For the last home game of the season, the Horizontals
found themselves, for only the second time, on the prestigious 1st
team pitch. West XI won the toss and elected to bat in a 35 overs
per side game and acting skipper Burgess selected Webster and Scally
to open the attack. As had happened earlier in the season on the
same pitch against Wheathampstead, the visitors got off to a flyer.
?? in particular was ruthless on anything vaguely hittable and was
quickly despatching boundaries to all corners. After eight overs
West XI had reached ?? despite having played out two maidens and
Burgess withdrew the 'New Ball Clowns'*. They were replaced by Murray
and Winteringham who managed to staunch the flood of runs although
?? still reached his fifty in only the 11th over. (As Craig pointed
out, this is nothing since Dix at Knebworth reached his hundred
in the 13th over).
Murray then got rid of Wright (who had made 2 out of 55) and the
No.3 ??. ?? then did for no. 4 (Justin) running him out in an insane
attempt to nick a third run to deep point. Murray bowled his seven
overs on the reel and returned 2-21 from an excellent spell. At
the top end, Amit replaced Glenn and proved too quick for Numbers
5 and 6, clean bowling them both. Left hander Phil then showed dogged
resistance and struck several boundaries. Amit eventually dismissed
?? by way of a sharp caught & bowled to finish with highlights
figures of 7-0-44-3. At the Pavilion End, Skipper bowled a luckless
spell; He should have had three wickets, might have had five but
finished with none. More than anbody else he was the victim of a
truly shocking Horizontals' fielding performance featuring dropped
catches, refused catches, bungled stumping opportunities and heinously
bad misfielding. As a result the air became thick with shouts, imprecations,
threats, counter threats and unhelpful coaching. West XI closed
on 182-7 - a good 20 - 30 runs more than they should have been allowed.
Bah.
Nonetheless, following another fine tea, the Horizontals began the
run-chase in confident mood; a deep batting line-up basking replete
on the verandah as Burgess & Herlihy strode forth to open up.
The innings started well and all was going swimmingly until the
skipper ran himself out - asking for an unlikely single straight
to cover, he found Herlihy unwilling to commit suicide and trudged
off disconsolately. Amit played some fine strokes before being dismissed
(how? can't remember) and Bordin began aggressively but then spanked
one straight to cover. ??-3 and Warren in at No. 5 with Mike still
going well. Simon eventually holed out and Mike's resistance was
ended by ?? for a fine 54. Pete Fairbairn contributed a couple of
mighty clumps over long-on but also perished in the deep which brought
in Scally to join Winteringham. The required rate was still a manageable
6-an-over and following a watchful start, Glenn broke loose and
began to find the boundary. David joined in with a couple of booming
drives high over mid-off for fours before Glenn departed caught.
Matt finished the job with the minimum of fuss; two boundaries in
the penultimate over securing a three wicket win for the home side
as the New Ball Clowns redeemed themselves.
Jugs were bought in the bar by Mike (50) and Simon (50 at Wheathampstead)
where the Treasurer enjoyed a bountious fines harvest
* attrib; C.Murray 2009
