5th May
The 5th KAT (sponsored by the new Dulux Decorator Centre) was blessed with a sunny if rather cool day as we assembled for a prompt 11am start.
After being drawn against The RHC Hospital CC for our first match and winning the toss, we batted with purpose and high hopes at the beginning of another season; we were delighted to welcome Jon O & Alex G as Racqueteer debutants.
Despite an uncharacteristic earlier departure for The Professor, with good contributions from skipper Mike F (25 not out), Paddy H (26 not out) as well double-figure scores from David F, Alex G, Kendall & a positive 16 (not out) from Chris, a competitive 145 for 4 (in our 29 overs) was posted. It must be noted that the returning David H had to retire hurt after cutting a ball into his lip which bled profusely…
The Hospital reply was good but with an excellent and very accurate opening spell (3 overs for only 14) from Gaurav, terrific support from Tim N – who claimed his first ever Racqueteers wicket – and Paddy (a frugal 3 overs for only 7) we kept in control of a tight match. Our focus remained, and bowling with with great accuracy Mike C (3 overs, 2 for 20) and Chris (3 overs, 1 for 18) supported by excellent catching (1 apiece for Paddy, Gaurav, Jack & Mike C) we won, restricting the Hospital to 134-4 in their 20 over reply.
Thus we progressed to the final…
St Giles’ Hill CC were our opponents in the final who, after winning the toss, elected to bat. They were very positive form the off and despite good opening spells from Gaurav (1 wkt for 19) and Chris (1 for 23) the scoreboard rattled along throughout the innings. Mike C bowled with very good control picking up 1 wicket for only 15 in his 3 overs, and wickets did fall to Jack and notably 3 late strikes for Lawrence plus I catch and 2 stumpings were taken by Alex behind the stumps.
However, St Giles’ reached an impressive total of 193-7 in their allocated overs…
With such a total we we needed a bright and positive start; St Giles’ bowled straight and accurately throughout and whilst Mike F (26), The Professor (27) and David F (25) all batted well & retired, we were always behind the run-rate reaching only 104-4 in our 20 overs.
Thus St Giles’ CC were worthy winners of the KAT in 2019.
Onwards we go to matches next week at The Milbury’s (Thursday) & at home to The Rioteers (Sunday); it’s just the start of an exciting Racqueteers season!
The Racqueteers Cricket Club 