Bordin continues hot streak (with the bat, that is. He drops two shockers that Geoff Boycott's mum…)

A fine day in Church Langley and the Horizontals finally assembled having proved beyond doubt that Sat-Nav is folly, man! Learn to read a map! Aarif deserves great credit, mind; having set out some time on Saturday night apparently, in order to pick up three team-mates. Well driven! In view of the distance home, a 35 over match was agreed.

Skipper Willcock lost the toss and the visitors were inserted. In the pronounced absence of any other volunteers, David was selected to open with Richard but the opening bowling was tight and he failed miserably, caught tamely at midwicket. Stiven bounded in at three, in a fine streak of form. He rode his luck early doors as a couple of edges went begging but soon asserted and played some quality shots. At the other end, Richard was batting manfully on the largest playing area the Horizontals have ever encountered. Encouraged by his Aussie partner to run singles, twos and even threes, the big man responded well and struck some decent shots of his own before calling for water. This second wicket partnership was worth 85 when Burgess finally succumbed, caught behind for a hard earned 21. In a strong batting line-up, Amit came in at four and wasn't long in putting bat to ball. He and Stiven quickly added 70 in ten overs before the antipodean, so confident of his sprinting ability the previous weekend in Lincolnshire, ironically failed to make his ground attempting a second run and was run-out for 69. Ironic, as this is one of the few modes of dismissal that seldom befalls the fleet-footed Scally. By now throwing the bat, Amit was bowled for an excellent 42. The subsequent batsmen were under instructions to score as quickly as possible in the remaining five overs and, understandably, perished cheaply with the exception of Mike Herlihy who compiled a very tidy 16 n.o. at better than a run a ball. The innings closed on 198-7 and an excellent tea was enjoyed in the sunshine.

Amit and Saad opened the bowling with Amit producing a particularly hostile spell that had the openers hopping about like a Riverdance tribute act. To their credit, neither batsman faltered and whilst runs were hard to come by, it wasn't until the 12th over that Chris finally broke through, inducing Ahmed to play on; 36-1. Replacing Amit at the eco-home end, Scally gave No. 3 Singleton a torrid going-over - beating him comprehensively with four successive deliveries before knocking back his middle stump with the fifth. Very satisfying, if only Matt had been present to witness the value of variation… With the stable door now firmly open, the visitors took control. Chris claimed two further victims, clean bowled, before intoducing into the attack his two secret weapons! At the pavilion end, none other than international man of mystery (and Uncle Umed lookalike) Aarif. At the eco-home end, the previously unseen spin of Jinaad Ansari. Jinaad bowled a fine spell, his loop and dip bringing two well-deserved wickets despite Stiven fly swatting two easy catches to the floor in the same over! Sack the Juggler! At the other end, Aarif, typically, was taking the variation doctrine much too far. Yet he had early success when Amit snaffled a chance at silly point (Would you field silly point to Aarif!?!) and followed up in sensational fashion when going around the wicket to finally dismiss the dogged opener, Delieu, who had survived all four seamers and stormed off after losing his leg stump with an expression that suggested that he was going to burn down his own house in rage. Nobody could blame him.

At this point, Chris decided it was time to wrap things up; Saad came back to take a well deserved wicket and the skipper himself took his fourth when the last man skied to Amit at slightly deeper point. Potter Street were all out for 104 and the Horizontals had prevailed by 94 runs; a rare win in this friendliest corner of Essex. Chris finished with 4-14, Jin returned fine figures of 2-10 (might been 4-10 with sharper wicket-keeping) and Aarif 2-31 (mostly wides). Between them, Amit, Saad and David returned 2-48 so clearly they should all retire and leave the bowling to Uncle Umed. Funny old game.

 

Many thanks to Mike for the driving, which allowed us time for a quick'un in the Blackfriar, dinner in Caravaggio in Camberwell and a few cheeky late 'uns whilst watching the Cardiff test highlights in The Cave:. "Jimmy !!! Monty !!!"