Played

Report

by Adriano de'Lightly IV

After some last minute withdrawals, the Relishers somehow found themselves down to just 9 men for the fixture at South Park Manor, a friendly team in Reigate who we managed to beat in a highly enjoyable match last season. After bombing down the A23 and taking a detour via Reigate station to collect Mr Territt, we met up with Brian & Roger at the ground, along with debutant Suresh and our Antipodean contingent. Having managed to lose the toss - well done me, again - we were invited to field, under clear blue skies and on what looked a belting true pitch.

Brian and Chappers opened up and with the former's pace and the latter's accuracy, South Park were off to a fairly slow start. Still, it was hot work out there and with the pitch offering little in the way of movement or uneven bounce, the batsmen looked fairly comfortable until Matt tempted their #2 into a flick to leg, which Mr Territt took smartly low down, close in. This only served to bring in their wristy #3, Patel, who was somewhat Trott-like in his taking guard but equally reticent about giving his wicket away. Whilst the Skipper kept it relatively tight (after a 4 and a 6 off his first 2 balls!) theses two were well set and worked the ball around well into the inevitable gaps in the field, the other opener reaching a very good century. Still, the bowlers stuck to their task in the sunshine and an inspired change brought Muz on up the slope, who struck almost immediately, bowling Patel for 91. After some late hitting from one of their many Bullens, South Park ended up on a rather hefty 283-2 off their 40 overs.

We retired for tea in the pavilion with the very friendly locals, and discussed the batting order at length. It was a big target, but we had seen how flat the pitch was and the hard outfield (plus relatively short boundary on one side) meant we had every right to go for it, so out we went.

Sticking with the LH/RH opening partnership from the last game, we immediately came up against some very good quick opening bowlers, and Chris (4) was soon back in the hutch having fended a lifter to cover. Suresh (5) and Paul (13) both showed patience but fell to their accurate left-armer, Waldren. Muz (11) held up an end, showing an eye for a boundary before he too perished, caught in the infield. Still, Roger was blazing away at the other end and he reached his fifty (OK, 55...) to rapturous applause from the boundary. We were still a little behind the rate at 106-4 off 20 overs but there was all to play for as Andy came in and found the rope a few times before we lost him (16) and Roger (66) in quick succession.

Brian arrived to join the Skipper at the crease and we decided to attack, helped somewhat by the opposition's bowling rotation policy. A hugely enjoyable 50 partnership ensued before yours truly missed a horrible donkey drop and was out to a bizarre LBW on 27. Brian carried on to 24 before missing a straight one and, as they had kindly agreed we could bat on to 11, we sent Suresh and Chappers back in to swing the bat and see how near we could get. They duly obliged and in an exciting few overs made 17* and 25* respectively, one huge 6 from Suresh clearing the boundary and almost the adjoining trees. Still, it was not quite enough and we finished on a very respectable 231-9 off our 40 overs; a valiant effort in the circumstances.

So a loss that didn't really feel like one, with over 500 runs shared in an excellent afternoon/evening's cricket, played in a decent spirit, and we hope to see South Park Manor again next year (when we might try to remember the requisite number of players!)

Result

South Park Manor CC: 283 - 2 (40.0 overs)

GRACC: 232 for 9 (40.0 overs)

South Park Manor CC won by 51 runs

Man of the match: Roger's 66 was both aggressive and highly entertaining so he gets the MOTM award (although a close second was Chappers with 1 for 29 and a quickfire 25 at the death)

Champagne Moment: Chris's excellent ankle-high reflex catch at short leg!

Comedy Moment: Your skipper was LBW to one of the craziest left-arm 'javelin' actions we have ever seen, even their players were pi55ing themselves *oh the shame*