With the end of the season rapidly approaching, there was much interest in what has become an annual event, the Grace's tour to Bradford on Avon, an architypical English village set on the banks of the River Avon on the road to Bath. Pretty shops, snug pubs, 11th Century Saxon churches. There we were due to play Winsley, the home club of our doughty opening batsman Swinburne.
Due to the keen interest, a Saturday game was also arranged against Hinton Charterhouse, but the forecast was not promising. Those that drove down on the Saturday arrived amid a downpour, to meet those who'd travelled down on Friday, sitting miserably in their hotel. Match cancelled. Much disappointment. The focus turned to Winsley on the Sunday, and although the morning was grey and damp, everyone resolved to get to the ground and get a game. The ground at Winsley, with its views over the surrounding valley, is one of the most scenic at which we've played. A classic new clubhouse, replacing one burnt down, completes the picture. The pitch was soggy, almost plasticine in its consistency, but the rain stayed tantalisingly away. Acting captain Bielby won the toss (not a common occurrence this season) and decided to bowl. Much wrinkling of brows. However, in the event, his decision proves tactically correct.
A tight Grace's bowling attack, on a slow sticky wicket, proves difficult to get away. Bielby leads the way with 2 for 26 off eight overs, ably supported by Rishafi, with 1 for 22 off his 8 overs. Rishafi snared the key wicket of C Holten, Winsley's best batsman, bowled for a powerfully hit 78. Page was unlucky, earlier, not to be given a caught behind decision off the same batsmen. Quartermain, only playing his second game of the season, also sent down eight overs for a return of 2 for 34. The regular fall of wickets means Winsley posted a gettable score of 161. In his own words, Hardisty has not had the best of seasons, and so it proved when he holed out for a duck, to get Grace's off to a wobbly start. But Camberwell (34), coming off his century, and Stockinger (53) put on 88 for the first wicket, laying the foundations for victory.
The bowling was also tight and not easy to score against, but Grace's played patiently, only going after the loose ball. Rishafi (17) and Mendis (33) saw the visitors home safely, with Mendis providing some thrilling big hits as the winning score came into view. Fittingly, Swinburne came on to bowl the last over for Winsley, and Grace's swept past at 4 for 162. Given the disappointment of Saturday (and the following Sunday when Metropolitan Police CC got the dates wrong!) everyone was delighted to play, and delighted to record a victory in what would prove to be our last game of the season. Bielby, who will be standing for appointment as club captain for the 2005 season, made a generous and well received speech at the conclusion of play. Thanks to Winsley for their hospitality, and see you again next year.