Scorecard

Glenmore Cricket Club Glenmore Braves v St Johns II on Sun 19 Aug 2012 at 12pm
Glenmore Cricket Club Won by 12 runs

Match report An incredible day at Riley Park saw Glenmore produce a Jekyll and Hyde performance, with just enough good Dr Jekyll to win by 12 runs. It was a truly amazing match for so many reasons…extras top score in both innings, highest score from a batsman a measly 11, exceptional bowling displays from the four openers and an outstanding team spirit from the eventual winners.

Cricket, like so many sports, is a funny old game, and rarely goes according to the script. Glenmore arrived at a hot, sunny Riley Park armed with a strong looking batting line up and ready to put a decent total on the board. Once again Jon Bray won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat first. Sadly, the Glenmore batsmen struggled from the outset and were never able to get on top of the impressive St Johns bowlers.

The umpires had plenty to do in this game and they were quickly into the action when Jonathan Bray was adjudged lbw for 3. Glenmore were soon in deeper trouble when Ruwan (0) edged Zeashan to the keeper. The scoreboard read 12-2 and St Johns were jumping for joy. Their opening pair of Abid and Zeashan were proving extremely consistent and a constant threat with their late swing. Zeashan was celebrating again soon afterwards when he had the in form Alex Storey (5) caught at short extra cover. It was a lazy shot from Storey that put Glenmore deeper in the mire. The dependable Ryan Jenkinson was the next to go, edging another good nut from Zeashan to Dexter behind the stumps.

The returning Dave Sherjan had looked solid as a rock during his patient innings, getting well forward and showing the full face of the bat. And so it was something of a surprise when a rare shotr ball (from Abid) popped up, got Sherjan in a tangle and had him caught and bowled for 6.

If ever Glenmore needed a partnership it was now. Half the team back in the hutch and just 24 runs on the board. Anjan Singh and Sandeep Sahota were the batsmen in the middle and together they put on the biggest partnership of the match. It may only have been 22 runs but in the context of a low scoring match it made a huge difference. Together Anjan and Sandy dug in, looked to pick up some singles, and tried to keep the bowlers at bay. Sandy rode his luck a little during his innings of 9 and was eventually cleaned up by the spin of Sabeel.

The remainder of the Glenmore batsmen came and went in quick succession. While Anjan defended resolutely, giving nothing away, at the other end Bobby Gajendra (1), Martin Muyomba (having hit the only 6 of the day) and Brijesh (0) were in and out faster than lightening. The spin of captain Sabeel (3-13) accounted for Bobby and Martin, while Bijju got a wicked in swinger first ball from Abid and was out lbw.

With the things looking bleak Anjan tried to smack a few quick runs but was stopped in his tracks when he too was given out lbw off the bowling of Abid. The St Johns opener had bowled beautifully throughout and thoroughly deserved his figures of 4-18 off 8 overs. Zeashan had equally impressive figures…3-11 off 10.

Glenmore all out for 64. A very poor batting display from start to finish. The wicket wasn't great, and the grass on the outfield has rarely been longer, but no excuses could be given - it was simply a bad day at the office for Glenmore with the bat.

Thankfully, cricket is a game of two halves and anything can happen. And thankfully Glenmore have developed a fantastic team spirit, so when they took to the field to defend their 64 they were focused, together and up for the fight. The vast majority of teams would have given the game up having made such a low score, but Glenmore knew a couple of early wickets would put them right back in the game.

There was some controversy at the very start of the St Johns chase when their experienced opener Dexter came out to bat wearing a beautiful pair of white pads. With a white ball this is not the done thing and he was asked to change them. Dexter is a stubborn batsman at the best of times, but never more so than when stripped of his favourite paddage. A 10 minute delay followed and a thoroughly miserable looking Dexter eventually faced up to the first over from Bobby. His look of misery worsened when he received a brute of a delivery from Martin - leaping from just short of a length and taking his glove through to a fully stretched Storey behind the stumps.

Martin, back in the side after a four game absence, was bowling absolutely beautifully. He was fast, accurate and giving the batsmen trouble with virtually every delivery. St Johns' elder statesman Arthur (11) managed to pull Martin for a boundary but had no response once the Ugandan quick found the perfect line and some out-swing, edging behind to Storey.

Glenmore had wanted two quick wickets to get back in the match and Martin had supplied them. At the other end Bobby was bowling tight and causing some troubles of his own. Both bowlers were on the money and scoring was proving a near impossible task. St Johns' 15 year old number 3, Adipa, looked to get forward and play straight but never looked like scoring any runs, and the increasing pressure of the situation was certainly getting to him. With the tea break looming Glenmore were desperate for another wicket and Martin delivered again. This time the pitch had a large part to play as the ball kept alarmingly low and struck Sabeel (1) on the shin flush in front of middle stump. The Glenmore boys were right in the game and enjoyed Martin's next ball almost as much as his previous. Kamal, the number five, had walked out to bat without any headware at all and clearly this hadn't gone unnoticed by Muyomba, who produced a superb bouncer. The ball pounded into Kamal's chest, much to the delight of the numerous close in catchers.

And so tea came with St John's a long way from their target, 25 for 3. Glenmore had bowled their hearts out and had been unlucky to not walk off with even more reward. However, the 30 minute rest came at just the right time, allowing Martin and Bobby to put their feet up and recharge their batteries.

When play resumed Bobby and Martin immediately found their lines and lengths to prove just as dangerous as ever. While Martin continually went past the outside edge and bowled with no luck, it was Bobby G who started to find some success. Keen to get his name in the book, Bobby put on his angriest face and found another gear. Kamal (now wearing a helmet) was his first wicket. The number five producing a hideous shot to be bowled middle stump for 1.

The all rounder Rohit (3) was the next out, also trying to play a big shot, but only succeeding in driving Bobby straight to Rich Harvey at mid-off. At the this stage wickets were coming more frequently than runs and the pressure was intensifying on the St Johns batsmen. They only needed 30 runs to win but scoring runs was so difficult they just couldn't get the scoreboard ticking. The St Johns number seven (Ashish) clearly couldn't handle the pressure. Trying to slog his way out of trouble, he sent the ball high towards Richy…the Glenmore team held it's breath…and the man from Okotoks clung onto a fantastic catch. He'd had to make ground to his left, get under it and pouch it, all with a fair amount of pressure on his shoulders. Bobby now had three wickets and he wasn't done yet. While his teammates had been giving their wickets away, young Adipa (6) had been blocking, leaving and showing more maturity than his more senior colleagues. His vigil was finally brought to an end by a perfect late in-swinger from Bobby, wrapping the teenager on the pad and giving the umpire a simple decision.

By now Glenmore's spirit had turned into a genuine belief they could pull off a famous victory. Everybody was concentrating, giving 100% and looking to contribute in any way they could. The energy couldn't have been better and St Johns were feeling the squeeze. But, both Martin (3-22) and Bobby (4-16) had finished their sensational spells and it was time for the change bowlers to get into the action. Ruwan replaced Bobby and immediately found a great rhythm, testing the batsmen with good pace and some late out swing. However, the next wicket to fall had more to do with the pressure Glenmore had exerted than anything else. Ashok, the number 9, drove the ball to Bobby at mid-on and set off. "Yes….no…yes…no" went the calling and as often happens in such cases, both batsmen ended up at the strikers end. Bobby simply threw the ball back to Ruwan and St Johns were 8 wickets down.

At this stage the pressure shifted from St Johns onto Glenmore. Twenty runs or two wickets were needed, but Glenmore had all the momentum and self belief. Sherjan came into the attack for an over, but Jon Bray had a feeling in his bones that spin might be a better option so whipped the Englishman from the attack and replaced him with Sandeep. The off-spinner has been in great form recently and he wasted no time in justifying Jon's instincts. First ball from Sandy was a beautifully flighted off-break, spinning between the bat and pad of Zeashan, and just clipping the off bail. 9 wickets were down and Glenmore were on the brink.

Abid, last man in, looked to be positive and hit Sandy back over his head for a couple. Ashok, cheering every wide that came along, looked to be cautious by leaving and defending as best he could. As the extras tally grew so St Johns edged closer to their target. They needed thirteen runs. But, Ashok's negative approach proved costly. The right hander went to leave a ball he thought was going down leg side but swung back to off late in it's trajectory and smacked him on the pad. Ruwan went up. The fielders went up. And most importantly, the umpire's finger went up. Ashok was gone for 2 and Glenmore had completed a startling win.

As St Johns tried to comprehend how they had been bowled out for 52 the Glenmore players rejoiced in the middle of Riley Park. There were hugs aplenty and congratulations all round. To win a game that looked so far out of reach at the half way point was a truly miraculous achievement. Despite the batting unit failing to post a strong total, the bowlers produced an outstanding display. Martin and Bobby were magnificent for the first twenty overs, and they were then well supported by Ruwan, David and Sandeep. All the fielders were alive, energetic and focussed, and gave the batsmen nothing. Special mention to Rich Harvey, whose two catches were vital to the win.

More than anything though, this was a win born out of attitude and team spirit. Glenmore approached their bowling and fielding with confidence, energy and the desire to not go down without a fight. At the halfway stage St Johns thought they'd already won the game. By showing some grit and determination Glenmore were able to show them that in cricket, anything can happen. Congratulations lads, a sensational, remarkable win.






Glenmore Cricket Club Glenmore Braves Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
2nb 18w 2lb 
for 10 wickets
22
64		        
Jonathan Bray lbw b Abid 3
Ruwan Thushantha ct Dexter b Zeashan 0
Alex Storey ct Abid b Zeashan 5 1 2
David Sherjan ct & bowled Abid 6
Ryan Jenkinson ct Dexter b Zeashan 2
Anjandeep Singh lbw b Abid 9
Sandeep Sahota b b Sabeel 9
Bobby Gajendra ct short extra b Sabeel 1 1
Martin Muyomba ct cow corner b Sabeel 6 1
Brijesh (Bijju) Mohankumar lbw b Abid 0
Richard Harvey Not Out  1 2

St Johns II Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Abid8.001844.502.25
Zeashan10.041133.671.10
Rohit7.022000.002.86
Sabeel4.011334.333.25

St Johns II Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
12w 2lb 
for 10 wickets
14
52 (27.0 overs)		     
Dexter ct Storey b Muyomba 0
Arthur ct Storey b Muyomba 11
Adipa lbw b Gajendra 6
Sabeel lbw b Muyomba 1
Kamal b b Gajendra 1
Rohit ct Harvey b Gajendra 3
Ashish ct Harvey b Gajendra 2
Faruk run out (Gajendra/Ruwan) 4
Ashok lbw b Ruwan 2
Zeashan b b Sahota 2
Abid Not Out  2

Glenmore Cricket Club Glenmore Braves Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Bobby Gajendra10.011644.001.60
Martin Muyomba10.012237.332.20
Ruwan Thushantha4.00616.001.50
David Sherjan1.00400.004.00
Sandeep Sahota2.00414.002.00

  • Umpire :
    Cavaliers III
  • Scorer :
 
Photos and video of Glenmore Cricket Club Glenmore Braves v St Johns II on Sun 19 Aug 2012 at 12pm

Team Photo

(back row, left to right) Alex Storey, Martin Muyomba, David Sherjan, Ryan Jenkinson, Ruwan Thushantha, Sandeep Sahota. (front row, l to r) Bobby Gajendra, Brijesh Mohankumar, Jonathan Bray (captain), Richard Harvey, Anjan Singh

Team photo

Bray batting

Bray batting

Sherjan batting

Sherjan batting

Zeashan bowls

Storey batting

Storey out

Sherjan batting

Ryan batting

Ryan out

Sherjan batting

Sherjan out

Anjan batting

Sandeep batting

Sandeep batting

Sandy out

Anjan batting

Bobby batting

In trouble

Anjan batting

Bobby batting

Bobby out

Martin out

Martin batting

Brijesh out

Anjan batting

Anjan out

14 run win