On a damp and dreary day, we decided to risk it and play a game as we had travelled all the way down from London. It turned out to be a good decision as we won the game and once again showed our true colours.
After several checks with players and pitch inspections we decided to travel down to Ditchling. It was a bit damp to say the least, and wise voices uttered concerns about injuries, but captain for the day Curtis (Bielby running the marathon) decided to start a game, and we agreed on a 35-over-a-side match.
Winning the toss, Curtis decided to bowl, and his decision proved to be a good one. Inroads were soon made leaving the home side on 20- 3. Fawaz in his first game of the season bowled well and soon dismissed their opener with a ball that pitched on leg and hit off. Curtis, trying to get used to a wet ball, and using more sawdust than could possibly be healthy, trapped their other opener LBW and then yorked their number three on his off stump. Both finished with good figures when you think of the slippery ground for run-ups. Curtis 2-27 from his seven overs, and Fawaz 1- 33.
West, another new player for this season, took over from Fawaz, and considering the conditions and added pressure of a debut, bowled well. A hundred partnership ensued, and it looked like the match could possibly be heading away from Grace's. Then Mendis trapped their number four LBW on 47, and he was soon followed by their number five on 41, bowled by West. West then won an LBW against their number six. Mendis 1-37 off seven and West 2- 45. A further 27 runs were added leaving them finishing on 163-6. Special mention must go to While. He bowled superbly in the conditions and was very unlucky not to finish with a wicket, bowling seven overs and getting 0-16.
A very scrummy tea then followed. You should have seen the size of the slabs of chocolate cake - and captain Curtis would like to quell any rumours he had four slices. "I could only manage three," he said, " as I needed room for the two cream scones."
We ventured out to bat. Camberwell and Stockinger were asked to open, and Stockinger was soon on his way back to the pavilion being trapped LBW on 5. Camberwell looked to be in some form before misjudging a ball and seeing his stumps broken. This brought Whitmore out as number four to join While, who had come in at the fall of the first wicket.
After the previous week's run out, tension was high, but they put on a masterclass of batting and brought us to the winning post without any other batsmen being needed - tough luck on Henderson and Scott who were waiting for a long time. While, picking up where he left off in the first game, stormed to 92 not out off only 74 deliveries, hitting twelve 4s and four 6s. Whitmore, played himself in well, before ending up on 32 off 30 deliveries, hitting one 4 and one 6. We actually reached out target with ten overs to spare, and this bodes well for the season.
Thanks must go to Ditchling for a great day, good fun, good banter, an excellent tea, and making us feel very welcome.