Played

Report

by Adriano de'Lightly IV

After some mid-week doom and gloom at Relish Towers over a bleak-looking weather forecast as well as a distinct lack of players, it was with a joyous heart that Saturday arrived bringing an almost-complete XI and clear blue skies to Oxfordshire; Great Haseley to be precise, and the distant location for our first GRACC match of the 2010 season. Set in the heart of the countryside on top of a hill with wonderful views for miles around, it was certainly worth the slow chug through the London traffic and up the M40 for what is our furthest fixture to date (if you don't count the one on the beach at Will B's wedding on the Isle Of Wight...)

Anyway, having successfully met up outside the picturesque little pavilion, yours truly managed to win the toss and, on a wicket that we all agreed looked somewhat akin to an NCP car park, decided to have a bowl (happily, this also suited St Annes as half their team was still chugging up the motorway, running slightly late :)

Having tossed the cherry to Brian (1-15) our secret pace demon, there was almost immediate success as he dismissed one of their openers with his fourth ball, leaving stumps everywhere. Andy came on at the other end and, after a few sighters, was also successful and St Annes were two down for not very many at all. Andy (2-18) quickly struck again with one that kept very low indeed but by now the rest of their batsmen had arrived and 28-3 brought our old adversary Tristan to the crease. Along with their number 3, MacDonald, the runs started to come as they gradually got used to the vagaries of what was not as straightforward a pitch as had been first assumed!

The skipper brought himself on first change, but was not really on the money and went for nearly 30 in four overs. The score had ticked over to past 100 and we were beginning to worry about ever splitting this pair, especially when a couple of (admittedly difficult) catches were put down. Luckily, the drinks break came at just the right time so Nick (1-27) had a rest & a fag and then pitched up a beauty which Tristan whacked right up in the air and straight down the skipper's throat, running round from long leg, for 31. Suddenly the GRACC tails were up and despite MacDonald pushing on to a very good 63 before falling with two others to the guile of Muz (3-25), the collapse was imminent and with newcomer Kim (2-28) grabbing a couple with perhaps just a hint of variable bounce and Chris coming on to delightedly clean bowl the last man, St Annes were all out for 158 in just 27.2 overs.

A thoroughly enjoyable tea was taken in the mid-afternoon sunshine and a batting order agreed upon; Ollie and Roger strapping on the pads and walking out to generous encouragement from the remaining Relishers. We had plenty of overs in which to chase, but were there more demons in the pitch?

We started off looking fairly comfortable although their opening bowler, Khalid, was quick and accurate and gave very little away. Indeed, he struck in his second over with a beauty that nipped back to clip the stumps and Ollie was on his way for 4, followed shortly by Roger (2) who missed one that kept low from that Tristan bloke again. Andy & Bod (4) kept it ticking over for a few overs but another straight one rattled the latter's stumps and we were suddenly 27-3.

Nick marched to the crease and played watchfully as Andy pushed things along at the other end and their patience paid off as both began to get the measure of the St Anne's bowling attack. With their openers seen off, there was now some slow left arm stuff off which both players scored heavily; Nick started to accelerate and never looked in much trouble as he crashed 7 boundaries in a quick-ish 50, followed shortly after to the same landmark by Andy to rapturous applause from the boundary. St Anne's rotated the bowling as best they could but even the obvious fatigue of the two GRACC batsmen - having been out in the sun for the best part of an hour and a half - could not assist them and, with a sweep to fine leg, the official scorebook records that Nick hit yet another boundary to take us past our target and to an excellent seven-wicket victory.

We celebrated in the highly picturesque thatched local pub before the long trek back to various parts of London - funny how the drive home seems so much quicker when you win...

Our thanks to St Anne's and Maxie for organising such a nice venue to kick off our season as well as Sarah for the splendid photos and hopefully we can continue in this vein for the rest of the summer!

Result

St Annes Allstars: 158 all out (27.2 overs)

GRACC: 162 for 3 (27.1 overs)

GRACC won by 7 wickets

Man of the match: Difficult, but Andy this time for 59* and 2-18 (sorry, Nick, was close!)

Champagne Moment: I may claim this for myself for the skied catch in the deep having run 20 yards round the boundary.

Comedy Moment: Definitely some 'early season' bowling from just about everyone, but it kept them guessing :)