Sunday 3s vs Wycombe Capitals
Author: Rob Taylor
Match Report |
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Horace (65-8B.C.) in Odes 3.13 talks of the fons Bandusiae (the spring of Bandusia), thought to be located in central Italy, which provides cool relief during the appearance of the Dog-Star in mid-August. In his poem it is revered as god-like due to the refreshing water it produces during the blistering summer heat. Not even this sacred fountain could have quenched the thirst of the Sunday 3s, perishing under the Barn Elms sun. As players from both sides quickly ran for whatever shade they could find, we settled down for what was bound to be a punishing day of cricket on a baked pitch. New Sunday 3s tactic – lose the toss and hope the opposition decide to bowl. Success! Sam Sud rocked up on his scooter (not so fresh after a game of golf) and got the innings underway with Momin. Disaster struck early as Momin departed to one that jagged in and Sam brought a tough start as opener to an end, both triggered LBW; so far, so Sunday 3s. Maybe the decision to bowl was a sensible one. As the rest of us loaded up our various devises to watch England grind out a win against Croatia (I was the only one who thought county T20 was more desirable!) a very un-Sunday 3s thing happened – we got a partnership going! Rooney may be past his England days, but our own nicer Rooney started flaying the opposition attack in sweltering heat, with Rohit providing solid support. They put on the highest partnership of the season so far – 104 off 17 overs – before Nick departed for a glorious 69 (snigger). Rohit kept up the momentum, passing his 50 with ease (and a couple of helping hands from the opposition fielders) and quickly made his way into the 60s, 70s, 80s. Could this be the day that he managed to find that elusive century? … … … … No. He fell for 88, attempting one shot too many – a fantastic innings that helped us set a formidable total. Some lusty blows from the Sunday 3s golden-boy Hedges (including three successive 4s) and a useful 24 from Mahir left us at 256-6 off 40. Quick tea break with unremarkable meal-deals. Sam fell asleep. Keen to give the opposition a chance, yours truly brought himself on to open the bowling and fired dross down to allow them a few easy runs. Clearly that message didn’t get through to the other end, where Abdul, the Sunday 3s youth development player, bowled tight and probing lines, snaffling a couple of wickets early on, with catches from Sam Puntan behind the stumps and Zaeem Siddiqui at point. After that, the golden-boy proved his worth once again, pinning one for LBW and clipping the top of off stump of another after an ill-judged leave. As the bowlers and fielders toiled in tough conditions, despite Zaeem’s tight yet unlucky spell of 6-3-7-0, the opposition got a partnership going. How to break the deadlock? Luckily, the pitch decided to help us out by refusing to let the ball get above knee height. Captain Taylor brought himself back on and, after a bit more tap, finally remembered how to bowl and took three wickets (including an incredible diving catch at short cover from Rohit). He was on a hattrick at one point, but unfortunately, Brooksey was nowhere to be seen. Wickets fell quickly, with Momin clean bowling two and Rooooneh deservedly getting the final wicket, caught by Sam Sud. We walked off (with a full commentary on exactly how wonderful that final catch was and how impressed everyone should be) tired, drenched with sweat, but jubilant with a job well-done. Shout out must go to the opposition. They started their cricket team this year with family and friends and despite struggling so far in their matches were one of the nicest teams we have met this year. Horace might have immortalised the fons Bandusiae in his poetry, but I doubt he ever had Frontier at the club bar. It quenched our thirst in a way that could be sung in songs for millenia to come; if only anyone remembered much of it! MOM – Nick Rooney for his sumptuous 69 (snigger) Champagne – Rohit for his diving catch DDJ – Taylor for his roaring celebration at his first wicket TFC – Sam Sud |
Date | Time | Team | Opposition | Location | Putney | Opposition | Result | Scores | Points | Toss |
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13/06/2021 | 1p.m. | Sunday 3rd | Wycombe Capitals | Barn Elms | 256/6 | 150/10 | W | 0 |