Cirencester Cricket Club > News > April 2003 > Rain forces abandonment in Malmesbury friendly

Rain forces abandonment in Malmesbury friendly [Sunday 27 April 2003]

Cirencester's pre-season practice match with Malmesbury was abandoned due to rain at Cirencester Park. Captain Dom Jeffcott won the toss and batted but Cirencester suffered an early loss as Dan Robbins was bowled for 1.

This brought Richard Graham to the crease and he and opener Andy Reynolds began to build a partnership before Reynolds was caught at cover for 18. Andy Cooper was then dismissed in the same over to leave Cirencester in trouble with three early wickets down.

Graham and Jeffcott quickly got on top of the Malmesbury bowling however with a dominant partnership and Graham retired not out on 53. Andy Lobo made 22* along with Jeffcott 42* as Cirencester declared at 153-3 after 35 overs with the threat of rain in the air.

Potential new signing Ian Butler bowled with discipline to take an early wicket and finished with 1-20 from 8 overs. Mark Hayes also took a wicket with a pacy spell before being replaced by Andy Barnes who also bowled four tight overs.

A good piece of fielding by Andy Lobo, running back from gully to retrieve and throw to create a run out left Malmesbury perilously positioned at 40-3 before the rain came.