A beautiful balmy summers evening, warm beer, an authentic Aussie BBQ, crumpled shorts and t-shirts dug out by the assembled spectators, the team fresh from a comprehensive opening league victory and a local derby with break time bragging right up for grabs. What could possibly go wrong?
WCC fielded first with Arthur as captain and started off where they left on Friday. Solid line and length, and alert and supportive fielding restricted the run rate to around 3 an over for the first 10 overs. Harpenden batsmen defended stoutly but struggled to find the gaps in the field, and when they did were met with great athleticism to stop singles turning into fours. Particular mentions to Harrys M and S for some sharp interventions, and Jo T for some quick thinking leading to the first run out. The bowling attack was mixed around but I was impressed with everyone, and Arthur’s heroics behind the stumps kept the byes down to a minimum. Harpenden put their foot on the accelerator in the second half of the innings but excellent fielding continued with sharp catches from Jo P and James M. Harpenden ended with 72 for 4. Challenging, but very gettable. Just need to make sure we don’t throw our wickets away…..
Cue the Hamlet Cigar music.
Harpenden opened with a very steady bowling attack. All pitched in the right areas, and caused us trouble from the start. Harry S and Ben kept a straight bat and defended well, but when Ben chipped one to the covers in the third over the fat lady started clearing her throat. Four quick wickets followed, all rather cheaply. Only Jo T stubbornly stood firm, defending resolutely, nudging singles and having a good thwack at any loose stuff. Faint hopes resurfaced with Max’s arrival at the crease and three excellent fours got us up with the run rate. However, Max was unluckily undone by a deceptive full toss on leg stump. James M followed where Max left off but was out to a sharp catch in the covers, and some characteristically stylish stroke play from Harry M was cut short by a run out. The wickets finally rattled for Jo bringing an end to his courageous knock leaving Matthew as our not out, and WCC all out for 53 - some 19 runs short of the target.
Harpenden no doubt deserved their victory which was drawn from perseverance, solid technique and good team spirit. Nonetheless, I sense that our own kamikaze moments with the bat were really our undoing. I know a little more composure is an easy thing to aim for, but difficult to follow through on when faced with a looping full toss that is just begging to be whacked over the top for six. Ho Hum. But a few plaudits to give – to Jo T who stuck it out valiantly in the middle whilst his comrades in arms imploded around him, to Max for our top score of 14 and excellent stroke play and to Jo P, who I thought was our star man in the field with some great stops, a very sharp catch that he made look deceptively easy, and top quality spin bowling – all in his first ever match for us.
Thanks again to Mitchell for opening up the bar and the BBQ, and to Steve Smith for scoring.
We gather again on Sunday morning at Sandridge for Old Albanians. Please arrive at 9.30am for a 10.00 am start. Our numbers are a little depleted as the dreaded football curse strikes again, hopefully for the last time this season, but I have seen enough excellent things in our opening few games from all players to still fear that my place in the adult 4th team will be under severe strain next season. We also have a further Sunday morning game on the 19th at Radlett.