Sundown Specials

The Cat reaches 2000 wicket milestone as Specials turn in best performance of the season

Faced with new opposition in the form of Hertford CC's Sunday second team, following the withdrawal of Darji, the Specials turned in a very impressive performance with both bat and ball to secure their first win of the season.

On a damp wicket and having won the toss, Hertford captain Chris Martin surprisingly elected to bat first (maybe sensing we wouldn't be up to much? - Ed).

Our regular new ball pairing of Cattell and Pilgrim produced 16 overs of top class seam bowling which saw Hertford collapse to 13 for six, thanks to some superb catches by keeper McGowan,Golding (two a piece) and the catch of the season so far from V which started the collapse. Both bowlers were almost unplayable. Cat's 2000th wicket (in all competitions and teams) was celebrated -- a great achievement for this much-travelled veteran of the North London cricket scene

Ringo replacing the Cat was just as threatening, if a bit more expensive, and was unlucky not to have picked up more than one wicket with Mark and myself missing sharp chances in the slips/gully respectively. Gradually Hertford fought back through their wily old pros Martin and Kent before the latter was caught by McGowan off Tailor. This brought a very talented young colt Oliver Ray to the crease and he took the attack to Ringo and Paul Ferdenzi with some tremendous stroke play. He and Martin put on 70 before the latter was brilliantly run out with a direct hit by Naisbitt. Ray was then well caught for 52 on the boundary by Naisbitt off Tony's bowling. The Cat then took the final wicket and Hertford were dismissed for 115. Dom's bowling figures returned at 3 for 8 of 9 overs,Cattell 4 for 10 of 9 overs.

Another tremendous tea followed and the Specials had plenty of time to reach the target. We could not have got off to a worse start with Vernon bowled by Kent for 0 with a low one. Nought for one when I joined Faisal at the crease, runs were difficult in the face of accurate bowling and some sharp outfielding and not the best running between the wickets. Gradually we got on top of the bowling and were hitting the boundaries. Faisal had reached his third consecutive 50 of the season when he skied one to backward square leg with the score on 98. I followed next ball for 40 mistiming a hook to the same position. Mick McGowan saw us through with four big boundaries whilst Tony watched on 0 not out.

A very satisfying performance and our very sporting opponents made it a good afternoon. Happily the porn dvds were redistributed although Ringo declared he wasn't interested which indicates a big change in his entertainment habits from previous years. The cynics in the team said this was down to a technology deficit rather than the subject matter.

Former leading all rounder of the 80's Ivan Naisbitt popped by to catch the closing stages to celebrate his birthday and tell us about his first experience as a film director. Another amusing sight was Mrs Stuart Morris leaving the Chinese takeaway next to our sponsor's bar with a significant haul of food for the growing family. Stuart a 'lifelong Gooner' apparently had difficulty identifying Arsenal's penalty takers in the cup final the afternoon before. Some things never change.

The team have given themselves the weekend off on Sunday 29th May and will be back in action against keen rivals Palm Tree at Highgate Woods on 5th June.