Sunday 1s vs Concorde
Every Hog has it's day
Author: Oli Tufft
Match Report |
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On Sunday 6th May, Putney Sunday 1s took on Concorde CC at one of South London’s more picturesque grounds, owned by an ex-city boy who decided to use his “hard-earned” cash to buy a plot of land a build a cricket pitch. To start the day well, Brooky decided to win the toss and elect to bowl first on a day that started slightly muggy but promised sunshine in the afternoon when our batters would be sure to pile on the runs. As per usual, the Proctologist and the Hog opened the bowling and did some damage straight away with Hogarth taking the wickets of the opening 3 batters, including a spectacular caught and bowled in which the bowler leapt across the wicket to catch a fast straight drive. He would go on to try to replicate these salmon-like reactions twice more in the game to no avail, earning his first (of many) DDJ nominations. Another nomination was received for signalling a leg bye to the scorers that was “missed” by the standing umpire. Brooky then came into the attack to take the wickets of bats #4 and #5 which, according to the algorithm, are just as valuable as #1, #2 and #3… Without taking a break, the Hog returned to take his 4th wicket, brilliantly caught by the Proctologist at mid-on. The catch was brilliant, the follow through that caused him to sprain his ankle was less so. Tensions were high as Hogarth was on the verge of his first 5fer in the many years he’s been at the club. How many years? Nobody knows exactly, but it’s a fair few… Fortunately, he got his wicket thanks to a fantastic low catch at short cover by Brett, our resident Aussie. It must be mentioned that on this occasion, Brett decided to take the catch in the traditional English, hands-down, approach. Many bonus points were earned for that. In the midst of all the tumbling wickets, including some handy overs from the spinners John and Armo, rocket-arm Robbie caused an excellent run-out in which the batters got his bat caught in a divot just in front of the crease. Could it have been a strategically placed footmark from our crafty bowlers? We can only speculate. Unhappy with is 5fer, the Hog continued his spell to take the final two wickets and finish with figures of 17-6-34-7 and leave Putney Sundays with a total of 152 to chase. To open the batting, Aussie #2 and Hanna got us off to a positive start with a few loose balls being dispatched to cow corner. The opening stand was removed and in came Brett and Lewis, looking nailed on to see us through to the end. Some proper cricket was played and Brett built on his superb catch with some a couple of lovely boundaries, finishing with 34. Robbie’s time at the crease was limited thanks to an unfortunate “yes, no, oh cock” situation with Lewis. The runout brought Tufft to the crease who, due to a bizarre injury of failing to stretch, was hobbling around the crease. As the runs ticked over, there was plenty of time in the day. Putney could’ve done it with 2 an over. Caught in two minds, Lewis popped one up to mid-off that he should have “put in the hedges”. As Brooky came to the crease, Tufft went for the stand and deliver approach, but not for long. As always one wicket brings two and as Brooky fell, John came to the crease and on the first ball somehow got balled of his bat, left and right pad. This brought in the man of the hour, the Hog. Tufft has assured him that he would take the “big quick” only to leave a straight one (good cutter though…). The Hog and the Proctologist were our last hope and made a good crack at it. The final pair were finding boundaries nicely and Procter poetically dispatched a rank full toss back over the bowlers head with a lofted straight drive you’d find in any MCC coaching manual (holding the pose of course). Due to the sprained ankle, Robbie was back as a runner for Procter, this time in loafers. It was all going so well, ticking off the runs required with time to spare. 20 to go, 18 to go, 15 to go… until the final wicket fell. Procter getting bowled off his pads, leaving the Hog with a red inca to go with his 7-wicket haul. Putney finished 141 all out, only 12 behind. Cricket the winner, of course, but Putney, inevitably, the loser. |
Date | Time | Team | Opposition | Location | Putney | Opposition | Result | Scores | Points | Toss |
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07/05/2023 | 1pm | Sunday 1st | Concorde | A | 141/10 | 152/10 | L | 0 |