A low scoring thriller in northeast London

The 2004 season got underway a week earlier than usual for the Specials and a seriously understrength team went down by one wicket against their oldest rivals Walthamstow Horizontals.

Preparations for the game were difficult, to say the least. As one of the busiest networkers in London I did not welcome the proliferation of e mails/texts/mobile calls from squad members indicating their unavailability.

The reasons covered sickness, injury, work, "not wanting to miss the most important game in Arsenal's history" (his words not mine - what a numbnut), writing dissertations(I thought these were cut and pasted from the internet), going to see Plymouth V QPR and popping in to see his mum on the way back; and most laughable of all: our scouser contingent deciding it was a good time of year to double up Everton v Blackburn and a five-hour Ken Dodd special in New Brighton.

Hopefully our team mates had a good view of Huddersfield Town old boy Jon Stead's winning header.

A traffic jam as locals dumped their rubbish outside the closed rubbish tip meant a scramble to get into the ground on time. Gentrified northeast London - yeah right mate, I think I'll stick to Maida Vale.

The late withdrawal of Clive Moore meant the coalition of the willing took the field with 10 men after deciding not to risk Jack Reed on a very bowler friendly wicket at Lower Hall.

A greenish top and an outfield that had not been cut meant this was a toss to win. I called heads, the toss was lost and a batting line up with Paul Ferdenzi at three spoke volumes. Specials welcomed back Dave Reed and Drew Michael to the fold.

Faced by a very decent Horizontal's attack with Webster more than adequately replacing the departed Horizontal legend Keith Smart, Herlihy and Medlock took to the field.

Within two hours of facing a ball swinging all over the place the Specials were bowling before tea having been dismissed for 55. Tony top scored with 13 and that was the main contribution.

Mark struck a few blows but swung at Steve Moore's first ball and that was that. Teammates were questioning whether it was the pressure of pending fatherhood or an eagerness to watch the Gothic porn dvd given to him before the game that led to his rush of blood.

Wiser pundits put it down to poor technique as his middle stump was knocked back. Drew was the last man to go for a duck - 70 might have been a score we could defend. Credit to the Horizontal bowler's for exploiting the pitch and our weakened batting line-up.

The urn not being boiled thus allowed the Specials four overs before tea and after Dave 'the Cat ' Cattell dismissed Scally first ball, Horizontals went in after a few lucky escapes 10-1.

Whether it was the reaction to the tuna sandwiches, or the non stop music from the private party in the club house, the Specials strode out and for the next hour fought like tigers.

Wickets fell on a regular basis as the Cat's mixture of legcutters floaters, and yorkers made life very difficult for the Horizontal batsmen on a still helpful wicket. The long grass prevented any shots on the ground achieving more than a single. He took the first 5 wickets - all bowled - while Dom was almost unplayable and unlucky as Ringo dropped Kendrick who was holding the innings together and inching Horizontals towards their target.

Former captain Barry Needham added to the excitement by retiring hurt with a knee injury and returning to complete his innings.

Tony came on and got a wicket caught by Barry whilst Ringo replacing the Cat picked up two wickets including one of his unplayable gems to bowl Richardson. The Cat was brought back and had Kendrick very smartly taken by Reed. An incredible win was in sight with Horizontals now 53 for 9, but Webster and Moore scrambled the three runs required and the Horizontals were home.

A low scoring classic.

We returned to the Horizontal's local in a posher part of Walthamstow, where Dominic admired the bric a bac shops and Barry and Paul played a quiz machine. An exciting day all round was marred on the way home by a long journey through Finsbury Park where the police appearred to be very busy after the Spurs /Arsenal game.

Winners on the day
Bowlers on both sides.

Losers
The batsmen

© Mike Herlihy 2004