Railway Taveners vs N2CC
North London CC
22.08.2010

N2CC won by 3 wickets.

It was with some uncertainty on the weather situation and as to how many players would turn up for both sides for this fixture.
There was talk of the possibility of a twelve a-side game, however optimism soon faded as the promised 12 turned to 10 for the N2 and 11 for the Taveners.
In good N2 tradition Josh lost the toss, but was suprisingly given the ball and the virgin untested team with 2 newcomers took to the field in what was to be a 36 over game.
The young lad Butler opened the attack and produced a good display of line, length and some swing being rewarded with 3 wickets including one caught and bowled.
New comer Rishi bowled good line and length taking a wicket caught superbly by Josh behind the stumps in what was to turn out to be a spectacular wicket keeping display.
Fresh from foreign lands, the young Richard Jacobi was next to take the ball and with some extra pace in his stride found a sweet edge giving the first of two caught behinds from his bowling to Josh, the second being spectacular in athleticism diving full stretch to his right. Raj took a couple of overs before twisting his knee and leaving the pitch for some magic water. Some may say it was the 21 runs he had been hit for from the 2.4 overs that forced the injury however the jury is still out on that one.
Joining the youthful attack next was the "Golden Arm " himself Dave Newbery, and with a fine vintage display he took 4 wickets for just 29 runs the last a magnificent catch from Jacobi at short extra cover, diving hard and fast to his right taking the catch one handed a foot off the ground! A contender for catch of the season and definitely champagne moment.
Of mention in the field also was some energetic fielding by newcomer Andy Toynbee saving what later proved to be some valuable runs.

The Taveners were all out for 150 in 28 overs. A magnificent fielding and bowling display by the N2.

8 catches, 5 taken by the whirling dirvish Josh behind the stumps - surely a contender for man of the match.

So after tea, it was with high hopes that the total could be achieved and a victory taken. Parker on a recnet run of good form opened with S. Dyer. After a couple of nice leg side tickles, Dyer was to fall lbw for 5. Anil was next in and played a straight bat for an over but was caught for 1. Was this to be a mighty collapse? Not if Parker was to have anything to do with it. The stubborn northener battled on and was hitting the boundaries with regularity, being dropped at third slip along the way. Joined by skipper Josh, the two went on to a partnership of 73. Josh scoring a brilliant 36 including a huge 6 losing the match ball! He was eventaully caught by a straight one lbw.
At drinks the superstitious Parker as usual refused to refresh trying to keep his concentration, and the very next ball hit one straight to gulley which was thankfully dropped!
So like a cat with 9 lives Parker went on, being dropped again at point. Joined by Jacobi who scored a quick 19, the game was in their grasp with a target of 4 an over. With 3 overs to go Jacobi was bowled, so it was down to the great all rounder Newbery to help save the game. Fresh from his stint opening the batting the previous week, just staying in was no problem to the battle hardened batsman and the game was won when Parker hit a 4 over the bowlers head after needing 9 off the last 2 overs.

Man of the Match: Parker for his 74 not out 64 of which were boundaries.

Other contenders had been Josh for his 5 catches behind the stumps and Newbery for his 4 wicket for 29

Batting:

D. Parker 74 not out
S. Dyer lbw 5
Anil caught 1
Josh Newham lbw 36
Raj caught 7
Richard Jacobi bowled 19
Newbery 0 not out

Bowling:

Butler 8 -1- 45 - 3
Rishi 5 -1- 27 - 1
Jacobi 6 - 1-19 - 2
Newbery 6.4 - 0 - 29 - 4
Raj 2.4 - 0 - 21 - 0
S. Dyer 0.2 - 0 - 8 - 0