Saturday 2s vs Shepperton
Author: Codpiece
Match Report |
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A two-pints down Doug Shaw summed up our performance more pithily than I can. “It was a tremendous team win today because everyone performed to their ability or beyond: a great catch, demanding bowling, proper runs. Terrific stuff,” he WhatsApp-ed. That’s the abridged version, now for the longer one. We trooped down to Shepperton, a lovely tree-lined ground and top-notch pavilion. Amogh dutifully won the toss and we batted. Nothing helps your nerves as an opener more than being served up a nipple-high full toss outside off stump to ping away for four on your first ball. Sure enough, it did prove to be my day as the runs kept flowing. Jack Bickford, on Saturdays debut, accompanied me, and eventually got into his stride with some pleasing drives, only to snick off on 22. Amogh made a rare low score, but Seb joined me and we pushed on. I passed 50, scoring at what is by my standards the speed of light (a run a ball). My dream of 3 figures was snuffed out by a tame plop straight to point and I had to go for 75. 120-3 with 13 overs to go was a good platform for our middle / lower order to put on the afterburners. That’s exactly what Tush did, spanking their returning opening bowler over his head for six twice, then tucking into their spinner, including two more big sixes. Unfortunately he was caught in the deep, but not before pushing us over 200. Our lower order chipped in. Incredibly, Sam, Alex, Doug and Tom all hit their first ball for four. The first three all perished selflessly looking for the boundary option, Tom hung around at the end with JP. Eschewing the helmet for a wide-brimmed hat, JP finished off our innings in style, hoiking two sizeable sixes over cow. We finished on 226 after our 40 - what felt like a very decent effort. Tush and Tom opened the bowling and soon made inroads. Sam took what fair-minded people will call a good catch at point off Tush, though he will tell you it was an absolutely amazing catch. “OH WHAT A CATCH!” Sam bellowed after nabbing it low down. Tom did for their other opener, pinging back off stump. Tush took 3 more in his opening spell, which also included whacking their keeper square in the box. The poor fella sunk to the ground, adopting the foetal position, with only water for succor. Tush did end up playing a part in the unfortunate keeper’s dismissal. Though he ought not to have. The batsman sliced a drive straight up into the air off Alex’s bowling. I didn’t have to move as I eyed up the trajectory and readied myself for a simple enough catch. Suddenly I saw something approaching at speed to my side. “Mine!” I said clearly, just to avoid any confusion. Milliseconds later I heard a “MIIIIINNNEEEE” and a blur across my front. Tush had leaped like a salmon to snatch the ball and STEAL MY CATCH. I’ll let him off as it’s his final game (...in the same way that last Saturday was his final game...) Shepperton were now 60-6 and we went in for the kill. An excellent spell from Alex accounted for two more. Rohit pulled off an excellent catch at mid-wicket, back pedalling to parry the ball and still grabbing on. A fine catch to match his fine beard. There was more quality to come, as Jack plucked one from the air with an outstretched hand and then finished them off with a direct hit from square leg. 89 all out. A win by 137 runs. The evening finished with a lovely touch from Shepperton - they had hired a band to entertain us during our drinks. (Or it could have been for a club social, I’m not sure). Anyway, happy days. Here’s to making the best of a short season. |
Date | Time | Team | Opposition | Location | Putney | Opposition | Result | Scores | Points | Toss |
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22/08/2020 | 1pm | Saturday 2nd | Shepperton | A | 226/9 | 89/10 | W | 20 |