Putney CC v BCCC
Putney CC - 320 for 5
BCCC - 270 for 5 in 40 overs. Lost by 50 runs .
BCCC ventured forth all the way to Putney CC but unfortunately could not conquer!!!
On a very green and soft top Putney pitch BCCC bowlers, due to our below par fielding efforts, came up second best !! Having played for Barnes for over 25 years I cannot ever remember an opposition team scoring over 300 runs against our award winning bowlers. Our fielding attempts were quite bad to say the least.
A dropped catch from yours truly to start the day did not help matters as it escalated into a farcical day in the field . We gave away over 59-69 in shoddy fielding and dropped catches.
It was a good day for their star bat who I am told is actually a bowler S. Hasan. He opened the innings and played most our bowlers remarkably well to score 204 runs. 11- 6's and 24- 4's!!! Well done to him . Thanks to his 204 Putney ended up with 320 runs.
A short tea break later Barnes started off badly with both Vish and Sanjay falling cheaply to outside edges which neither of us could hear. Suraj and Graeme steadied the innings by putting on a partnership off over 80 runs before Suraj fell for 41 runs. Graeme continued his lone warrior stance with the help of Phil again and put on another 100 odd runs out of which Phil ended up with 40 and Graeme was 124 not out at the end, still swinging his bat in the dark as it was 7-15 pm by then. At this stage we were 270 for 5 off 40 overs . It does need to be said that Putney were fielding with just 8-9 players as they were short .
In hindsight it seems it may not have have been such a good idea getting everyone involved in the game but I was sure that with our batting line up on the day we could chase down any score ... Alas it was not to be .. The eternal Captain's conundrum to be ruthless and win the match at all costs or give everyone a go and have a good game regardless.
Man of the match - Graeme for his well fought 124 under lights but more importantly for inspiring the more mature players at Barnes that life can still look good after one crosses 60.
Catch of the match - Vish for finally catching the double centurion out on the boundary line when he was on only 175 only for honest Johnny to say otherwise that Vish had stepped over the line and it was a six instead !!!
PS - condolences to Johnny who had his lovely Freelander's window smashed in whilst parked right next to the cricket pitch . A repair bill to Putney CC on its way.
