On Saturday, Graces 2nd XI took on Rajput Samaj CC 2nd XI, whom we had only belatedly discovered play in the 2nd XI 1st Division of the Middlesex Premier League!
Grace's won the toss and put the opposition into bat, limiting Rajput to 180 all out from 34 overs. It was clear that Rajput had a very strong batting line-up, but thanks to some outstanding bowling from Curtis and Rishafi, Rajput were pegged back to 52-4 - although at one point, with the ball being hit out of the ground, Rajput looked capable of hitting over 350. Thanks to Hope, our South African friend from last year, who took a magnificient catch to remove the dangerous opening batsman and then took a stunning caught and bowled during 9 economical overs (apart from his first and last over) for two wickets. With Ali and Wingrove mixing up the bowling at the end, each taking a wicket, Rajput moved from 113-8 to 180 all out.
In reply, Grace's reached 53 without loss, before the skipper Camberwell ran himself out on 33. Unfortuntely Hardisty, batting for the first time this season, was out second ball LBW, and Rishafi went to the same bowler having scored only 2. Henderson (15) was out the very next over, leaving Graces in trouble at 59-4. A gutsy partnership of 17 between our Chairman McGing and Ross (20), followed by a an agressive cameo of 21 from Hope, saw Graces to 114-8, allowing Grace's batting tail to wag like a happy dog on heat.
Rajput Samaj CC were far too strong for Grace's 2nd XI and this might have been a mismatch. However, a stronger Grace's team would probably have created a stronger challenge. But it was not the end of the world, and Grace's headed off into the West End for drinkiepoos upbeat on a great fielding performance, with Reed celebrating his first catch with a glass or two of Stella. We expect to have another 2nd XI game in about two weeks' time, unless demand and availability requires more. Well done to everyone.