CATFORD CYPHERS 3rd v HSBC

CCCC LOSE TOSS AND FIELD

HSBC 161 FOR 7 FROM 48 0VERS (PAGE 5-33)

CCCC 162 FOR 8 (IQBAL MUSTAPHA 83 NOT OUT)

The stage was set on a shimmering Saturday afternoon. The obvious ploy would be to win the toss and bat, make the opposition toil in the heat and bat in the lengthening shadows of the evening. I lost the toss and we did eventually wither in the heat.

The team had many changes from the previous week, Andy Pages ‘locks’ had recovered, Dave Sharps son had a party (we are thinking of having Louis as our mascot), Funkmaster Benedict and M C Para we ‘not in the house’ and Ant Galvin made a welcome return. We also welcomed back Pireba and  James Golbey and provided a ‘parachute’ for Ramesh and Bill Perera.

It truly was a scorching day but Andy Page was not deterred by a small matter of mid eighties temperatures and returned another ‘five for’ off 15 overs. Good catches were taken by Ant Galvin, Clayton Riley and yours truly (the only ‘unprotected’ fielder in the side – stupid or enthusiastic enough to field short leg).

Anil and Bill Perera both bowled from the bottom end (I will now refer to it as the Worsley Bridge End) but with no success. We began enthusiastically but as partnerships grew attention in the field dissipated as out thirsts grew. In truth the last 15-20 overs of our fielding was not up to its normal standards despite probing bowling form Ramesh, Galvin and wrayi. Ramesh took a good catch and bowled though. Credit must also be given the HSBC batsmen who played out there 48 overs.

An improved tea ensued and Catford and Cyphers set about their task.. Welcome shade was provided by an elegant marquee although, our batsmen seemed too keen to return to it. We found various ways and methods of dismissal, two players bowled round legs, one ‘head in air’ heave, a full toss but to a fielder and two LBW decisions that on other days may not have been given. We were 81 for 7. Iqbal who came in at No 3 was, however, going about this business very well, all he needed was a willing partner and Anil provided the perfect foil – ‘Iqqi’ and Anil tempered some brilliant strokeplay with  sensible run accumulation and stayed together almost to the end. Ant Galvin and ‘Iqqi’ shared a couple of nervous moments but saw us home with something to spare.

We almost took Andy’s wickets for granted but it is essential that in a team,somebody emerges from the shadows to make a telling contribution with either bat, ball or in the field. We must pay a special tribute to Iqbal. He batted ‘properly, he batted sensibly and his innings was a joy to watch.,he was there when it mattered This week he was our match winner. Anil was his essential support act.

As I looked about the field from the shade of our balconied dressing room, beer in hand, the evening mists shrouding the horizon, the  silhouette of  the Bell Green Gasometer was there to remind us of more hallowed cricketing arenas in South East London but Worsley Bridge Road will suffice for now.

There are certainly worse ways of spending a Saturday!!!!!.