Sat Aug 17th The Grannies win by 1 wicket with 8 balls to spare
Photo gallery
Players
- Bethwaite, Rory
- Hooker, Will
- Hope, Charlie (c)
- Schutzer-Weissmann, Kit
- Snowden, James
- Woodcock, James
Match report
The sun shone brightly on a beautiful August day, as The Grannies did battle with the Flashmen in the spectacular surrounds of Parham House.
The usual weddings, festivals, and summer trips required a concerted whip round for ringers by both sides, with the Grannies delving deep to provide extras for the opposition. After winning the toss and electing to bowl on the thatchiest of wickets, Charlie Hope proved such a danger with the new ball that he was swiftly taken out of the attack ‘in the interest of a game lasting more than an hour’. Cue a rebuild by a young Flashmen side and, thanks also to a generous 13-ball over, the game was set up nicely. After some further experimentation and rotation, it was decided that ‘pace-off’ was the answer and James Woodcock twirled his way to a 4-fer, and the Flash finished on 172 all out.
Following a hearty lunch and to the cheers of travelling and local support, The Grannies had their turn on an unpredictable wicket. The wicket proved no excuse for Will Hooker however, who was struck in front off a full bunger first ball, and the Grannies were reeling. Further chaos ensued as fellow opener James Snowden also fell without troubling the scorer, and it was left to Henry Webster on debut to steady the ship in front of some strong home support. The wicket played its part in what was an enjoyable tussle between bat and ball, and thanks to strong inputs from James Woodcock and Hugh Taylor, and another generous over (15 balls this time), the Grannie secured the win with an over to spare.
A wonderful day’s cricket and credit must go to The Flashmen for stepping into the breach to make this fixture happen against the odds.
Match info
This match will be played at Parham Park, a glorious ground nestling at the foot of the South Downs and a lake beside a large Elizabethan country house.
Also played: Hugh Taylor, Henry Webster, Tom Morrissey, Anthony Hornung, Henry Rydon,
Location
Parham Park,
Storrington,
RH20 4HS
How to get there
From London come south on the A24. Turn right at the Washington roundabout towards Storrington on the A283. Drive through Storrington and after 1 mile go past the main entrance to Parham on your left. Continue for a further mile and take the first left (signposted Greatham). Continue through woodland for another mile and take the first left to Rackham and after a mile or so you will see some large white gates on your left. Go through the gates which takes you into the park, bear right at the first fork onto a rough track and you should find the ground.