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A
disjointed, below-par Gents’ performance allowed ten-men Weasels to avenge
comfortably their June defeat. In a mirror-image of that affair, though played
on a wicket less friendly to batsmen, the side batting first lost two wickets to
run outs, was all out with overs remaining (though at Berrylands this was due to
the scandalum magnatum of the Weasels’ scoring), the highest-scoring
batsman was dropped early in the second innings and would finish not out, and
the chasing side lost only three wickets in securing victory. Thus, a promising
Gents PALs League campaign has petered out with two defeats, though the trophy
can still be shared provide Pak avenge their one-wicket defeat to an eight
Weasels plus a Pak combo 24 hours after this game.
On an
uneven wicket, The Gents made steady early progress against an accurate attack
with Buck scoring quickly until he top-edged to slip running back. The
introduction of Perry from the
Ditton Road
changed the match, the pivotal moment being a brilliant low
slip catch by Hayes to out Husain. Sanjay holed out and the returning Snelling
was yorked by a fearsome delivery. But with Perry bowled out and plenty of overs
in hand, The Gents could and should have built on the hard work of the top four
to achieve a workable score. Sadly, Norcott was involved in the run outs of
Gilkes and Lewis and the innings ended with 27 balls unbowled. It was all very
well for Mr. Buck, during a spot of Gent-baiting post-match, to sneer at
Dhruv Patel’s letter on running between the wickets in
Gent
100, but it a fact that yet
again two wickets were needlessly gifted to the oppo courtesy of daft calls.
Indeed, when Norcott retired in pain from fielding duties it was unclear whether
it was his back or brain that had gone into spasm. So, 112 all out against ten
men and with a lightning outfield. Though the wicket did not directly cause any
dismissals, some batsmen felt rather preciously that it was only a matter of
time before a ball had one’s name on it, and therefore played shots they would
not usually have attempted.
The
tea-interval was not without its drama, as a lady, described by one of the
non-PC players as “a Mick,” thoughtfully let her dogs crap on the outfield,
though she did scoop up the best bits. After this graceful interlude, play
restarted. The Weasels’ innings would be a bitter disappointment for The
Gents, yet it all started so well, Hayes, Lynch (both bowled Snelling) and
Woodhead (leg-before to Husain) departing for ducks. Perry, however, was in
ominous form, clipping the first ball of the innings for the first of his 15
fours. He survived a tough early chance at mid-wicket and then followed in the
footsteps of Kirk, Mahmood and Saiid from recent games to post a monumental
score. His innings was not, however, without controversy. The skipper was
apoplectic at the decline of what looked like a regulation lbw off a full-pitch
that trapped the burly West Indian in front of his stumps, while The Gents
thought Perry was later caught at the wicket (though in fairness the ’keeper
thought the umpire’s decision fair). These things don’t matter but Perry’s
constant harassment of his umpires does. He is good enough without that.
Still, no
batsman can win a match on his jack so credit Iain Regnier-Wilson for a sterling
14 not out, though how he survived a clear run out was beyond several Gents
lurking in the vicinity. Long ago declared bonkers, he knows no fear and played
Snelling’s and Husain’s second spells wisely before suffering injury in the
line of duty from friendly fire, a straight drive back off Snelling that hit his
hand. As defeat hove into view, Husain tried a couple of bouncers, for which he
was later admonished, that Perry pulled for four, with all the time in the
world. It had been a hard-fought game with The Gents never giving up, but the
better side won, as the Weasels played more as a team. The Gents’ highlight
was the return of the new slimline Mr. Snelling, who has lost none of his pace
or indeed mental acuity, judging by his precise denunciation of a rare piece of
plagiarism in
Gent
100. The Victoria PH then
witnessed peace and reconciliation, though Mr. Perry did not show.
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