Grammar let Mannofield off the hook as a combination of far too many wides (34) and no balls (8) plus dropped catches cost Grammar dearly. Naveed had recovered from a nightmare opening over of 15 balls to bowl superbly after a change of ends to take 3 for 37 and he, Karan Anand and Prash had reduced Mannofield to 74 for 6, but Grammar let things slip badly as late hitting and poor bowling and fielding discipline saw Mannofield reach 232 all out. Prash claiming 3 for 37, which was matched by Naveed, Karan Anand with 2 for 41 and Javaid and Swiergon claimed 1 victim each.
Grammar’s chase while always behind the rate was in decent order as opener Swiergon struck 55, but just when he was getting into his stride was unluckily caught on the boundary as Sood dud well to recover having chested the initial effort to grab it 2nd time round. In fact Mannofield claimed a couple of extraordinary catches, Haider also grabbed one handed when it appeared Yathagoda was not trying too hard to make the ground. At 111 for 3 with Swiergon and Anand finding their range, Grammar had hope but when Swiergon fell it was all on Anand.
He did start finding regular boundaries, but twice hit Saraswat straight up and 2nd time round Ali claimed a good catch. All that was left for Grammar was to try and reach 175, but they were all out 173 to lose by 59 runs.
Next week Grammar face Gordonians at Slopefield.
Man of the Match
Rob Swiergon batted well for his 50 and took a wicket and catch.
Champagne Moment
Naveed’s perfect away swinger to bowl Hashmi.
Thanks to Gilles Gardner for the pictures
