St. James CC v Sheen Park Cavaliers

7th July 2007

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Sheen Park Cavaliers 135 - 9        St James 138 - 8

Match Won

 

 

O Ehsan          0          3-1-7-1             

A Woolley       0

F Karim           34                                1 catch

J Smith             0          7-3-17-0

N Shiraz          17         7-1-23-1

R Pierson        4          6-1-29-1

A Nazir            10         8-2-17-1

R Boyle           18         4-2-6-1             1 catch

A Khan                        24*       2.3-0-11-2

D Smith            6*                                 1 catch

R Bush                        dnb      7-0-19-2            1 catch

 

 

 

Turle Road is a different place when the sun comes out and so it was this day although the wind was present and blustery again, relegated to pitch B with a 10 man opposition the toss was won and we took the field with hearts hopeful of the first victory of the season.

 

Sheen Park were ready to get things going and bashed 17 off Robin’s opening over, however they were soon tied down with accurate lines from Robin and Jack scoring only off wild swipes and flashing edges. Robin bagged the No.2 , Jack toiled, without a wicket, into the wind for another fine spell. Amir and Nabeel to the action, taking one apiece and frustrating the opposition with more accurate bowling. Richard gave his usual miserly best taking a couple and debutante Ryan produced a great spell of bowling getting his first wicket. Ousman’s short spell was not without incident, getting himself a wicket and Adil came on to mop up the innings at 135 from 44.3 overs. This was a great team performance, 8 bowlers used all getting wickets except young Jack who was unlucky not to get a few, dedicated fielding showing commitment and skill, most notably Adil and young Ryan whose stunning one handed diving catch wrapped the innings up, wonderful spirit and a positive attitude and an opposition stifled and restricted to an easily gettable score.

 

So to a well earned tea, and with an well crafted experimental batting line up the St James team padded up with a tangible air of confidence from the scent of maiden victory.

 

Ousman in and out in 2 minutes ( unlucky inside edge ) and Andrew followed him 5 minutes later without letting bat and ball meet after a hesitant start to a tight run saw him run out, 2 overs in and both openers gone. Faisal brutalized the ball about as per for an hour, Jack went back to a low one and Nabeel went to a simply superb slip catch. So 11 overs gone, 4 down with 43 on the board the scent of victory taking on a more nervous undertone. Robin in to partner Faisal and the ship was steadied until Faisal hay made once too often and edged on to his stumps. A quick 10 minute cameo from Amir brought Ryan in for his club debut with the bat and looked for all the world the proper article, solid in defense - firm in attack, and after Robin fell to a thin edge caught behind it was his partnership with Adil that set the ship back on course and cleared the air of any thoughts of a defeat. Adil, his usual belligerent self, looked unflustered and unthreatened sharing the strike with his new partner and it was unfortunate that Ryan got a surprise good ball from the young left arm chucker that went through him before he was able to finish the job off. 14 to win off 12 overs looked easy enough and so it was with David in,  the winning runs coming three overs later.

 

A happy and contented glow followed the St James team from the square to the bar and a pleasant hour was spent on the pavilion steps chatting to the Cavaliers who continued to be a cracking set of blokes with plenty of spirit despite still looking for their first win of the season, and after they had left another pleasant hour was spent on the pavilion steps chatting amongst our St James selves who continue to be a cracking set of blokes with plenty of spirit looking forward to many more wins this season.