Hello again my leap-frogging tiddly-winkers.
Another action-packed weekend has passed and there has been frustration, moments of elation, occasional tears and the overall results were mixed – but enough about my bowel movements and instead let’s talk cricket.
We begin this week with the sad news of the demise of Carl Bowen’s bowling career. The much loved left arm seamer who was once the scourge of the 3rd XI premier league and whose bellows of “Get in on it” could once be heard as far away as the Royal Oak in Pirbright and Vale Furnishers, has seen his arm become significantly lower in recent years and finally this weekend lost his battle with the yips. He was on the field against East Molesey when it happened and eye witnesses report that after his second over a strange light was seen to exit his right ear accompanied by a prolonged bought of violent wind after which he lost all control of line, length and bowel and this once magnificent specimen was last seen hauling his carcass down to fine leg broken, bewildered but still curiously erotic. Our thoughts are with his captain, his family and his osteopath.
And on to brighter things with Tennyson Prowse and the boys of the 1st team who continued their unbeaten run with a close fought win at Camberley. Normandy were indebted to 61 from CJ and a fine, fine undefeated 98* from Tennyson himself to ensure a total of 217 for 9 was posted although when we were 126 for 3 hopes would have been for something higher. However, Camberley fought hard in the field and in the end it was the 22 added by Tennyson and Ben Heane for the last wicket that not only tipped us over 200 but were to prove vital.
In their turn Camberley looked out of it at 113 for 7 but some lapses in the field and a failure to knock over the tail saw the last 3 wickets add 97 and Camberley finished just 7 short having made a real fight at the end. CJ capped his day with 3 for 41 with 2 wickets each for Grimmers and Ian Prowse. The 1s are standing proud at the top of the table with maximum points from 3 games.
Back at HQ the 2s finally got their first league win of the campaign but again were made to work hard by a determined Chertsey side. The NCC top order stubbornly refuse to kick into life and at 53 for 5 it was looking like another sorry day at the office with some poorly executed shots accounting for the cream of the batting line up. Sairaj Raghavan looked in great touch though for his 32 before he picked out deep mid-wicket with the pin point accuracy of Dan Miles unearthing a cheese and onion sandwich to leave us 87 for 6. The innings was rescued from mediocrity by a characteristically determined innings from Richard Burton who looked in fine form for his undefeated 61, finding a staunch ally in Arya (18) as they added 50 and then last man, the great Chris Heane helped add a crucial 21 for the final wicket to set up a challenging 178.
In similar vein to Camberley, the visitors looked out of it at 63 for 5 only for their skipper Phil Boast to show composure and experience in marshalling the tail to get to 145 for 8 before he was the third of Sairaj’s 3 victims. Even then the last pair gave it a go before Sam Wellfare sealed the deal with a superb caught and bowled to give is a 21 run win and move the 2’s to 7th in a closely packed league table. Some great catching characterised the win – in addition to Sam’s diving effort Sai took a blinder at gulley and Leanne Robinson’s one-handed grab at slip was as good as you will see.
Your correspondent is now reaching for his black cap before ploughing on with news of the 3rd and 4th team who both received what the purists would call “a right shoeing”. After a bout of musical chairs with venues the 3rd team (sans captain) found themselves up against a pretty useful East Molesey side who took to the short boundaries of the Kingston Grammar School pitch to plunder 328 in 50 overs. Hodgsons M and J picked up a couple of wickets each, and Tim Jones 3 for 24.
Facing a monumental target it was vital to get a good start but at 14 for 4 it was safe to say the win was pretty much out of the question and thereafter it was only Lee Smallbone and Simon Howarth with 21 each that prolonged the agony into the 35th over. League totals of 139, 126 and 130 so far this season suggest batting is currently not a strong suit.
On the upper ground the 4s fared much better in that they succeeded in batting first and therefore did not chase leather for the full 40 overs. 20 for 3 was not the start required and it was a partnership between Richard Spink (45) and the curiously watchful Medders (55) that ensured any sort of total. Medders making his first 50 as captain and still not entirely happy his team did not give him the clap he feels he deserved. Once they were parted there was no real fire power and a final total of 137 for 8 was unlikely to challenge an East Molesey side who were generally just better and who raced home at a canter in 17.3 overs with the only NCC success being an Owen Carr run out. The 4s are currently 6th but as Avorians have now dropped out of the league that position is likely to be adjusted down when the points are deducted.
Thanks this week to Mark Rosser for stepping in to captain a depleted 3rd XI and to Phil Miles for again filling in the scorer’s chair for the 1s at short notice.
Fantasy League:
It’s business as usual with Julie’s Robinson’s 2nd team leading the competition after 3 weeks pursued by Groundsman Jonny, The 3am Lurker and the Lazy Astronaut.
Match fees:
Can all those with outstanding match fees on Slate please address the situation and for those yet to get to grips with the system the treasurer returns from his holidays this week so should be able to deal with any difficulties you may be experiencing.
Availability:
Continues to be an issue throughout all 4 sides so please make every effort to update MyClubhouse with positive news in time for Tuesday’s conclave
National Knockout Cup:
Round 3 is due to take place on Sunday 9 June so those keen to play should block out the diary for a home tie against Basingstoke.
That’s it from me for now I’m off to throw my cap in to the ring for leader of the Tory party.
May your God go with you
Scottie Dog
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