YC&AC Gentlemen’s XI christens new ground with stunning victory!
Words: Anthony Hague
Anthony opened the batting and apologies for sounding cocky, but got the Gentlemen off to a flyer with 33 not out, cracking 5 x 4s off a tired looking Embassy bowling attack. Anthony was well supported with a cracking 30 not out from our 14 year old Japan under 16s National Squad import, Rishaan Ukhande. The YC&AC had a very solid base when both openers retired having hit the maximum 30 runs and the score at 0/80. With a great deal of batting to come, Timmy Moore, Taiga Hague, Eric Harrison, Peter Gyves and Arthur Zhou came out swinging and after our allocated 20 overs, the score was at a very respectable 117.
The captain threw the ball to our newest YC&AC member, Peter Gyves, and Peter didn’t let his captain down. Coming in at just under 2 metres, Peter is built like a fast bowler should be built and you could see the BECC batsman looking a little worried when he strode in! In his first over he removed one of their openers, and Arthur Zhou, a former under 19s Zimbabwe international, removed the other opener, splaying the stumps.
Will Moore then took the ball and his line a length was spot on, removing the Embassy’s strongest batsman, Augustine Jacob, who skied one to the heavens only to be snaffled up by Eric Harrison. Amazing catch Eric. The Embassy’s captain, Jack Savage, who cuts an imposing figure, took center and looked ready to score some runs, only to be run out by the dexterous Timmy Moore. Anthony Hague then chipped in clean bowling their sixth batsman, and the looping off spin of Rishaan saw two more batsman go, with Anthony Hague taking an easy catch close in.
It was all coming down to the last over with the Embassy needing just 9 to win. Former Essex County Cricketer Rob Newman was at the crease so the Embassy was certainly in with a sniff. He whacked away but then drove one firmly to Anthony Hague who somehow stopped it, under armed the ball to Rishaan who whipped-off the bails. Now it was up to a Japan Women’s Cricket team all rounder, Ayaka Kanada, to score the winning runs for the Embassy, however Arthur’s line was too good and it would be a YC&AC victory with the Embassy making 111! Well done lads. Very nice way to christen the ground!
With 33 not out, a wicket, a catch and a run out, player of the match went to yours truly.
We will be playing a touring UK side, the Hammer Bottoms, on Sunday 6 October, which should be fun. Reach out to Anthony Hague or Yusuke Tomiogi, the sports manager, if you would like to play.