Pilgrim blitz too much for Highgate as Specials win their sixth consecutive home match.

The slopes of Southover proved too much for Highgate as they were beaten on their third successive visit to the Woodside Park Sports Club. Highgate skipper Matt Holly, remembering their two previous maulings at Southover elected to bat on a wicket that was wet and a little bit spicy.

Our regular attack the Cat and Dom Pilgrim recognised this was an invitation to the party and duly crashed in. For once it was Pilgrim who took all the spoils bowling off a shorter run up, whilst the Cat was his usual miserly self at the Bathard end. Matt and his father, cricketing legend Dick, opened the batting. They put on 19 before Dick was caught by McGowan off Pilgrim. The same duo accounted for Matt and then the dangerous Brunner was lbw to Pilgrim who was now on fire and took two more wickets for his five-for.

With the new joint captaincy arrangements of Tony sorting the field out and myself the bowling attack, I rang the changes bringing on Tailor and James Vassey. Ringo then delivered ten overs of magic on the bounce, his longest spell for 25 years and he bowled the dangerous Harrison for 32 and had Bodie caught. Vassey didn't have any success but Medlock wrapped up the innings taking the last 3 wickets including another spectacular catch from Naisbitt. Highgate were dismissed for 122 around 30 runs short on this wicket.

It was good to see one of the neighbours standing by his newly painted fence which he took exception to being hit at our last home game. Unfortunately the ball did crash into his fence and he sought advice as to who he could complain. He was directed to the Planning Department of Barnet Council.

After a leisurely tea the renewed opening partnership of Herlihy and Vernon set about the target on a bowler friendly wicket. After a few verbals with Doug De Keller Vernon was out for a duck and McGowan received a brute of a ball from Daniel brilliantly caught at short fine leg. At 14-2 we were in trouble but Herlihy and Faisal Mohammed (who was one hour late) took us to 64 before Faisal was bowled by Williams.

Golding and Vassey soon departed and we were 75 for 5. Highgate were buoyant. I was receiving advice from keeper Brunner to play some more shots like he did. I said I fancied winning the game and whilst Tony Medlock led the assault on the slowbowlers I nudged and nurdled a 33 n.o whilst Tony was unbeaten on 35. In the end a good victory. Our fourth in succession. Watching Lionel Length supremo Sean Stroud left before the end of the match already talking down some dissing of the Specials on LL's web site.

The team were pleased to hear that Luke had achieved a first class honours degree from his university and was jetting off to Portugal for some binge drinking. Both he and his brother's match report writing skills were commended with the comment that they reflected a surplus of time on their hands for these former ex pats.

Meanwhile back at our sponsors bar team members noticed bagmaster Cotsen with a young woman of East European extraction - he was ignoring our success. His contribution to events was to ask the barmaid to switch over the video channel from Magic where Ringo and others were happily singing along to I eat cannibals by Toto Coelo. To impress his new companion he asked the channel be changed to MTV Dance 2 - I got mashed up at the weekend. Teammates were not impressed as he returned from the bar with a Bacardi breezer and a can of red bull as the couple watched a succession of videos. Some were saying he could be the new Gazza, the more street wise members of the group saw a bit of Charlie Drake in this wannabe script writer.

Talking of artistic talents members of the team were present for the screening of Ivan Naisbitt's new film in Covent Garden earlier in the week and congratulated the former leading all rounder of the early 80's on his achievement in reaching the shortlist of the Soho Shorts awards.

It's Washington next week-can the boys make it 5 wins in a row?

© Mike Herlihy 2005