Dil's Day at Grappenhall

August coming to a close and winless despite all the home games. The damp weather did not reflect the jovial mood in the camp. Fishy was back (at last) from holidaying and Joe Killer took the gloves from Reg who kept his slot at number 4. As we meandered our way over to Warrington, it seemed like a key toss due to the black clouds looming overhead. The Cheshire Cat-like grin of the double tea potted umpire who met us with the unconventional greeting of "It's a 12 o'clock start, I think you should concede the toss" was not in keeping with second Xl cricket :I much prefer "Good Afternoon". The rules state...etc. So common sense ran off and hid behind the pavilion and the toss was conceded which meant batting on the first damp wicket in months against two handy medium-pacers clutching a new ball.
George had nearly had to hurry to get his pads on which would have been very uncharacteristic but luckily Dilruk Yahathugoda is nothing if not laid back and they took their time to get sorted and set. Sawdust aplenty on the run ups and the ball clearly bouncing and moving around. Ian Metcalf had discretely scuttled to the far side of the field to avoid being asked to don his pads - it's average preservation time! What he saw was an edge from George pouched at first slip and the writing seemed to be on the wall. Dil and Joe dug in. Nothing flashy or even fluent but patient instead. One new bowler negotiated and Cagna (who is probably slower than Dan) on. Sticky pitch so tricky to face; a sign of things to come hopefully. Joe tried to get going as Dil began to find the fence but eventually perished for an excellent ten breaking a 42 run stand. Reg came in to join Dil and progress stayed equally slow but it was wicketless progress with spin from both ends. Reg had clearly listened well to advice the previous week and rained-in his shot making to look to build an innings and his 12 was invaluable 35 run partnership.
At the other end, Dil was starting to play a different game with vicious striking down the ground and strong pulls square of the wicket. Grappenhall were not great in the field and Abbas in particular was having an off day as Dil hit consecutive fours through him at long-off. Eddie built the third significant partnership with Dil - 55 - and when he departed in the 43rd over, Dan decided to let the strikers loose. Wiggy and Joe Maddocks had a go. Dil then went to his 100. A marvellously positive innings of watchful batting. Resolute blocking and clean, aggressive striking saw him score his maiden Boughton Hall ton. Excellent innings but still some overs left. The las 5 overs yielded an extra 41 runs as Dan joined Dil and finished the innings with a towering six. The skipper's 14 was the second highest score after the 122 Dil added. Chapeau. On a flatter deck with a faster outfield, it could have been significantly more but in the context of the game it was huge.
All the away teas are good in second team cricket and despite some members ruing the lack of seasoning in the chilli it went down well. Spectacular marshmallow cake and brownies alongside tea served in GCC insignia embossed cups - nice touch.
The talk in the first half was of how the pitch would suit the Chester bowling. At drinks, the score was 85 for 0 with Brayno, Wiggy, Dan and Fishy all wicketless and Rooney unbeaten on 50. Plenty of shots in the air and senior players reiterating the need to keep going with luck surely about to change. The one blemish was a dropped catch behind the stumps off the excellent Wiggy. Then the wicket came LBW to Fishy and like London busses two more came quickly through an excellent Matt Brayne Run Out courtesy of a direct hit then Dan removing Rooney caught Dil next ball. The score in the 90s but 3 wickets lost. Fishy and Dan then removed the middle order all via catches from different players. Dan done and Joe Maddocks on with 7 wickets down having been lost for 30 runs since drinks, a fine turn around. Joe was smacked for an enormous 6 by Titchard but then another catch and his first wicket before almost a carbon copy but Eddie Roberts catch was far more spectacular with a leaping dive. In the process of giving the catch, young Pennington dislocated his knee - poor chap. Ambulance called, wating to be done. The rulebook was out but nothing untoward as an hour went by before he left the field on a stretcher with his knee back in place - we all hope he's OK.
Game back on and 28 runs or one wicket needed depending on how you look at it. Titchard was in the zone and finding the fence regularly but Cagna played and missed first ball, surely the runs needed to come the other end. Wiggy bowled an excellent over conceding just 2. 3 overs left and Joe's first ball lifted over long-off for a huge 6. The Wyatt bonnet bore the full force. Next ball a little shorter and slower and not off the middle...straight to young Reg Wyatt...caught! Never in doubt as victory in an excellent game was achieved. Joe Maddocks, nerves of steel at the end, deserved his 3 wickets. Dan 4 and Fishy 2, helped get things going and the fielding display which was far superior to the opposition played a massive part in winning the day. Early start...8pm finish! Creamfields (or Greenfields!) pumping away in the background as the teams left the field. Great attitude and teamwork all round fully deserved the 25 points.

MotM - Dil. Obvious really for his outstanding knock in difficult circumstances
DotD - Matt "Barry Chuckle" Brayne for his sight screen shenanigans.