A beautiful day in the sylvan setting of Botany
Bay. Chris won the toss and chose to bat against ten-man Hadley
Wood Green. With last week's hero, Herlihy having his heart broken
at Old Trafford, Bordin - on seasonal debut - was chosen to partner
the returning Burgess. The pair made a steady start, playing watchfully
and dispatching the odd loose delivery. They had added 47 at around
three runs an over when Richard (23, 5x4) edged thinly behind
and sportingly walked off. Barnaby came in at three and immediately
impressed with some fine stroke play. With Stiven content to play
the anchor role, Barnaby cut loose, hitting six fours and a sumptuous
swept six in his 39 before falling victim to over confidence and
being bowled by Rampersaud's second delivery, the second wicket
partnership having added 59. Ian Porton struck his first ball
for four but fell for only 13 (137-4). Chris (23 n.o.) came in
at five and helped Stiven add a further 83 in just 7.2 overs during
a spectacular unbroken fourth wicket partnership. To the vocal
delight of his teammates, Stiven carried his bat for a superb
111 n.o. featuring 13 fours and a six. The Horizontals innings
was declared closed at tea on 220-3 from 41 overs.
Following an excellent tea, Willcock opted to open with the the
pace & spin combination of Scally & Murray. The opening
batsmen began aggressively, striking several straight boundaries.
Craig made the first breakthrough when Rampersaud skied to midwicket
where Bordin held a good catch. With 14 overs bowled, and the
score 58-1, Jimmy Carter replaced Scally at the road end. Finding
appreciable swing, Jimmy quickly struck twice, bowling Malik and
then trapping Henman LBW for 37. At the other end, Willcock relieved
Murray and bowled a tight spell, conceding only 9 runs in 4 overs.
When the match entered the final 20 overs, Hadley Wood Green were
88-3 and playing, reasonably enough, for the draw. With ten overs
remaining and the Horizontals needing to take six wickets to win,
Willcock recalled his opening pair. Scally had Stokes (44) well
caught at deep midwicket by Jimmy, bowled Kyriakides for 0 and
dismiised Wallace - palpably LBW - for 16. This effort reduced
the home side to 164-7 but the visitors were unable to take the
last two wickets they needed to win and Hadley Wood Green secured
the draw with 170-7 from 44 overs.
With five wicket-keepers selected in the Horizontals
XI, Murray and Scally (3-55) sent down 31 overs between them.
Craig's Herculean effort reads 18-4-57-2. Long soak in the bath,
Sir?
Another good game and the unbeaten record maintained.
We look forward to visting again next season.
After a couple of quick 'uns in the Botany Bay CC bar (The Last
Man Inn), the car-less Horizontals broke the journey home at McGlynn's
by Kings Cross before dispersing. Regular readers should rest
assured that subsequently Pernod was drunk in The Cave.
