Roehampton vs Catford Cyphers

Black 4/24, Missen 4/27; D. Golbey 65, Healy 3/33

A gorgeous afternoon in this leafy part of town greeted us when we arrived for this much awaited fixture. As it happened, Roehampton had two sides out, the first XI game being cancelled, so were left with excess players. A decision was therefore made to play 12-a-side. Not often do we have to move people enjoying picnics off the outfield before a game, but there were no shortage of volunteers, being a perfect opportunity to chat to bikini-clad locals.

The toss was lost and we were put in the field first. Albeit a lively pitch with a convenient ridge at one end, the opening bowling spell was the best the author has seen thus far this season. In particular, Richard Black, who plays only one more game for us before retiring to the West Country and could be of use in the league sides, was, at times, unplayable. A mixture of bowling a good line and controlled aggression, he used to ridge to good effect, the ball often whizzing past noses. Neil Missen bowled the best spell I have seen all season, wobbling the ball around on a length for 11 overs. Their spells finished, Roehampton were reeling at 60 odd for 8. Tony’s McGill and Jackson supported the openers well and they were polished off for 121 in 39.5 overs.

The run chase then seemed to go off at frenzied pace with Dave Golbey in particular tucking into some long hops and depositing them into the nearby woodland. Despite the constant loss of wickets, the run chase maintained its furious pace and the total was overhauled in 21 overs, with some classic shots by our ‘guest’ McGill junior.