Sundown Specials

Sundowners denied victory by a 10 year old

The Specials played their first game at a new second home ground, Mill Hill Village, and were happy to be given the main pitch in their first ever game against Bharat Olympians.

A new look team took the field including young South African, Chris Steinbach, and first starts of the season for Alex Boggia and the Bagmaster Cotsen. A glorious sunny day was not well received by the Bagmaster who, not for the first time, had put suntan lotion in his eyes and was temporarily blinded.

Bharat won the toss, initially decided to bat but then changed their minds, and inserted the Specials. A new opening partnership of Herlihy and McGowan took the score to 30 against some good bowling before Herlihy was given out bowled, by the square leg umpire Medlock, against spinner Jahesh.

Golding scratched around for a bit before being bowled for five but McGowan was in excellent form-supported by Ferdenzi before he was out for an excellent 67 comprising some beautiful leg side shots. Following the dismissal of Ferdenzi Ned Ghaghada and new boy Steinbach got the scoreboard ticking over passing the 30 partnership before Steinbach was run out for 14. Skipper Medlock and Ned carried on with some big hitting taking Specials to 205 before declaring for tea. Fortunately regular tea lady Pat had travelled to Mill Hill to prepare the usual quality tea.

The Specials soon rattled through their overs and Bharat started carefully against a new ball attack of Naisbitt and Cattell before Niaz was bowled by Cattell for 14. This brought the hard hitting Rikki to the crease who together with Nikit took Bharat beyond 50.

Rikki almost took Golding's head off at shortleg with a brutal pull off a rare legside ball from the Cat.Initially the first noise indicated that he had been hit on the head as Golds lay on the ground, but Mark Naisbitt soon confirmed that it was his arm and that a half chance had been put down. Harsh maybe, but Golds had earlier taken a brilliant catch at shortleg..

Entering the last 20 overs Bharat needed seven an over with nine wickets in hand. Specials got the key wicket of Rikki well caught by Steinbach off Medlock for 45. Medlock opened the game up by bowling leading wicket taker Ferdenzi who struck with two wickets including Runizara who was stumped off a wide. Specials turned the screw as wickets fell. Ned picking up two. Veteran Kissore with 10-year-old Kinsa resisted the attack with Kissore playing some big shots to the end and finished 29 not out. Cattell bowled Kinsa on the last ball of the final over. A draw was the outcome.

All in all a good game played against good oppo in great spirit at a lovely ground. Former leading all rounder of the 80s Ivan Naisbitt and Gareth 'six ducks in a row' Williams were satisfied spectators watching from cow corner. After a few drinks in the bar it was left to the two drivers Golds and Smiler to cart the rest of the team back to Finchley. Great.