Sun Jun 4th Match Drawn
Players
- Ahmad, Akhtar
- Bentley, Arthur (c)
- Felgate, Harry
- Pougatch, Sam
- Pougatch, Mark
- Scott, James
- Simpson, Ollie
- Tritton, Felix
- Tritton, Theo
- White, Gavin
- Withers, Matt
Match report
After several year’s absence, it was a pleasure to have the Highclere fixture back on the Grannies roster but the Lord’s eleven was not a motley collection of the Berkshire countryside, but instead a team of crack shot London league players. The challenge was set. Fielding first, The Grannies stuck manfully to their task on a very hot day. Matt Withers - school first XI wicketkeeper morphed into Grannies opening bowler - put in an impressive shift and the bowlers never flagged. Theo Tritton took an outstanding sharp catch at cover, Harry Felgate picked up two wickets, the fielders got to see the inside of his lordship’s woods quite a few times, and the highlight of the innings was a controlled spell of fast-medium bowling from debutant Arthur Bentley, grandson of Grannies illuminati Tim Villiers-Smith. The captain was rather surprised to be informed by the umpire that after 7 excellent overs, Arthur had to come off due to rules and regs concerning teenagers. “Never heard so much bloody nonsense in all my life” said TVS… The declaration was a fair one, leaving us 266 to win and while James Scott (62) and Matt Withers (48) were at the crease we had a chance but with 7 overs left Felix Tritton was joined by the number 11, his uncle and captain, Mark Pou, and doggedly they assumed the mantle of Stonewall Jackson. Felix hit the odd bad ball for 4, and in the last over was dropped off a vicious off spinner at leg slip, the captain then took the last two balls and blocked the hell out of them as The Grannies limped to a draw. Sometimes they feel like a win. Great to have Highclere back.
Match info
This is a wonderful fixture and it's great to have it back on the fixture list.
Location
Highclere Castle,
Newbury,
RG20 9RJ
How to get there
For GPS please use the post code RG20 9RJ as this will get you to the correct Estate entrance for the Cricket Pavilion.
From M4
Take the A34 South Exit at Junction 13. After approximately 8 minutes take the
A343 exit to Wash Common & Highclere Village. At the roundabout follow signs for Highclere Village A343. Keep straight on the A343 (ignoring the brown signs for Highclere Castle) going through the X road junction, always following the signs
for Highclere. Stay on the A343 into Highclere village going straight over a bridge.
After the bridge, take the first turning on the left into CHURCH LANE. This will bend to the right and then bring you to a triangle junction, turn left here. Continue to follow CHURCH LANE, going past the brick cottage on the left, over a bridge, to another triangle junction, follow CHURCH LANE to the right. Continue on this road, bending to the left and passing Highclere Church on the right. This will take you to the Highclere Estate gates, which will be open. Continue straight on this road, over the speed bumps and take the left hand fork to the Cricket Pavilion on your left.
Parking is opposite the Cricket Pavilion.
Please use this entrance for exiting the Estate at the end of the day.