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'Graveney's winning streak comes to an end at Tadworth'
By
Richard Hussey
Tadworth 240 - 5 (from 40 overs)
Graveney 146 all out
Tadworth Win by 94 runs
Expectations were high as Graveney arrived at Tadworth with the hope an
unprecedented seventh win on the bounce. Unfortunately, it was not to be
seventh time lucky with Graveney suffering a conclusive loss, by 94
runs.
The team assembled as per usual at the pub with plenty of time to spare,
but with the lure of the exquisite Aspalls (sp) cider in particular,
found it quite difficult to vacate the establishment. Jez, however had
arrived at the ground directly from his second honeymoon in Suffolk at
1.50 and was greeted by some anxious looks from the Tadworth players,
who were wondering if the “six games unbeaten” Graveney squad was going
to show up in time for the 2 o’clock start. Apparently they had heard on
the grapevine of our recent success and were looking forward to a tight
encounter.
Eventually the rest of the team tumbled over from the pub, and after
quickly changing, Paul lost the toss and we found ourselves in the
field.
As the Tadworth opening batsmen took to the crease the sun was shining
and after a tight opening spell from Pradeep and Tim Bunn it looked as
if Graveney could restrict Tadworth to a reasonable score from their 40
overs. The batsmen aware of the need to speed up the run rate started to
hit out and as a result Bunny captured the first wicket with skipper
Paul darting around from Mid Off to take a good catch on the run. Tim
bowled his eight overs on the trot and ended with economical figures of
1 for 29.
Jez had already replaced Pradeep at the other end, and with the batsmen
beginning to find their touch, failed to stem the flow of runs that were
starting to come off the bat. Barry also came in to the attack and
although occasionally producing some fine deliveries could not contain
the Tadworth batsmen either.
Kev’s turn to bowl arrived, and although could not quite get his line
right, was still troubling the batsmen. He finally got his wicket with a
plum LBW after having a good shout turned down previously and a drop at
square leg. Kev continued for 4 overs without any more success finishing
with 1 for 27.
Big Tim started his spell from the end with the sight screen, which was
promptly asked to be moved for his left arm over action. The whole
escapade seems a little pointless as Tim’s hand is about two foot over
the top of the screen when he releases the ball anyway! After starting
with a couple of wides Tim bowled reasonably well also finishing with
figures of 4 overs 1 for 27, with Barry holding on to a high catch at
Mid Off for his solitary wicket.
By now Tadworth were scoring freely and the Skipper decided to try
something extraordinary and brought himself on to bowl! In actual fact
the decision was justified when Paul took the fourth wicket, which very
nearly ended with serious consequences.
Bunny, fielding at Mid Wicket misjudged the flight of the ball and at
the last moment thrust his arms backwards in order to take the catch. In
doing so the momentum threw his not too inconsiderable bulk backwards
also, and crashed to the floor like a sack of spuds. On impact Tim’s
head crashed against the floor and I believe he actually briefly lost
consciousness. Bizarrely during all this Tim managed to hold his grip on
the ball or so the umpire and batsmen both concurred, and the catch was
given. Meanwhile after some basic first aid (where’s Ragu when you need
him) Tim thankfully in one piece, sauntered off to the boundary with a
sore head and just O’D for company.
Tadworth kindly gave us a fielder to cover for Tim, although at nine
years old and about three foot tall, Paul and Rich thought they were
actually taking the piss!! As it happens he turned out to be quite a
useful little fielder.
With the 40 overs approaching, the Tadworth batsmen had by now built a
very good score and Pradeep and Barry returned to bowl the last couple
of overs. Prads picked up the last wicket to fall, with Jez holding on
to a brilliant catch on the long on boundary. The ball had been hit so
hard and high that it seemed to take an eon to come down. Fortunately
Jez took the catch well, thus not giving the team any more injury
worries.
Tadworth had chalked up a score of 240 for 5 from their 40 overs and
with the cloud cover coming in during the tea interval, it looked likely
to be an uphill struggle for Graveney.
With Paul lowering himself down the order, Nick and Barry opened the
batting. After a profitable, if somewhat misleading first over of medium
pace, Barry was finding the gaps in the field, and managed to take 11
from the over. The other Tadworth opening bowler was a different kettle
of fish, and with his extra pace soon had Nick caught in the slips to a
ball that surprisingly didn’t bounce as much as he thought it should.
Rich joined Barry and tried to fight fire with fire by taking on the
quick bowler.
In order for this plan to work one has to actually hit the ball and
apart from an edge for 4 the quickie was winning the battle. Barry did
not last long after his opening salvo and was dismissed for 14.
Pradeep joined the action but was soon out caught for 10 after a couple
of lusty blows. Paul and Rich then saw off the opening attack only to be
foiled in similar fashion, being bowled by the first and second change
bowlers for 3 and 11 respectively. Jez did not fare any better. The only
consolation was that he was out to a great catch in the gulley for 1.
At 47 for 5 a disastrous collapse was on the cards, and as pointed out
several times by Mr Moody, there was a possibility that Graveney could
be bowled out for less than three figures for the first time this
season. Spookily, Jez knowing something entertaining was possibly about
to happen, declined the offer of an early shower, and remained pitch
side with is pads still on. Over the next 10 or so overs big Tim and the
affable Howard embarked on a partnership of 79 and basically saved
Graveney from an embarrassing fate.
The pair played without fear in the increasing gloom and dispatched the
ball to all corners of the ground. Even when another quick bowler came
in to the fray, Howard managed to hook and pull his shorter deliveries
to the boundary with consummate ease. At one point it actually seemed as
if there was a slight chance of a miraculous victory, but unfortunately
it wasn’t be as Howard was eventually out for 46 followed soon after by
Tim for 27. Nevertheless it was a great piece of entertaining cricket.
As the light deteriorated even more, Dave was out for 3 after initially
looking comfortable, which left the final pair of Kev and Bunny, who
bravely went into bat despite still feeling the effects of his earlier
concussion. Kev was finally bowled for 6 after hitting a boundary, and
thanks to the efforts of big Tim and Howard, Graveney’s total of 146 all
out at least resembled a cricket score.
As he was “home alone” for the weekend Barry was in no rush to leave
early and settled in at the bar for a few drinks and as a bonus even
managed an impromptu pint at Kev’s local on the way home in Carshalton.
As ever a great day of entertainment, and as Paul pointed out afterwards
in the bar it’s a shame the season is coming to a close.
Man of the match:
Howard
Hamilton.
Champagne moment:
Dave
Moody and Nick Goodburn.
Nick racing in from
the boundary to try and affect a run out, before
misdirecting his throw
half way between the stumps and the boundary! Dave Moody gave an
immediate chastisement.
This was followed almost immediately by Nick’s next throw
directly to the stumps being missed completely by Dave leading to
overthrows! |
