Match Reports 2017

Match Report Bricklayers Arms CC v RTCC 2017

Sunday 28th May 2017

at Raynes Park (35 overs)

RTCC206-4

Bricklayers 59-0

Match Drawn (Rain)

It was a dark and stormy afternoon in Wimbledon. Well it was overcast and rain was forecast. The skipper lost the toss and we were asked to bat. My thoughts were I should open myself after running out of time against royal sovereign. Andy james was present as was Richard and Jim hunt. As such I thought that's not a bad opening 4. Also there was no one else there when the decision was made. So the decision was made. Simon Clarke, John and Dave were next to arrive and so they batted next. We were a little short of bowling with only Andy and his son Rob ( nice to have a new taverner) as strike bowlers. So the skipper figured a big score was needed. We started facing Hassan and the steady Otley. Hassan started with a maiden to Andy. The pitch was still hard from the week of sun and there was a little movement off the seam. Otley 's first ball was tucked away to mid wicket for a single of the skippers first ball and then nudged around for a few in the over. The skipper then pounced and hit Hassan back over his head and it was game on. We moved on to 50 for no wicket when Andy played across a straightish one and was finger by Simon. Now chaps there are two proper responses to an lbw appeal. The 1st is - hit outside the line.

The second is - (I think it was) going down ( the less experienced umpires will add the word leg).

I've heard of a third but it's really just an urban myth or legend. Yes it's the old (it was) going over. This is only to be used in the right circumstance and by the most experienced of umpires. Anyway I heard a flick. Andy departed for a disciplined 19. He put in all the hard graft saw off much of the oppos best bowling but couldn't cash in. Nevertheless a fifty partnership is a good start. The james and reilly partnership has a couple already this year. Richard burgess of judd street fame came in next and another 50 was put on in good time. Thapa got the brunt of the stand with the skipper and burgess being severe when he over pitched. There had been rain through the innings and by the time Anil had bowled burgess and had hunt caught mistiming a clip across the line the pitch had become a little two paced. We had Simon Clarke to come to the rescue. It was the best innings I've seen him play in a couple of years. 28 off 27 balls. Two s and singles to give the strike to the skipper when he was getting in to begin with and then 3 delicious boundaries off there quick to really crush the hearts of the opposition. The score went from 120 to 199. Jim hunt told me it was the most important partnership of the day, I think he was right. Simon was run out trying to give the strike back to the skipper, there wasn't a second there at all, sorry mate. But for the umpiring he certainly would have been drinking from the captains tanker. ( well probably not but it's fun to say it). New boy John Davies came in next and struck the ball beautifully. We may have found a new number three? (When Dave Terry isn't playing of course, why aren't u playing Dave?) Dave we miss u ! We need u! Please come play. Now that s enough of the begging.

So 206 from 35. We were a little thin on the bowling. I was even thinking of coming out of retirement and sending a few down. There was nothing to do but get Barrie to come off his long run up. (4 steps right) and new boy Mr Wood to bowl his off spin from the other end. Useful bowler and a great new addition to the tavs! It kept raining and I believed that it would be harder and harder to bat as more rain fell. They were 59 for none off 8 when a biblical downpour started. It went on for 30 mins and the captains called it a winning draw all round. We would have won, I say, I would have put Andy and Rob on from the 21st over onwards and that would have been that. Well I'm sticking to my version anyway.

We all went into their pub on site and had a few beers and a laugh with the oppo. They really are a nice bunch and their bar is really cheap. The skippers tankard I hear u ask. Well I gave it to myself 135 not out and not a single 6. That's a lot of running with u lot at the other end!

Play straight, hit it hard. Bowl straight. Cheers the skipper

The skipper