While the upper pitch at Winchmore Hill featured uniformed umpiring
and what looked like ‘league cricket’, the sizeable
crowd watching perhaps should have really diverted their attention
towards the lower pitch where Horizontals hosted Belmont and Edgeware
on Sunday.
Especially one pretty (from a distance) brunette who, positioned
in close proximity to the tennis court, took a huge Craig Murray
six (from the lower pitch) that bounced once and struck her between
the shoulder blades (she was OK). Similar hostility was shown towards
the Belmont and Edgeware bowlers as Horizontals unleashed some middle
order brutality, amassing 263 runs in 35 overs.
Having ransacked the wrong house for kit (sorry Matt’s neighbours),
skipper Willcock arrived late and won the toss. He didn’t
hear the groundsman’s advice to bowl and elected to bat.
With other players running late he opened with Burgess and the pair
put on 33 in 6 overs for the first wicket, Chris getting bowled
with one that bent like a steel girder.
This brought Ian to the crease who played probably the most conservative
innings of the day, he and Richard adding another 29 before Richard
went arial and was caught at deep extra cover looking to push the
score on. It‘s probably worth mentioning the low standard
of fielding – Rich claimed the hit was ‘safe’
as he passed Ian which no doubted the youngster to take an excellent
catch in the deep.
A 4th wicket stand of 45 between Ian and Mike ended when Ian was
out to another excellent catch at deep mid-on from 1st change bowler
Jeffries. It was Jeffries dibbly-dobblers that tempted both Amit
(19)and Mike (36) out of their creases and were stumped. Both kept
the momentum going nicely and Jimmy (20) was well supported by Mike
in an excellent display of nurdling and hitting..
After 24 overs the board read 127-4, a target of 200 was mentioned
– obviously out of earshot of no.7 Simon Bowett and no.8 Craig
Murray. The pair came together in over 28 and put on 98 in 8 breathtaking
overs, 72 of which came from boundaries. Simon reached his debut
50 in the final over off 22 balls, the quickest 50 for quite some
time while Craig also contributed superbly with a rapid fire 35
n.o.
A fine tea was had, including some hot spring rolls and pork produce
eagerly devoured by the home contingent.
Horizontals opened the bowling with Glenn and Scally from the road
end – who were unlucky not to pick up their share of wickets.
Both bowled their 7 straight and the opposition, who opened with
a middle order hitter who scored 51, were scoring at 6 an over after
12 overs. The rate required was 8.
The 1st change introduced Amit from the Pavillion.
Rob picked up another wicket returning figures 27-2 off 7, bowling
with determination and guile. His first ball picked out Simon at
mid-on, inducing a mistake from their dangerous no.3.
Amit bowled with his usual pace and unplayable line, the oppo. struggling
to put bat on ball. When they did, an edged drive that threatened
to clear Gully but was taken one-handed by Jimmy Carter at Gully.
A memorable catch of the season contender!
Sensing a quick end to the game, Willcock decided to save Amit till
next week. Richard Burgess was handed the ball and the big man began
his spell. Off an angled run up down the hill, Rich was unlucky
as 3 difficult chances (himself, Bowett, Willcock) were spilt but
despite over pitching at times, bowled interesting variation in-swing
and leg-breaks during his 6 over spell.
The final over brought Belmont and Edgeware within 100 of the target.
It was pleasant to see their spirits lifted and despite being one
sided an enjoyable game was had by all. And the rain stayed away
too.
