A conference fixture, a long drive, but a lovely idyllic ground, a match played in good spirits, and hopefully a fixture to be repeated. Once again this season, it has to be said that our batting let us down, and we had to rely on two people for our runs.
Batting first, Camberwell and Scott did not even get time to settle in. Although very nearly being caught on the second delivery, Camberwell skied his fourth delivery to cover and was back for 0. Scott (1), taking twelve deliveries to get off the mark, was obviously so excited he edged the next ball to slip. Henderson, Pullens, and Charles all came back with heads low without bothering the scorer, all being bowled, while Hardisty put his legs in front of the stumps to save them and was out LBW for 1.
However, batting at number three, Whitmore was enjoying himself fully. A good range of shots was on offer. To show his dominance, his fifty arrived off 47 balls in 57 minutes. We applauded his fifty at the same time the actual innings score reached 50. With the total on 88, Whitmore was finally caught at slip on 72 (ten fours, two sixes). Curtis joined Shofiq. However Shofiq himself was bowled for 7. (90-8). Bielby and Curtis put on 58. Curtis hit an entertaining 37 (his third ever top score for the club) including three 4s and one 6 (dropped twice), before being bowled off his pads by the penultimate delivery. This left Bielby high and dry on 13 not out and Shiel on 0 not out.
Shofiq bowled magnificently. He bowled their opener in his first over, and finished with 1-18 from his 8 overs. Curtis, normally tight, was loose in his first three overs, but managed to deliver the ball of the day with an in-swinging leg stump Yorker that the batsman claimed was a "fluke". Bielby and Charles (his first bowling action for the club) took over. Runs did come though, and our total was never enough. However, Charles saw Bielby take a sharp catch to claim his first wicket for Grace’s, removing their number three for 17, and then Curtis at mid-on took a good chance off Bielby’s bowling to leave them on 62-4. This soon became 76-5, with Fitzharris taking a fine catch at deep-mid wicket off Charles for his second scalp.
We continued to bowl well. Shiel and Pullens came on to throw their arm over. Curtis, coming back for a second three over spell, was a new man, and was unlucky on several occasions not to claim a wicket. But it was not to be. Camberwell was in the middle of his first over when the wining runs were scored. Once again, a low score let us down. But we had a good day, a lovely tea, and even some cows behind the sightscreens. What more could you want?!