Hale

Runs

Gentlemen of West London

Runs

Match Report - Gents Storm Hale

The annals will show a narrow victory, but in reality it was a convincing one with over 16 overs to spare. The Gents played some good cricket in a maiden fixture against friendly oppo to record the second victory of 2006, winning a good toss and rightly inserting Hale on a wicket that seamed all day. That it was actually 2-i-c Buck who tossed is relevant insofar as Sanjay was a tad stressed after his drive and delegated tossing duties.

The game was a little late in starting (Mr. Wright had been hanging around for an hour), for which apologies were offered and accepted. A reconnaissance party had gathered evidence of a 400-run game on this quintessential village green ground the previous week (an 83 for the southpaw Spreadborough) but nobody really knew what to expect. It was good just to be playing after rain the previous day, on the strength of which, with no game likely on the morrow, Buck had awarded himself an eleven hour bender.

A filling tea was most welcome as the temperature plummeted and rain briefly threatened. The hosts were clearly disappointed at their total but nobody had seen them bat (Scibo is as keen as keen as mustard and had been to look at the pitch but asking him to don false beard and attend a game was a bit much) ergo nobody knew what to expect. What we got was, within three runs, parity after 14 overs, Hale 46 for 4, Gents 49 for 4 but although a couple of late wickets fell The Gents were home and dry by 6.30pm.

Sean fell early, hooking to the ’keeper off a sportingly bowled slower ball immediately after taking a fearsome blow to the chest. Ken found the white lines twice – his trademark square-drive and a delightful glance – before losing his off stump. Hemin had mixed watchful defence with wild yahoos and holed out, but not until his team was halfway there, a good opener’s knock. Lloyd drove three fours and an almighty six over long-on and looked like winning the game on his own until playing over a straight one.

Much work remained to be done though against a varied and high-quality attack but Buck and Jim took The Gents to the brink of victory before Tedder’s inswinger did for the latter. Paul fell lbw and it was left to SP to deposit his first ball into the car park for a winning sixer.

Of the fact that Hale can bat better there can be no doubt and we shall have a chance to see that in 2007 as they kindly offered to renew the fixture. A pleasant evening then followed before it was home time, a long journey for some Gents but one with a host of happy memories of a marvellous day.