Ts fall at the semi-final hurdle in Kew Six-a-Side

Some battling performances by Twickenham were not enough to see them to victory in the annual six-a-side tournament on Kew Green.  An emphatic victory over Richmond in the first game proved the highlight of what was eventually to be a disappointing day for Ben Parer’s troops, as the former winners bowed out to Kew in the semi-finals.

Blessed with ample sunshine and a better-than-usual Kew wicket, the Ts set off for the annual big-hitting jamboree in buoyant mood.  Although regular performers Justin Scriven, JP Cronje and Andrew Barnes were unable to take part this year, debutants Jimmy Liebenberg and Mark Ryan nonetheless ensured that the Ts travelled with a competitive side.  And, after a first game mauling of Richmond, everything appeared to be very much on track.  Al Storey came close to bowling a wicket maiden in the first over of the game (his six balls went for one solitary run), whilst Liebenberg and Parer also bowled tightly to ensure that the Richmond innings never got up and running.  A solid knock from Parer – who dispatched a particularly memorable six over cover – ensured that the Ts cruised to victory with the minimum of fuss.

The second game against a strong Chiswick and Latymer side proved an altogether different story.  Although the Twickenham innings progressed steadily, a score of 55 never quite looked like it would be enough to see the Ts home.  Some erratic bowling did little to help the cause, and Chiswick and Latimer cruised to victory in style without losing a wicket.

This left Twickenham with the hardest possible semi-final draw; against Kew, the home side and hot favourites.  Twickenham once again batted first, and with 9 coming off the first over all appeared to be going reasonably well.  However, a spate of run outs (three in total, one thanks to a marvellous direct hit from the boundary) left the innings in ruins, the Ts collapsing to 32 all out.  Hope was briefly re-kindled when ‘veteran’ leg spinner Storey removed Kew’s big hitting Guyanan second ball, but Ali Jaffer coolly saw Kew home with more than two overs to spare.

Despite the early exit, Kew once again put on a marvellous event.  The Ts will be disappointed with their semi-final exit, but, as the saying goes, they’ll just have to concentrate on the league now …