GRAVESEND IVs v CATFORD CYPHERS IIIs
Catford 165 for 7 from 48
overs
So
it was with some degree of apprehension and trepidation that the 3rds pulled
into the somewhat characterless Beauwaters ground at Northfleet to play the
team that had ‘assumed our mantle’. There was no water and certainly nothing
‘beau’. The bar facilities however were excellent and our host Peter was
hospitable, fair and a decent chap. The match was played in a fair, yet highly
competitive spirit.
We
lost the toss in sweltering conditions and fielded well. Special mention must
be made of Curtly Browne who fielded like a young tiger. Curtly’s enthusiasm
and promise has often been highlighted by the Cavaliers skipper and I must
endorse his views. It may be sooner than we think when he plays in the same
team as his Father and outshines him.
Anil
and Andy opened the bowling and stuck to their tasks. Andy the ‘model pro’ had been suffering from a cold earlier in
the week (infact he nearly cried off) so it is a fair testament to him that he
went on to reel off 23 odd overs on the hottest day of the year taking 6
wickets. Andy may still be laying in a bath of cold water as I write this
(Monday evening) but hats off to him. His success again was thoroughly deserved
and whats more he did just what the team needed. Anil bowled from the bottom
end (there was what seemed to be a disused mineshaft at the beginning his run
up) complimented by the heady scent of dog excretea Anil bowled uphill for 11
overs in stifling heat and deserved better figures. A couple of nicks did go
through slips and a couple of catches did go down but I am pleased to say we
kept on our game in the field against decent batsmen.
.
Ramesh
replaced Anil and immediately challenged the Gravesend batsmen. Most batsmen at
this level can’t play against top quality legspin and Rammers took two useful
wickets, one with a perfect ‘wrong-un’ Meanwhile Andy was on automatic
pilot,reeling away, keeping down the runs and taking wickets. From the Boundary
our approach may have seemed unimaginative but this was a great effort from all
to restrict the home team to 163 in blistering heat and also pinch an over. We
had considered this a job well down but we were only halfway there.
Each
batsmen knew what to do (or at least had their instructions from the Skipper).
It was essential that one of our openers play a long innings and Ro obliged. Ro
was solid and despite the loss of James and Ramesh his anchoring innings was
vital. Njarleke stayed with Ro for a while but was dismissed by a brilliant
stumping . Sharpey joined Ro and they pushed on slowly but surely and edged us
into a position where we could see the opposition target.However, Ro was caught
in the gully off their Off Spinner . Anil entered the fray and played the
decisive innings. What strikes us all is Anil’s ‘phlegm’ (excuse me I have gone
all Chaucerian!), he is so calm under pressure. He mixed belligerent stroke
play with solid defence and a six over square leg left us with about 30 odd to
get noticeably deflated the fielding team.
It
looked as if Dave and Anil would see us home but credit to the opposition who
got Dave out with a good run out. Rajavan and the skipper came in and both were
soon out! (least said about their shots the better). The last over arrived,
Anil was still there at the non-strikers end with young Curtly facing. Out
hearts just began to beat a little faster before Curtly unleashed a superb cut behind square for a boundary and
victory.
It
is matches like this that make cricket such a fantastic game. Well done to
every man in our team particularly thanks to Ant Galvin who fielded like the
Lion as opposed to Curtleys Tiger and for his advice and support as Vice
Skipper.
Thanks
also to Mickey Johnson (an injury victim) who came along to umpire for the
mainpart of the game and spare a
thought for the skip who umpired for 38 overs at the other end .