Specials hit the Crouch End comfort zone

As we cruise towards the final few matches of the season, we can look back on a fairly successful cricketing summer.

Today was another opportunity to take a league scalp.

Smiler lost the toss and we were in for a long haul in the outfield. The wicket looked good, the outfield dry and fast and one boundary in particular, very short.

Smiler opted to change his standard opening attack of Cattell and Pilgrim by replacing the Cat with Ringo Tailor. Ringo recently returned from South Africa and without recent match practice opened up with a mix of double bouncers and beamers before he settled on to a reasonable line and length.

Dom at the other end bowled well without much luck, as Ranil and Russom moved the score along nicely.

Our first breakthrough came as Cat replaced Ringo. The now powerful combination of Cat and "lightning" Mick McGowan behind the stumps gained another victim between them. The more dangerous of the openers, Ranil, was on his way.

I came on to replace Dom and along with Cat bowled 20 or so overs without concededing big runs.

Smiler then decided to resort to his wicket taker of late, Paul Ferdenzi. PF was soon weaving his magic, getting the dangerous Jenkins (J) stumped with his flighted medium pace.

With the overs flying by Calthorpe were forced into looking for quick runs.

Mark Naisbitt ran in and dived at long on, but could only spill the next chance off PF. He atoned in the next over taking one that went straight to him at head height.

Dom came back to claim another clean bowled victim. How he has enjoyed seeing stumps sent asunder this year.

Meanwhile Ringo was limbering up for his second spell. He cashed in on some late slogging from Calthorpe, a catch to the Cat who didn't have to move and one to yours truly at midwicket.

Calthorpe declared their innings on 218 in the 49th over.

One quick mention for Gareth Williams; All of a sudden he is the new Jim Coombes, playing in goal for Victoria Park in the morning and representing Specials in the afternoons. This long day begins to take its toll after a few overs in the afternoon, and some of his fielding will need a little more fitness training to maintain his high standards.

After a splendid tea, which contained the rare treats of hot pasta and samosa sandwiches, we lined up for run chase.

Your correspondent and Smiler opened the batting and against some fairly friendly bowling got the innings off to a good start.

We reached 74 before Smiler played all round one from the impressive Jenkins (J).

Jani came in to join me. Calthorpe soon sussed the weakness in his forward defensive and positioned a short mid off. It wasn't long before Jani succumbed on 11, with the team total on 99.

Shortly afterwards I played one too many sweep at Jenkins (R) and was well caught on the short boundary for 68.

Gareth joined Mick McGowan at the wicket and we all settled back in our chairs for some entertainment. G didn't disappoint.

He only made 9 but it was full of large swings and many grunts as he regained some of his running ability. It is amazing how injuries disappear when you have a bat in your hand.

G's departure brought Steve Golding to the wicket. Lightning doesn't strike twice became a true statement. Mick and Steve failed to replicate their exploits against Black Rose the previous week.

With Steve (5) and Mick (36) gone we looked to our much under batted lower order to see us through to a draw.

PF briefly lit our fires when he struck his first ball for six. We think this may be his first maximum since his school days; a very long time ago.

The experience of Mark Naisbitt and Dave Cattell guided us through to a draw. Mark making his top score of the season with 14 n.o.

A good game finished in fading light at 7pm; Another indicator that the season was drawing to an end.

On to the days winners and losers;

The Winners:

All who partook in a particularly succulent tea (V if your reading, you missed a beauty)

Tailor and Ferdenzi - brace of wickets each

Yours truly - 68 runs

Jenkins (J) - Calthorpe bowler who held their attack together with the remarkable figures of 16-6-21-4

The Losers:

Calthorpe bowler who PF hit for Six!

Next week we entertain Enfield Invicta at Southover in our penultimate game of the season