MATCH REPORT 6/8: Sun, fun and run(outs)..

Gerries versus Dartanians at Coaver on 06 August 2024

20/20

Gerries 162-1 Dartanians 166-5. Gerries LOST by 5 wkts

We have had some close tussles with Dartanians in recent years and this match was no exception. Smudge won the toss and elected to bat on a sunny evening hoping to make best use of the good batting conditions and the fast outfield. We made a blistering start with Padders hitting the first ball for 4 and proceeding to hit 32 in no time at all reaching the compulsory retirement score of 30 in the fourth over. He was replaced by Kyson who carried on with the carnage and retired with a score of 33 (five 4’s), which was nearly as quick as Padders’ innings. At the other end, Guesty was also accumulating runs at a good rate, providing invaluable support and he also reached the compulsory retirement score.

By the end of the ninth over, we were 92 for no wkt.

We were not quite able to maintain this frantic rate in the second half of the innings but useful knocks from Jonah (18 not out) and Skins 16 (with two sweetly hit legside boundaries) together with a typical late cameo of 11 not out from JP (one huge 6 of course!) meant that we were able to close at 162-1. Surely this was a winning score!! Moreover, the Dartanians were down to 10 owing to a calf injury to one of their players so we were clear favourites.

With the setting sun now causing batters the usual problems, we had to bowl our overs from the County Hall end and it is always difficult to bowl into the sun. Moreover, Dartanians had clearly not given up hope of a win and they set about the bowling with ferocity. Deadly and Gilo came in for some early punishment and Stone Junior soon reached the CRS. Smudge was responsible for an excellent run out with a direct hit while JP cleaned bowled Stone senior who was well set. After 10 overs the Dartanians were 92-2 so game on! However, despite a couple of run out disasters which we took advantage of through calm fielding by Jonah and Guesty and a wicket for Smudge, our opponents were never behind the run rate and they deservedly won on the last ball of the 19^th over. Best bowling from JP 1-27 and Smudge 1-30

It was a disappointing result but congratulations have to be given to Dartanians for managing to chase down an imposing total. There were not many high spots for Gerries in the Dartanians innings but two things are noteworthy. Firstly, are three run outs in an innings a record for Gerries fielders? Surely it must be! Secondly, there was a magnificent attempt at a diving catch by JP at cover late in the game, which had he been able to hang onto it would probably have meant that we could have awarded the 2024 champagne moment there and then. Could it have changed the outcome? Sadly, it was not to be!!

PM 7/8/24