It
is five wins in a row for rampant Specials
Preparations
for the trip to Alexandra Park CC to play old rivals Washington
were hampered by a lack of cars, people being late, and
celebrations of England's test victory. A mixture of emotionally
drained, grumpy and carefree players pitched up for a late
start.
Tony
assumed full captaincy, the Steve Gritt/Alan Curbishley
model being abandoned for this week due to Herlihy's damaged
wrist as a result of 7 hours of tennis earlier in the week...
Washington won the toss, inserted us and at 13 -2 with an
overcooked Vernon and Medlock in the hutch it looked bleak.
There followed an excellent 100+ stand by Golding (51) and
McGowan (62 )which put us back on track.
Unfortunately
both departed and were followed by a grumpier than usual
'bagmaster' Cotsen whose dosage of red bull and young totty
the previous week had obviously worn off. Talk of quitting
the game was rife in the dressing room for our temperamental
wannabe script writer. Some were talking of help from the
sports psychologist - my view which is normally worth a
bit, is a half hour stint on a bouncy castle might get our
reserve keeper back on track.
James
Vassey and Paul Ferdenzi' rebuilt the innings, after a tentative
start PF getting a six courtesy of a two plus 4 overthrows.
James then took a liking to the change bowlers for an excellent
41 before being caught on the boundary. In the last two
overs we hit 28 runs thanks to Mark Naisbitt (25 n.0) batting
like his golden years. At the end of our 40 overs we had
reached 218 for 8. Herlihy with a d.n.b by his name.
218
was a challenging target on a low and slow pitch and Washington
started disastrously when dangerman Paul 'Mighty' Irons
was trapped lbw by Pilgrim for 0. The previous ball he had
been denied a leg bye by umpire David Gluckman deciding
he played no shot. Naseem was playing stylishly but too
many Washington players played back to some excellent swing
bowling from Vassey (3-20) and Pilgrim (2-25).
Ringo
benefiting from the squad rotation and good management continued
his good form with a fiery spell picking up the wicket of
Stockley and catching Ruduss at fly slip following good
field placement by skipper Medlock. Washington were stumbling
at 37-6.
Medlock
turned to senior pro Herlihy after Vassey finished his eight
overs and bowling through the pain barrier with his damaged
wrist picked up 4 wickets with a mixture of the good the
bad and the ugly deliveries helped by two catches from Naisbitt
and Medlock. Matt Cragoe succumbed to the full toss after
looking comfortable up to the drinks break. PF bowled tidily
but without success. Marty Bock and Richard Jones put together
a good partnership which Herlihy ended. And that was that.
A double for the season over the Wash.
The
sun set on another good performance in a game played in
a very good spirit. More sympathetic members of the team
tried to gee up bagmaster Cotsen who has requested a few
weeks off to contemplate his cricketing future and sort
out where his head's at. The more hard nosed members were
looking forward to Black Rose in what will be a big test
of our recent improvement. These have been testy affairs
over the past few years at which I seem to have been the
centre of controversy. Excellent.
Film
Director and former leading all rounder of the early 80's
Ivan Naisbitt dropped by in the latter stages to see his
former team mates wrap up victory and confirm that his film
had not won the prestigious Soho shorts award. He was later
seen in discussions with the bagmaster on possible future
projects. The team also heard of recent performances for
his office X1 of Barrington Cosgrove who has been clamouring
for selection following his disgracefully inept performance
against Palm Tree earlier in the season. It looks like the
little fella is on for Liverpool. Watch this space.
Many thanks to Carol ,partner of the Cat, for sorting the
teas and the ground out.
©
Mike Herlihy 2005
Pic
courtesy of Matt Cragoe @ Washington CC
