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Result - Old Amplefordians

Sat Aug 1st The Grannies lose by c.30 runs

Match report

A hungover but decidedly youthful (read: useful) OA side proved too strong for the Grannies in only their second weekend of cricket after the pandemic-enforced break.
Having won the toss, skipper Hoskyns elected to test OA’s batting line-up with the unconventional-yet-distinguished-sounding new ball partnership of de Mestre and Von Behr.
Following a couple of close LBW shouts early on, the OA openers made hay until Joss Dare intervened with some cunningly flighted off spin.
Despite some excellent middle overs toil from Will Siebert and a late injection of pace from Ben Hope, the runs continued to flow as a somewhat undercooked Grannies attack struggled to find its collective groove.
Highlights of a lively fielding performance included three stumpings from club chairman Percival and numerous athletic stops at cover from debutant Pout.
A 40-over target well north of 300 looked to be beyond reach, but Grannies openers Streeter and de Mestre had other ideas. After a circumspect start, the pair began to open their shoulders, with Streeter unfurling some expansive drives before holing out as the run rate crept higher.
From that moment on it was the AdM show, as Strauss-like efficiency gave way to Trescothickian brawn en route to a (virtually) chanceless ton. Surely an early contender for performance of the season. Capable support came from all-rounder Hope.
An unlikely victory seemed within reach until Andrew’s dismissal five overs from the close, but ultimately OAs ran out winners by 30-odd runs.
After an interminably long lay-off, AdM’s innings – coupled with the excellent spirit in which the match was played – served as a perfect reminder as to the invigorating joy of Grannies cricket.

Match info

Also playing: Michael Cumming-Bruce, James Pout, Paddy von Behr

Location
Worth School,
Paddockhurst Road,
Turners Hill,
Crawley,
RH10 4SD

How to get there
From London
Join the southbound M23 and leave it at Junction 10A (the second exit after Gatwick). Go up the slip road and take the first exit marked Balcombe B2036. Keep on this road until you reach a pub on the left called the Cowdray Arms. Once there, take a very sharp left onto the B2110 (Paddockhurst Road), signposted to Worth Abbey, Turners Hill and East Grinstead. The School is ¾ of a mile along this road on the right hand side. Follow the signs to School reception.

From East Grinstead
Take the B2110 to Turners Hill. At the crossroads, go straight over and within a few hundred yards the road forks left towards Handcross and Worth Abbey. The School is two miles down this road on the left hand side. Take the turning signposted School and follow the signs to School reception.

From Brighton
Follow the A23 for approximately 15 miles, leaving it at the sign marked Handcross and East Grinstead. Turn right at the mini-roundabout and follow for about five miles the signs for East Grinstead (B2110). At the junction with the B2036, turn left and fork right almost immediately at the Cowdray Arms pub. The School is ¾ of a mile along this road on the right hand side. Follow the signs to School reception.

From Horsham
Take the A281 to Lower Beeding and then the B2110 to Handcross. At Handcross the 'From Brighton' instructions above apply.