Sun Jun 21st Match Drawn
Players
Match report
Another beautiful sunny day in Bushey Park set the scene for an epic run feast of nearly 500 runs in one afternoon.
Grannies lost the toss and were asked to bat. The Wine Trade kindly lent Mark Leveson-Gower, a Granny within the Wine Trade ranks, to the Grannies to make up the numbers (9 players for a London Game? Come on chaps more support on the playing front please!).
The Grannies opened with Alex Rushent and Mark Leveson-Gower. The Wine Trade's attack was fired up and started with a couple of maiden overs. Soon enough though Alex Rushent started to open his shoulders and the take the shine off the ball. The Wine Trade's opening attack were getting more heated (one particularly grumpy individual who appealed for anything and everything, then grumbled all the way to the boundary at the end of the over). Alex and Mark began to dominate, Alex striking the ball particularly well. Mark stuck to his task and looked very comfortable, no matter what was thrown at him (including the odd beamer).
Alex's onslaught continued unabated and soon Grannies were seen climbing walls and entering allotments to retrieve the cricket ball. The allotment dwellers assisted in the hunt for the ball even though the 'Duke' had probably smashed his prize pumpkin to smitherins (poetic licence for those gardeners amongst us, I have no idea whether pumpkins are fully grown in June!).
Soon the scoreboard showed a healthy 100 opening partnership with Mark now hitting his stride and the ball to the boundary. Alex decided to provide the oppo with a bit of catching practice, which they summarily failed at, before Mark was eventually bowled for a chanceless 40. An excellent knock against some fairly vocal Wine Traders. Opening partnership 123.
Alex was joined by Greg Chapman, our ubiquitous Aussie who arrived with minimal kit, grabbed what he could find and headed out to the crease. Greg took guard and proceeded to smash the ball like a rocket at fences, pavillions and scattered the Wine Traders wives and children enjoyed a picnic in the sun.
Alex, unimpressed at being upstaged, took Greg on at his own game and for a while you almost felt sorry for the Wine Traders (well apart from the grumpy one). Greg and Alex added 52 to the score board in the blink of an eye. 20/20 cricket had arrived in Bushey Park!
Greg was bowled for an excellent 21, some stunning front foot drives - pleasure to watch and cheer.
Alex, now in to the nervous 90's decided it was time to start reverse sweeping people - sadly this is one shot, Alex does not have in his locker! Chris Spencer strode purposefully to the crease, his yellow and black cap looking a picture in the early afternoon sun. Two balls later and Chris was striding purposefully back to the pavillion (the start of what was going to be a testing afternoon for Mr Spencer).
Bob Robinson meanwhile was, in true Grannies style, recalculating his earlier arithmatic to conclude that Alex had infact reached his century and the Grannies support had missed it! Frank Strachan joined Alex at the crease and congratulated him accordingly. Frank advised Alex to nurdle a single and take the applause for what had been a fantastic ton. Alex, looking like he was listening to his skipper, then heaved the ball right back over the bowlers head and took the applause - well listened Al!!! A superb knock, not without the odd chance, but the power with which some of his blows were struck was breathtaking.
Frank decided that manipulation of the strike was the key and therefore nurdled a few singles around before Alex had one last heave and departed for a well earned sit down.
James Dolan joined Frank at the wicket for his first ever Grannies innings. James started in true Grannies style, playing wonderous cuts and drives, sadly by the time the blade came down the ball was already out of the keepers hands and on its way back to the bowler. James soon settled and began to strike the ball cleanly to the boundary. Frank was bowled soon after and was replaced by Jay Stockham. Jay and James smitted ball after ball to the boundary. James finishing with a creditable 25. Wickets fell quickly at the end as the Grannies tried to accumulate a few last minute runs. The grumpy Wine Trader mumbling that the Grannies should declare upset the visitors who decided to keep him running back and forth to the wicket for a couple more over in the heat - sweet revenge!. Grannies declared for 255.
An excellent tea was enjoyed before Bob Robinson and Greg Chapman set about knocking over the Wine Trade wickets.
Greg bowled accurately to claim 3 vital wickets, he also took a skier that came down with snow on it (most un-Granny like!). Bob Robinson started in his usual metronome way at times with the oppo unable to lay a bat on his bowling, especially when pitched up. Bob was doing everything but get a wicket so in search of wickets, Bob was replaced by Jay Stockham who bowled consistently well and was unlucky to find Mr Spencer having 'one of those days'. Chris spilt an easy chance at square leg and made a 'valiant' attempt at another in the slips. (Note to all investors - Magners shares should do well - Mr Spencer has clearly assisted the company with its 3rd quarter sales and his cider induced hangover was now in full flow).
The Wine Traders batted well and were soon in with a shout of snatching the game. Thankfully they ran out of time, finishing on 237 for 4 when the overs ran out - one would have to question what might have happened had they accelerated a bit more. A draw was a fair result though on reflection.
In summary, a superb knock by Alex Rushent, good first time performances by Greg Chapman and James Dolan, well bowled by Jay Stockham, excellent umpiring by Ian Humphries. Thanks to the oppo skipper for lending us Mark Leveson-Gower.
Lets get 11 Grannies for this game next year please, for all London situs Grannies, this game should be a must.
Match info
A great game played in the right spirit. Beautiful ground in the middle of London's premier parks. The opposition usually bring the odd sample or two of their trade.
Location
Bushy Park,
Hampton Wick,
KT1 4AZ,
UK
How to get there
The cricket pitch is within the walled area of Bushy Park Off Sandy Lane, on the bottom right of the map under Hampton Wick Station. Entrance on Park Road, Bushy Park.
http://www.royalparks.gov.uk/docs/park_maps/bushy_park.pdf
- Off Sandy Lane, on the bottom right of the map under Hampton Wick Station. Entrance on Park Road, Bushy Park
http://www.hwrcc.co.uk/