22 Taverners and guests took to the field for an intra-club curtain raiser. The format was T18-18-18-18, retire at 30, max 3 overs per bowler.
The scorebook doesn't record the toss, but Team Chris batted first with Raj and the skipper himself opening against Team Andy P's attack of Mohan and Martin.
They got off to a brisk start. A cover drive for 4 from Raj elicited the first ooh of the season before he fell LBW to Martin ('going down leg' - Raj, 'plumb' - everyone else).
I joined Chris and watched him attack the spin duo of Matthias and Aymon on his way to 32 retired. Riten and Dharmang took over but couldn't slow the rate. I matched Chris' 32 retired.
Amit added 25* and Alan crunched a rapid 20* in his farewell appearance (sadly - for us - he and Holly are moving to Manchester.
When asked if he would continue playing he said he felt he would struggle to find a team as 'accomodating' as us. A marvellous choice of word). A total of 147.
Dominic (potential new signing from The Bricklayers Arms) and Guy opened the reply against Tony and Tom.
The bowlers soon got stuck in. Guy cut hard to Maulik who entertained everyone with his juggling prowess before catching it at the umpteenth attempt (I lost count).
Dominic was LBW to Tony. Hugh was caught and bowled by Tom and Dharmang skied one to me for Tony's second.
Aymon then holed out off Alan's bowling to Shaun at mid on who took a great catch running backwards downhill. And his trousers didn't fall down. Marvellous.
Amidst the carnage Simon stood tall and landed the first 6 of the day on his way to 30 retired. Riten and Martin rallied before the former took on Tony's arm.
Mr T nonchalantly threw down the stumps from about 20 yards. I pity the cool. Or something. Martin made 30 retired. Andy P made 8 before being bowled by Anit.
Mohan and Matthias were left undefeated as Team Pacey made 117.
Second innings.
After filling our plates with sausage rolls and samosas (what ever happened to ham sandwiches and cherry bakewells?) and catching a few minutes of Bohemians v Pimlico Strollers on the main pitch it was back to business.
This time Tony and Maulik opened whilst Team Pacey went with the tried and trusted Mohan / Martin combo. Again a brisk start was made before Maulik drove Mohan in the direction of Andy P. Having looked like he had got too far under it Andy managed to fingertip it straight upwards and catch it on the way down. Undeterred, Tony clubbed his way to 33 retired. Then the game swung back the bowlers way. Shaun was caught behind. Aymon snared Jeremy with a caught and bowled. Andy P bowled John Kern. Tom got things going again with a brisk 21 before falling LBW to Aymon. Alan went the same way to the wiles of Simon. I joined Amit and was promptly greeted by a Runciman-esque beamer from Mr Pirongs. Nevertheless we flogged some ugly runs to finish on 115.
AndyP and Matthias opened with 146 needed. Chris opened with Raj and myself. Andy showed early intent with a couple of boundaries before risking a second on Tom's arm and being run out.
Enter Aymon. There would be no getting him out cheaply again. He brutalised his way to 31 retired. Martin replaced him. There was no let up. Matthias worked the gaps to give Martin the strike and Martin cashed in with a rapid 31 retired. Team Pacey well up with the rate.
Maulik and Tony A managed to rein things in a bit. Whilst they went wicketless their combined 5 overs for 20 sent the rate up.
Amit and Tom were selected as the death bowlers. The latter had Dominic caught by Tony. Next ball he bowled Mattias.
Hugh kept out the hat-trick ball but was suddenly faced with a 10 an over requirement and a deep set field. His first shot in anger was brilliantly fielded by bowler Tom, who had the presence of mind to turn and run out Riten, who had over committed at the non-strikers end.
Mohan also perished to a run out, attempting a second (Tom again, I think) and despite some frantic wide-giving by Mr Pacey the run chase closed 17 short on 129.
Dave T
