The Ts produce an inspired performance to take
10 points in the chase of a lifetime
To football fans in the club, I apologise; my knowledge on this
subject is decidedly limited. But being cemented in mid–table
makes me think we're rather like Aston Villa. On our day we
can produce the goods and beat the Man Uniteds of this world.
Saturday could not have made that point any more clearly.
When we played Finchley in our first game of the season we were
introduced the HARD WAY! After 5 overs Finchley were past the 60
mark and I thought that 2010 was going to be longest, hardest
season of my - our - lives. We fought hard but lost. Hence
Saturday was in many ways, and in particular for me personally,
was far more satisfying even than beating Ealing. When you think
about it, a statement that none of us ever thought we'd ever end
up saying! We beat the first team we played in the league and in
the most impressive of ways. To chase down a score of 362 is in my
mind unheard of. A quick look at the Middlesex stats certainly
says that it is so in this part of the world. It is also
unbelievable TEKKERS!!
Having played for a number of different sides in my short little
life none have ever made me feel quite so inspired as Twickenham.
The confidence and belief that is now beginning to build among the
1st XI (and the club in general - great work is being done through
the seconds right down to Hinay's Barmy Army in the 5ths) is
incredible and I know along with other newer members of the club
that playing for the club is becoming a real pleasure and honour.
The friendship and camaraderie being shown throughout the club
both on and off the pitch is second to no club I have ever been
involved with.
I am sorry but there has to be a Hallmark moment once every so
often! But, please, Kleenex away; let us now recap the day’s
highlights. ‘Now remember girls, NO LIKEY, NO LIGHTY!’
As is becoming a regular habit, Twickenham lost the toss but this
time Carlos the ‘Kebab King’ and his troops were asked to take the
field first.
362 runs later Nunes and his side returned from the field with
Finchley having declared after 57 overs to ensure that a winning
draw was not possible and that Twickenham, if they were to win,
would have to break more or less every record going!
Martyn Fryer, like a school boy who had just discovered what that
lump between his legs was for, announced to the Twickenham
dressing room that Finchley had gone too early, it was a mistake,
that a run rate of 6 an over was ours for the taking. Whilst the
openers started padding up, rumour had it that Les was looking up
the local lunatic asylum on his IPhone.
With this solid pearl of wisdom imparted, Clint ‘The Horse’ McCabe
and Tom ‘Bungle’ Meredith went about their business in their
normal fluid style, taking Twickenham to 120 before Clint was
dismissed moments before tea for a well earned 58 off 43 balls.
Shortly after Tea, Bungle was also dismissed for 63, putting the
Ts on 127 for 2.
Jack ‘Zac Efron’ Parker supported Carlos well and the pair put on
80 together, before Parker was dismissed for a well worked 19.
Unfortunately, the next four wickets for Twickenham could only
muster 16 runs, however, Nunes continued about his business in his
usual nonchalant style and went past 50. Indeed, this was looking
set to be a classic captain's innings. Russell joined Nunes with
the score 267 for 7. As near enough makes no difference 100 runs
had to be made from the final 18 overs to ensure victory. Nunes
and Russell put on 40 together, in which time Nunes, although too
focused to really take too much interest in passing the 100 mark,
once again demonstrated his ability and class in a pressure
situation. Nunes was eventually dismissed for 115. The
celebration following the dismissal would have made you believe
that Finchley felt they had their man and the game!
‘DON’T STOP BELIEVING; HOLD ON TO THAT FEELING....’
Maaz the Mars bar and David ‘Geoff Macintyre’ Russell, took
Journey or Glee’s (depending on how honest you're feeling) message
to heart. The pair put together the final 56 runs in the last 8
overs to take the Ts home with 8 balls to spare, with Maaz
finishing on 19* and Russell on 57*. A combination of holding the
nerves, hitting the boundaries and running between the wickets
allowed the final pair to do what everybody knew was possible.
Cue delight in one dressing room, disbelief and despair in the
other. And, as one famous Twickenham player would no doubt say
‘you just can’t teach that.’
I must apologise for the almost heartfelt nature of this match
report and the lack of general witty banter, the truth is that I
................... have just run out of material, it happens to
the best of us.
A great win and bring on next Saturday!
Some Housekeeping notes.
1. Mike O’Brien; incredible TEKKERS! I have a beer waiting
for you.
2. Jack Parker well done, that is all I am going to say.
3. Congrats to the 2s who also had a great win and for the
superb fines meeting that resulted in many not being able to see
in the Patch.
4. Well done to everyone in the Patch, once again another
incredible performance.
5. The 2nd time in five years a girl has thrown up on me; I
genuinely thought I wasn’t that ugly or that my chat was that bad!
As always much love David ‘Geoff Macintyre’ Russell
P.S. I look forward to seeing the tourists mid week!