Match Report
Sunday 8 September -v-Catford Wanderers at Catford
The Club were indebted to the YMCA for the services of Big Al, the Vinmeister and the debuting Wajih Rehman, deputising for several absent Big name Charlies' The BS de RC replaced Chuckles, (diagnosed as an antiquated asthmatic) and now close second favourite to die, just after Moysey.
Catford were as disorganised as us, eventually mustering enough players to take the field. Gord was obviously confident that what appeared to be a strong batting line up, would deliver the goods. Despite the early loss of Alan, chasing, a wide one, The Ox and Vinnie put on 55, before Richard was caught by a Pimms drinking tennis player. Simply was given out caught behind and his disgruntled use of the F word, will surely have landed him in hot water if any ICC committee members were in earshot. Wajih, who had smacked the bowling of Jim and TC about in the nets, found that he was seriously under prepared when it came to the real thing. His first ball dismissal means he joins a small list of good and a lengthy one of absolutely awful players, to have failed to register on debut. John G completed another dismal day at the office for the middle order, when he too succumbed without scoring, for a third consecutive duck. Dan Simpson certainly wouldn't be the first name on a list, to put right a listing ship. One duck away from joining the legendary Danny ‘I played a bit at school' Worth, as the only player to have started his career with three noughts on the spin, the sparsely thatched ex-Dunstonian, grew in confidence the longer he remained at the wicket, finally top-scoring with 37. His performance did not stop the furtherr tumbling of wickets however and we were indebted to the wagging tail for a final total of 160 for 9 declared. The score would have been four runs higher, but for the slumbering Alan umpiring at square-leg, being unable to get his bulky frame out of the path of a Spud exocet; the resulting hospital treatment left TutanEdwards with a sore head and ten stitches for his trouble. The loss of four runs left Spud beside himself with grief, because even with a batting average of 114.50 he still doesn't top the rankings. With no gift wrapped presents from Simon on offer, Catford struggled to make headway against the accurate bowling of the Fox and Darth. After failing with the bat, Wajih was given the chance to redeem himself with the ball; he must surely have been influenced by Timmo, delivering a torrent of leg-side dross, before finally reverting to spin. With twenty overs remaining the game was delicately poised, with Catford requiring 115 with 8 wickets in hand. We gradually gained the upper hand through accurate spells from Spud arid latterly Vinnie, with both taking three wickets apiece. Spud displayed staggering gymnastic qualities in diving full length to pouch a return catch, an act that was described by one spectator as 'remarkably athletic' - Ok it was my mum! Catford despite appearing to have little chance of victory continued to play shots, with Mr Lodh seemingly able to sweep anything and everything that Spud served up. When he finally fell for 37 to a smart stumping from Simply, it was left to Vin to run through the tail, taking us to victory with eleven balls to spare
