St James 177-7 . Dulwich 45 all out
R.Pierson b 42 8-2-18-3 2 catch
D.Smith b 14 1 catch
J Stretton ro 44
J Smith ct 30 10-4-10-3
A Sheikh b 24 2-2-1-2
R.Boyle ct 1 1 catch
J.Boyle lbw 7 3 catches
A.Woolley no 0 1 catch
D.Love no 1 2-1-3-2
S Smith dnb
R Bush dnb 2-1-1-0
A surprisingly dry looking Norbury pitch greeted us on a warm but windy day.
Nothing about the bounce in the pitch should have surprised us though as it has
been spicy all season. After being inserted by Dulwich, an innocuous delivery
reared up, caught the edge of Robin’s bat and caught him a nasty blow on the
cheek. But despite leaving a scar, it didn’t affect Robin and Dave building a
useful partnership as they put on 28 runs in the first ten overs.
The Dulwich opening bowlers did a good job and the bounce made both Dave and
Robin prod uncertainly and had there been close fielders there would have been
chances. As it was they both survived with Dave timing a couple of sweet
boundaries through the leg side before misjudging a good delivery and departing
forthwith Robin and Johnno now faced new bowlers as two Dulwich medium pacers came
on. Robin had played him self in and was able to run regular 1s and 2s either
cut through point or flicked down the leg side. While Johnno took advantage of
anything wayward with powerful shots through mid off and some thundering pulls.
One beautifully timed flick went for six and lost the ball in the bushes on the
boundary (Andrew and company went and fished it out a few minutes later).
Robin and Johnno put on 72 before foolishly underestimating Patrick Love at
point. Robin sent Johnno back to late and he was stranded for 44. Patrick played
for Dulwich when they were a man short and gave a great effort in the field.
Robin took some more runs off the next two bowlers (both leg spinners) before
being bowled for 42. But worries that the innings would lose momentum were soon
squashed as Jack and Ash tucked into the spinners. Both batsmen clubbed fours
through the leg side and Jack hit a couple of sweetly timed shots down the
ground. It was an ideal partnership as it kept the run rate at a healthy tick as
tea approached. Ash was bowled by the returning opening bowler before Jack
hit out, Ryan and James both pushed on and fell to catches leaving Darren
and Andrew to set up the declaration at 177-7.
We tucked into our delicious team-prepared tea (big thanks to Andrew for all his
hard work setting it up and putting it away) and then headed back out. Robin’s
second ball was short of a length but leapt up and the Dulwich opener slashed at
it and departed when Ryan ran backward to take a well judged catch. Jack opened
up at the other end and found his line pretty quickly. The bounce was causing
problems at the other end where Robin got the other Dulwich opener to nick
through the slips before hitting him on the arm and glove. Jack bowled a
beautiful line to set up the Dulwich number three before getting him to nick to
slip where James took the catch. The celebrations continued soon after when
their number four hooked too early and gave Jack his second wicket as Dave came
running in to take a difficult catch over the stumps.
With Dulwich reeling Robin struck a double blow by removing the opener, caught
by James again off the gloves and then catching the new batsmen himself after
another wild swing at a rising ball. Jack added the prize wicket of the Dulwich
keeper when he skied to Andrew at mid off. Stan came on and was unlucky not to
pick up a wicket as the field closed in on the Dulwich batsmen. Johnno put down
a very hard chance which was whipped to him at silly mid on. Darren came on at
the other end and picked up two quick wickets, clean bowling one and getting the
other to sky to Robin at mid wicket. The Dulwich leg spinner held firm though
and was joined by Patrick who played solidly as the draw became a possibility.
But Ash removed the leggie and then bowled Patrick to leave St James with a very
satisfying victory.
Afterwards we toasted our successful performance while being wary of getting
carried away with our on-field celebrations. It’s important to remember the good
work of our skipper-keeper who allowed no byes through as he masterminded our
victory. Jack was voted man of the match for his excellent all round
performance.