Sunday 3s vs Bricklayers Arms
Author: James Foster
Match Report |
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It was a lovely, sunny morning in Putney ahead of the Sunday 3s match vs Bricklayers Arms, so naturally it started pissing down as soon as we put up the sightscreens. Fortunately, the rain didn’t delay the toss – partly because it blew over quickly and partly because there was no toss. Bricklayers were a few men short so it was agreed that we would field first. Very generous of Captain Taylor, but (spoiler alert) it turns out nice guys do finish last. They started strongly, going at a run a ball, which in damp conditions on a green top is no mean feat. Highlights of this early period include: Heywood doing a near perfect recreation of Harmison’s first ball in Australia in 2006 Partridge diving full stretch to stop a ball with his nose Rain, thankfully Things changed when Puntan got a sharp direct hit after a mix-up, dismissing their opening bat for 47 (52). The bowlers kept things tight after that, with Flood particularly threatening on debut and unlucky to just get one wicket to his name. Wickets fell at regular intervals, with Todd, also on debut, taking 2 catches and not letting anything past him in the covers. 115 for 2 became 134 for 9 as the runs dried up and Miguel kept pinning them leg before. Dolleymore (2-1-1-1) notably took his first wicket for Putney with his first ball – it’s just a shame that the funfair had left town so they missed my juggling act from behind the stumps. It was a real team bowling performance with Taylor, Forrester and Puntan all bowling good spells. Heywood made amends for his earlier spell with an absolute seed that kissed the top of off and then suitably ruined it by bowling two beamers at a pensioner, nearly killing the poor bloke. With 135 the target, to say the going was tough is an understatement. Whereas Bricklayers started their innings going at a run a ball, we went one better, going at a run an over. Their opening bowler, Sohaib, was especially tricky to get away, his 7 overs only going for just 5 runs and in the process bowling both Partridge and myself. It turns out the Bricklayers’ scouting network must have relayed to their captain that Dolleymore prefers pace on the ball, since the vast majority of the bowling gave you enough time to contemplate all the poor life decisions that brought you up to now. Then there was also time to make one final poor decision and heave across the line to a straight one, which most of their balls were. That said, Dolleymore managed to top score with 25 off as many overs, supported by decent contributions across the board. Miguel with 19* and Forrester with 15 were both very handy as we accelerated towards the back end of the innings. In the end, their start (in both innings) was too strong for us and we ended 30 short (25 questionable leg side wides helped their cause). Heywood’s beamer victim (their keeper) ultimately got the last laugh, getting a stumping by dropping the last ball onto the stumps in a fitting end to the match. Our first defeat of the season, but it was made better by indoor beers, Thunder Bitch, and gasps as the rest of Putney CC found out that the Bricklayers tiny yet rotund dog was still alive. Well played Bricklayers, it was a pleasure. Awards: MOTM: Miguel for his excellent bowling (4-0-9-2) and 19* DDJ: Heywood for nearly killing someone TFC: Partridge for backing up his nosebleed with a 3 ball duck Champagne Moment: Puntan’s direct hit(s) Foz |
Date | Time | Team | Opposition | Location | Putney | Opposition | Result | Scores | Points | Toss |
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23/05/2021 | 1pm | Sunday 3rd | Bricklayers Arms | H | 104/9 | 134/9 | L | 0 |