Greys Green vs Frimley Green Cricket Club - Sunday 13th May 2018, 13:30

FGCC's first trip to the beautiful South Oxfordshire village of Rotherfield Greys ultimately ended in defeat in this timed game, despite yet another edge-of-your-park-bench finish as has quickly become custom over the last 12 months. With Greavsie losing the toss (Jim and Mark both being stuck in traffic), FGCC were put into bat on a fresh strip on a ground with a couple of particularly short boundaries. However as is often the case when this happens (the obvious parallel being the best-forgotten game in Headley a few years back, where the game lasted an hour and the home team ran off leaving Sainsburys Basics pizzas to act as 'tea'), batsmen's eyes lit up at the thought of some quick easy runs, only for them to have their stumps dismantled. GGCC opening bowler Ahmed took full advantage of this, ripping through the top 4 with a little help from a massive mix-up between Greavsie and Vamsi, the latter being the unlucky recipient of a run out call. An impetus was much needed, and after Anam played one sweet shot, was dropped and then bowled things looked bleak at 42-5 - in fact at drinks after 18 overs there were as many runs scored off the bat (25) as there were extras. Luckily however debutant Dean, who despite a cracked rib and needing a runner played a blinder in the circumstances. With Greavsie doing his best to hang about whilst no-one else could, Dean took it upon himself to make a game of it with some cracking stroke play, bringing up a 50 partnership with the defiant opener until Greavsie unluckily played on. With Jim not troubling the scorers and Anurag holing out, Dean was stuck on 49 with Sheshi needing to fend off 1 ball to give Dean the chance to bring up a half-century on debut. Alas it was not to be - Sheshi was caught, and the unlucky Dean was left without the maiden FGCC 50 that his batting richly deserved. In reply and with a bowler down (thanks to Dean's injury), the skipper had to rely on Anam to lead the attack. This he did admirably, with an unbroken 12-over spell which sent shivers down many a Greys Green batsman's spine. Only a lambchopped Lambert - who took a particular liking to Jim's bowling and helped himself to 2 6s - and GGCC captain Skilliter made it into the 20s, with Sheshi and Anurag each taking a wicket. Anam ended with 7 wickets - the best return for an FGCC bowler since 2006 - and with one wicket remaining GGCC needed 2 runs to win. Deciding to steal the glory Jim brought himself back on, but with visions of triumph in his eyes his second ball was driven through a tight close-in field by Shah for 4, giving Greys Green a deserved victory on a day where both sides played the game in tremendous spirit. Hopefully the first of many 'battle of the Greens' in the years to come.