HSBC Vs Sunday XI 1/6/03

On what looked to be another hot sunny day, on what looked to be another good batting track at HSBC, there was some good news and some bad news. The good news was that Sunday Captain, D Golbey, didn't lose the toss. The bad news was that the vice-captain, J Abbott who was standing in for the delayed skipper, took the toss and subsequently lost it. So Catford entered the field with plenty of slap on to protect them from the sun, which turned more into a waterproofing on this rain-interrupted day.
A Page Continued with his miserly bowling, unluckily coming away wicket less. N Missen got the first breakthrough when HSBC's opener edged one into the slips, and after a bit of 'You have it, no you have it' school of fielding between 1st & 2nd slip, R Pratap finally came away with the catch.
Then the rain came. After about half an hour of persistent light rain it got heavier and we headed for the bar in a good professional manner. We barely managed to get a bottle of becks down our necks before the rain cleared and we managed to get in 2 more overs in before again heading for the pavilion and this time for tea. After tea we again went into the field but this time it seams most of the fielders mind were still in the pavilion as HSBC raced to 177-5 off of a game reduced to 32 overs.
As Catford entered the crease it looked though it could be a close contest with D Golbey quickly dispatching the ball to all parts of the field until he managed to sky one to a wide mid-on with the fielder taking a good catch over his shoulder. As the rain got more constant Catford managed to get into old habits, and collapsing with not more than 15 runs being made for the fall of each wicket. With only R Pratap putting any major resistance until he was caught out on a well-made 63 with Andy Page left not out on 3. Leaving Catford Cyphers on 132 all out off of 29 overs.
Besides what looked to be a dismal result for Catford, HSBC thought how nice it was to play a side that were very jovial in the field and enjoyed themselves playing the game. Our real attitude is well there's always next week and it's only a game. Sundays are meant to be enjoyed, and I think Dave Golbey & co manage to do that.

J Abbott