MCCC v's Riverside @ Home Saturday 11 June 2005 Lost by 6 runs
After electing to field to try and take advantage of the sunny conditions and very hard wicket with the new ball, we had a steady start with Andy Allan bowling to his normal high standard and chipping in with two wickets. Then we brought on Graham Pinkney and Tony Hammond who finished with fine figures of 3/22 and 3/23 respectivley due to superb bowling and aided by 4 excellent catches from Brian x2, Tony and Mark. Graham even managed to break one of the bails!!! Riverside finished on 189/8.
So the chase was on and Brian and Mark set the pace by hitting a breath taking 30 off the first 5 overs before Brian was caught behind for 12 and Mark followed in the next over for 24. This brought to the crease Hament who sought to take on all with some superb strokes and solid running aided by Steve and Andy. Steve producing a fine knock of 26.
We were 101/5 when Jess limped into the middle, using Mark as his runner! Jess played his part and tried to accompany Hament in pushing along the score, but with Jess out for 8 and an unfortunate Tony being run out for a "quack quack" we found ourselves on 152/7 with 4 overs remaining. After a magnificient innings Hament was finally out for 57.
Then came along Barik, who excited all by hitting a nearly match winning 20 (yes 20)to draw us even closer, but he was eventually run out which left us needing to score 12 off the last over for victory. Unfortunately the excitement came to a close with us falling 6 runs short.
This was a very enjoyable match, with both teams playing excellent cricket and in a good spirit.
Thanks to all and well played.
Mark.
Champagne moment:
Excellent catch by Tony Hammond on the long-on boundary.
MCCC Man of the Match:Hament Patel (Superb batting
Additional Comments about match:Yet another close match against a very good Riverside team.
MCCC Batting Order:
1.Brian Douglas
2.Mark Bartram
3.Haris Hussain
4.Hament Patel
5.Steve O'Neil
6.Andy Allan
7.Jess Sharling
8.Tony Hammond
9.Barik.C
10.Steve Vickery
11.Graham Pinkney
Weather: Warm but cloudy
Toss won by: MCCC won toss and bowled First
Pitch Condition: Dry and firm
Match Format: Overs Game (40 per side)
MCCC Total: 183 for 9