After dealing with the inclement weather on the day involving no less than 3 rain breaks, the fact that this game was started, played and finished was a testament to the human spirit or at least to the British one!
On arriving at the ground at 12pm, I was greeted by a huge downpour and in company with Mike Cowan, rushed out to get the covers on quickly as possible. Unfortunately, as there were only two of us, this took rather longer than was ideal and the wicket got a good soaking. Nevertheless, the sun then came out and it was agreed that we would start the game at 2pm assuming no more rain.
After protracted negotiations, it was also agreed that we would play a timed game, with the side batting first having 2 hours 15 mins and the side batting second having 2 hours to chase.
Play commenced and Alex Reynolds settled into an excellent spell, showing good pace with bounce but a distinct lack of luck, one steepling hit to mid off being unsurprisingly put down. Nick Wright, at the other end was a good deal less disciplined with his line and length but being possessed of a golden arm, quickly bowled the Opener with the first ball he pitched up and then had the no 3 caught behind.
The batsmen then settled in a bit and took the score to 50 before Alex finally got some reward with the other opener playing on and he then retired to graze in the outfield to be replaced by Paul Burgess. Paul settled into a good line and length and secured an LBW against the Opposition Captain who made his displeasure known to his Own Umpire who had given him out.
At this point, with the score at about 100, the rain poured down, the covers were brought on and we took an early tea. With a delay of about 40 minutes, this meant that we had only lost about 10 minutes so it was agreed that they would bat for another 50 minutes and this brought more urgency to the batting. Toby, who is decidedly rusty, was not at his best and although he did not take a wicket, he was not easy to get away but was then replaced by his Father and Burgie by George. A few good blows accelerated the score but then masterful bowling by Cudders brought him 3 wickets for 3 runs and the innings was declared closed at 4.05pm on 164.
There was then a rush to turn the innings around so that no more time was lost and although we did our best to achieve this in 5 minutes, it took more like 10 so by the time we went out to bat, we had no more than 50 minutes plus the 20 in the last hour from 6.05pm. I opened with Nick W and this ended in the same way as most of my innings's this season with me attempting to hit a straight one into Woking with my head in the air and being bowled with the score on 10.
Ash replaced me and was marginally more successful before attempting something similar and being surprisingly caught by the member of their team who seemed the least likely to do so. At 20 for 2 and chasing 145 in probably no more than 25 overs it didn't look good. Still we were long on batting and Johnny Wright strode to the crease to join his Cousin, Nick. These two are both tall elegant batsmen who favour the drive and there was some lovely batting then as they settled in and began to get the measure of the bowling. Johnny was slightly the more aggressive of the two and soon overtook Nick which is unusual and they had progressed the score to 45 or so before another rain break.
By now, we were getting pretty good at getting the covers on and very little rain fell on the wicket itself so after a 20 minute delay, we were able to restart, having agreed to push the 20 overs back by 10 minutes to 6.20pm leaving us the very real possibility of finishing the innings in the dark. When the 20 overs began, we needed 120 and Nick and Johnny began to take control. Soon runs were coming at will, with both driving beautifully down the ground, with first Johnny lifting a 6 effortlessly into the field in front of the Tennis court and then Nick driving 2 sixes over the tree into the car park. Both passed 50 and with 6 overs remaining, Victory was assured but with 2 required to win, Nick, on 68, rather generously spooned one to mid wicket and the scene was set for Rob Symondson to drag himself away from his supporters club who had arrived to cheer him on, and stride to the wicket like an all conquering Roman general. A beautifully engineered single off his pads brought screams of delight from his female admirers - sadly not recognising a leg bye - and it was left to Johnny to smack the next ball for 4 leaving him not out on 70. Rob returned to the pavilion undefeated to his adoring public exuding the quite glow of satisfaction that emanates from a modest man who knows that a good job has been well done.