Frimley Green Cricket Club vs Wood Street Village - Sunday 14th May 2017, 14:00

In a match which saw a total of over 450 runs scored on a pleasant Spring afternoon at The Lodge, it was unfortunately a lack of bowling options that saw 10-man FGCC defeated in this close-fought season opener. Electing to bat, FGCC started steadily and were lucky to have Mark reprieved after he appeared to fall back into his own stumps in the first over. Putting on 28 for the first wicket with fellow mathematician Alan Greaves, Mark hit 3 consecutive 4s off the bowling of S.Smith before departing for 33. With Greavsie also departing early, Anu came in and played a measured innings for a club-best 47. A good cameo from Graeme (21) and some fine nurdling by Suresh (36 n.o) meant FGCC approached 200 with some confidence. However, in the 36th over Anam - who was only playing at all after Greavsie collared him in the car park - decided to unleash a torrent against the Wood Street bowlers. His 50 came off only 19 balls, comprising 5 huge 6s and 2 4s, eclipsing the record of Tom 'biffer' Harris that had stood for well over 10 years. Confident of a positive result, FGCC came to bowl but found themselves up against it from the start. Boundaries were easy to come by for the visitors, and whilst Anam bowled well for his 2 wickets, both he and Anu had to depart early for work. This left Jim (1-38) and Greavsie (1-36) to try and stem the flow, and when Jim had H Smith stumped the score was heavily in FGCC's favour at 110-6. With gaps in the field and part-time bowlers having to be utilised however things went rapidly downhill from there, and despite the best efforts of Mark and Anorag (who bowled well at the end) L Binfield added to his two earlier wickets with a splendid 99 no, forming an unbroken 124 run partnership with Grist which saw Wood Street Village home with 19 balls to spare.