Tilford XI versus Grayswood XI – The Wood tuck into Tilford’s bowling attack

Grayswood finally welcomed their first win of the season with open arms, thanks to a sensational partnership of 197 between Soper and Tucker. The picturesque setting of Tilford in glorious sunshine prompted many sun seekers to witness probably the highest partnership of Grayswoods illustrious history.

As is normal these days, things did not get off to a strong start for Grayswood as they began with 10 men. The lightning outfield and occasional four balls allowed Tilford to gain a head of steam up before too long. Broughton was introduced before early, and went some way toward decreasing the run rate, but the breakthrough did not come until A. Gloak Jnr arrived on the scene. He arrived late after an early morning exam (on a Saturday!) but firstball had Nesbitt caught in short by A.Green.  Capable opener Town-Jones was bowled shortly after and this seemed to instigate a middle period of the game whereby wickets would fall regularly, and runs would amble at 3-4 runs an over. 

James O’Brien made a steady 19 before clever fielding positioning led to him top edging back into the grateful hands of young Broughton. Robert Rist had earned a call up to the 1’s due to a mixture of missing players and good recent performances, and made the most of his opportunity. He bowled slightly back of a length whilst the batsmen were becoming increasingly aware of the need for runs and proved to be difficult to get away, even to the short leg side boundary. He deservedly picked up 2 wickets, but not before Broughton had dismissed the dangerous looking Walker. Having been hit for a glorious straight six the ball before, Broughton threw in the wrong un which did for Walker and ensured Tilford did not get too large a total.

Tight finishing from Rist and I.Jackson kept them below the 200 mark after 48 overs, a total Grayswood were confident of getting on a solid batting track, providing they kept wickets in hand.

The reply did not however, get off to the best of starts when C.Kent was caught in Gully for a 1^st baller. The first few overs were very much a backs to the wall job, as Town-Jones and Martyn extradited uneven bounce with the new ball. Skipper for the week tucker, decided the best form of defence was attack as he unleashed flamboyant strokes on both sides of the wicket. He was ably assisted by the dogged Soper at the other end, who was determined not to give his wicket away at any cost.

Whilst Soper dug in nudging and nurdling the singles, Tucker could not contain himself and dispatched all bowlers around the ground. His blistering 114* came off of just 90 deliveries, and included 12 fours and 6 sixes. The rest of the team were not needed as the two led the team home with probably the highest partnership of any wicket in Grayswoods history as Soper emerged with a chanceless 69*.

Grayswoods season may well have taken a turn for the better then, and if Tucker can remain in form, they will fancy their chances against any team in this division. Grayswood will hope this is the much needed win that will enable them to propel up the table and to a position more representative of this talented outfit.

Man of the Match: Alex Tucker: 114* with 12 fours and 6 sixes

Donkey of the day: Callum Kent: Golden duck and only wicket to fall

Grayswood 1st XI Versus Wrecclesham 1st XI– Depleted Grayswood slump to heavy defeat

With 6 regular first team members missing, Grayswood were left to field a weakened team of 10 men against a Wreccelsham side who are enjoying their first season in the Ianson top division. Electing to bowl first, The wood were soon up against it.

After Jackson saw Windeatt cut the third ball of the opening over to A. Green  at backward point, Grayswood spirits were high. This was to be a rare occasion as Wrecclesham amassed 55 runs in the opening 5 overs, taking a particular liking to the inexperienced Varnes whose opening spell of 3 overs none for 33 is one he will be wanting to forget. Stand in skipper tucker looked toward newly converted off spinner Green to tighten things up, and he was unfortunate not to pick up a scalp early on as his elder brother J.Green spilt a tough catch sliding in from the long on boundary. This was not a costly miss however as “the camel”, bowling line and length had Wright caught behind by the talented C. Kent. Dangerous C. Board swiftly followed as he mistimed a cut shot into the grateful hands of Broughton in the covers. Spooner and Bate ambled towards drinks as Grayswood fought back, and were unfortunate to see edges from Spooner fly agonisingly wide of first slip on a couple of occasions. Luck was not all that could be blamed however, as P.C West also spurned a chance on the cover boundary, as young spinner Broughton tied him in knots.

The spin twins saw the wood into drinks having regained some sort of control and managed to strangle the runs effectively, giving renewed hope to the fielding side.

A lack of concentration seemed to be the downfall of Bate as, first ball after drinks, Broughtons  rank full toss was mishit high into the air for Varnes to cling on to gratefully in the midwicket region. This signalled a boring period of rebuilding for the visitors, as they crept past 150 due to tight bowling from Jackson and Broughton. After dislodging Spooner for a carefully crafted 50, D Vasey provided some much needed momentum into the innings with a blistering 35 off 15 deliveries. He took a particular liking to the Camel, and hit one six which may well have ended up in Witley. Eventually the innings was ended as Vasey’s Cameo came to an end and Grayswood were left 49 overs to chase 196. The 10 wickets were shared between Broughton (4-46) and Jackson (6-76).

Needing only 4 runs an over, Grayswood kept up with the rate as Soper and Kent provided an early platform on which to build. Soper was to be the first of many wickets for spinner Board. Stand in Skipper Tucker came to the crease fresh from a blistering 92 in the midweek Stevens cup fixture, and seemed to still be in 20-20 mode as he crashed deliveries to the boundaries with relevant ease. The tide turned however, when he was unfortunately given out LBW after clearly hitting the ball. The wickets of West and Kent soon followed and the well documented Grayswood collapse commenced.

Green, struggling for runs this season, provided a resilient (boring) display of batting until Board tossed a slow one up that he fancied having a go at. He did not quite middle it however, and was dismayed as Andrew Collins dived full length to his right to take a stunning one handed catch. This opened up the vulnerable tail, as Board ended the innings in the next 4 balls and with an impressive 8 for 19 from his 11 overs.

Grayswood can take solace in some areas, such as their fight back after an early setback and the abilities shown by their youth, but they need to get a grip on things soon if they wish to remain a top division side.

Man of the Match: Ian “The Camel” Jackson – 6 for 74

Donkey of the Day: James Varnes – 0 for 33 from 3 overs and a Golden Duck (On Debut)