Sunday 16th June 2002 vs Graces C.C.
 
No way through the car park for Wash
 
Washington C.C. 167 for 8
Graces C.C. 136 for 6
 
Washington maintained their unbeaten run on Sunday, playing out a very even draw with the Graces. But their efforts to wrap up a win ran into the sand due to a combination of the sluggish wicket, the long grass in the outfield, which prevented quick scoring, and, at the death, a lack of ambition on the part of their opponents.

‘I can't understand it,' said bemused skipper Dave Walker. ‘With 15 overs to go they looked the likely winners: then we took a couple of wickets, and they just pulled into the nearest car park and parked up for the night!'

It all meant a strangely lacklustre finish to a game in which the tide of fortune had ebbed and flowed throughout the day.

The Graces won the toss and Washington got first bat. Dale Bracegirdle (19) and Matthew Cragoe (16) added 43 for the first wicket. Their innings set a pattern of batsmen getting a start but failing to go on to make a big score. Steven Brown continued his good run of form with a stylish 21, Phil Coleman (9) struck some elegant drives, and David Gluckman (10) chipped and nurdled his way to double figures.

The one batsman to come to terms with the conditions was Walker. Particularly severe on the spinners, he smacked 3 sixes in an unbeaten innings of 60. The only bowler to escape Walker's flashing blade was ‘Foxy' Howdan, who bowled very well to return figures of 3-9. Simon Kemp picked up 2-41.

Facing a target of 168, Graces began slowly, and with ten overs gone Wash looked on top. A fine opening spell from young Nick Tidey was rewarded with two wickets –one courtesy of a fine Gary Evans catch at second slip – and left the Graces reply sagging at 12-2.

However, an excellent stand of 84 for the third wicket turned the game on its head. Black (45) and Bielby (42) pushed the ball around, picking up the ones and twos as well as striking the bad ball decisively. They had their moments of good fortune – the odd skied ball evading the fielders – but their five runs an over partnership seemed to put Graces in the box seat.

Eventually, both men were dismissed in consecutive overs: Kemp representing a first scalp for debutant Eric Stoughton, who could have picked up four wickets on another day; Bielby perishing to a superb caught and bowled from Justin Gurney.

But at this point, with the game evenly poised, and the run rate at a very gettable 4.5 an over, the Graces shut up shop.

And, for all Washington's best efforts, the match ended in a draw. Nick Tidey and Gary Evans each picked up a late wicket, but there was no way through the car park for Wash.

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