Grace's arrived in Merton to play North Croydon and discovered that unlike previous fixtures they were up against North Croydon's first eleven.
In a timed game, Grace's won the toss and elected to field on a grey overcast day, expecting the ball to seam and swing. Bielby and Curtis opened the bowling for Grace's and soon had the home side struggling at 32 for 3. A partnership of 115 between Knight and Argyle rescued Croydon's inning with some punishing blows off Grace's spin duo Silva and Rishafi. Page took over with an accurate cameo bowling spell, having Knight stumped on 86 and denying Argyle his half century by bowling him on 46. Page and Rishafi both took 3 wickets as Grace's bowled out Croydon to set up a target of 184 to win.
In reply, Stockinger and Henderson batted cautiously against a strong and persistently accurate Croydon attack. Stockinger was bowled by O'Plum having scored 28 and Henderson batted patiently for almost 30 overs to score 29 before being run out attempting a second run. Mercuri's cameo innings of 16 before departing the stage, included a huge six and a four to take the score to 86 with a 47 partnership. Croydon then made further inroads into the Graces innings by taking two further wickets.
Page and Rishafi once more took control and eased Grace's towards the target with innings of 27 and 34 respectively amidst increasing tension, and it was left for the skipper and Silva to guide Graces to another pleasing victory. Well done lads, two games next week, keep it up, a great effort to win this one when Croydon almost got away.