Ramgharia won by 64 Runs

Match Report

Ramgarhia, a powerful team of Sikhs based in Heston, were too strong for The Gents on the excellent Boston Manor PF wicket. Kunal Maharjan's violent 55 (7 4s, 2 6s) smote in the first 18 overs of the match was the difference between the teams. Sadly for both the individuals concerned and for a squad already stretched to the limit by injury, work commitments and domestics, Sumit Kumar, having stood at slip in fierce heat for three hours, suffered a recurrence of his knee injury after his innings and poor Richard Gilkes pulled out before the game, also with a bad knee. It is likely that these two major batsmen will be out for many weeks.

Gilkes's late withdrawal took a team whose headcount had been hovering at 8 to 10 for most of the week down to 9 on the morning of the match. As Mr. Gilkes queued in the hospital, The Gents got busy, though the actions were understandably imperfectly co-ordinated. The club secretary informed Ramgariah's, who immediately offered to bring along two spare players. Independently, Sanjay Patel had kindly obtained the talented services of Pradip Kumar and Rinku Lall for the second time this season. It was therefore decided to have a 12-a-side game with 11 fielding, though The Gents' guest did not bat, having somehow snuck himself on as a bowler in the second innings, one of several mysterious comings and goings over the afternoon. Indeed, the unconventional format was scarcely communicated at all.

Sanjay Patel, acting as captain pending Hemin Patel's arrival, inserted the visitors as he expected the wicket to ease after early movement. He also suspected that it might be a rather short game if the scratch Gents XI batted first.Two balls in Pradip Kumar bowled Ali. Maharjan's violent 55 then helped Ramgarhia to 118-3 off 18 but excellent catching and tight bowling restricted the visitors to 170 all out, each bowler taking two wickets with the Patels returning similar figures, their best bowling of the season. The run out of the No.12 Disco provoked great mirth as he engaged his batting partner in conversation as he ambled down the wicket, to be run out, a little unluckily, by 15 yards. There was the odd misfield and drop, but the groundfielding was generally good and improved throughout the innings as the temperature rose. Though Ramgarhia's website attested to a successful recent run, with about two losses since Partition in 1947, The Gents were satisfied at tea, 170 being within their capabilities, though as it transpired the visitors' blast in the first half of the innings would have sufficed.

Dubey's two early 4s gave The Gents hope but Kumar, in great pain, was bowled in the 6th. over. The batting order, ordained by Hemin Patel during the interval, had himself at No.8 and Himanahu Desai at No.3. Sensing the need for quick runs, however, Patel swapped the names around. With a flourish of the scorer's retractable pencil, the entire game plan was altered. Perhaps, judged by the highest standards of cricket strategy, the move might not be deemed in all aspects successful, for after a few swishes the new No.3 had his stumps spectacularly rearranged, but he had tried to take responsibility and think on his feet. Dubey's violent 28 was the highpoint of the innings, though Sachin Desai, Sanjay Patel, Toft and Burford made double figures. The Gents kept hoping for a rubbish support bowler, but none came. Ramgarhia deserved their win.

©The Gentlemen of West London Cricket Club 2011