Freemen's Old Boys v BCCC
Freemen's 174
BCCC 177-8 Won by two wickets
Nothing old about the Freemen's boys as their average age was in their 30's. Looks aside, their cricket was not quite up to the standard though. However the new look boys from Barnes, as they were missing quite a few regulars, made hard work of it but finally came away as worthy winners. A bit of argy bargy after the game from one of the opposition's players (who incidentally according to their own players is a bit of of a whinger and sore loser) did not help as he was upset about why our 11th player Kiran sat out half of the game in his sleeveless top tanning himself whilst swigging the remains of last night's beer and then opened the batting and scored a quick 36 in 4 overs. He may have had a point if I had not first asked their Captain Mike if it was ok if Kiran batted for us as we were playing with only 10 players.
Anyway, the day started with only one drop out as BCCC playing away the remaining 10 eventually turned up to the lovely Surrey countryside in Ashtead to play on the City of Freemen's School 1st X1 pitch. Anthony very sportingly joined us to make up the team numbers especially when he was told by his Physio not to play cricket for another few weeks. Even Johnny had a smile of his face for the first time in two weeks since his return from sunny Spain. Very dry square but always a lovely batting track as I have spent countless summer's days watching Kiran play quite a few of his matches at this venue.
40 over game was agreed by the two Captains. Mike from Old boys won the toss and decided to bat first. I am sure, but I could be wrong, that we did not agree to not giving any LBW decisions when the Freemens old boys batted as all of our LBW shouts were met with the nonchalance lifting of the umpire's eyebrows whilst he continued to finish the last dregs of his beer.
Freemens openers Will and Rippen started slowly even though LBW were not really part of the equation. Will after scoring 50 was out to the Beri special, yes the thinly veiled slower ball !! Rippen was still in on 22 with the total at 75 for 1 at the 20 overs drink break. Johnny finally got Rippen out for 72. Johnny and Nik opened the bowling and Johnny in particular bowled a great line and length and ended up with 8 -2 - 29 -2 . Nik bowled 8-1-35-1 . Sanjay 6-20-1. Keith came on to bowl and foxed the opposition bats with his off spin and ended up with great figures of 8-2-16-2. We also had debutant Dinesh bowl his medium pace for the first time in 10 years and soon got into his rhythm 7-1-36-0 and would have got his first wicket if Big Phil had had his wicketkeeping gloves on whilst he was fielding at long off!! Unfortunately the two Captains forgot to agree the use of wicketkeeping gloves for Phil so he ended up dropping a real dolly of a catch muttering under his breath that the ball must have swung away at the last minute !! Matt bowled his off spins learned no doubt from his father in law Keith and ended up with 3-26-0. Old boys were ended up with 174 for 7 off 40 overs. Their openers scoring 122 out of the total of 174.
Barnes opened the batting with the two K's , Kiran and Keith as Kiran had to leave for a gath (another name for a party for the rest of us) in 20 mins. So Kiran wearing Phil's old shirt, trousers , socks and shoes swung his dad's bat around the place to get us up to 40 after 4 overs, out of which he got a quick fire 36. In and out walked Nik after scoring 6. Sanjay, who by this stage was struggling with a dodgy knee, came in to play his usual innings and hung around for a few overs to score 37, along with Keith who stood firm at the other end on 27. Barnes at one stage cruising at 103 for 3 after 23 overs. Phil and Johnny started well until the smile was wiped off Johnny's face when for the 2nd time in 2 weeks he was given out LBW. No one told Nik that we too were not playing any LBW's !!! Matt joined Phil and the two of them took the score to the 150 mark before Phil going for a not needed at this stage boundary shot got himself caught behind for an aggressive 33. Matt stood firm at one end and with the help of debutant Dinesh bought us home with 2 overs to spare. Matt ended up with a well scored 17 not out. Barnes 177 for 8 off 37.5 overs.
Man of the match - Keith for his hard fought 27 runs and very tight bowling and 2 wickets.
Catch of the match - Dinesh for taking a very well judged catch, his first in 10 years.
