Runs galore as Grant hits third ton (From Andover Advertiser)

Runs galore as Grant hits third ton

9:51pm Tuesday 9th June 2009

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Collingbourne v Devizes II.

ON A good pitch under a threat of rain Collingbourne won the toss and elected to bat expecting the early conditions to be the best.

The opening pair made light work of the bowling as Graham Chandler and Tom Grant shared a 182 opening partnership. The Devizes bowlers had no answer until the 29th over when Chandler was caught on 94. Collingbourne lost their two more in quick succession while Grant at the other end steered himself to his third hundred of the season. He finally fell on 101 in the 39th over leaving the stage set for some big hitting from captain Owen Sheppard and James Grant, and they didn't disappoint. The pair shared an 81 run partnership in the remaining 5.4 overs as Grant finished on 32no from 18 balls and Sheppard on 66no from 35 balls as Collingbourne ended on 311-4.

In response Devizes set about getting as many points out of the game as they could. They were belligerent in their batting and refused to give any wickets away. Openers Kimber and Underwood saw off the aggressive Darren Pritchard (0-18 from 12) and Ollie Scott (0-36 from 12) who bowled excellent spells with no success.Veteran seamer John Aitken finally had captain Paul Kimber caught and Collingbourne threw everything they could at Devizes with constant changes in bowling and in the end it worked as part-time spinner Geoff Rogers and Sheppard grabbed a wicket each.

But opener Underwood carried his bat for a dogged 67no from 127 balls as Devizes finished their innings on 169-4.

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