Shepperton vs Frimley Green Cricket Club - Sunday 15th September 2019, 12:30

On a blissfully warm and uncharacteristically sunny September afternoon FGCC travelled to Shepperton looking to continue their fine recent run of form. Missing last week's MOTM Dean (otherwise engaged on work duties), the squad was nevertheless buoyed by the return of Rich, Ross, Sheshi and Ajay - all of whom contributed in yet another fine all-round display by the team. Greeted with a home side feeling the after-effects of their awards night, Jim continued his fine run of toss-calling and without hesitation decided to bat, much to the chagrin of a few worse-for-wear Sheppertonians. With first-choice opening pair Rich and Mark reunited for the first time since the run-fest at Bracknell FGCC were hopeful of a decent start, which thankfully transpired as the two batsmen brought up another 50 1st wicket stand after just 10 overs. Whilst Mark nicked behind and Lloyd's stumps got clattered, Rich carried on batting majestically, playing watchfully in defense but dismissing the bad balls to the boundary. After Pranay (who was promoted up the order after asking Jim earlier in the week) was dismissed, Anam came to the crease, looking a little more scratchy than in weeks past. Nevertheless he was there at drinks with Rich, who after a much-needed orange squash continued to bat with elegance and finesse. With Anam lucky to survive a couple of drops, he and Rich put on 57 for the 4th wicket before Anam tried one too many thwacks and top-edged one back to a grateful Pilkington, the spinner snagging him with his first ball. Whilst Shepperton's opening bowler Jay came back and trapped Ross, Rich and Ajay continued to keep the rate ticking along, which throughout FGCC's innings hovered consistently at 5 an over. Conscious of being out in the 90s against Old Leightonians a couple of weeks earlier, this time Rich made no mistake, clocking up his 5th FGCC century and ending up 105*, an innings which consisted of 15 4s and a huge 6 over square leg and out the ground. Never looking troubled despite a heavy night at a wedding the previous evening, Rich never gave Shepperton a sniff, and in closing the innings on 212-7 on a slow track it felt like FGCC had set a pretty handy target. After a lovely tea Jim opened up with Anam - bowling leg breaks - and Sheshi. And it was the latter who struck first, trapping the left-handed Daniels for 1 before a tickle down the leg side was snaffled by Mark the very next ball to account for M Catchpole. With FGCC in the ascendancy Shepperton opener Jones was defiantly holding things together, and with R Cowland saw Shepperton to 69-2 at drinks, the home side's score checked by some very economical bowling by Ross and Kanavel. Yet it was wickets FGCC needed, and despite both bowlers deserving a scalp it was a moment of magic from Anam, fielding at fine leg so as to keep cool in the shade, that made the breakthrough - his throw coming in from deep and making a direct hit to both run out Cowland and snap a bail in the process (fully deserving of a Premier League-style celebration to rake in the adulation of the gathered masses). Kanavel then got the wickets his bowling fully deserved, an inswinger to dismiss Pilkington and a grubber to castle S Catchpole, The left-handed Jones was still at the crease however, and when joined by Chinn (another leftie) FGCC were made to sweat as the latter especially helped himself to a few boundaries. After a fine 5th wicket partnership for Shepperton it fell to wicket taking machine Pranay to make an impact, which he duly delivered when Rich took a fine catch at long on to account for Chinn. With bowlers to call on, Jim took himself off after two unproductive overs and turned back to Sheshi, who duly obliged with another two wickets - including bowling Shepperton's top scorer Jones for 78 - to return club-best figures of 4-22 off his 6 overs. With more than 10 an over needed and both overs and wickets running out for the home side Shepperton had little chance of victory, and when Pranay finished his spell the game was done. 5-in-a-row now for Frimley Green - some feat considering the team only won 3 matches throughout the whole of 2018.