PG Academy Post Massive Opening Victory

27 April 2009

The Pemberton Greenish Surrey Academy have got their season off to the best possible start, coming away with a ten wicket victory over Normandy CC this weekend.

Following a successful pre-season tour to South Africa, Gareth Townsend’s side continued their fantastic form by restricting Normandy to 120 all out and then knocking the runs off from just 24 overs.

After Normandy won the toss and batted, they came under immediate pressure from opening bowler Matthew Dunn, who delivered a consistent spell of hostility and pace, taking two wickets through quick short pitched deliveries.

Recovering from their early blow, the hosts slowly worked their way to 60/2, when the PG Academy left arm spinner Freddie van den Burgh was introduced.

Bowling with superb accuracy and flighting the ball intelligently, van den Burgh entirely changed the face of the game, taking 6/22 from his eight overs to see the Normandy middle and lower order crumble in front of him. With able assistance from Zafar Ansari at the other end, the PG Academy wrapped up the tail and left themselves to chase just 121 for victory.

In reply, the opening pair of Kenyan international Seren Waters and Shaun Cousens never looked troubled as they started aggressively, stroking the ball around with real authority and pose, making early inroads into the total.

As they became ever more comfortable at the crease, Waters and Cousens stroked regular boundaries to all parts of the ground and walked off after just 24 hours with a victorious partnership of 121.

The result marked an excellent start for the PG Academy's domestic season and a very well earned win.