Sunday XI v Deando Ruxley II, friendly, Old Haileyburians, West Ewell, 6 May

St Lukes

Robin Ford

David Houghton

Alex Street

Darren

Ollie Heath

Jason Custance

Warren/Gerome

Ven

Gothum Kandavelu

Evan Huyerman

Dieter Grutzner

Put into bat St Lukes made a disastrous start.  Jason was bowled for a golden without playing a shot (JC - it was a very good ball and i was thinking about the team and didn't want to get all the runs for myself) and he was soon followed by Ollie failing to hit over the in-field.  Debutant Ven Krishnamurthy looked comfortable until a low ball trapped him LBW and St Lukes were on the ropes at 9-3.  Then the comeback.  Gothum was joined by Dieter and they put on 85 for the fourth wicket.  When Dieter was finally bowled for 32, the tail chipped in.  Alex Street (8), David Houghton (12) and Evan (18) all helped Gothum get to 83 and the team reach 201 all out in the last of the 40 overs.

Deando Ruxley started their innings slowly and surely until Evan’s spell taking 3 wickets in 3 overs.  However, batsmen 4 and 5 hung around against the bowling of new boys Ven, Darren Ferrari, Alex, Dieter and Gothum and before the captain new it Deando needed only 5 an over in the last 15 with 7 wickets in hand and a short boundary to defend.  Despite fielding quite well Deando reached their target with 11 balls and 6 wickets to spare.  A case of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

Man of the Match – Gothum Kandavelu.