A quick look at N2's website this morning revealed that they had only won 1 out of 7 games so far this season (a knicker-gripping 1 wicket win against Haringey Libs). They had only had one individual score of over 50 and 2 weeks ago were bowled out for something like 39. However, a Tavern team missing a lot of regulars - particularly in the bowling department - seemingly offered an easier proposition. Or so they must have thought at tea time...
N2 like a time game. Andy P happily agreed, crucially won the toss and inserted. We took the field with nine as Andy J's mate Kingston was a no show. N2 kindly lent us a fielder. Trev did the whole 2 and a half hours. He touched the ball twice. Top subbing.
I opened with Joe. We kept things reasonably tight without particularly threatening before a Dyer swing and miss gave Hugh a stumping. Enter Bolt, sporting what I believe is termed an artisan beard. He was soon swinging from the hip(ster). We had to fight beard with beard. Enter Matthias, who soon got his man. A top edge onto the batsman's head saw Hugh perform a Marco Poloesque circumnavigation of stumps and batsman to take the catch. Then Sean got in on the act as Goraya holed out at long on. There was only one further success as Barrie bowled Hingorani. At the other end opener Parker had reached his hundred. He proceeded to open up - taking 26 off one over in the process to help N2 to an imposing 257. Parker finished 143 not out. I had a loud lbw appeal turned down before he'd made 30 by the way...
Simon and Dominic opened the reply. We expected skipper Shai to open the bowling but no, it was an all spin attack. Maybe he felt he had to dangle a carrot to keep all results open. After all, had we been say 50-1 at drinks the game would've been dead. The batsmen went to work. 35-0 after ten. 50 partnership up in the 13th. The score had reached 78 when Dominic drove the last ball of the 19th over back at the bowler. He didn't hold on to the catch but the ball hit the stumps with Simon stranded and run out for 43.
I joined Dominic, we kept it ticking and drinks were taken at the 20 overs left mark with 92 on the board. 166 required at 8 an over. And the pair of us managed to keep up with the rate. The odd big blow, lots of quick singles. We added 121 in 17 overs before Shai - now operating from the pavilion end - held one back slightly and defeated my slog. Enter Hugh, who pulled a big six over square leg before Shai bowled him the same held back ball, Hugh played the same slog and suffered the same fate.
Andy P in now. 50 needed from 6. Andy's first big shot landed just short of long on, but he soon had his range. 2 fours down to the Calthorpe fence. 44 off 5 became 41 off 4. Then 28 off 3.
The left / right combo helped with the short boundary towards the middle of the field (as long as they were at the right ends!). Dominic kept finding singles. 21 off 2. Goraya came on to bowl the penultimate over. Andy hit a 6 and a 4 then holed out off the last ball. 10 to win off Shai.
With only 3 men on the short leg side boundary Shai bowled wide of off stump. Barrie called a wide. Bowler unhappy, umpire adamant. 9 off 6. A single followed. 8 off 5, Sean on strike. He missed, the ball ricocheted off the keeper's pads and Dominic hustled a single (though Barrie failed to signal a bye so 1 to Sean). 7 off 4. The next ball was paddled through square leg. Dominic's attempt at a 2 looked like suicide but crucially the fielder fumbled. 5 off 3. Shai bowled wide of off again. Dominic walked across and fetched it through the vacant mid wicket for 4. Scores tied. 2 balls left. Dominic unknowingly on 96. The field sort of came up, but not that close. Dominic patted into the covers and was through for the winning run amidst much jubilation.
A terrific game, a Tavern victory and Andy P awarded Dominic the Captain's Tankard. Thanks to N2 for being marvellous opposition as always and both Natalies, Eleanor, Seth and family James for coming along to support.
DT
