Posted by Chubs on 8/9/2009, 2:39 pm
87.236.254.132
Seeing how no-one else will do it... (Just you and me eh, Nas?)
PCC won comfortably on Sunday... Graces play in deepest, darkest Walthamstow but once the PCC ranks arrived they were pleased to find a large outfield and a decent wicket. Skipper Lonnen won the toss and, for the first time in a long time, felt there was enough batting in the team to try and post a total. We scored 191 off our 40 overs, mainly thanks to a 131 run partnership for the 3rd wicket between Arv Kumar and Lonnen. Their efforts were given a platform by 'Minty' Murray and Patrick who opened steadily enough, nearly reaching a 50 stand before Danny fell attempting to hit over the top. In truth it was a 220+ wicket but the fact is Graces bowled very few bad balls - 2 bowlers in particular, Mendes and Skipper Gordon (leg spinner) were particularly difficult to get away. Kumar and Lonnen plugged away though, taking all the singles available (lots of them!) and then opened up towards the end - both hitting boundaries quite comfortably. Lonnen got to 50 first and holed out in the deep for 62. Arv got his 50 and was then promptly bowled. Nas hit his first ball straight back over the bowlers head for 4 but didn't have much time for anything else. A nice tea was taken.
Unfortunately I don't have the bowling figures to hand but it was a very good effort by all the bowlers in reply. Anthony Campbell has been in great form recently and, fresh from his 6fer and runs the day before (but not so fresh from Matt's birthday celebrations), just about recovered in time to bowl a menacing and, more importantly, frugal opening spell. Unfortunately he didn't get the wicket he deserved off his 8 over spell but he had put immense pressure on the scoreboard. He was ably assisted by Tim Orr at the other end - both were a little unlucky. It wasn't until Lal's dibbly dobblers were introduced that things really started to turn Ploughmans' way. First he bowled their skipper off an inside edge, and followed that by having the number 3 caught at slip and the other opener LBW. Lonnen bought himself on with the intention to keep things tight and get the run rate up above 7 an over and by the drinks break Graces were 140 runs short of their target. However, PCC had batted steadily in their innings before going ballistic towards the end so the game wasn't up quite yet. Skipper Lonnen opted to protect the boundaries and wait for the batters to make mistakes. It worked perfectly... Although Graces gave it everything with some hard running between the wickets and a few big shots. First, Boydy took a wicket courtesy of a good high catch by Sid, while some decent off-spin from Si Carson (who is nursing a poorly ankle) kept pushing that run rate upwards and then Lonnen and Gledhill affected a sharp run out of Graces' last remaining decent bat. From then on it was a bit of a procession with PCC putting their collective foot on the oppo's throat. Orr returned and took a wicket and then Lonnen found himself on a hat-trick, although in fairness they were ferrets (they go in after the rabbits), only to be denied said hat-trick (just!!) by the toe of Graces no. 11's bat. 3 balls later it was all over though.
It was a decent game played in good spirit. Everyone did something to aid the win. Graces are a good bunch (although they drink in a rubbish pub) and they did say they're moving to Ruislip Victoria's ground next year - so hopefully we'll get 2 fixtures against them next year.
My personal thanks to the 10 other guys who played on Sunday... I was really proud of the effort, commitment and desire shown by all of you. Please try and remember that early next year and do it again... And again... And again... And again... And again... You get the idea... 
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