Week 15, Review

Had someone told Club Captain Paul Johnson at midday on Saturday that the top three sides in the club were all going to win later that afternoon he'd have thought they were on hallucinogenic drugs. Selection had been up (and rather more frequently) down all week and he and the team of captains had been moving heaven and earth to get five sides out. That they did is a real testament to their commitment to the game and to the club.

Manuwelge, Nunes and Vera Duckworth come to the party
The firsts ended up being far from full strength for the visit of Hampstead. But with the start delayed, the game reduced to 45 overs per side and more rain forecast it felt like a day where anything might happen.

Hampstead had first hit and struggled gamely to 208-9 off their allotted overs (see here for the card). Skipper Liam Hughes was the pick of the visiting pack, helping himself to 85 (119 balls) before Carlos Nunes got the better of him. The Ts skipper didn't just remove Hughes; he took three more scalps his 4-52 was well deserved.

The other TCC bowlers also came nicely to the party. Tom Grundy has slipped impressively back in to the groove of late, and his niggardly 1-13 off 7 did plenty to stop Hampstead racing away at the beginning. Gurjit Sandhu, Don Manuwelge and Eugene Berger, drafted in late on from the twos, all took poles as the Ts took the strain well in the field.

In reply, the Ts nonetheless got off to a horror start. 2-2 became 7-3 as Hampstead looked all set to pocket the 10 points. But, Rhys Davies settled the ship and, once he'd departed, Don Manuwelge (54no off 73 balls) and Nunes (24no off 36 balls) kept their cool to steer the Ts right back in to the game.

As it became clear that rain was very much on the cards Nunes and Manuwelge kept a close on the Duckworth Lewis scores needed and when the heavens finally did open the Ts were five runs ahead of where they needed to be. The result was tough on Hampstead, but ultimately cricket simply wasn't invented to be played in wet and dreary weather and every possible way of dealing with it throws up outcomes that leave some frustrated. The Ts have been there themselves. Indeed, the Ts were relegated in controversial Duckworth Lewis circumstances just a few years ago.

Ethan Wright tonnes up for the twos
The twos enjoyed a much more straightforward day over at the Walker Ground in Southgate (see here for the card). Stand in skipper Dan Taylor lost the toss so the Ts had a bat. And, bat they certainly did, Ethan Wright notching his maiden century for the Ts (101no) as the visitors posted an impressive 254. Parampreet Singh also batted with aplomb, and he was good value for his unbeaten half century. Waqas Khan (3-35 off 8) was the pick of the Southgate bowlers.

In reply bottom of the table Southgate simply never got going. The story of their season. Parampreet Singh led the Ts bowling charge, helping himself to 4-21 off 7.3. Skipper Dan Taylor also wobbled a few down; 2-21 off 7 was the end result. Finally, Vedant Jain also chipped in with 2-13 to see the Ts home by 110 runs. The result didn't do much to change the outlook in the league (see here), but a win is a win. Well done fellas.

Threes hold their nerve
The threes knew that it was crunch time. Win and they were in with a (good) chance of staying up. Lose and it could well be goodnight Vienna.

Steve Watts rallied the troops and they thankfully kept their nerve, beating North Middlesex by four wickets. Things didn't look good for the Ts when opening bowler Ozzie Qavi went lame early doors, but a concerted team effort saw the threes restrict The Midd to 179.

In reply the Ts got over the loss of an early wicket to steadily build a base. 93-2 off 20 became 127-3 off 25 as Geoff Stothert (69) kept everything moving forward. But, wickets did soon begin falling, and whilst the Ts were always in control it did get just a bit nervy. 26 were needed off the last 7 and then 8 off the final 3 overs. Eventually, they scrapped home with four wickets to spare.

The win doesn't move the 3s out of the relegation zone, but they are now within striking distance of Finchley and North Middlesex (see here). South Hampstead and Hornsey are also within range. Should the threes win two of their final three games then they'll almost certainly be safe.

Day to forget for the 4s
The fours, on the other hand, had a day to forget. Mehran Iqbal, Robbie Bosier and Sarwant Singh took three wickets apiece as Bessborough struggled to 137.

The Ts' reply started disastrously as wickets fell from the get go. 15-4 became 20-5 and not even some monstrous hitting from Jonny Bosier could get the Ts out of their hole. Indeed, at 59-7 it looked like a miracle would be needed to see the Ts home.

Miracles don't unfortunately grow on trees and the Ts ultimately ended up 67 all out. Sarwant Singh top scored with 26. Promotion will need to be put on hold for another year (see here for the league table).

Fifths slip to defeat against Wembley IVs
"Well" mused 5th XI legend Phil Walker in the bar afterwards "we got a game in. That's more or less the best that can be said about today's performance".

Walker and the fifths gave it their best shot, but the fifth dimension are really struggling at the moment. (Once again) the 5s didn't have the requisite number of players at the ground for the start of the game and so (once again) their hand was forced somewhat on winning the toss. Batting conditions certainly weren't easy, and Phil Walker's 27 would arguably have been worth more than that on another day.

The evergreen Gilly Sanchez and Mark Davies also did their best to stem the tide, but ultimately the fifths collapsed from 60-3 to 85 all out. A disappointing turn of events.

Wembley's batters also found the going tough and at 20-3 the fives were in with a chance of an unlikely victory. A composed undefeated half-century from one of their middle order players nonetheless steadied the ship and the spirited efforts of young Dominic McCabe (no relation to Clint) ultimately were to no avail. His 6 overs for 16 runs were still very encouraging.

So, just three weeks left. The ones and the threes can sense safety, and should the ones win next Saturday then they will indeed be mathematically up with two games to go. The fours look like they'll have to settle for mid-table, whilst the 5ths need to turn things around quickly if they want to stay up. Let's see what next week brings.