Pretty extraordinary game and an excellent start to the season for the Gladdies. It started typically with only 4 guys present for the toss, but remarkably, a fully kitted 9 taking the field for the start of play. The Gypsies won the toss and went pretty hard early. Marty, Jimbo, Rob and Lach all picked up early wickets, and the catching was pretty solid, but the Gypsies found the boundary regularly, and the Gladdies were well under the pump with 124 on the board by drinks.
But this clearly wasn’t the Gladdies first rodeo, and our wounds were shortly salved by gypsy tears. The Gladdies conceded just 23 runs in the 8.3 overs after drinks, with Rob finishing with 4/22 as the Gypsies challenge fizzled out. Gladdies on top.
Cue the Gladdies batting. The Gypsies once again went hard early bagging run outs and wickets aplenty, and at 6/50 after 15, we were once again under the pump. Fortunately, the fall of the 7th wicket brought Dan (courtesy of Jamie’s generous offer not to bat) and Marty to the crease together for the first time and go figure, the most regular attendees at net sessions batted exceptionally well. Dan played resolute defence mixed with glorious cover drives and pulls, while Marty simply brutalised the attack, racking up 48… in boundaries, and 56 overall. Dan finished on 43 not out as the Gladdies pulled off an unlikely victory with more than 8 overs to spare, and therefore time for a cheeky beverage at the Bavarian.
So, a most satisfying start to the season.
