The stark realisation that the County League Premier Division opener was only one week away certainly motivated the guys strongly on Twickenham green. A superb net session on Thursday with the club’s new bowling machine in action, and Tom Meredith leading the group in a punishing set of fielding drills, saw a professional display and uncompromising pressure from the 1’s at the Green against Surrey Premier Division side Sunbury this week.
Having lost the toss and being put in the field, Maaz Haffeji was thrown the ball and launched into a series of 7 overs from the Staines Road End that saw him rewarded with figures of 1 for 20, which might have been better had the unlucky Ashley Gray hung onto a catch at mid on.
From the other end Fawad Mullahzadah completed 7 fast and fierce overs taking 2 for 26. And so the day progressed with every bowler applying pressure which was matched by a strong and determined set of fielders which at one point saw JP out sprinting much younger (well except for me everyone is much younger than JP) teammates to perform a diving stop at the deep extra cover boundary. All the bowlers chipped in with wickets, special mention however goes to Clint McCabe whose beautifully flighted spin saw him return 3 for 15 also from 7. Spin is going to be one of the keys to success in the top flight, and it is great to see the emergence of a really strong talent.
The first tea from Angelos saw a beautiful selection of sandwiches followed by tiramisu. Unfortunately, there was not enough of it! (It won’t happen again). So the marks must go down to a B on the Hendometer.
Partnerships are paramount when chasing any total, and Sunbury’s 150 all out, needed getting. Tom (Meredith) and Clint opened very impressively making a combined 54 of the first 100 balls. The Aussie eventually spooned a catch to mid off. Clint went on to make a very solid 44 including another 50 odd partnership with the much improved Warwick Paull, himself kicking in with 34 off 49.
The inevitable win by 6 wickets with half a dozen overs to spare was a just reflection of the quality that is now Twickenham 1s. Bring on the season. Bring on Finchley away next week.
Martyn Fryer