An unbeaten century stand between Dave Barton and James Salmon helped Twickenham 2s salvage a draw against Indian Gymkhana on Saturday.
The visitors piled up a formidable 275-7 on an inviting track at the Green thanks to Archiya’s chanceless 100, but an under strength Ts recovered from 5 for 2 to comfortably claim a share of the spoils.
Things had started brightly with Phil Biggs (2-40) and Mark Smith (1-67) making early inroads into the Gym batting, thanks in part to a tumbling catch from Richie Saunders in the covers and not helped by Stuart Amos’ loss of bearings at mid-on.
The success however proved a double-edged sword marking the arrival of Archiya, and the more circumspect Arkat, to the crease and signalled a long period of dominance for Indian.
Archiya smoothly eased his way to a ton with Arkat (51) playing the anchor role at the other end, as a series of fine blows saw Ts skipper Aly Vokes scatter a field made sparse by the enforced absence of Paul Johnson through injury.
Johnson’s departure made Twickenham’s task more difficult and Vokes’ hopelessly misjudged catch at short third man, Salmon’s hastily readjusted shit-avoiding leap in the covers and Smith’s astro strip nightmare only added to the frustration.
The introduction of Amos (3-42) at the Green Spice end brought some respite, but Ts couldn’t stem the flow of runs at the other end as Saunders (1-70) watched his final over disappear into Strawberry Hill.
A tremendous tea, the brainchild of Amos and Tom Platts, lifted spirits at the break, but the selection of nachos, smoked salmon, hot-dogs and scones visibly hampered the home side’s reply in the opening stages.
Wicketkeeper James Jordan – promoted up the order – was dispatched for a two ball duck before captain Vokes suffered a similar fate an over later to end hopes of a thrilling run chase.
The chirpy Gym fielders had their tails up, but Amos (25) and Platts (37) set about rebuilding the innings with the same application that brought them an A- in the kitchen.
Their 68-run partnership steadied the ship before Amos perished caught behind after the drinks break – having earlier ruffled the umpire’s feathers - and Platts went lbw an over later.
Barton’s arrival at the crease loosened the Gym stranglehold and his typically robust 64* - aided by Salmon’s equally brisk 45* - saw Twickenham to maximum batting points in a game they could easily have lost.