HARTLEY 4th XI vs CATFORD CYPHERS 3rd XI

Catford Cyphers Cricket Club won by 151 runs


Catford won toss and batted 239 for 5 declared from 45.4 overs


Hartley 88 all out



Catford Cyphers were made extremely welcome by Hartley and their Skipper, John Garner and I am sure all who played for Catford on Saturday appreciated the opportunity to play in a pleasant rural environment supported by excellent conditions and facilities.

The game itself was preceded by the ‘normal’ turnover of available players and most notably Antony Benedict was promoted to the second as Ramesh a centurion from the previous week retained his No 3 berth, Mickey Johnson and Kumar came into the eleven to strengthen the pace bowling.

The game started on a beautiful summers afternoon with the author winning the toss and choosing to bat. Dave and James opened with the almost surreal sight of a Kentish Times photographer standing at Mid-Off in search of ‘action shots’. I hoped for James’ sake that his dismissal isn’t chosen shot to be captured for posterity. Nevertheless for whatever reason it is flattering to have press attention!

Ramesh entered the fray and immediately looked comfortable and pushed the score along well with some good crickets. Ramesh went on to play another excellent knock hitting the bad ball and playing correctly to the good ball. Ramesh hit the ball particularly well in front of wicket and through the Mid-on/Mid-wicket areas (this is not to be confused with cow corner!). Although Ramesh would have been caught twice in higher forms of cricket he went on to record his second ton in 2 weeks and in so doing knocked his bat in! It was a pleasure to watch. Dave batted well in support and when Dave was out Yash came in and played just the right innings that was required for the circumstances. This was Yash’s batting debut for the 3rds and despite a pre-match tour of Hartley, Longfield and Fawkham following the Skippers ‘pace car’) he looked completely at ease.

Yash also fielded well and in keeping with the rest of the team embraced the spirit amongst us that the Skipper has worked hard to engender.

However, the Skipper did remark that Yash’s pre-match snacks (also ‘dining’ were Rajakumar, Pireba and Rajavan) included various flavours of crisps, monster much and a curious confection – blue in colour – the Skipper was offered but declined. I will re-consider in future, as the small blue confections must have worked – he battered brilliantly (somebody told me viagra was blue – but that’s what you take you need to ‘keep an end up’). I am sure that if Ramesh knew that these delicacies were available he would have been out sooner!. When Ramesh had finally got bored and dismissed for a mere 119, (well played Ramesh – a great innings) Pireba came in to play an excellent cameo innings.

We took tea (vegetable samosas – highly recommended, although I’ve never sampled Mrs Prataps skills) and approached our job professionally Rajakumar opened from the bottom end and bowled impressively He took 2 wickets in a fine spell and would have bowled longer but for age restrictions. We almost take Andy Pages contribution for granted, Andy bowled well with 3 wickets and the ball with which he bowled the opposition No 3 (pitching outside off and cutting back ‘up the slope’) was a peach. Mickey Johnson came on to replace Rajakumar and bowled very well without luck. (He was probably too good to get snicks and was very unlucky not get a couple of LBWs) Micky finished with 8 overs, 1 for 10.

The Skipper came on to replace Andy and bowled his usual variety of deliveries and tempted out 3 batsmen. Ant Galvin replaced Mickey from the bottom end and also bowled without luck. Ant extracted prodigious turn from a number of deliveries and fooled our keeper (Rajavan wasn’t asleep until 5.00 am) into conceding a few extra byes.

May I take this opportunity to congratulate Ant on his appointment as vice skipper. Ant hasn’t contributed an awful lot to the scorebook thus far in the season but his attitude and approach encapsulates the spirit of our side. He is a brilliant fielder and has a cricketing brain, not least he can make the ball talk when on song as a bowler. I am sorry that he didn’t get much of a bowl on Saturday.

I also benefit from the advice of the other “gnarled old pros” in the team Pagey, Sharpy, Mickey and James. I may not act on it all the time but not to welcome it would be the biggest mistake a skipper can make may I thank everybody for their support and input.

Our thanks also go to Roger Harris who umpired, and brought along a mom award from the cellars of maison du parc de higham. We ate and drank well in the bar afterwards.

Well played Catford and Cyphers we remain unbeaten and at the time of going to press uncertain as to whether we have overtaken Gravesend at the top of the table.