Well first of all, allow me to apologise to any stats fanatics who've logged on today... I can't click on the stats page on playcricket's site this week for some reason so I've only my memory and Ron's scorebook to assist me. God help us I hear you cry...anyway, here goes.
I remembered we were in The Capital's Riviera; ie South West London this week, for a much welcome cultural treat, and we had no more problems than usual in assembling a team for an away fixture. This meant we had selected an XI that included a welcome return of Val to our ranks and a chance for Stuart to play in his favourite fixture/venue. The only hiccup was Hamish pulling up lame with a "back-giving-me-gyp-with-the-tour-just-around-the-corner" type injuries, but fortunately he had lined up a replacement, of whom we'll discuss shortly. We are of course on Sheen Common to take on Sheen Park CC this week, and it was good to see so many familiar faces once again. We however, had a new face (to most) in our ranks this week, and it was a warm welcome we extended to Stuart (MC Cool) McCall, somebody myself and Hamish had the pleasure of playing a few games with back in 2001, and it was great to learn of his returning to our shores again (Yes, he is a Kiwi). Beechwood lost the toss and were invited to bowl first in this 40-over match, on a bright but breezy afternoon, on a firm but dusty deck.
Another week, another new ball pairing, with Val and Larry opening up for Beechwood this week; both starting well and Val soon enticing opener Stansfield to edge to Ian Mac who duly pouched to leave Sheen on 2-1. Stamp joined Ashbury in the middle, and these two saw off a few snorters from Val and some swingers from Larry before Val was given a rest and replaced by debutante, The MC Cool. His first ball was hilarious to witness, with a six or so pace trundle up to the wicket and then Wham! - the ball hurtling down the pitch missing everything and forcing Ian to recoil like a rattlesnake's victim... oh where was KHM when you needed him?! Seriously though, that was a much faster arm than the one I recalled from 2001, which only distinguished itself back then by it's ability to shovel porridge into his mouth all day long in Hamish's London SW17 flat. Anyway, two balls later it was too good for Stamp, sending his poles cartwheeling to leave Sheen 27-2, and a dream start for the new boy. Gibbons was next in, and he and Ashbury set about staving off our new weapon while trying to push their score along, getting their total up to 43 when The MC was in on the act again, this time swooping to hold a return catch from a firmly hit Gibbons drive. Larry, meanwhile, was quietly going about his business of keeping the runs down and although finishing his spell wicketless, this was another valuable and mature spell of bowling from him. Pearce had joined Ashbury by now, I was on for Larry, Woody had replaced The MC, and in spite of the presence of the neighbouring all-weather strip, the ground-fielding had been good (although one fierce drive which reared off the all-weather almost decapitated Bobby - he's playing through quite a few injuries these days but I'd dare say that a beheading would even finish his season). Ian effected the stumping of Ashbury and Webster went in the same over bringing our mucker Garth Perkins to join Pearce in the middle and Beechwood really were turning the screws - Woody's four overs only conceding two runs, and Sheen were precariously sat on 74-5 after 27 overs. Unfortunately, I sent down a filthy 28th over and that rather released a valve for Sheen's innings, and fair play to Keiran and Garth; they batted extremely well, but Beechwood once again appeared to choke when the job looked more than half completed. Stu (Boss that is, lots of Stus on display this week - similar athletes as well) had a go from my end but the batsmen were able to milk him on the fast outfield, and although The MC and Val finished their spells respectably enough, it was Brad who had the invidious task of finishing it off from the flightpath end, and although he bowled well and accounted for Garth - Adrian running in to take a smart catch, Sheen had wickets in hand and were able to wield the willow for their last few overs. The last ball of the innings summed it all up, with the ever-topical Bossman, aware of our Kiwi connections, decided to show off his Graeme Swann impersonation, attempting to throw down the stumps, he hurtled it through leg-gully to allow the batsmen to run overthrows...I'd have preferred the shoulder-barge option myself!
For the record, Sheen closed their innings on 183-6 with Pearce, who was joined by Browne in the closing overs, top-scoring with an undefeated 64 aided by Perkins (39) and Ashbury (33). Val's comeback saw him take just the one wicket although two more were lost due to his over-stepping, but it was good to see him back all the same.
Beechwood would need to bat sensibly to chase down their total, Tony electing Adrian to open with him in a hope he could reproduce the type of innings he came up with the last time he was asked to fill that role. Brennan was his his usual nagging self - with ball that is, and Usman produced a few tasty deliveries from the other end but Beechwood were able to put the bad ball away and after initial fears about the run-rate, both batsmen were able to build their innings as opposed to bludgeoning one. Gibbons produced a great spell of bowling upon his introduction and it looked like he would be the man for this occasion but he had little luck, and Dusty was also unable to breakthrough with his array of tricks. Pearce and Ashbury were introduced but both batsmen were well into their strides by now, both reaching half-centuries, and it wasn't until the 32nd over that Ashbury trapped Tony for a superbly compiled 71 - a very slow death from Woody, to bring MC out to the middle and perhaps cap a fine debut. It wasn't to be though as his namesake adjudged him lbw before he could open his account ( no slow death here!!) This time Pearce was the successful bowler; would Beechwood wobble? Bradley strode to the middle with 24 runs still required, and after a few nervy strokes managed to join Adrian in spanking the odd boundaries that would see us home inside 37 overs with Adrian finishing 76 not out, another superb performance with the bat from him. When was the last time Val would have played in a completed match for Beechwood with a DNB against his name? Anyway it was a great win for Beechwood, and great to see Tony having the confidence to bat without a cod-piece this week.
It was also great to reflect on a BEECHWOOD batting performance today... I'd naturally love to see more of Val, and wished he could have spanked a few today were he given the chance, and likewise would have liked to have seen Stu McCall contribute with willow and hopefully we can accommodate him again in the near future to do just that - Sheen weren't slow in trying to sign him up!! But this was one for the Beechwood boys to savour, and hope our new and old friends enjoyed it just as much we did.
Oh well...back to Kent...
Beechwood:
Boss, Culhane, Freeman (c), Hill, McCall, McCrea (wk), Robinson, Savory, Valentine, Warner, Woodward |
