Cricket: Bray win in the sunshine!!!

Posted on July 24, 2012

In the first weekend of sunshine since 1924, the Bray Sunday XI beat Great Gaddesden by 95 runs. Pale chests were out in force, as the temperature soared to a sauna-like 24 degrees!

With factor 20 Ambre Solaire in hand, skipper Peacock J started proceedings by losing the toss. GG stuck the Bray into bat on a slowly drying wicket and were immediately reaping the rewards after Alden was out in the first over, bowled round his legs for a belligerent 0. 'Polly' Parrott and Josh negotiated opening bowlers Upton and Vinod, and then accelerated, racking up a partnership of 126 with Polly making his maiden half-century for the club before being bowled by Hearn for 53, who accounted for Tickell a ball later. Holbrook joined his skip at the crease and with both players forcing the pace, a 49-run partnership ensued. With Holbrook falling for 11 and Peacock snr departing soon after, slogger Harv whacked a few more and the captain registered a century in the closing overs. However, the thought of topping up his tan and trying a shot he had never before played led him to the departure lounge for a well played 103. Davies the batsman joined the fun in hitting a boundary in the last over, in which Bray ended up totalling a challenging 202-6 from their 40 overs.

After a swell tea from Mrs J and co and a bit of Bray blue sunblock, the team set out to defend their total with honour, blood, sweat and good banter.

Opening with the 'Crafty Cockney' and 'The Artful Dodger' GG were immediately under the cosh as Hemming accounted for opening bat Plummer, courtesy of a brilliant stumping from Alden. Tickell then took charge, removing skipper Moore (caught / juggled behind) and Hearn (caught) in quick succession as GG slumped to 23-3. Spin duly became the order of the day, with the remaining 6 bowlers being of the slow-ish variety. Sharp fielding, excellent glovework from keeper Alden and brilliant spin bowling led to the demise of GG with wickets for Green (1-21), the evergreen Jones (2-3), Holbrook (1-17), Ryan (2-18) and Harvey (1-0) as the GG middle and lower order collapsed leaving them 95 runs short, finishing on 107! A great all-round performance from all 11 men culminating in this memorable victory!

Karaoke banter and a jug from the skip followed, (you got lucky boys, they don't come out often) finishing off one fine weekend!

Proud skip!!! Howay the lads!!! - 24/07/2012

Scorecard

• Result: Eaton Bray CC - Friendly XI Won by 95 runs
• Date: Sun 22nd Jul 2012
• Start Time: 14:00
• Ground: The Rye Gardens
• Type: Friendly
• Scoring: Standard
• Toss: Great Gaddesden CC - 1st XI won the toss and decided to bowl

Source: Eaton Bray Cricket Club