Horizontals Regain winning thread

Match Report by Chris Willcock
(Big on rabbits but sadly lacking in rigour, analysis and sycophantic references to the Editor)

The final fixture before the much coveted WHCC tour brought us up the M25 to St. Albans to face the Spurs worshipping Jack O Diamonds. Named after a Chas and Dave song, this is the third fixture against the Diamonds. Despite results falling in our favour, we sensed the tie would be a little closer this time.

Another baking Sunday, skipper Willcock won the toss, chose to bat and opened with himself and brother Burgess. A bit of a strange wicket this one, very green, spongy just outside the stumps and a bit unpredictable between them. Horizontals started steadily scoring between 4 or 5 an over for the 1st 14 overs – Willcock dropped twice but snaffled on the 3rd attempt for 30.
A brief partnership between Ian and Rich ended when the former was run out by the latter, calling through a quick single. Horizontals leading batter was out, bringing Ali G who chipped a catch to point. Rich followed, and with a series of quick wickets, the musical discussion on the boundary was cut short as Mike Herlihy entered the fray.
He was soon joined by Rahul and produced a valuable partnership of 40 odd, a perfect blend of youthful hits that drove the field out, for Mike to nurdle quality shots through gulley, reminiscent of mirrored Pete Fairbairn. "Ahh that’s how you do it!", said the top order in unison…
Welcome back Simon Warren at seven who played a mini-cameo, his first game in 12 months. The break seemed to do him good as the total pushed on. His demise brought Mr. Webster to the crease and the 170 expected total was chucked to the rabbits, a familiar sight this season as the Horizontals pushed to 200 and beyond, boosted by an unbroken 7th wicket stand of 45 between TVMW and Scally in the final six overs.

The clock ticked past 5pm, the sun went in but the mugginess remained as close as the scent of rabbits to the nose of a nearby hound. Some well packed ham and cheese rolls, posh doughnuts, a full variety of crisps and some black tea (favoured by Keith Smart, so I hear) was polished of and Horizontals took to the field, confidently looking to protect their 213 total.

Horizontals opened up with reliable duo Webster and Scally and the pitch was offering some bounce off a length. Diamonds started tentatively, scoring 20 from the first 10 overs, and Mr. TV struck with Ian holding on to a sharp catch wide of his 2nd slip position.
Pressure mounted further for the hosts when Webster claimed another on 19 overs, bowling the other opener for 7 but a determined 3rd wicket stand of 111 brought Diamonds back into the game.
Overs 20 to 30 proved critical as the run rate edged towards double figures.Warren, back into the fold after a lengthy lay-off, bowled an economical 10 overs for 42, spurred on by the sight of a red setter devouring a rabbit on the outfield.
The watching rabbit audience increased in numbers to witness a controlled six overs from Rahul who had brought his girlfriend along to watch for the day. She reserved opinion on the more 'patient' passages of play. Keen to get the game over, Willcock brought Scally and Webster back on but Diamonds remained a stubborn beast to defeat.
Once the big partnership was broken *, it was left to Aarif to run out Ochtree (batting at 5); the ball deflected off both his shins, but Uncle Umed merely hobbled before calmly returning an accurate throw to the bowler's end. The final overs were bowled out, including a brief show from Aarif with the ball who nearly charmed the umpire into giving an LBW with his and the game's final ball. Diamonds closed on 173, 40 runs in arrears.
This was an arduous, spirited performance, typified by the 14 overs bowled by Webster **. Some key Horizontal partnerships built a total too tall for Diamonds, but as an ever pleasing fixture we welcome the 2010 fixtures against this good bunch of lads next season.

We travel to Bourne with a squad full of confidence, keen to replicate the success and entertainment of last year.

 

* You bowl a tight opening spell, get sent to Jessup, chase leather whilst the pie throwers facilitate a 112 run, 3rd wicket partnership, come back and dismiss BOTH batsmen and you get "Once the big partnership was broken". Bah! There's no justice in this game. Grumpy Ed.

** Whole-hearted, certainly but still lacks guile.