Horizontals fight back to tie

Match Report by Chris Willcock

Horizontals sensationally fought back to tie 201 runs apiece away at Pimilco Strollers over the Bank Holiday weekend. What should have been a walk in Ferme park for the Strollers resulted in more last over drama in the dark, as the game was turned on its head by a 106 run 7th wicket partnership.
The 35 over game began in quiet serenity as Strollers skipper Chris donned a fetching blazer to win the toss and elect to bat. Horizontals missed a few familiar, and reliable names but with a couple of new recruits (Simon Bowett and John Willcock) and a bowling line-up with formidable depth this looked set to be a good game.
Skipper Willcock (C) opened the bowling with Amit and the pair began steadily but with no return on their early efforts. Bordin made a rare bowling appearance and picked up the valuable wicket of Pimlico no.4 for a golden duck, comfortably held by Bowett at cover. His same over produced a run out mixed up with a couple of beamers but held his nerve to finish his spell.
Replacing Amit at the far end was Murray who produced a sublime spell containing 4 maidens from his 7 over spell. Targeting their no.5 Leighton, the batsman was given nothing to hit and it stifled the growing partnership with opener Fowler who made an impressive 69, eventually run-out by Leighton. Winteringham also bowled 0 for 29 from 3, Willcock (J) 0 for 28 from 4, McLeod 1 for 15 from 2 and Skipper 1 for 28 from 3. On such a dusty wicket, perhaps more faith should have been put in the long bowling line-up.
Pimlico finished strongly with the lower middle making the most of the short boundaries, no’s 6 to 9 contributing 70 to the total. It was left to Shanker to bowl the Strollers out for 201. Particular credit must go to Pete behind the timbers who dealt with a difficult wicket to keep the byes down.

201 seemed gettable and perhaps even slightly under par for a ground of this size. Showing some ‘home knowledge’, Strollers opened with spin at both ends with off-spinners Fowler and Holmes getting turn from the dusty strip. The first horizontal wicket fell in the 3rd over, McLeod pushing to silly mid-off. His partner Burgess began well before being adjudged LBW, front leg down the track. Getting revenge for an Ashes victory, Umpire Bordin was adamant his decision was correct as Willcock (J) handed him the scorers pencil for next weeks fixture.
Shanker batted well again for a deserved 35 but fell edging to the keeper from the bowling of a young Junior. Craig Murray contributed an effective 14 before getting bowled by S. Fowler who turned a ball outside off stump to keep low and take out middle. Bordin stuck around for a stubborn 10 before also getting bowled, unlucky to see the ball rebound onto his stumps offering a defensive shot.
Batting at 6 was Winteringham who set a solid stall and kept the rate ticking over but after his partner Fairbairn was out for 14, also bowled by Boughey, the score stood at 95 for 6.
Batting down the order, skipper Willcock joined Winteringham at the crease in the 22nd over requiring 8 an over. The runs ticked over and the pair began to pick off the bad balls to hit boundaries when the chances came.
The field began to spread and despite almost getting run-out after reaching 50, over 29 was big for Horizontals – Willcock was pumped up and hit 2 sixes from it. The pair stamped on the rate as it threatened to reach double figures but it was now gettable and Strollers were looking for bowlers to contribute.
Horizontals needed 15 from 3, 10 from 2 and it was the penultimate over that brought an astonishing 9.
Requiring a single run from the final over, Winteringham holed out for an excellent 27, the young fielder Junior showing composure to take the catch – a drop would have lost the game.
The batsmen crossed and Willcock found himself facing 4 balls to get the run with Bowett at the other end. In darkening conditions, the previously erratic Connell was re-assured by his captain and began with a high, leg side full toss, followed by two balls of excellent length. One ball, one run – it was in the block-hole but Willcock connected and backed himself to clear the field. Agonisingly, the ball was stopped by mid-on who gathered and removed the bails, running him out for 75 in an excellent 106 7th wicket partnership with Winteringham. The game was a draw.

A game played in excellent sprits, both teams retired to the bar as the sun disappeared to reflect on what could, and should have been another horizontal victory. The fines secretary had a difficult time, but emerged with a £10 note to bolster the end of year drinks budget.

The team can take great pleasure in another spirited performance to go into next week’s game at home to Railway Taverners.