering the elements. They both went on to make 51 apiece, innings whose significance was accentuated by the absence of double-figure scores elsewhere.

Indeed, the second half of the scorecard was a riot of binary: 0,0,1,0,1 - a delight for computer programmers but less appealing for a Grannies team keen to maintain their dominance of the last few years over Odiham. But the home team had bowled tightly and well (as they invariably do), offering little to hit and demanding concentration from the batsmen.

In truth, no-one ever felt well-set, and 36 runs and 8 wickets off the last 13 overs is a tribute to the fielding team's resolve - although it is fair to say that they did gain some help from occasionally wayward shot selection and frequently suicidal running. Even so, early wickets would have made 126 a nervy chase for the Hampshire side. Odiham's openers were content to watch the rain and enjoy a pint or two of Andwell Gold Muddler, knowing that they had had a lucky escape.

Match info

Just a few miles off the M3 in leafy Hampshire, this is a lovely way to bid the 2017 season farewell/get your eye in for Rwanda. After last year's washout, there is palpable excitement about the match - one of the Grannies' most enduring fixtures with friendly oppposition and a fine bar.

Location
Odiham & Greywell C.C.,
King Street,
Odiham,
RG29 1NF