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CCC lost a good game in awful conditions to Genetics last night.
Swalwell resembled a mud bath by the end of the game, with the creases resembling the goalmouths from the Baseball Ground circa 1975 - poor preparation for the minor counties match there on Sunday.
Greg won the toss and put Genetics into bat, a decision immediately rewarded when their opener was well caught on the cover boundary by Guy for 0. This was the last time that a catch was taken as a total of six went down, mostly off Jonny Bennett who top scored with 46. However, unlike most CCC drop-fests the chances were all exceptionally challenging, especially given the conditions, and no one can be criticised. In fact overall the fielding was good in gloomy drizzly weather, at a ground surrounded by trees where visibility can be difficult on good days.
A word for the bowlers. Eshan Tom, Chandra, Gurj and Greg all bowled really well despite the ball having to be dried between every delivery. Eventually a total of 101-5 was obtained by the home side from 12 overs.
CCC's most experienced batsmen opened, but Simon E was caught behind first ball trying to guide to vacant third man. Greg hit a towering six but was soon snaffled by veteran Brian Taylor off his own bowling. Wickets tumbled steadily apart from Peter who hit 29 not out mostly in well taken ones and twos. With good support down the order from James and Tom CCC ended up tantalisingly only 12 runs short of the promotion challengers, to take two points from the game - more than an abandonment would have yielded.
This is an exceptionally young CCC team which is clearly undergoing a substantial rebuild this season. James is only 14, whilst only three players last night were over 30 (the opposition didn't appear to have any under 30). CCC as a club should take heart that replacing match winners like Chris, Nick, Fiaz, Matt, and Majid is not going to happen overnight, but if some of the youngsters become regulars then the future is bright - unlike last night's weather which was amongst the worst in which a midweek game has been played.
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