1st X1 v North London 24th May 2008
As the sun set and the wind blew at Twickenham Green on Saturday night, the 1st XI found themselves sat proudly atop the MCCL Division 2. Following two dominant performances against Richmond and Barnes, Twickenham finally got the victory they've deserved against a stubborn North London side.
 
The disappointment and anguish of the previous weekend's game was still fresh in the minds as the Twickenham openers strode out to have first use of a hard, white pitch. Although skipper Nunes had lost another toss the T's players were thoroughly determined to put in a strong performance and take the game to the visitors. In JP Cronje and Grant Hughes Twickenham are blessed with possibly the most aggressive, positive opening batsmen in the league. For the third successive Saturday these two got the T's innings off to a high octane start.  North London's new ball bowlers had no answer to the attacking intent shown by JP and Hughes. Haffiji, fresh from an impressive performance against Richmond, struggled to find a consistent line or length and was flayed to all parts. His problems mounted when he was warned for running on the pitch. At the other end Wakeford failed to maintain any control at all, repeatedly allowing Hughes and Cronje to open their arms and hit through the off side. One back foot drive from Cronje was particularly memorable. Timed to perfection, it raced across the outfield for four.
 
Such was the fluency of Twickenham's start it came as something of a surprise when Hughes was dismissed for a breezy 41 - caught at mid off trying to hit over the top off the bowling of the hardworking Smith. With the score on 103 from 15 overs the new batsman, Warwick Paull, was able to play himself in and find some form. The score continued to rattle along with JP keeping his foot firmly on the pedal. He looked destined for a sensational hundred when Smith put down a relatively simple caught and bowled chance. However, the next over saw JP's demise as he gifted Amjad a wicket, cutting straight to cover. His 92 from 84 balls had given Twickenham a perfect platform from which to build.
 
Nunes quickly came and went, leaving the score at 184-3 from 33 overs. If North London thought they had their foot in the door it was soon shut in their face by Paull and new batsman Justin Scriven. The next 13 overs saw 118 runs flow without another wicket falling. The ball was dispatched to every corner of the ground with Paull and Scriven's contrasting styles dovetailing perfectly. Paull eased his way to fifty from 76 balls and never looked like getting out. As ever his innings was packed full graceful drives and impeccable timing. At the other end Scriven was a bundle of a energy; quick between the wickets and even quicker onto anything slightly loose. The cars at the church end were in danger as Scriven peppered the long on boundary time and again. All the bowlers suffered at the hands of Paull and Scriven and there must have been a collective sigh of relief when Nunes declared the innings on 302-3 from 46 overs. Paull was unbeaten on a classy 88 from 101 balls, and Scriven was left on 62 from 41 balls.
 
The North London boys must have been feeling down and dejected following the carnage inflicted by Cronje, Hughes, Paull and Scriven. However, they were soon smiling from ear to ear when they caught sight of the tea. Mel and Chantel, fresh from a quick round of golf, had knocked up a tea which ticked every box. A dazzling selection of sandwiches, cakes, fruit, dips, scotch eggs and sausage rolls. It was a magnificent, stylish, flamboyant display from JP and Justin's better halves. A definite A+ on the teaometer.
 
With 54 overs to bat, North London needed a strong start to their innings to have any chance of chasing down Twickenham's imposing total. It wasn't long before any faint hopes they may have had were snatched away. Having made a decent start they lost their first wicket with the score on 30 - Wood caught behind off Vosloo for 11. Michael Vosloo has bowled well in recent weeks without having had too much luck. This proved to be his day though as he blew the North London top order apart. Maintaining a consistent line and length, and moving the ball both ways, he was a constant threat. Three wickets fell with the score stuck on 44, Vosloo repeatedly finding the edge, and Nunes and the slips made no mistakes with their catching. Scriven also joined in the fun, picking up the number three Wakeford for 7.
 
Although North London were now on their knees the game was far from over. Twickenham were very conscious of finishing the job and were aware the hard work had just begun. Nunes chopped and changed the bowling in an attempt to chip away at the batting order. Hughes looked dangerous with his leg spin, but it was Dimitri Nicolaides at the other end who made the breakthrough, picking up Green for 22 and giving Nunes his fourth catch of the innings.
 
The only stability for the batting side came from Gill, who had earlier taken a nasty blow to his eye when fielding. (Twickenham supplied a fielder to the visitors for the time Gill was off the field). He batted sensibly and put away the rare bad deliveries he received. His was a well deserved fifty but when he fell to Paull for 51 the game was all but over. It was left to Warwick to finish proceedings, bowling Zahoor for 0. North London were all out for 157 in 43 overs.
 
This was an excellent team performance from Twickenham, with all the players doing what was asked of them. The big guns in the batting order fired and put a big total on the board. The bowlers then performed well and as a unit. Vosloo was the most successful (4-52 from 11 overs) but was given valuable support by Scriven (2-45), Nicolaides (2-32) and Paull (2-4). The fielding was sharp and energetic. Obviously there is always room for improvement in all aspects of the game, but if the Twickenham side can keep up the standards they've set in the first few games they will be competitive this season.