Our friends at Montclara Cazals (MCC) had given us a warm welcome in more ways than one, the sun was beating down in the Stade only to be told that it was going to get hotter.

Pete had won the toss yet again and elected to bat with an experimental line-up on a mischievous mat wicket.

MCC took a good early wicket with Yoji bowled on 1 and their tails were up. Pete then took revenge with a cracking 6 which sent a tremor through the grandstand when the ball punched the rafters, only to be caught a few balls later in this tit for tat match.

Allan and Sonia fought to slow down the openers onslaught for 4 overs until Allan’s wicket was bowled.  Then the excitement in the crowd grew as Bob…oh and Jack entered the arena, not since John, Paul, George and Ringo touched down in the USA, has such hysteria been witnessed. Bob teased the crowd with a single here and there and then walked, leaving his fans craving for more.

The next partnership was Sonia and Gulshan who both looked solid until a ball, which deceived the fielders and in turn caused confusion amongst the batsmen meant that Sonia was run out. 

Now time for Ankit to shine on his NG debut innings. He and Gulshan complemented each other well, Gulshan playing an array of attacking shots whilst Ankit playing the anchor role.  Two quick LBW decisions later (Ankit still smiling) led to Prem and Mujtaba at the crease and straight away both players were spraying the ball in all directions knocking up a welcome 50 partnership before Mujtaba was well stumped.

After last weeks brilliant 81, Arun had a lot to live up too… and he did not disappoint.  He dissected the field with a quick fire 30 before another stumping in the final over.

With Prem still not out and looking comfortable, Gigi came in and scored 1 not out which took our total to 155 for 9.

MCC exploded out of the blocks with Richard and Mark batting as if they were late for a wedding! Smashing the opening bowlers all over the park.  A much-needed wicket came as Yoji fired one down the track, got a thin edge and then a well-taken shoelace catch by Sonia ended Richard’s innings.

In the 4th over Pete managed to run out Mark with a direct hit.

Then the experienced captain John stabilised the whole innings with his defiant and stubborn play, at one point he was injured and still managed to bat with a runner and proved to be very strong.

After 12 overs MCC were well on course with runs but were running out of wickets.  Tidy bowling from Gulshan 1 wicket, Jack 1 wicket and Mujtaba 2 wickets had seen off the middle order and it was now time for Prem and Pete to finish the game.

A fantastic hat trick from Prem virtually sealed the game with Pete finishing it in the 18th over.

MCC Captain, John was not out on an extremely commendable 19 helping his team to 100 AO.

Back