07/07/2002 v IGHTAM

lost

Thankfully the cloud cover broke a little and with the toss won Richard elected to bat first.

With our customary ten players (are we actually aware we are allowed one more?) it made a nice change to out-number the opposition who had been hit late with two absentees.

With big gaps obviously apparent in the outfield the openers Neil and Clive went out with a jaunty step no doubt expecting a run bonanza.

However things didn’t quite work out like that. Igtham had a very lively opening pair of bowlers and after a few overs of a very slow start Neil was caught out at short mid on trying to find the enormous gap on the leg side unsuccessfully. The fact that Faye and little Sam had just turned up he assures us had nothing to do with it. Mark went out to join Clive and faired little better being judged lbw (in his view harshly – by Bob ‘smokin fingers’ Dunkley) leaving Adam and Clive with the task of shoring things up. Unfortunately Clive didn’t fancy sticking around either and soon snicked one to the keeper. With the score now on 15-3 things were looking decidedly ominous. Richard joined the (as ever) in form Adam and with the determined innings he has been threatening for a few games now – the pair steadied the ship and looked comfortable enough to see off the opening bowlers.

A partnership of 60 was the result of their collaboration only ended when the crab sneaked down the wicket (unbeknownst to Richard) and whispered in his ear that maybe he should consider running. Even Richard’s Scooby-doo style scampering couldn’t save him from his inevitable run out – doh!

This saw the introduction of the Deal Bros. roadshow. With Adam scoring steadily. Colin helped out in his usual chaotic style, flamboyantly edging to all corners on his way to a seasons best 15.

Unfortunately this saw the reinstatement of the opening bowler who soon skittled Colin, and a few balls later saw off Pete to a ball that in his own words ‘just disappeared’. Colin’s encouraging words of ‘Jesus Pete you don’t stand a chance. Its going all over the place at a hundred miles an hour- see you in a minute’ may not have helped much either!

Then in what can only be described as a scandalous piece of ‘jug evasion’ Adam was soon sneaking back to the ‘shed’ having been bowled ‘going for a six’ whilst on 46. (Can all these late forty scores be a coincidence? – the jury is out Mr Deal!)

Bob and Martin nearly saw out the innings with Bob swinging wildly at anything remotely close, the reason unknown to the spectators was a £10 bet to hit Colin’s car!

With Martin being runout on the penultimate ball. Johnny S padded up well for yet another not out. And with the awful start and incredibly slow outfield the final score of 115 was a lot healthier than was at one point anticipated.

The turn-round saw conditions (typically) brighen up a bit. Bob and Richard opened the bowling an early chance was put down by Colin (on stumps) in the first over – but things looked fairly promising with both Bob and Rich keeping things very tight and the openers found runs hard to come by.

Richard made the breakthrough having one clipped through to Colin who in his delight gave a quite astonishing flipped turtle style celebration!

Bob followed up by knocking down the other openers off stump. And had a difficult chance missed by Mark who had to dive hard to his left at short mid on and was very unlucky not to hold it.

At the twenty over stage things were neck and neck but the Igtham keeper who was never comfortable against Richard clipped one to slip where Pete snatched at it and never really got hold of it.

This seemed to galvanise the opposing skipper who started to accelerate the scoring. A couple of late wickets with good catches from Martin and Neil helped but it was bit too late with Igtham making the required score with a few overs to spare.

It was though a very enjoyable game. With maybe just forty or so more runs on the board and maybe one more early wicket – who knows? But still a good effort all round. Next week Swanscombe!