Match Report
St. Annes finally recorded their first win of the season in thrilling style.
Asked to bat first, they started well with Amol Chitre looking classy until losing his leg stump for 15. Gary Woods with a muscular 28 and Vijay Chandrasekar(16) then created a fine platform until they were both dismissed in quick succession and after Nigel Connolly was caught for a rapid 13, the advantage of 72-2 was well lost. However, Manoj Kuttappan and skipper Tim Rawstron dug in to ensure a second batting bonus point.
Comrades' innings took much the same shape and they looked secure at 58-2 with opener Rob Wynne well set. Tim Rawstron was missing at least three regular bowlers on the day but was rewarded in the best possible way. After Nigel Connolly defied an injured shoulder to roll back the years with a fierce five over opening spell, the cause was taken up by Tom Heap and Manoj Kuttappan. Veteran Heap produced the biggest-hearted show of the season as he bowled 17 unchanged overs uphill for wonderful figures of 5-34. Kuttappan's slippy pace and sharp movement proved the perfect foil as his 8 overs earned him a sparkling 5-14.
St. Annes take 17 points to Comrades' 4.
