The Gentlemen of West London won by 27 Runs

Match Report

A record partnership for the 2nd wicket of 127 between Himanshu Desai and Rinku Lall, assisted by a quickfire 49 from Sanjay Patel and 55 extras saw The Gents to their highest total since September 2009. Ham and Petersham, sourced from the internet after Northfields could not raise a side, powered ominously to 160-1 in the 24th over, but the sensational run out of Adnaan heralded a tumble of wickets, including three in one Sanjay Patel over. The talented, youthful visitors outscored The Gents with runs off the bat but the hosts kept down the extras and took some good catches. On a day so dank that there was no sign of the local pussy both sides were thankful for the artificial wicket (Hemin Patel rightly decided not to use the grass one) and the mopping up operations after the last of the sharp showers was an impressive collaborative exercise.



After several refusals, Hemin Patel opened with himself and Himanshu Desai, who batted solidly for 21 overs. Rinku Lall, with only 15 runs in three innings in 2011, asserted himself early in the piece as runs flowed. The Gents were 74-1 off only 11 overs, extras 31*, when the rain came, necessitating an early tea. Brooms and a roller were obtained, the strip was swept and squeezed and the match resumed at 3.25pm. Lall (7 4s, 2 6s and a comedy 7 with four panicky overthrows) and Sachin Desai both fell in the 20th over and Himanshu Desai shortly after but Sanjay Patel (5 4s and 2 6s in only 13 overs) maintained the momentum of the innings, though Dhruv Patel ran himself out. Extras slowed down a bit too as the spinners came on. Anupam deserved his haul and the visitors generally fielded well and took most of their catches. Mark Sciberras was on hand to witness the demise of the previous 2nd wicket record, set by himself and Jim Wright in 2006 against 12 Angry Men.



Any Gent who thought the game was won might have reassessed his opinion as Talha tore into Lall. The paceman pitched too short as 24 came from his opening three-over spell. Kumar was more economical and did a very useful job, but runs came quickly before Shu Desai sprinted 30 yards to take Talha's steepling top edge. Adnaan was no less adventurous, however, and the second-wicket stand of 93 came at seven an over off The Gents' slower bowlers. In the end it was a spectacular piece of fielding that broke the stand and with it the hearts of the visitors. Adnaan chanced a second to deep mid-wicket Lall but a perfect pick up, throw and take saw the bails off with the batsman a yard short.

In the next over Lall, getting up real pace, pinned Shabaz and had Avi brilliantly caught by a diving Sanjay Patel at short-mid on. The game was now swinging towards The Gents but Jibran and Brady scored quickly before Sanjay Patel struck thrice in the 30th over, having Brady caught at long on and castling Jibran and Shumail. A single off the sixth ball denied the possibility of the day's only maiden. Lall struck twice more at the death and Sciberras, whose wedding anniversary it was, ran out Anupam in time to shower, change and whisk Catherine off in time to honour their 7.30pm table booking at the Crown and Cushion. For the sake of marital harmony, it was hoped that Jack Davies had not taken up moonlighting as a waiter there, but no, there he was rocking up from his match at Hale to share his usual friendly chat with The Gents. Thanks to Gary O'Hara for the usual splendid facilities and welcome.

©The Gentlemen of West London Cricket Club 2011