The abysmal weather leading up to Sunday meant that everyone was surprised when the opposition confirmed that the pitch was playable. This shock combined, with traffic problems, resulted in only 5 players being present for the 2pm start time.
Due to this shortage Merton kindly allowed Grace's to bat first on a damp and green strip. Two late withdrawals meant that to get a result out of the fixture would require some outstanding performances with only 9 men.
Stockinger and Shorrocks opened, putting on 19 and looked comfortable until Shorrocks edged one down the leg side straight into the big keeper's left glove – a few inches wider or lower and it would have been safe!
Andy Whitmore came in next and soon delicately guided one on the offside – sadly straight to a fielder who took a good diving catch. Mappin came in and took his time adjusting to the conditions – his first run taking 17 deliveries. Meantime Stockinger had continued to punish anything wayward, continuing his good season so far.
The partnership soon developed as Mappin found the ball starting to come onto the bat, playing a series of pull shots on his way to his first 50 for Grace's off 64 balls. Merton heads started to drop as the bat continued to dominate until Stockinger made his first mistake misjudging a straight one to be bowled for 42.
This bought Scott in who played a good anchor role to support Mappin who accelerated away with some astonishing shots to a magnificent maiden century off only 84 balls – the second fifty from only 20 deliveries! This including 22 from one over including 3 consecutive straight sixes into the adjacent road, one of which went through a resident's car window!
After a partnership of 83 Dominic was bowled bringing Newton-Sawyerr in for the last few overs. He chipped in with 9 while Mappin finished on 125 not out to give us a fighting total of 210 for 4. His only chance given came in a dropped skier on about 60. A drop that turned out to have a big influence on the result!
At tea, a friend of Mappin's who had come to watch volunteered (was persuaded!) to field for us – so we had 10 fielders, an unexpected bonus. His contribution was invaluable as he saved at least crucial 20 runs.
Bielby and Mappin opened the bowling and you couldn't keep the Aussie out of the action as he soon bowled one of the openers and had their number 3 sharply caught at point by Newton-Sawyerr. So Merton were 2 for 9 and looking in trouble.
However their number 4 dug in and started to compile runs with a series of well-timed drives reaching 50 out of a total of 68.
Grace's lack of depth in bowling resources resulted in the attack being juggled around to try to keep the batsmen from settling. Gordon bowled well finishing with 8 overs for 22. Benjamin, Scott, Newton-Sawyerr and Whitmore were all used to mix it up. Wickets fell regularly but runs were also being conceded. The turning point was Bielby bowling their number 4 – now a centurion – attempting to sweep a good length ball when he looked like guiding Merton to victory.
After his departure the run rate dropped and Merton finally needed 11 from the last over. Whitmore rose to the challenge and bowled it straight leaving them on 201 for 9 to give Grace's a 9 run victory against the odds and surely one of the sweetest victories of the season so far!