Glenmore's 1st XI were left ruing every miss-field, wide, dropped catch and dismissal as they tied with top-of-the-table Kanata Panthers on Sunday. The Panthers players celebrated wildly when Suki's middle stump was removed, while the Glenmore team were left with heads in hands.

The Glenmore run chase was something of a comedy of errors. Needing just two runs an over to win the game time was on their hands. The run rate would never be an issue so it was just a matter of batting normally and ticking off the runs. However, wickets fell regularly throughout the innings and at no point did Glenmore get ahead of the game. The slow scoring nature of Riley Park kept the run rate at a snails pace, and with every wicket that fell the pressure built. It truly was a tortuous, agonizing run chase!

Martyn Challoner and Dan Brennan started things off against some accurate bowling. While Martyn left the ball patiently Dan looked to get after the bowling and fell playing a pull shot for just a single. The in-form Jaideep Singh found things tough going and was unable to push the score forward. His frustration was probably the reason for him setting off for a suicidal single which resulted in his run out. When Martyn was out lbw for 9 Glenmore were 22-3 from 13 overs. 

All of the middle order made it to double figures, but nobody was able to stay in and play a match winning innings. The situation desperately needed someone to bat through, but it wasn't to be. Debutant Sam Lidgerwood, fresh from impressing on tour, showed some good intent when he went in. A naturally positive player, Sam looked to play his shots whenever possible. He was responsible for the only 6 of the innings, which flew into the flowerbeds over midwicket. He and Anjan Singh took the score to 46 and looked to be getting Glenmore to a comfortable position. But sadly Sam couldn't continue in a positive vain for long, succumbing to a leading edge caught in the covers for 17.

Alex Storey joined Anjan in the middle and they looked relatively comfortable despite some good, probing bowling from the Panthers seamers and spinners. Razzaq was particularly impressive with his off-spin. It was the inconsistent bounce in the pitch that accounted for Anjan's demise. A short of a length delivery got up to shoulder height, Anjan tried to defend and played the ball onto his stumps. Moments later Storey was bowled for 13 by the left armer Romit, and Glenmore were once again in trouble.

Ruwan and Ryan took the attack to Panthers with the intention of getting the remaining 32 runs as quickly as possible. Both players struck the ball well, and ran hard to turn singles into twos. They put on 21 to get Glenmore within touching distance of their target but Ruwan was to pay for his aggressive approach when he was stumped for 10.

On the sidelines fingernails were being bitten increasingly ferociously. 11 runs needed with three wickets remaining and lots of overs. Surely we could do this? The target had been reduced to 7 when Ryan hit one down the ground. An easy single but Jenko wanted two and called Ram back to the danger end where he was well short of his ground. 6 runs needed. Suki came to the middle and for some reason found himself on strike for the final two deliveries of the over, which he survived. The next over Jenko chipped one into the grateful hands of the midwicket fieldsman, and for the first time in the match Panthers were favourites to steal a victory. 

Rich Harvey joined Suki with 5 to win. First ball Rich rocked back and cut the ball through the covers. 4 needed. Next ball Suki does the same. 3 needed. The rest of the over is seen out without alarm. Panthers then brought back Umar Farooq, their best bowler who specialises in attacking the stumps. First ball he looks to do that very thing, Suki has a big swing and the ball flies over mid-on's head. The Glenmore players on the sidelines are on their feet hoping the ball would reach the rope but the fieldsman cut off the boundary and the scores were level. One to win. Another straight, full delivery. Another big swing from Suki. But this time no connection other than with middle stump. Heartbreak all round.

Earlier in the day Glenmore's bowlers had put in possibly their best, most consistent display of the season to keep Panthers to such a low score. Dan Brennan, playing his last game for the club, and Suki Ghotra started brilliantly. Both bowlers got into a fantastic rhythm immediately, hitting the perfect line and length around off stump. Nasir Khan played in his usual aggressive fashion, but was unable to connect other than when he hit Suki straight to Dan at mid-on. It was a role reversal when Dan had Tarkan caught at short cover by Suki for a duck. And when Dan caught and bowled the unorthodox Imad Uddin for 1 Glenmore were in a wonderful position...12-3 in 9 overs. 

The pressure was maintained to drinks when the scoreboard read 19-3 from 16 tight overs. Sam and Jaideep had no entered the attack and they too were immaculate in their line and length. However, Glenmore's fielding was not able to match the standards of their bowling. Umar Farooq, who went on to play easily the best innings of the day with a very well constructed 50, was put down three times. One again missed opportunities proved telling in the end. Umar and Saboor managed to bat throughout the middle portion of the innings, and were looking to increase the scoring rate. 12 were taken off one Jaideep over, while Rich Harvey was greeted into the attack with a six over square leg and then a six to third man thanks to a reverse sweep. But Rich is a canny operator and didn't panic. He simply pitched a little fuller and bowled a little quicker to take three quick wickets, two lbw and one caught by Brennan on the off-side. Rich and Dan also collaborated in running out the dangerous Umar Farooq.

With wickets falling quickly it was left to Suki and Dan to return to polish off the tail and finish the innings. Dan ended up with 3 for 6 from 7 overs. Suki took two wickets for nine runs. Rich ended with 3-25, while Sam Lidgerwood was wicketless but only went for only 12 from his 10 overs.

So, it was a game of great tension. Had the Glenmore batsmen performed as admirably as their bowlers it would have surely ended in another victory. As it turns out, both teams went home with three points each.

Special thanks to everyone who came along to watch the game, enjoy the sunshine and support the team. It was great to have so many people there. And finally, farewell to Dan Brennan and his girlfriend Paige. It has been great to have them at Glenmore CC this Summer. They have been wonderful additions to the club both on and off the field. Dan performed fantastically every time he pulled on a GCC shirt, and will be forever remembered for his astounding bowling when he took 9 for 10! We wish them both the best of luck in the future and hope to see them back in Calgary one of these days.