Gents well served by strength in depth

At last some action and a Gents win, though one closer than the 56 run margin implies, for 12 Angry Men were at parity in the first half of each innings. However, a splendid recovery by The Gents' tail enabled a score of 188 to be got, which ultimately proved too much for a game 12AM outfit. This was a far stronger 12AM side than in 2006 and thanks are due to Mr. Simper for his organisation. Ultimately a satisfying day, then, but nevertheless one tinged with sadness due to the illness which forced Horace Hibbert to retire from the match. The applause when he was led from the field was a worthy tribute.

Debuting Afghani all-rounder Daud Shanware, The Gents had strength in depth with as many plausible batting-order combinations as a WW2 Enigma machine, so SP opted to give Snarler a bat up the order and relegated Nuclear Wahed to No.11 for a late arrival, the fault, according to a text sent by the stressed all-rounder, of 'an absolute fool' of a minicab driver. Early wickets fell, including a leg-before for HP, but composed knocks from Khan (including the day's only 6), Husain (fresh from his stint with Mitcham CC 1sts. in the Surrey Championship Div. 2 24 hours before) and Gilkes held things together. Husain was stunningly dismissed, a one-handed catch by square-leg Cook off the bowling of the persevering Middleton and batted carefully, but Khan (a 14-over knock) and Gilkes were equally impressive.

Though coming off a short run these days, Master Hibbert still did for Khan c&b after his stylish knock, Ed Babar bowled with his feet all over the place and the Captain himself, a disgraceful hoik, stumps all over the place. Very good latter batting led by Gilkes and some fireworks from the tail saw Gents happy when tea was taken. Support during the innings from non-combatants H Patel and R Babar was much appreciated.

12AM had a classy middle order, which was exposed in desperately sad circumstances when poor Horace was led from the field, too ill to continue, in the fourth over. Toft ran out Geoff Lea with a direct hit and battle was joined with the Aussie pairing of Damon Wilson and southpaw Steve Lawrence. They played The Gents' pacemen well, the score ticking over with the odd boundary and far too many extras. However, Shanware was fizzing his off-breaks through and with the last ball of his third over deceived Wilson with a beauty to bowl him. Lawrence and Cook saw off SP - only one run in his first three overs - watchfully, the required run rate creeping up. After 23 overs, 12AM were 93-2, the ask spot on 8 per over.

SP brought back Husain from the Station End and my how he responded, bowling Cook and inducing a snick behind off the excellent Lawrence to give HP his first catch of the season. Buck then swung the match The Gents' way with two wickets in two balls at the start of his fourth over, a high one-handed c&b and a smart catch by Husain to dismiss Middleton and Simper. Ed Babar's short but ferocious spell saw off Mike Lea and Hylden. SP then opted to give Khan, Carroll and Wahed an over each, Naveed running out Trinder at the bowler's end after a superb pick up and throw from Nuclear, who then induced Craig Bryan to hole out to Sanjay to end the match.

The pitch held up well despite the recent rain, though a couple of dismissals were from balls that crept. This venue is gaining popularity, particularly as an element of free parking has been negotiated with the landlord of the Albion PH.