GCC v Strangers & Pilgrims - Match Report - 17th June 2018
by Rob Navratil
The Strangers & Pilgrims lived up to the first half of their name by being simply that. A last minute find from the fixture list, for which we were grateful as we had the lovely Gallery Fields pitch booked with no word from the Troopers this year.
Unsure of their standard they put us in to bat, possibly to elongate the game. We’re not sure.
Dave got stuck right in and scored a wonderful 76 not out, carrying his bat. Sana joined Dave opening and duly got a tidy 44 before falling to Tull, who shortly after removed Steven for 11.
At 11am that morning we still only had 9 players so a quick call from Sam managed to persuade brother Dan to turn out for us. Skipper Jamie asked Sam what Dan did and he said “he’s a batsman really” so stuck him in straight away at number 4.
Dan went out and bludgeoned 82 not out from 51 balls. 8 fours and 4 sixes in the process.
No more men were needed so the rest of the team turned their attention to Al Desco delights.
Dave and Dan strode back to the pavilion undefeated with the Gardeners on 221 from a shortened 35 over innings.
Our bowling innings belonged to just one man. I say man, as it was this young chap’s first senior game. Enter Elliott J. Jnr stage left. Our 2nd last minute call up of the morning, having already played one game in the AM. Joe marked his run-up which unlike other Gardeners was longer than the length of the pitch, and came bounding in.
Taring through the Pilgrims with proper bowling. Just like the coaches tell you to do. Trouble is, we’ve all forgotten that while it’s still fresh thinking for young Joe. Wicket to wicket, stump to stump, with decent pace saw the young Gardener take a fabulous 6-for.
Aked, Staniforth, West, Johnstone (twice), Thomas, Clayton all trailing in his wake.
Surpassing Leahy, Dutta and Clayton (again) with their 6-fors. Finishing with figures of 6-1-13-6
Only the magnificent 7 from de Jesus alluded him on the honours board.
A great bowling performance on debut was the standout moment and duly received the Al Desco Sandwich Moment presented to him by his Skipper and Dad Jamie.
GCC ran in victors by 60 runs.
RN