Saturday 14th June 2008

St James CC v Kings College and Lewisham Hospital

KC & L 126 all out. St James 106 all out.

D.Smith b 19  

A Woolley ct 3   3 catches

K.Jasavala b 1  1 catch

J Stretton ct 45  3-0-19-0 1 catch

J Smith b 1   7-0-10-0

R Boyle b 0   

D Love lbw 20  7-0-20-2

S Smith ct 1 7-0-39-1

R Bush no 0  10-2-20-4  1 c&b

J.Sharpe 4-0-15-2

P.Love b 0 2-1-10-1

Our report is prepared whilst watching the London to Bike ride event amidst mixed emotions after the previous days contest,one is prompted why cycle instead of playing cricket? Perhaps the answer lies in the aftermath of these events,for one there is sore legs the other sore pride, for one a squashed posterior,the other a crushed spirit,for one a tested body ,the other a tested character. So to the contest with the unknowns of Kings College and Lewisham Hospital( a very pleasant group of medics) Disaster had threatened at the start of the week with many drop outs but efforts at nets provided some enthusiastic if inexperienced cricketers to allow the game to go ahead. A bright day,dryish wicket,rolled and green with lush outfield again greeted us and it was quickly established that the opposition had never played a timed game of cricket before As the stronger batting side they were put in and with low bounce,some wild and innacurate bowling from the less experienced players,wickets unexpectedly peppered the growing innings A lower order rally with missed catches allowed a total to climb to 126 before Richard caught and bowled the 11 to bring up tea .With few 4's ,getting this could prove tricky. Andrew and Dave steadied the chase keeping out a succession of low bouncing deliveries,but despite advice for front foot and soft hands, poking, prodding and swishing saw the loss of important wickets and it was up to the ever dependable Johnno to take the attack to the bowling. With a fine partnership of 61 with Darren the total seemed reachable and an unfortunate lbw and a quick loss of Stanley saw Richard coming to the crease. It was a this point that our visitors were to experience the drama of the time game 24 to win or 3 wickets to take,5 overs left,attack and risk losing,defend and risk the draw? But the scales tipped the wrong way for S James as Johnno holed out trying for the win and the tail put up no resistance,leaving us 24 runs short. A refusal to open the bar meant the visitors disappeared but St James discovered a delightul pub just around the corner. Richard pipped Johnno to man of the match but it was difficult to decide as batting was certainly more difficult than bowling.