Latest News and Match ReportsGravesend RFCC v Frindsbury II (June 20, 2009)Frindsbury second XI found out at their peril that playing an away fixture the night after a rather heavy 21st Birthday party wasn't perhaps the best idea. Being asked to bat was greeted with joy for some hoping to gain an extra hours rest, but not by Blackman, Evans and Peter, who had to ready themselves for battle.
Frindsbury's worst fears were realised when after the fall of Evans, wickets fell at regular intervals, with just Blackman (46) reaching double figures out of the top 8 batsmen, before gifting his wicket to mid on. With the score at 80-odd for 8, Blown, well supported by both Connor and Pete Ashenden restored some pride to the Frindsbury innings, pushing the score to 117 all out. A very poor effort, given the calibre of some of the batsmen in the line up.
However, Frindsbury, knowing they had a total of sorts to defend, felt they were in with an outside chance, especially the choice of bowlers on offer. Things started perfectly, with Blown capturing the wicket of the opener in first over, thanks to a simple catch to White. Things continued in this vein, and Frindsbury's bowlers battled back, and the home side found themselves similarly 40 for 3, with Blown picking up a brace, and Connor Ashenden a wicket.
The introduction of the more experienced Winchester, Raza and Gracey turned the screw and built pressure, each picking up a wicket. However, two chances were put down, and both probably should've been held. Both White and Ashenden dropped Saeed, who made an unbeaten 62, while still in the teens, off the bowling of Winchester and Gracey. Blackman held an odd one off Gracey. Caught Blackman, bowled Gracey, isn't a rarity in the score books of old, but they are not normally held at mid-off. Blackman, still plagued by the previous nights antics (must've eaten something funny), gave over the gloves to Peters. He held on the third attempt, with one long left arm and full stretch. Had he had to have caught it with one hand it would've been a spectacular effort, but given the simplicity of the initial catch, and the excuse that his stud had fallen down a hole, it was more of a comedy catch. But well held in the end.
Gravesend with every run got themselves within sniffing distance of the total, and with only a handful needed to win, were only 6 down. Connor Ashenden was brought back on, and made an immediate impact, as he had one well caught at slip by Gracey, then cleaned up another two balls later. Then proceeded to beat the flailing outside edge of the hosts number 10, with the remaining two balls of the over.
The winning runs came courtesy of one that did find the edge, but evaded both slip and keeper to run away for the winning runs. A Frindsbury side once again fell to the old adage of catches win matches, and when you drop a guy twice, who goes on to make a match winning 62* it makes it harder the take. Once again, full credit to Connor Ashenden, who is earning himself many full warranted plaudits around the club with his superb bowling, which has come on leaps and bounds since his already impressive form at the start of the season.
Quite simply, it just wasn't Frindsbury's day, with dropped catches and an odd decision or two, tied in hangovers which felt like candyfloss and Piccadilly circus tied together in a granny knot. But given the such young age of the side, which included four colts, and just two players over 26, Frindsbury can hold their heads high after their efforts with the ball.
Blackman's catch, along with Gracey's in the slips, must surely make it into the Champagne Moment of the Year nominations. Thanks to Dave Claughton for scoring. |
2009 Club Honours
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