Sun Jul 17th Match Cancelled - Oppo unable to raise a side but rearranged game held
Players
Match report
Here’s the match report from the Armadillos game (which became a Armadillos/Grannies/Heretics fixture)
A last-minute cancellation by the Armadillos on dubious grounds wasn’t enough to dull the Grannies’ enthusiasm for an outing on a scorcher yesterday. After some hurried coordination over Instagram no less (yes, the Grannies really have embraced tech this year), there were the beginnings of a DL Sayers’ plot line as the Grannies, Heretics, and Flashmen did battle at Culham Court.
Given the contest was slated as Heretics vs Flashmen, the 7 Grannies were split across the two teams. The skippers tossed up and the Heretics elected to bat first on a typically dead wicket. Tidy spells from an opening pair including R Bethwaite kept the Heretics subdued and persistence was soon rewarded with their first Heretics scalp. The prospect of an S-W to S-W matchup was quickly dispelled as K S-S shouldered arms first ball and was bowled middle stump. Despite being on a hattrick ball, the Flashmen bowler (an England net bowler no less) was taken off and it was up to P S-W to wreak havoc, taking 3 wickets in his 4 overs to leave the Heretics in trouble. J Linnet, turning out for the Grannies proved a reliable foil to H Browne of the Heretics and the ‘Tics crept to a respectable 156. Honourable mentions to T Carr for solid support with the bat and R Sword who, having been bowled off the second ball he faced and despite his protestations, acted as runner for the 10th wicket (Heretics were 1 short).
The Heretics’ opening pair bowled with pace and discipline as they set about defending a potentially tricky total on a poor wicket, but a Flashmen (and Proteas junior player) lived up to the moniker and hit the ball to all parts on his way to a brilliant, match winning knock of 83*. A solid spell from T Carr couldn’t stem the flow and the Flashmen cantered home with 7 wickets to spare. Cue a team photo and a cooling dip in the Thames.
The Flashmen were gracious hosts as ever and a great time was had by all
Match info
Location
Sheffield Park,
Forest Row,
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.