PCA Masters v Frinton CC

August 2^nd 2009.

Once again the PCA Masters, sponsored by Owzat Cricket, were invited to kick off the ever popular Frinton Cricket week and did so by selecting a strong side after last season's narrow loss.

The PCA Masters won the toss and elected to bat and openers Jason Gallian and Martin McCague played carefully against a good opening spell from the Frinton opening bowlers, especially Bracewell who bowled with good pace and direction and was rewarded with the wicket of Jason Gallian for 14. Martin McCague fell shortly after with score on 33-2.

Carl Crowe and Grant Flower set about rebuilding the Masters innings, both timing the ball superbly on a good Frinton wicket. This partnership was broken with score on 95, which brought to the crease Ryan ten Doeschate who immediately increased the scoring rate until Flower was out for a well made 37.

Phil Defreitas then joined ten Doeschate for what turned out to be the most entertaining partnership seen in this fixture for the seven years it has been running, with Defreitas smashing an unbelievable 106 and ten Doeschate an equally swashbuckling 71, to realise a partnership of 154, leaving the Masters a healthy 268 - 5 with five overs still to bowl. Some big hitting from Dean Headley at the end left Frinton needing a daunting 310 to win off their 40 overs.

After the usual long and sociable lunch the home team set about their target with gusto. Bracewell following up his good performance with the ball smashed a fine 28 before holing out off the bowling of Darren Cousins.

A mini collapse then saw the pairing of Anderson and Foakes come together. Both players having no problem keeping up with the scoring rate and an improbable victory looked as though it could happen. However man of the match Defreitas had other ideas and a brilliant diving catch at mid wicket to back up his two early wickets saw the back of Foakes which then put an end to the Frinton challenge. Dean Headley bowling a lively spell towards the end and Peter Such, immaculate as ever, picked up three wickets to ease the Masters home by 86 runs.

The PCA Masters would once again like to thank Frinton CC for their fantastic hospitality, the Umpires and Maria the scorer.

Let's hope for another fantastic day in 2010.