Weather the Winner as Wilf’s Wonders Wither in the Wet

 

The 4^th XI took the short trip to Boston Manor Road, home of Old Actonians 3^rd XI who rate it as the best 3^rd XI ground in the area, arriving more in hope rather than expectation as the weather was looking decidedly unpromising. However this was one that the 4’s were targeting as winnable despite OA’s being relegated from the County league last year and in attempt to control proceedings skipper Karl Rand invited the hosts to have a bat on winning the toss during a break in the “slight drizzle”. JP Bowman was given the new cherry down the hill fresh from his good performance the previous Sunday but failed to find the anticipated movement from a wet surface that was still hard underneath. The evergreen Tony Bendelow, moustache wilting in the moist conditions, bowling up the hill, found the most alarming bounce from a length but Spinks seemed to know his own ground well and was harsh on anything wide. Once TB had settled however he steadily tightened the screw and the pressure lead to Nazni edging to slip where Nick Walder took a sure catch, obviously polarising the ball as it continued to follow him all day! Chowhan followed shortly after, plumb in front but that’s no guarantee of a wicket at this level, the OA’s umpires playing the game in a good spirit all day (although one lacked any knowledge of his duties above counting to 6!). Nazim joined opener Spinks and together they saw the total steadily rise as Huntington, having replaced Bowman, could not find any rhythm or control, while at the other end keeper Rand was undone by the steepling bounce generated by the San Fernando valley extra and a short boundary so byes and wides kept the scoreboard rattling along. Relief came as Spinks was shot by his own umpire but then the agricultural Carlos joined the patient Nazim, smacking TB back over his head for 6 and swinging rurally. New boy Fernando replaced Matt H down the hill and Bill Wright was called to the plate to replace TB (12 overs 3 for 40) and tempt the aggressive Carlos but it was the former, running down the hill, who accounted for Nazim, the first of 4 victims all bowled on what was a highly impressive debut highlighted by his exuberant follow through and anguished cries at near misses. The organised left-hander Maben joined Carlos as another partnership began to form but Jardim saw off the latter, as well as Clarke and Halsey, as the T’s eyed a chase of 150. The amply proportioned Harley joined Maben and continued to punish the bad ball, getting full value on a small ground, before the wily Bill Wright finished off the innings, inducing 2 stumpings, and OA’s closed on 198.

 

The T’s stuck to the task well in trying conditions but did not take advantage of the new ball and skipper Rand was perhaps guilty of over-attacking in order to force a result. Wides and the weather, dampening any sense of urgency from the fielding side, meant that it took almost 3 hours to bowl our overs which needs to improve in order to win games batting second. However a potential 90 minutes plus 20 overs meant that the rate was likely to be around 4.5 an over which given the state of the ball and the short boundaries, was highly achievable. After a pleasant tea, achieving a solid B on the Henderson scale, T’s openers Walder and Walker, prepared to start the chase but the previous showers had merged into a continuous persistent drizzle and with conditions showing no sign of improvement (and Twickenham on a hiding to nothing as the overs available dwindled) an abandonment was agreed at 6pm.

 

So 7 points each and some more pointers to the skipper as to his best combinations, at least on the bowling and fielding side of the ledger, with the ever dependable Bendelow and Wright supplemented by the fiery Jardim with the ball, backed up by Tom Huntington, Phil Walker and, when called into action, Mark Smith in the field, along with the effervescent Martin Fisher who brought all of his knowledge and experience to what proved to be rather a damp squib of a party for a fourth team debut. I am sure Martin will find accommodation in a higher XI in the future but it is a pleasure to have such a positive character in the team.

 

With Edmonton visiting Broom Road next week, we will need to be at the top of our game to make sure we get that first win of the season but things are certainly moving in the right direction and the 5^th team performance at the weekend has put the cat among the pigeons for selection this week.