Grantchester take no Casualties against Medics

GCC v Liverpool Medics. GCC won by 146 runs.

Grantchester lost the toss and were put into bat on a bright and breezy afternoon at Spring Lane.

Both openers Jamie Innes (75*) and Rob Douaston (47*) were assured in the early stages of their innings and the Liverpool Medics attack was made to toil in the challenging conditions. The opening pair felt sufficiently relaxed to launch sixes into the wood and one unfortunate delivery cleared the hedge and ended up in a neighbouring field. After speedily accelerating past the 100 mark to 122 both openers were retired to enable some of the other GCC batsmen into the fray. Rahul Sharma was the first Medics bowler to claim a wicket, with Don Syme caught for 7. The Medics had spilt several catching opportunities so their first wicket was warmly received. Sharma then accounted for Finlay Wilson who was bowled for 11, much to the delight of the wearied Medics. Skipper Wiz (8) departed the scene bowled by the pick of the Medics bowlers Ian Walden, who finished with figures of 1-22 from 6 overs. Tony Kennedy (11*) and Simon Alper (1*) saw the innings to a close on an impressive 207-3, leaving the Medics an onerous run chase in the glorious Grantchester sunshine.

An expectant and curious crowd had assembled by the time Yash Prasad and Sam Ludford (one of two GCC loanees) went out to bat. Ludford (10) was the first victim after being bowled by the metronomically accurate Tony Kennedy (3 for 11 off 6) leaving the score at 14-1. Wickets continued to fall with regularity as the Medics racked up an unfortunate tally of 5 ducks, one of which Dav Taylor was a Golden Duck. The wicket, whilst true was playing low and the Medics batsmen struggled to come to terms with the accuracy and consistency of the GCC attack. Dave Foster was on mesmeric form bagging 4 wickets and was unlucky not to get a five-for after Jamie Innes slipped over the boundary whilst clinging onto a lofted drive from a defiant Prasad. However, Prasad (32) was unable to resist another tempter from Foster and was out stumped by Jerry Greggain. Simon Alper (2-8 off 3) claimed his first wickets for GCC, one of which was a sharp caught and bowled. As the Medics tail-enders rapidly fastened their pads the score limped along and they were finally dismissed for a paltry 61. The challenge of a large total to chase and perhaps the occasion that is a game at Spring Lane seemed to be too much for the visitors. So whilst the fixture ended with a heavy defeat for the visitors the spirit of the cricket was widely admired and the two teams parted as friends, hopefully to meet again.

Sam Ludford

1 comment

    • Dr Maynard. on Wed, June 27, 2012 at 12:29 pm
    • Reply

    Foster mesmeric eh? He certainly bores me. Fifty years ago he was a ‘chucker and a ball tamperer’ . Strikes me that the poor doctors had been up all night on the picket lines and Foster probably prepared the wicket. He also associates with low class bookies. If he bought a drink after the match he definitely took a ‘bung’.
    Scrumbum.

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