RTCC v N2 at Ferme Park
Sunday 14th August 2016
(40 overs)
N2 217-7
RTCC 220-9
RTCC won by 1 wicket
It is hard to do justice to such a spectacular game, but it deserves a report so, belatedly, here goes...
My phone rang just before I set off for Ferme Park on a warm sunny Sunday. N2 had heard we were likely to be shorthanded, and were travelling with 13. Could we ensure everyone got a game? Of course we could. On arrival at the ground, N2 introduced us to Kimal, who would guest for us, while they fielded eleven but could bat with twelve. Luckily for us, Kimal turned out to be a very useful player and was to play a big part in the game.
A 40 over contest was agreed and N2 took one look at the short Ferme Park boundaries and opted to take first knock. Greg and Tom M opened the bowling and Greg struck early with that rare beast in Taverners cricket, a slip catch, Andy P clinging on to the edge from Dyer. Parker (74) and Patel (40) then settled in and built slowly but surely.
Tom M completed eight impressively accurate overs in his first appearance of the season, and new recruits Darren and Tom S stepped in to continue keeping a lid on the scoring rate. Tom M finally broke the partnership shortly after the drinks break and at 98-2 it was clear N2, though well enough placed, needed to press on quickly if they were to set a challenging target. Predictably, wickets fell as quick runs were chased. Last-minute recrtuit Josh picked up a wicket with his tidy offspin, and Kimal used his knowledge of the opposition effectively to keep runs from flowing too freely. Finally, 42 off a frenetic last five overs meant N2 finished on 217-7, a decent but distinctly gettable total on Ferme Park.
After tea, Tavs openers fell in quick succession, but from 5-2, Dom and our N2 loanee Kimal steadied the ship, well, steadily. Dom nudging or pulling anything short, and Kimal punctuating determined defence with occasional classy drives. By drinks, 74-2 was a little behind the runrate, but with wickets in hand and two men most definitely 'in' things looked promising. Sure enough the runs started to come more easily against N2's change bowlers, and a required rate of seven an over was matched almost like clockwork as the partnership passed 100, then 150.
Finally, with 42 needed off 6, Kimal blasted a couple of boundaries, then nicked off behind for 66. Worse was to come as Dyer in the next over removed Dom (for a splendid 93) and Jack for a double wicket maiden. Greg counter-attacked with ten off the following over from Bolt, but then Dyer continued to run through the Tavs out-of-practice middle order. Wickets with the first two balls of his next over had the Tavs tottering, only to be followed by a wide and then yet another wicket. 197-8. 20 to win off two. A few dot balls in the next over increased the pressure and Josh was run out leaving stalwart last man Barrie to join Greg. Between them they ensured that Greg would be on strike as Dyer returned to bowl the final over. 18 to win. First ball Greg struck sweetly through the covers, but towards the longest boundary. Greg ran. Barrie, cannily, didn't. Greg ran all the way back and just made it home, to the accompaniment of great hilarity among Tavs watching from the boundary. Still 18 to win, but Greg still on strike. He eyed the short legside boundary, stepped across to off and scooped a legside six. Wild cheering among watching teammates. Then more cheers as the next ball disappeared for four. Two balls to go, and Dyer tries to adjust his line a little further outside off. But Greg is ready for him, walks round it and scoops another big six over midwicket. One ball left, one to tie, two to win. I don't recall where the last ball went. Just that Greg strode confidently into it and laced it somewhere for four, then leapt triumphantly into the air as wide-eyed Taverners cheered and applauded.
A spectacular finish to a fine game, played throughout in a good spirit. N2 came so close to a dramatic win of their own, but the Tavs made it over the line thanks to steady bowling, patient batting early and Greg's heroics at the end. Nor should we ignore N2's generosity in allowing Kimal to play for us, as his role was crucial.
Simon
