|
Match Report
Two well-match sides contested the earliest game in Gents history, Jay Bharat maintaining their unbeaten run in this series
with a win by four wickets. They deserved it too. When the hosts plummeted to 29-5, Gents were favourites but a composed,
unbeaten 66 from Anit, supported well by the stonewalling opener Ketan and latterly Vijay, saw Jay Bharat over the line.
For The Gents, an accomplished all-round performance by Dubey (his maiden fifty), Rudru and former captain Sanjay Patel were
the highlights. Thus, Hemin Patel suffered his first defeat and although there were eleven very disappointed Gents at the end,
it was far from a poor performance.
The run up to the game saw several pull outs but eleven men defied volcanic ash, comedy bus replacement services and Sunday
traffic to make it onto the ground on time. The decision not to permit the grass wicket to be used was wise for the ground was
still damp, but the matting wicket slap bang in the middle of a scruffy rugby field was not ideal. Boundaries would be scarce
all day as potential fours were turned into ones and twos.
The basic problem was a patchy performance by The Gents’ batsmen which the bowlers could not quite redeem. Khan, bowled through
the gate, Desai, well held at slip after the wicket-keeper had parried the ball, and Kalidindi fell early, but Rudru had started
promisingly before edging to gully. Sanjay Patel and Dubey then defied the dodgy artificial strip and long outfield to add 76,
the latter smiting five fours and three sixes, the only maxima of the day. This was the only period in the innings when Jay Bharat’s
fielding looked ragged but they fought back spiritedly to clean up the tail in short order, 1.5 overs left unbowled. Still, 146 was
above expectations though somewhat disappointing after the comparative riches of 110-4 with eleven overs remaining.
The Gents got off to a flier when Jay Bharat replied at five o’clock. A smart throw by Sanjay Patel into bowler Khan ran out
Sohan before two leg-before appeals by Rudru and Dubey were given by the umpire. Dubey then induced two edges in an over to Desai
to leave the hosts on 29-5. Anit batted in a composed methodical style. Recognising that boundaries were hard to come by, he scored
his ones and twos with Ketan, whose invaluable 25 lasted 25 overs. For two relative veterans, their running between the wickets was
exemplary and although there were a couple of close shouts for a run out, they took the score to 92 before Rudru found Ketan’s edge.
Vijay then carried on where the opener left off. Hemin Patel and Sciberras went for a combined 46 in five overs as Jay Bharat sensed
victory, which came with nine balls remaining. As the pressure mounted, the fielding slackened and the hosts took full advantage.
Eight bowlers were used but only Rudru, Dubey and the unlucky Sanjay Patel looked likely to take a wicket in the final stages.
Jay Bharat were friendly hosts and the teams got on well but one suspects that their quality was an eye-opener to one or two Gents
who have known little but success. That is perhaps how it should be and there will be many tough battles ahead in 2010.
|
|
