Pak

Runs

The Gentlemen of West London

Runs

Brave Gents gunned down

A Gents side not helped by late withdrawals played bravely before collapsing in a dismal heap against comfortably the best side played this season. But out of darkness cometh light and in a game both more enjoyable and of far higher quality than the scratchy affair 24 hours before, there were several Gent performances to cherish, if ultimately nothing as good as the sublime 72 by Essex league batsman Abdul Ghaffar which was, within one run, the difference between the teams.

With a Gents team averaging 29 years of age the bowling and fielding was likely to improve from the Saturday and so it proved, despite the late withdrawal of Lloyd Wahed and Nabil Husain. Lloyd’s replacement, Alex Young, would top score though his only over went for 15 as he struggled with his line. It was with delight that we welcomed HP Denton back into the fold, four stone lighter and raring to go but early plaudits went to his replacement as wicket-keeper, Paul Turpin, who dived low to his right to catch Naveed off Tristan, a splendid start. Fresh from 48 in a league game 24 hours before, Ghaffar was in fine nick and found watchful support from the studious-looking captain, Shez who fell lbw, the first of three wickets in Scibo’s fine spell.

So well was Mr. Turpin ’keeping that Buck moved up Mr. Gilkes from third man to second slip and was immediately rewarded with a stupendously athletic low diving catch to see off George, Rob Babar the bowler. The Ghaffar/Nasir stand, technically Pak’s best of the innings, then ensued and at drinks the hosts were 91 for 3 off 18 overs. The final 16 of the innings saw some supreme out-cricket by The Gents interspersed with comedy spillages, a murderous assault by Ghaffar on Snarler’s second spell, three catches and a stumping, a whole highlights package in fact.

Rob crisply caught Nasir at cover point in the first over after drinks, bowled by Scibo, who a few balls later bowled Fahad, probably the best three-for he will ever take. The trouble The Gents had was in missing catches, chiefly skyers boomed up in the air by the very aggressive batsmen. However, a confident catch on debut for Alex Young off Buck, a sharp effort in the slips off a gloved lifter off Tristan by Buck and a smart Turpin stumping off Babar to dismiss Ghaffar for 72 enabled Gents to bowl out a very good side for 152.

The pitch had been variable (though the groundsman described it as “the best it had been for three years”) but this was a pleasant place to play cricket, though lacking shade. The match looked evenly poised and so it remained for about half of the second innings, despite the loss of Hemin and Gilkes bowled and Scibo edging to slip one ball after nearly being decapitated by a fearsome bouncer. Poor Hemin – nobody in the club has a stronger service ethic, and his community outreach has procured a number of good players. He really did deserve more than his two blobs.
 

Debutant Alex Young defends against the dangerous Nasir

While Tristan was batting there was hope and then positive optimism when it became obvious that Alex Young could bat, but sadly Tristan edged behind within a few overs. He has yet to play on a winning Gents side, no surprise as he tends to be recruited when the side is bereft. Buck kept Alex company as 28 came at above the asking rate and Gents were by no means out of it at 70 for 4. But a flurry of wickets around 6.30pm wrapped things up for Pak, who deserved the points. It would have been a very late finish had it gone the distance due to the hour’s tea break, but that was excusable as there were delays in the delivery of the delicious fried chicken and pizzas ordered by Pak for the sustenance of the teams. To win the 2006 PALs League The Gents now have to rely on results elsewhere but long may it continue. A disappointing result , a good day out.