GCC v Palm Tree - Match Report - 1st July 2018

by Rob Navratil

This match had plenty. 

546 runs scored.

Dodgy umpiring (from us again)

Plenty of needle, during and after. Was the arm bent? wasn't it? Did it matter?

Hottest day of the year, no ice!

As this report is being written in October you'll forgive me for not remembering all the details but I'll do my best.

The main detail by far, to take from this game was a glorious batting achievement by two men in top form this season.

The club record partnership was smashed by Messers Jamie Elliott and Matt Wood.

They met in the middle at 19 for 2 in the 7th over. Palm Tree had plenty of familiar names and some new ones. 

It was a belting hot day at Turney Road, as was the way this summer.

At the start of the day the top spot was held by Saj & Cunners with their brutal 181* at Teddington in 2016, although we weren't thinking about that. Just about rolling over Palm Tree for the double after beating them last week.

Matt's 116 and first century for the club came from 89 balls. 14 fours and 4 sixes. 

Jamie finished 106 not out from 101 balls, also with 14 fours and the 1 six. Jamie joined the ranks alongside Shomit and Saj in becoming only the third Gardener to score 2 centuries for the club. 

Elliott & Wood took both the 3rd wicket stand and overall partnership records from Saj and Cunners in one foul swoop finishing as they did with 235.

Top batting indeed.

With a total of 288 we were perhaps a little complacent in the field, letting the Trees get closer to our score than we had hoped to. Aided slightly by an inaccurate scorecard it was later discovered. Out by nearly 20 runs which could have been crucial should the game have been closer.

Saj and Cunners were the pick of our bowlers taking 3 a piece but the highlight of the day by far came courtesy of Jamie and Matt.

Fantastic batting performance.

RN