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Result - Armadillos

Sun Jul 14th The Grannies lose by 6 wickets

Match report

Sheffield Park once again welcomed the Grannies, this time as a visiting team to the Armadillos who only ever seem to get younger, fitter, and quicker each year... This year was no different - the Grannies arrived like dusty travelers from afar, to a hive of activity on the ground - an army of Armadillos already warming up in different sections acros the ground, under the masterly eye of Ant Pickering. Not to be deterred, the Grannies dit their own warm-up routine (by opening the bar), and the toss judiciously negotiated by both captains in the knowledge that a good game was the target, but that we all wanted to be done in time to watch England in the Euros Final.

Alec Younger and Alex Warner opened up for the Grannies, bearing the brunt of a strong and youthful attack on an ever-sprightly SP wicket. The first overs from the pacers were negotiated, but soon the Armadillos turned to their spinner and grenade-launcher to snare out the Grannies with turn and guile. Alec and Alex duly fell, and soon did the bulk of the Grannies middle order, with only Kit S-W getting into the 10's. at 80-6 it wasn't looking pretty, but Tom Carr and Rory Bethwaite managed to soak up the Armadillos attack, with Rory steadily upping the ante. By the time he fell for 32, the Grannies had nudged past 120, and the tail then did an admirable job to nurse the Grannies to 149 all out off 32 overs.

Well fed and watered, the Grannies took to the field with T Carr and Michael S-W working off their match tea at either end. The batsmen were tested with some good deliveries and 'interesting' deliveries in equal measure. This cocktail proved too much for their opener who fell to the classic 9th stump line bowled by Mike S-W and was caught flashing it to backward point. Despite this though, the Armadillos rhythym turned from a trot into a canter, which was a tough test for the 1st and 2nd change bowlers. Pete S-W managed to snare 2 wickets in with the slow-ball trap but it didn't stop the Armadillos skipper from creaming a sharp 51 red-inker, and all too soon the game was gone by 6 wickets.

A chastening outing for the Grannies, but at least we suceeded with 1 of the day's objectves - to finish in time for the footy. As ever, we were very kindly hosted by the Dills', and some competitive cricket played all round.


Match info

Also played: O.Akdenise; A.Younger II

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.