As I feasted on a bowl of Honey Nut Loops washed down with a Red Bull (official Breakfast of Champions) I perused social media. Today's oppo had tweeted that they were a batsman short and did anyone fancy a game? I replied that we were about 6 batsmen short despite having 11. Ho ho ho. How wrong was I?
We arrived with a long unbeaten record on this ground to protect. HL have played at Holtwhites since 2008. We tasted defeat in the first 2 years but since then we've enjoyed 3 wins and a winning draw with last year's game cancelled.
Dave Garnsworthy greeted us and talked us through their problems. Sean Mahabir had retired, as had Adam Warden for a life of golf. Hornsey Tavern landlord Richard is out for the season with a leg injury. Dave's brother and Brian the spinner were also injured. As was Dave himself not long into the contest...
Simon and AndyP were batting after Chris had won his 3rd toss on the trot (by George I think he's got it). They were getting a working over from Cameron (who used to bowl leg spin) and Matt. Short of a length stuff at pace. Runs were at a premium. Then Cameron dug one in really short. It popped, so that Andy was miles early on the hook as it looped past him. The ball landed in the dangerous hinterland betwixt keeper and stumps, though nearer the former than the latter. Dave spread himself as best he could but wore it on the face. Blood everywhere. His brother took him to hospital. Kevin took the gloves and the game continued.
With the score on 29 in the 12th Andy got one that clipped the top outside corner of off. One of the few balls anywhere near the stumps. I survived the over and we were met with a double change. Argent and McIntosh. The former loves to pitch it full to extract swing. I love to drive full length balls and launched a couple of sixes over long on. One cleared the netting, hit the window frame of a house and the ball was declared lost as the lady refused to throw it back. Why would you do that? The game isn't going to stop. Cameron was egged on by team mates to clamber over the fence and retrieve it. He declined.
Simon and I took the score to 76 before Simon was bowled yorking himself. Dom joined me with the score about 86 at drinks. I patiently explained Argent's game plan to Dom. 'A couple will swing away wide of off stump. If you're not tempted into the drive he'll aim to straighten one from leg'. Dom listened assiduously, got well across to defend the outside off balls, then got well across to the leg stump ball, missed his flick and departed lbw. Oops. Enter AndyG on the back of a frustrating start to his Tav career, but today he delivered the runs he had been threatening. The first ten overs after drinks yielded 53 runs. Then Andy completely took Gareth Garnsworthy apart with 4 fours and a 4 leg byes in an over. I had passed 50 by this stage though Gareth had given me a life. One from McIntosh stopped on me and the drive spooned towards long off from whence Gareth ran in, took the catch as he flopped forwards...and dropped it. The exuberant Chris must have taken his eyes off proceedings during the ... part as he let out a triumphant 8 second YESSSSSSSS! Everyone else - fielders, batsmen and umpires - fell silent in disbelief momentarily before the bowler dissolved in a fit of laughter. As he marched back to his mark he was heard to mutter that events had almost made the drop worthwhile. Almost.
Andy eventually perished slapping to extra cover for 38. Chris added a quick 9. Martin saw me into 3 figures before I pulled a mow towards mid-wicket. The exuberant Chris dropped it as it burst through his hands and we essayed a single. I was out if Chris hit. Chris hit and I was out. Hugh went the same way first ball, beaten by Argent's direct hit from mid off. Martin made a rapid 16* whilst Guy added 6 before falling to the last ball of the innings - caught Chris. No offence Guy, but it was kind of nice that Chris finally got his catch. He's a character. In a good way.
After tea Tom and Ken opened to Gareth and Kevin. One wide came from Tom's opener. Kendo time. This was his first appearance at Holtwhites since 'that' over of 2010. A 15 ball over during which he took 2-16 and had a sitter dropped by AJag, who broke a finger in the process. There was a repeat of neither event today but soon the batsmen were into their stride. And a fairly hefty stride too. There were a handful of close calls. A top edge looped over Guy and wide of me. A persevering Tom beat the bat several times.
Martin replaced Ken and his leg spin induced a few false shots. One perfectly bisected myself and AndyG. One skewed over the ring and Chris B - rushing back from cover - got fingers to it. A skied pull looked like it was down Dom's throat but it dipped late and Dom had to pull off a brave diving smother to prevent the boundary. But apart from that the batsmen dominated. 50 up in about 8 overs. Gareth's 50 in 12. The 100 in 15. Eventually Kevin obligingly missed a straight one from me in my first over but Gareth marched on to his hundred. He immediately followed it with a massive mow. The ball went miles up. AndyG belted up the hill from cow corner as best he could, stuck out 2 hands, but couldn't cling on. A fantastic effort but I don't think it affected the result by that stage.
AndyP then chipped in with a couple, Faheem and the exuberant Chris both bowled. Ken returned to pin McIntosh lbw but with 2 to win the game was up. The only twist was that Gareth was on 143. He pushed a single to tie the scores and Matt happily blocked the rest of the over. I suspect AndyP was quite happy too. Despite 1 to win our field was a slip and 8 men on the boundary featuring 3 long offs and 2 long ons. After a couple of dots Ken gave Gareth the width he was looking for. Except he got a thin top edge that flew low between keeper and slip for 4. He finished 148*. I don't think he will mind too much.
NB Dave Garnsworthy returned just before tea. He has a broken nose but is otherwise fine. Hurrah for that at least. Post match Chris was going to award the Captain's Tankard to AndyG for his 38, but he had gone home. So I got it instead. Hurrah for that too. Though frankly my ton owed everything to Simon and AndyP for toughing out 12 overs of hostile bowling at the start of the innings.
DT
