What a fantastic game of cricket this was!
Played in glorious sunshine, 500 runs in an afternoon and a famous (if unexpected) victory for the good guys. What more could one ask.
A look at the team sheet revealed an 11 which, though full of enthusiasm, seemed a trifle light on quality batting. The bowling looked a little stronger and on this basis, I elected to field first, being mindful that last year, they had run up nearly 300 against us and we had been totally unable to chase the target. Thus, I felt, should they be as strong, we could at least try and hold on for the draw.
The first part of my reasoning proved correct as they launched into an immediate assault on our bowlers, this in spite of losing an early wicket to an excellent catch by Dean Carter at cover off Dave Nash and some very quick and hostile bowling from Dukie. The wicket could not have been more different from a week ago, being baked hard by the sun and coming nicely on to the bat and the Fleet Street no's 2 & 3 hit comfortably through the line to anything pitched up and pulled fiercely anything remotely short.
Temporary relief only came when the opener, sporting the type of moustache only generally seen on the faces of German porn stars of the 70's (or so I am told), lofted George to deep long off where to everyone's surprise, including I suspect his own, Nick Freeman held a superb catch above his head. This only brought to the crease last years centurion who carried on where he had left off though this time, it was the number 3 who completed a century in quick time.
Dukie was brought back for a quick 3 over blast and it was during the 3rd of these that he induced an edge from the no 3 which was safely held by Mike Reeve behind the stumps, thus earning himself a 4th over. Nonetheless, the carnage continued despite cameo bowling performances from Elliot Smith and Mike Prevost and a more lengthy spell from Andy Marshall who eventually asked to be relieved from the front line after taking some serious tap. Prev, it should be mentioned, arrived fully an hour late which he explained as having been caused by lengthy negotiations in securing a hefty discount on his new car. His 10 tired and emotional team mates were really happy for him!
The punishment was brought to a close by the Strollers Captain about 15 minutes earlier than necessary and after only 35 overs with the total on 254 for 3. 10 very tired Concorde fielders sat down to tea plus an irrepressibly smug Prev who was keen to tell us about his negotiating skills in infinite detail.
Our innings was opened by Nick Freeman and Dean Carter playing only his first game of the season against some not too unfriendly bowling. Everyone had been eyeing the 6'4" inch chap on the Strollers side as being the most likely fast bowler but I am pleased to say that he never bowled a ball in the match.
Freemo was soon out, nicking off to slip but Deano looked in great form as he punished anything pitched up or short and in no time, he had passed 50 out of only 65 on the board. The normally safe as houses Andy Marshall looked all at sea to begin with which culminated in him running six feet towards cover to chase a wide ball and, fortunately, being dropped at slip. However, he settled down and soon started to get his paddles and punches away and looked more at home.
Deano was eventually bowled for a superb 62 (13 boundaries) and Prev joined Andy but with his mind still on his prodigious discount, he soon top edged a pull and was caught for 7. Elliot joined Andy and got his head down and these two pushed things along. It was about 10 overs before the last 20 overs were to begin that we began to look at the score board and wonder whether things might be turning our way. Andy passed 50, Elliot looked in no trouble, their running between the wickets was getting more urgent and it was obvious that the batsman had realised the possibility of a win against the odds.
With the score at about 190, Andy was adjudged LBW for a fine 72, another gem of an innings and Jerry Wright, with only one serviceable knee joined Elliot who somehow then contrived to be run out, backing up for 27. At this point Jerry played his trump card as Captain and sent for Dukie to come in, promoted from his no 11 berth in the hope that he might produce some pyrotechnics to get us home.
And sure enough, that is exactly what happened. Swinging through the line, Dukie despatched the ball to all parts until we required 16 from 18 balls. Dukie took a single from the first ball, Jerry punched the next through cover for an all run 4 before the fielder hurled the ball at the stumps and watched it go for 4 overthrows. 8 runs off that ball! Jerry drove the next straight for 4 and the next through cover for 3 more - and that was that! Dukie 31no and Jerry 22no.
In fairness, it should be stressed that this was a very good declaration by the Strollers Captain who in doing so made a great game of it and that their over rate never slackened and they ended up bowling over 50 overs at us - so they gave us every opportunity.