Sat Jul 30th The Grannies lose by 2 wickets
Players
Match report
The Grannies were bolstered by debut appearances from some Old Amplefordians, we had two Dunn brothers (Anthony and Peter) and two Wright brothers (Ted and Tom), and Ben Murphy also filling in for a Grannies debut.
On a fine sunny day and with the prospect of a theoretically “heavy” batting side the Grannies won the toss and elected to bat. However, with both openers getting ducks, the Grannies were quickly on the back foot after some decent bowling from the OAs. Ben Murphy’s debut appearance at 3 and first outing with the pads after 3 years appeared to be going well but was also sadly short lived as the OAs openers ripped through the top order and we were quickly 25 for 4 with Jimmy Pout also falling. Tom Hoskyns and Peter S-W both showed some determination under pressure to see out some overs and get runs on the board but their partnership of 50 odd was ended by some sharp catching in the field from the OAs. Tom’s score of 35 and Peter’s 28 proved to be the 2 best Grannies’ score of the innings. After the openers the bowling standards didn’t drop as both Ainscough brothers came on at first change and skittled through the rest of the middle order and the tail with disastrous consequences for the Grannies. Ted Wright made an admirable 13 at number 9 with the only other double figure score. The OAs only required 4 bowlers and 29 overs to finish off the Grannies and keep the score at 112 with some excellent fielding.
After a burger in the local pub and few pints to quench the thirst, the Grannies began their defense of 112. With 40 overs to play with, it seemed a very daunting afternoon indeed but the Grannies were in good spirits. Tom Kerridge and I started the bowling attack and we were quickly rewarded with a quick wicket in the first over from yours truly with a great catch from Jimmy Pout at mid off. Baz Fitzherbert came in at 3 and quickly steadied the ship to see out the opening bowlers and put runs on the board. Peter S-W came on to bowl a decent spell and take out the other opener Josh Prest’s middle stump with a cracking ball. Anthony Dunn was on at the other end and with his first bowling display for the Grannies he produced some brilliant consistent bowling that was swinging nicely and causing the OAs some real problems. With Baz making a fine half century it did seem dire for the Grannies but Anthony managed to make the breakthrough and bowl Baz middle stump. With another couple of wickets quickly coming after with some fine catching in the field from Kit S-W for Anthony’s third. The wicket of the day though was Anthony’s fourth which was caught and bowled with some dynamic reactions to a ball which was coming above his head at pace! As Anthony’s wicket haul began to grow so did the belief in the Grannies that they might be able to pull this off. Kit S-W added to the wicket total with another catch from Jimmy Pout to leave the OAs at just shy of 100 with 7 wickets down. Only 3 wickets to go and of course the next came from Anthony with a superb ball that nipped off the seam and was caught behind by Tom Wright for his fifer! With only 2 wickets needed and 10 runs to get, unfortunately the Grannies couldn’t hold on though and the OAs reached 112 with 8 wickets lost. A ropey batting display from both sides with some excellent catching and bowling all round made it an exciting encounter which was finished off with some cold beers in the sun. Anthony Dunn being the clear MoM for the Grannies with his fifer but special mention should also go to Baz Fitzherbert from the OAs who reached a half century with a total of 54. Thanks to Joe Ainscough, the OAs and Worth School for another great match and hopefully next year the Grannies can get a win as yours truly has now lost twice in a row to his old school team!
Match info
Also played: Anthony Dunn, Peter Dunn, Ted Wright, Tom Wright, Ben Murphy
Location
Worth Abbey 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.