Latest News and Match Reports

Raza’s Ton Helps Seal Frindsbury Win!

After the terrible weather the day before resulting in many games being called off, it was a delight to see the sun once again on a Sunday afternoon! This particular fixture has caused the Frindsbury side many problems in the past few seasons, with Gravesend frequently turning out a strong team to face them…and this game was no objection. Frindsbury had fielded their youngest team this season, with only two players being over the age of 20, and with 5 colts fielded in the team.

The day got off to a good start as the lazy second team had left out the markers and sightscreens, the hoovering and cleaning had been done by the cake-making-wizard Anita Blown, meaning that getting the ground ready for the game was a doddle.

Frindsbry lost the toss and the Gravesend skipper, Frindsbury’s own Chris Mumford, put the Young Frindsbury team into bat… (which the FCC skipper would have done anyways)

The game got off to a prompt start at 2pm, much to the delight of the umpires, but it wasn’t long before Frindsbury were in a spot of bother. Mike Evans (2), Tom ‘in form’ Burt (14), Steve Lock (1) and Sam Budd (2) all fell cheaply to some superb bowling and fielding, leaving Frindsbury at 37-4. But with the experienced heads of Ian Budd and Dharvit Metha at the Crease, Frindsbury knew they were still in with a shout of scoring 150+. Although Dharvit, whilst playing some expansive shots, fell playing one over cover, which left the score at 57-5. Dave ‘Psycho’ Peters was next to fall for 10, and now Frindsbury were in a deep whole at 75-6. The skipper Sam Gracey strolled to the crease knowing that a huge partnership was needed to put Frindsbury back into contention. He and Ian Budd, who was still battling away at the other end, put on 82 before Bud fell for 35, closely followed by Gracey for 43. with 4 overs left and with Raza hitting 99* on a game of street cricket between a few of the off field Frindsbury youngsters, Raza needed one for his ton as he strolled to the crease to join Mike Blown. Raza completed his ton knocking a single in to the off side, but fell next ball and was welcomed by a huge standing evation by the Frindsbury faithful on scoring his maiden century.

Frindsbury were all out for 171, but a comment must go to Connor McCann, who on his debut for the Sunday 1^st XI scored his first 2 in Senior cricket.

A superb tea was taken after a long Frindsbury innings, and with home made cakes made by Gordon Ramsay himself, the tea went down well between the players.

Frindsbury knew that they needed early wickets to peg back the Gravesend batting line-up, and early wickets they got. Some superb catching by the young, agile, athletic and youthful Frindsbury team saw the visitors in a similar state that the Aussie Women might be in (30-3), but with the steady Mumford at one end and the dangerman Rana at the other, Frindsbury knew that victory would be hard to come by. Soon the visitors cruised past 100-3, (after just 20 overs) and looked set to pass the Frindsbury total. Some good bowling by Sam Budd, to dismiss Mumford for 30, saw Frindsbury in with a glimmer of hope. Some inspirational bowling changes, by the skipper, to bring on himself and Mike Blown, saw the downfall of Rana for 43 caught expertly by Connor McCann off the off break bowling of Sam Gracey (using his beautifully disguised dushra), Frindsbuy were now in the drivers seat!!

Some brilliant death bowling by the skipper and Mike Blown set the visitors 35 to win off the last 6 overs with four wickets in hand. Sensing that the pace needed to be taken off the ball, Frindsbury introduced Ian Budd’s Legspin to the attack and between the duo of the spin kings, three wickets were taken for just 20 runs in five overs, setting the visitors 13 to win off the last over with one wicket in hand. Ian Budd bowled three balls for 3 runs before he finally beat the bat and finished the Gravesend innings, with Frindsbury winning by 10 runs, in what was a brilliant game of cricket enjoyed by all.

Thanks go to Anita Blown for doing the bar, for CLEANING UP AFTER THE SECOND XI and for aiding Gordon Ramsay in setting out the teas. And thanks to Jo Evans for helping with drinks and for helping Anita with odd jobs around the clubhouse.

Oh Yeah and Mike Evans dropped a sitter of a catch.

Click here to return to the News page