Late rally can’t save Twickenham 5s from four wicket reverse at Barnet B's 4s

Twickenham    113 all out       (D. Hough 43, J. Pindoria 5-6)

Barnet B’s        114-6               (J. Singh 43, D. Hough 3-25)

Poor batting cost Twickenham’s fifths dearly as they went down by four wickets against Barnet fourths on 31 May.  Solid batting from fifth team debutant Dan Hough helped Holger Kriess’s men to stagger passed the 100 mark, but positive batting from J. Singh saw Barnet – despite a nasty attack of the collywobbles late on – reach their target with plenty of overs to spare. 

With skipper Kriess, ably being directed by Phileas Fogg Henderson in the passenger seat, heading somewhere in the direction of Uxbridge it was left to Brian Thorne to take over the tossing duties.  He called wrongly but the Ts nonetheless got what they wanted; they were to have a bat.

The track looked unexceptional (if a little green), whilst the puddles on the far side of the outfield resembled mini-reservoirs.  Yet – and other clubs should take note – neither team seemed in the slightest bit worried, and play began.  Fair play to both skippers for their positive attitudes.  Other points of note: the washing machine in the away team dressing room will no doubt make an appearance in the ’10 oddest things ever to find in a changing room’ competition, whilst the two manic dogs on the pavilion roof made damn sure that everyone stayed well and truly on their toes. 

But back to the cricket.  On arrival Kriess immediately found himself strapping on the pads to open up alongside the ever-dependable Pat Mongan.  Mongan demonstrated that he knew what was required, taking a big stride down the track and hitting the ball straight back from whence it came.  Kriess also looked to be positive but it wasn’t long before he fell victim to the first shooter of the day, bowled by the impressive Pindoria for 1.  Pindoria was exhibiting impressive control and his figures of 14 overs, 9 maidens, 6 runs and 5 wickets were not in any way flattering.  Everyone found him a handful.

Mongan also fell to Pindoria, leg before, and it wasn’t long before Shibu Paull also perished in precisely the same fashion.  22-3 and the Ts were wobbling.  Damian Lane, fresh from getting off a plane from Sydney six hours previously, did his best to steady the ship but his departure for 4 left the Ts card looking decidedly ropey.  Dan Hough and Clive Dancey steadied the ship for a while, and Dancey had the honour of cracking the first boundary of the day when he smashed a loose short ball through the covers for four.  His fun, however, didn’t last and he and Bobby Freeman were both back in the shack far too quickly for Twickenham’s liking.  47-6 did not look good.

Things did start to change a little when Hough and Henderson (batting at eight) found themselves in together.  Some sharply taken singles put the fielders under pressure, as Henderson wheeled out the trusty leg glance for its seasonal airing.  Hough pulled a couple of short balls for four and, slowly but surely, the Ts were finding a bit of traction – until Henderson was perhaps a little harshly adjudged leg before for five off the bowling of Holland (who finished with 2-6 off 6).  Ben Aldworth came in and sensibly looked to carry on Henderson’s good work, and Hough and Aldworth put on 19 before Hough holed out at deep mid on for 43. 

Again, momentum was lost and overs drifted by, but Brian Thorne, Aldworth and Peter Mair did their level best to make life difficult for Barnet.  Slowly the score edged above 100 and, when Mair was dismissed off the final ball of Twickenham’s allotted 52 overs they had crept up to 113.  Hardly a colossal score, but nonetheless something for the Ts attack to get their teeth into. 

The tea was a delight.  Plenty of quality cakes, delicious ceche and a good solid brew.  Definitely an A- on the Hendo tea-o-meter.

Once the feast had been digested Holger Kriess instructed his men that if Twickenham were going to get anything out of the game then they had to be positive from the start.  Sharp fielding and early inroads were the orders of the day.  Unfortunately though, Barnet got off to something of a flyer.  Shoaib looked a little hesitant, airily driving past a flying Pat Mongan in the covers, but Qayyam appeared to be very much in control.  The score raced to 32 without loss before either Damian Lane or BT could get into their strides.  The old adage that one brings two nonetheless soon rang true and firstly Lane bowled Shoaib for 12 before Thorne skilfully slid one passed Qayyam (20).  32-2. 

The Ts, however, didn’t really drive home their advantage and Singh and Amin soon settled in.  Singh cut powerfully through the covers as and when the ball was dropped short, whilst Amin drove with decent control.  Kriess knew that he had to break this dangerous partnership; Henderson had a whirl from the pavilion end, whist Peter Mair gave it his best from the top end.  To no immediate effect.  No one could be faulted for effort – as Dave Henderson and Bobby Freeman illustrated when they went careering into each other in an ultimately vain attempt to catch a skier at mid off.  But, as the score moved into the 90s, it really did look like Barnet were going to cruise home.

Kriess then chucked the ball to part-time bowler Dan Hough and more or less out of nowhere Amin nicked one to the gulley where Mair took a nice one handed catch.  Mair joined in himself by removing Peris, caught superbly by Aldworth running back from cover and when Hough prompted Singh to launch another almighty steepler in the direction of Bobby Freeman – which the young Chinamen bowler held with some aplomb – it looked like Twickenham were finally moving up through the gears.  Kriess decided that the Ts had nothing to lose and continued to attack – Hough taking his third wicket (3-25) thanks to a nicely taken pouch by Kriess behind the sticks. 

It was, however, too little to late.  The Ts had done much to make the score look respectable, but Barnet still – albeit with some discomfort – managed to cross the finishing line without any further drama. 

The Ts can be very proud of the way they applied themselves in the field; the catching was excellent and the bowlers gave it their best shot.  It will, however, always be tough to win games when runs aren’t on the board.  Next week sees the Ts take on Birkbeck College thirds at St Mary’s College.