Gloucestershire under GrahamB (story)

[GrahamB]

Batting first, we got off to a good start to our OD match against Sussex, but the overhead conditions turned nasty and so did our fortunes, as we struggled for runs. David Weise was just unplayable and almost single-handedly destroyed us.

Our total could still have proved challenging, but the cloud cover lifted again and anchored by a nice innings from Laurie Evans, Sussex coasted home.


Gloucestershire - 187 (C.Dent-58, D.Wiese-5/12)

Sussex - 191/5 (L.Evans-89no, R.Higgins-3/68)

[GrahamB]

In our final OD group game, we had to bowl first against Essex.

Led by a superb century from Alastair Cook, plus a swashbuckling knock from Ryan ten Doeschate, our opponents went past 300.

In response, we were reduced to 30/6, before Tom Hellawell and Ryan Higgins saved us from total disgrace. Still a big loss though!


Essex - 308/9 (A.Cook-116, R.ten Doeschate-61, D.Worrall-4/60, H.Hankins-4/67)

Gloucestershire - 139 (R.Higgins-50, J.Porter-5/29)

[GrahamB]

Back to the FC competition. Our second match was a visit to Glamorgan.

Our playing eleven: M.Hammond, C.Dent, G.Roderick (wk and captain), T.Hellawell, G.van Buuren, J.Taylor, I.Cockbain, R.Higgins, H.Hankins, D.Worrall, S.Whittingham.

We lost the toss and the home side were able to make use of the best batting conditions.
After Shaun Marsh was dropped in the first over, he and Jeremy Lawlor put on 158 for the opening stand. That pretty much set the tone for the rest of the match, as we were forced to play catch up from then on.

After adding to their first innings lead, Glamorgan made a sporting declaration, but on a deteriorating wicket, the target of 368 was too much for us.
We came close to holding on for a draw, but the second new ball midway through the final session of the match was decisive.


Glamorgan - 433 (C.Meschede-105no, S.Marsh-93, S.Whittingham-4/92, D.Worrall-3/78)

Gloucestershire - 298 (T.Hellawell-75, G.Roderick-67, J.Taylor-55, M.Hogan-3/27)

Glamorgan - 232/8 declared (B.Root-93, S.Marsh-64, D.Worrall-5/52)

Gloucestershire - 264 (M.Hammond-51, T.Hellawell-51, T.van der Gugten-4/60)

[Chris Child]

Great story Graham.

[GrahamB]

Great story Graham.

Thanks Chris.

[GrahamB]

Our third FC match was on the road, away to Durham.

Gloucestershire playing eleven: C.Dent, M.Hammond, G.Roderick (wk and captain), T.Hellawell, G.van Buuren, J.Taylor, I.Cockbain, H.Hankins, R.Higgins, D.Payne, D.Worrall.

Durham won the toss and chose to bat (we'd have done the same).
However, the pitch had early demons and our bowlers took full advantage, Higgins leading the way with 5/7, as we scuttled our hosts for 60 all out!

In reply, we started off better, mainly due to a polished half century from Hammond. Life was still difficult for the batsmen though, and it wasn't long before we were struggling at 164/7.
Then a record eighth wicket stand between Cockbain and Higgins took the game completely away from our opponents.
We racked up a huge first innings lead to completely demoralise the Durham lads.

Any hopes of a Durham rearguard action were soon put to rest, as our bowlers again dominated to wrap up an innings victory.


Durham - 60 (R.Higgins-5/7, D.Worrall-3/23)

Gloucestershire - 424 (I.Cockbain-130no, R.Higgins-98, M.Hammond-55, M.Salisbury-3/88, J.Weighell-3/92)

Durham - 220 (R.Higgins-4/55)

[GrahamB]

Another big win in our forth FC game, this time against visiting Lancashire.

A couple of changes to our side, with Graeme van Buuren and Harry Hankins making way for James Bracey and Benny Howell. Whereas van Buuren has been out of form, the two coming in have been rewarded for excellent second team performances. With the luxury of not requiring a spinner, Howell will be the fourth paceman.

Gloucestershire: M.Hammond, C.Dent, B.Howell, G.Roderick (wk and captain), J.Bracey, T.Hellawell, J.Taylor, I.Cockbain, R.Higgins, D.Payne, D.Worrall.


Lancashire decided to bowl first, with very cloudy conditions expected throughout most of the match.
Despite a fighting knock from Chris Dent, we eventually found ourselves at 198/7. Then Ryan Higgins again came to the rescue, as he combined with Tom Hellawell to bolster the team score.
We were extremely pleased to make 375 all out, and it was now time to let our bowlers loose!

In contrast to the Lancashire bowling attack (with the exception of Jimmy Anderson), Ryan Higgins, Dan Worrall and David Payne utilised the bowler friendly conditions superbly, rolling our shell-shocked visitors for 73 all out!

With the very cloudy overhead conditions continuing to prevail, and with such a big lead, we enforced the follow-on.
The Lancashire batsmen showed more determination this time round, but our bowlers were just too difficult to handle, and we wrapped up another innings win.


Gloucestershire - 375 (T.Hellawell-93, R.Higgins-90no, C.Dent-56, J.Anderson-5/74)

Lancashire - 73 (R.Higgins-4/14, D.Payne-3/9, D.Worrall-3/33)

Lancashire - 178 (D.Payne-4/31)

[GrahamB]

We're off to Sussex for our fifth FC match in the competition.

Although the early part of the game is expected to suit the pace bowlers, the pitch is expected to turn later in the game, and so we've adjusted our playing eleven accordingly.
George Hankins and Ben Charlesworth replace James Bracey and Benny Howell. Hankins is returning from injury, whereas young Charlesworth provides part-time spin.
Rather than bringing back Graeme van Buuren as the key spinner, we've opted to give Tom Smith a trundle. Batsman James Taylor makes way for him.

Gloucestershire: C.Dent, M.Hammond, G.Roderick (wk and captain), I.Cockbain, T.Hellawell, R.Higgins, B.Charlesworth, T.Smith, D.Payne, D.Worrall.


We've won the toss and opted to bat first. Match report coming soon!

[GrahamB]

Things didn't exactly go according to plan against Sussex, but we managed a draw despite conceding a decent first innings lead.

The weather turned against as much sooner than anticipated after we chose to bat, and it became a real battle of attrition.
Five of our batsmen progressed past 30, but none were able to reach a half century.
Despite this, our final total was still a good one.

With three hours of play being lost to rain on Day 2, the home batsmen got through to Day 3, when the clouds had cleared away completely.
Taking an aggressive approach, Sussex accumulated a first innings lead of just over 100, to put real pressure on us going into our second innings.

Our top order laid a solid platform, and then Ian Cockbain and Tom Hellawell negotiated a long, difficult period on a sharply turning wicket.
A declaration was never really a feasible option until we were safe. Then we let our bowlers loose for an hour to throw everything at the Sussex batsmen and pick up some cheap wickets before the close of play.


Gloucestershire - 287 (M.Hamza-3/68, O.Robinson-3/76)

Sussex - 389 (B.Brown-110, M.Burgess-71, D.Payne-4/82)

Gloucestershire - 291/7 declared (I.Cockbain-88no, C.Dent-52, M.Hamza-3/60, D.Briggs-3/78)

Sussex - 27/3

[GrahamB]

We're off to Leicestershire for our next FC match.

With conditions looking unsettled for most of the four days, and spin unlikely to play a useful part, our playing eleven changes again.
Benny Howell replaces Ben Charlesworth and will be the fourth pace bowler.
With Tom Smith dropping out of the side, James Bracey comes in as an extra batsman.

Gloucestershire: C.Dent, M.Hammond, B.Howell, G.Roderick (wk and captain), G.Hankins, J.Bracey, I.Cockbain, T.Hellawell, R.Higgins, D.Payne, D.Worrall.

Leicestershire have won the toss and will be batting first.

[MarksNotts]

Going well Graham, Good story.

[GrahamB]

Leicestershire made a great start to their first innings, but Dan Worrall roared back with the ball to restrict them to under 300.
It might have been so much better had Dearden not been dropped before he'd reached double figures. He went on to be the top scorer with 80.
Worrall ended with a haul of six wickets.

In reply, Chris Dent carried his bat throughout our innings, while nobody else could reach 50.
We were probably fortunate to only concede a first innings deficit of 52.

If we could bowl well and dismiss the home side for a reasonably low total, we would still be in with a chance of winning.
Leicestershire's second innings followed a similar path to our first innings, as Colin Ackermann crafted a fine century with little support.
We were left with a victory target of 261, with just over a day to achieve it.

After Chris Dent fell early, our other top order batsmen all contributed to get us the required runs.
A nice come from behind win.


Leicestershire - 285 (H.Dearden-80, P.Horton-77, D.Worrall-6/74, D.Payne-3/68)

Gloucestershire - 233 (C.Dent-102no, D.Klein-4/73, G.Griffiths-3/67)

Leicestershire - 208 (C.Ackermann-100, D.Worrall-4/72)

Gloucestershire - 261/5 (G.Roderick-82, M.Hammond-73, M.Abbas-3/61)

[GrahamB]

Our next FC match was back at home against visiting Glamorgan.

With fine weather expected throughout, and with the pitch expected to take sharp turn later in the match, we're going in with two spinners.
Graeme van Buuren and Tom Smith replace Benny Howell and George Hankins.

Gloucestershire: C.Dent, M.Hammond, G.Roderick (wk and captain), G.van Buuren, J.Bracey, T.Hellawell, I.Cockbain, R.Higgins, T.Smith, D.Payne, D.Worrall.

Glamorgan have won the toss and decided to bat first.

[bryce87]

Hey, when you take the weakest team the first season is not supposed to go this good!

[GrahamB]

Hey, when you take the weakest team the first season is not supposed to go this good!

Well I did finish bottom of the OD group stage.
But yeah, we're doing a lot better in the FC competition (which is my favourite).