Seven Sports vs Frimley Green Cricket Club - Sunday 4th June 2017, 14:00

For the second match in a row FGCC held on for a memorable yet nailbiting win in this 35-overs-per-side game, with the telling contribution coming from a somewhat unlikely source. Winning the toss under cloudy skies and electing to bowl first FGCC started extremely well, with the sheer pace of Anam combining with the (for once uncharacteristically accurate) spin bowling of the skipper to keep Seven Sports to around 2 an over until drinks. Indeed, the gamble of Jim opting to open the bowling himself reaped huge reward as he ended up delivering his most economical spell for the club - a return of 2-16 off his 7 overs which ended by knocking over Clemence's leg stump. With a great second string to turn to (a returning Nick and an economical Kanavel, whose death bowling could prove to be something of an asset in games going forward), it wasn't until old adversary Paul Johnson (35) came in that Seven Sports started to get the rate up to 4 an over. With 5th bowler Greavsie doing what he always does and chipping in with valuable scalps, and despite aggressive cameos from Darren Childs (18) and Harry Johnson (17 n.o), Seven Sports' innings closed at what appeared to be a very gettable 137. The FGCC reply started in earnest, with Anam promoted to opener after his two quickfire 50s in previous games. By the 10th over he and Mark had put 50 on the board, with the ball disappearing to the boundary with some regularity despite some quick bowling from Messers Walsh and Harry Johnson. However, after a huge 6 Anam fell for 37, leaving Mark and Suresh to push on. It was then the rot set in - 6 wickets falling for 28 runs, leaving a 10-man FGCC on 100-7. Enter the skipper, fresh from his impressive bowling performance, to try and at least make a game of it with 10 overs left to get 38 runs. And this he did, with his able spin-twin/quizzer Greavsie at the other end and just a little bit of help from Mr. Extras (the 21 byes conceded by Seven Sports ultimately proving very costly). Fortunes turned in the 32nd over, with 12 scored by a combination of Jim's power hitting and the ball racing behind the keeper to the boundary, leaving 7 to get. After 2 tight overs this became 6 needed off 6, then 2 from 3 after Jim had steered H Johnson for a pair of 2s. A confident LBW shout - turned down by umpire Graeme - saw a leg bye meaning the scores were tied with one ball remaining. Enter Greavsie - patient as ever - to knock off the winning run, which ended up being a lofted 4 through backward point to seal FGCC's second win on the bounce - only the second time this has happened since 2012.