Thursday 29th July 2021
Friendly
Stoke D’Abernon 113 for 7 (20 overs)
Thames Ditton 115 for 4 (18.1 overs)
Thames Ditton won by 6 wickets
Always on the look out for games to satisfy demand an opportunity presented itself to grab a fixture at Giggs Hill Green after the home side – welcoming as always – advertised on Tuesday that they had lost their opposition. A quick ring around got numbers, that fluctuated between 10 and 11; sadly the 11th player proved elusive to lock in but the ten who made it all had fun.
Stoke were asked to bat first and the Aaravs, Malhotra and Goswami – plus a generous helping of extras – provided a nice start with a stand of 41; but after they were separated Stoke lost their way and a bunch of wickets saw a re-build required from 54 for 5.
Deepak Malhotra, (29 not out), aided by Mihin Sugeeswarran, gave the side something to bowl at but a back spasm restricted his involvement in the field to a spectatorial one so Stoke would have to raise their efforts to cover the gaps, and also were down to just a five man attack after Goswami couldn’t shrug off the after-effects of wearing a beamer whilst batting.
James Morgan and Sugeeswarran bowled well up front, Morgan Jnr earning a full allocation and was unlucky to get a fourth column entry.
Narayan Kirthivasan got Stoke on the board when Morgan Jnr turned catcher in the deep, and a three wicket burst from Aarav Malhotra made things interesting at 59 for 4.
This brought two of Thames Ditton’s better players to the crease, however, and although Stoke’s bowlers did their best, the gaps presented by the absent fielder proved too difficult to plug, and the pair cruised home with the best part of two overs to spare.
In the end Stoke didn’t quite have enough runs, but this was a worthwhile exercise and good experience for the younger players; Will Grainger had more time behind the timbers and should be very pleased with his contribution.
Defeated but not downhearted the good spirit generated in the match was carried on into the bar afterwards where, pleasingly, everyone was encouraged to stop back and did. It ended up being a late one in particular for one member from each club who shared stories of a combined 1400+ games between them.
Remember it’s the “Stoke Hundred” at HQ on Friday night, then a full League and Sunday programme at the weekend. A few spots up for grabs in all fixtures so let you know who know if you’re around.
Scorecard : https://sdacc.play-cricket.com/website/results/4949005