Not for the first time this season, a ten-man Horizontals
team took to the field this time against old rivals Pimlico Strollers.
Rahul failed to show up despite declaring himself available 24 hours
earlier. Good start to the day.
Skipper Burgess, having won the toss, decided to bat. Horizontals
got off to a dreadful start with Burgess yorked by Brown for 0 in
the first over. Ian Porton and Barnaby Pinfield rebuilt the innings
with a stand of 59 at a good rate against some lively bowling before
Barnabyy was caught behind off an under edge for 25 (3x4). Herlihy
joined Porton but this partnership had not added to the score before
Ian was caught at mid off for 24 off Fowler's first ball. Herlihy
and Glenn Winteringham got into the teens and took the score to
90-3 at drinks before shortly afterwards Glenn was narrowly run
out and one run later Mike feathered a good ball from Fowler to
the keeper leaving the Horizontals 96-5. What followed was pretty
abject. Webster, Carter, Bloor and debutant Owen Potter all getting
ducks with the in-form Scally criminally stranded on 5 not out.
95-3 had quickly turned to 104 all out after 25.1 overs. Fowler
and Holmes the second change bowlers were excellent and there was
no weak link in the Strollers bowling.
Tea was delayed until 5 and the Horizontals took to the field more
in hope than expectation. To their immense credit, both Webster
(1-16 off 8) and Scally (1-13 off 6) bowled well against the Strollers
top order who were clearly not their best batsman. It would probably
be safe to judge that 6 of the 7 Strollers batsman would have struggled
to score any runs if facing their own attack Unfortunately the Horizontals
catching was abysmal with five chances going down, three in respect
of Malcomes who made 54 n.o. Burgess took 3 for 43 including a comical
dismissal of 'Mad' JC who responded by fighting with the sightscreen
to widespread amusement. Jimmy Carter got carted for 16 off his
single over whilst 'father to be' Winteringham picked up the other
wicket. Strollers won by 4 wickets.
It was a subdued post match drink during which the main talking
points were the outfits of the Danish touring side playing on the
main pitch (should we get blazers?) and the dilemma in
choosing a Teamer man of the match. Not sure about the latter**.
At least absent team mates Willcock and Bowett were enjoying themselves
at Lords! ***
*
Scally exempt from this criticism; in no sense 'lacklustre'
** Richard won easily
*** "On a f***ing Sunday!
During the f***ing season!" was the commonly expressed view
