SCC vs GCC Match Report

On the back of their first defeat of the 2013 season, the 1st XI journeyed with renewed determination to south London’s SinjunsGrammarians. Harold “Mystic Meg” Maine won his fourth consecutive toss, and after a soggy week defied his previous form to insert the opposition on a green looking deck.

The now established new ball partnership of Elgar and O’Day set about their work. After a slow start, Elgar got a number of deliveries to move abruptly off the seam, inducing a catalogue of sensational/fortuitous leaves. Zaidi’s patience lasted until the 6th over - advancing down the track looking to smear the ball over cover, Hickey took a good backpedalling catch over his shoulder. O’Day then took a sharp catch to give Elgar his second, before following this up with a fine delivery of his own to remove Smith. GCC had just the start they had hoped for.

Khan however duly counterattacked for the home side. Recognising the need to make the most of any scoring opportunities, anything full of a length was met with particular brutality. O’Day’s insatiable work ethic saw him bowl his allocated ten overs straight, and would have removed the dangerman off his very last ball had Hickey not shelled a goober at midwicket. In a low scoring affair, the drop may well have proved costly. However, on a track tailored to the murky arts of “dibble-dobble”, Churaman’s decades of experience were introduced to the fore. Some cunning field positioning gave the veteran his first wicket, courtesy of some dynamic athleticism from Shepherd at short leg. However, it was wicket of the dangerous looking Khan – playing one shot too many and losing his castle – that came as great relief.

The return of George Stowe to the 1st XI brought the anticipated jollity and despair. While the charismatic seamer incurred significant fines for attempting to replicate a game of jenga with an enormous tea helping, as the home side looked to build some sort of total, he produced a mature and disciplined spell; 1-22 off seven overs was just rewards.

With the home side eeking towards a total, the returning Elgar and miserly Agge bagged two apiece, drawing the innings to a sharp conclusion. Elgar finished with an excellent 4-28. While the raw wicket made stroke making difficult, credit to the visitors for a fielding performance that was in the large disciplined, and well executed.

Led from the front by Coalface Milner, GCC’s innings began at a familiar pace (or lack of). With skipper Harold pinned in front for just seven, Shepherd strode to the crease on the back of some low scores. The Malteaser put all this behind him however in a class knock of 39, characterised by some savage pulls and balanced drives. He looked set for a big score, before being removed by a sharp catch at short mid-on.

The perhaps predictable wobble ensued, and the middle order will be chastening themselves at some of the shots played. When Milner fell for 26 at 108-3, the departure in quick succession of Agge, Hickey and Sewell left GCC needing only four to win, but unable to lose another wicket if they were to secure the bonus point. A leg stump full toss was promptly served up to stumper Clarke… who gave it an almighty biff… straight to the man at deep square leg… who promptly shelled the chance and took the ball over the line.

Splitting hairs, GCC would have hoped for a more clinical finish, but the return to winning ways was well deserved. We look forward to the return fixture.