Gloucester Gipsies 26 July 2021

Manager Frankie Crouch

Won by 32 runs

SOA 22 2 for 8

Gloucester Gipsies 190 all out

Winning the toss, Pres was keen to bat first on a decent pitch. Mallick and Aziz opened confidently, taking the SOA to 26. Ayyaz was bowled by a snorter that would have dismissed anyone. Aziz caught at slip via his pad, bat(?), keeper’s gloves for a well made 21. Leggie and Birmingham Premier player, Williams was bowling incredibly well and turning the ball square (both ways!) New bat Burney on his first ball saw the flight, ball pitching outside off, decided to leave, done by the googly, off stump hit! SOA 44-3. Davie and Bryant in to steady the ship. However, Williams’ googly was proving hard to pick and Bryant was trapped in front. Madden and Davie played well together, turning the strike over and hitting the bad balls away, a much-needed partnership of 45 took us to 100 before Madden was bowled. With 20 overs to go in our 45, Dove and Davie were well placed to score 200+. They both batted beautifully putting on 107 before Ethan fell for a very well crafted 116. His debut SOA ton. Useful runs added by Dumbarton at the end took us to double nelson 222-8.

Warner and Dumbarton took to the attack on a pitch that wasn’t offering much. They both bowled with control and made scoring runs hard. Warner finishing with 1-26 off 7 and Dumbarton 1-32 off 9. Burney and Saqib continued the pressure both bowling tight lines. Saqib spinning the ball both ways. Williams and Christie batting well and setting up the GG’s chance of victory. Step up Bryant, who jogged after a late cut to third man. As soon as the batsmen called for the second, Bryant morphed into Ben Stokes and fired the ball in for a key run out. With the run rate increasing and the field being spread out. GG had to attack. Saqib, Bryant and Aziz bowled well to take a combined 6 wickets to take SOA to victory by 32 runs. Bryant finishing with 3-22 off 5, Saqib 2-47 off 9 and Aziz 1-20. Many thanks to George Honey for umpiring both ends and Richard Grover for scoring. A lovely venue, Stowell Park, with amazing views over the Cotswolds.