N2CC vs St. Aloyisians Staff
Sat 23rd July 2011
Tudor Sports Ground.

Weather - Dry and warm with occasional sun.

After a nightmare trying to find enough players to play on Saturday and with only 8 players having confirmed by 9pm on Friday night, the organiser was at pains to find even one player let alone three! And to make it worse he had planned on cancelling but was guaranteed at least three players so against all common sense he had decided to gamble knowing that the eight he had on paper may just about manage to make at least a match of it. However, thanks to Matt Hawkes and James Thompson who had plans changed and which allowed them to play until at least 6pm. The captain almost guaranteed that we would finish no later than 6:30...tongue in cheek!

On the day it seemed nobody wanted to play apart from Olly, Roy and Shai having turned up on time but others were to follow albeit some VERY late. This must NOT happen again.

With the oppo having arrived already changed and a belated start the skipper lost the toss but got the right outcome with the oppo deciding to bat. Made up of staff and workers at the school in North London, the opening batsmen proceeded to see the ball like a melon and promptly hit out. Nothing cagey about their batting although at least they were hitting it up in the air.

Bhatt from the pavilion end and Jacobi from the golf course end opened on the money but the batsmen were driving well with the openers for St Aloysius offering teasers for Bhatt with one caught and bowled attempt smacking into Bhatt's left hand but hit too well. The omens were good though as it seemed that none of the batsmen wanted to defend. The number two bat fell to a in-swinging yorker from around the stumps and Bhatt had his first (and only) wicket of the day. The skipper felt a bit more pace may help so on came Hawkes who proceeded to get faster and faster. Jacobi, however, was bowling very well and tempting the batsmen although they weren't good enough to hit him.

However, when the bowl was hit, some great fielding from all was to be commended. Bowlers and the skipper were thankful as many fours turned into ones and twos which helped to keep the score down. Shah was on an unwanted hat-trick having had two difficult chances within his grasp but only to fall out. Never-the-less he made sure of the next one with the skipper's words hanging in the air... something about don't drop it or else! No pressure.

Jacobi was the pick of the bowlers but ably assisted by all as N2 did well to only allow the oppo to a score of 112 all out in 32 overs. Although Olly would have had three wickets too without a very bizarre no-ball call (hitting the batsman in his box) from the square leg umpire after his batsmen had walked onto his own stumps and was halfway back to his seat. Did he just want to save the poor batsmen some embarrassing explaining to do? Either way it didn't matter as the batsman didn't stay much longer.

A wonderful tea by Mrs Shah (and Anil I'm sure) did much to excuse Anil for being late and also calmed the skipper down after some debateable wide calls and that no-ball decision.

Batting order would be key and a strong start was needed and although the bowling was tight, aided by an inconsistent pitch) Parker and Hawkes did well for the first 14 overs and set up a good 64 partnership before Hawkes fell to a catch at somewhere between "why didn't I hit it harder?" and "oh sh*t!" No worries as Thompson strode forward... 8 runs later and he was back wishing he hadn't "done it again :(". Well at least N2 were creeping closer to the target of 113.

Young came in, faced 10 balls and decided he'd had enough and came back to the pavilion not having scored but he had helped Parker to move along in his steady scoring. Shah came in not having batted well yet this season and Newbery's words to Bhatt were "I don't want to go in and bat so you just stay there when you go in" The skipper replied "If I go in" having faith in his batting order. Shah did him proud and ended up with 11 scoring the winning run.

A good win against a regular annual opposition and a promise of another fixture next year was followed by a few drinks and some chips at the Hadley Hotel.

Man of the Match - Matt Hawkes with an impressive batting performance coupled with his two wickets and a much improved bowling performance (although a tough call this week with good steady batting from Parker to carry his bat and some good bowling from Jacobi, Butler (with two catches and what should have been three wickets) and Newbery.

Bowler Overs Maidens Runs Wickets

Bhatt 6 0 22 1
Jacobi 12 3 29 3
Hawkes 6 0 30 2
Butler 4 0 19 2
Newbery 3.4 0 5 2
Young 1 0 8 0

Batsman

Parker D NOT OUT 40
Hawkes M Caught 37
Thompson J Bowled 8
Young N Bowled 0
Shah A NOT OUT 11
Bhatt S
Newbery D
Jacobi R
Butler O
Venting R