5th XI v Ram 3rd XI - Saturday 4th June

Still catching up with the 5s match reports – this one is for Saturday 4th June against Ram 3rd XI. Before we set off for Crawley we know we are facing a difficult task, the Ram run 4 sides but only have 3 fixtures this weekend. They are a great bunch of lads who all like giving the ball a thump.

We arrive in plenty of time; rumour has it that we have a full eleven with Ryan & Nagendra reappearing for the first time since our drubbing at Billingshurst and yet another wicket keeper, young Ollie Gould taking the gloves this week (our 4th keeper in 4 games). The journey is uneventful apart from Daz worrying about the overhead limit as we enter the car park. It turns out we are OK and begin our preparations for a tough afternoon (this means wandering around & chatting).

As usual Captain Simon wins the toss & decides to bowl (slight concern is we are a bowler short). It is a grey day but very warm, we start well both the Message & Kyle bowling a good line & length with a hint of swing. There are a couple of 4s smashed through the covers before the Message makes the break through with a smart catch (in the covers) by Dr Nat. Their number 3 announces himself by hitting hard & straight, much to Daz’s concern (fielding at deep mid off). However in his eagerness to score quickly he flicks one to leg off Aidan & Ryan takes an excellent catch, 2 down & we are in the game! The next few overs go to plan,
The bowling is tidy & everyone is trying hard in the field. The Ram batters don’t miss out on anything short or the odd full toss so the runs are scored mainly in boundaries. At drinks we have kept some order & there is a chance we might be chasing less than 220.

Now in the proper cricket you see on TV drinks breaks are infamous for breaking partnerships as the batters concentration is broken & they forget to have a look at a couple before going on their merry way. This definitely did not happen, not sure what was in the squash but…….Captain Simon having bowled a tidy over before drinks, begins the second half of the game with deliveries that go for 4, 4, 6 (at this stage CS starts talking to himself, “don’t bowl there”). Unfortunately this seems to set the tone for the remaining 19.3 overs of the game.

The Ram batters go for it & punish any bad bowling with a 4 or 6 – it is fair to say several decent deliveries meet the same fate. Any miss hits land annoyingly short/wide/over/nowhere near the fielders. We keep trying but lady luck seems to have deserted the bennies. A couple of difficult catches go down, Kyle bowls well but with no luck, and mayhem ensues. It is now very hot but to the 5s credit they stick at it & eventually, having completed a hard hitting century, the number 4 is caught by Dr Nat. This just brings in a very large number 5 who bats how you would expect – lots of intent & occasional success as the ball disappears over the boundary.

The innings ends much to all the fielders relief & we are trying to chase 273. Kyle deserves a mention for being the only bowler to go at under 5 an over. Tea is taken & we contemplate the second half of the game. It is fair to say that we are not planning an incredible run chase & glorious win. Expectations are set with realistic goals (try to bat 40 overs; if we score 175 we get 5 batting points and so on).

It is fair to say we did not disgrace ourselves with the bat. Dr Nat & Nagendra start with good intent & our best opening partnership of the season. After 9 overs we are 40 without loss. There are some sweetly struck 4s & Nagy straight drives a 6 – it’s looking good (JP & Daz manage a very gentle stroll around the ground). Their first change bowler bowls left arm seamers & is easily the quickest bowler we have faced this year. He gets the break through getting Nagy out (very reluctantly) LBW, for a well made 24. Ryan starts with a lovely pull for 6 but soon after receives a lifting leg cutter which he manages to edge behind. When Dr Nat falls agonisingly 3 short of the team’s first 50 of the season it could all go horribly wrong.

However Kyle & Daz get stuck in, Daz produces some ferocious pull shots for 4 and Kyle is all intent & keeps rotating the strike (Daz manages to keep up this week). Kyle is eventually out for a well made 25, easily his best innings (so far) for the year. Darron keeps going, blocking the straight ones & biffing the short ones. He ends up on a career best 44 not out & our 40 overs come to an end with our highest score of the season, 161 for 5. A great team effort & 4 bonus points in the bag. Unfortunately Gemma does not believe how many Daz has scored when he calls to tell her (the captain has to confirm he did rattle up 44 runs).

We retire to the Nevill clubhouse to enjoy a few beers & the BERURO challenge (no winners this week). In the bar several senior players try to convince Captain Simon that we should try to bat first. CS reluctantly agrees but only if all our batters are playing!

The match sponsors (Mixed Metaphors & Cliches Inc) are pleased to announce that the MMC MVP was Darron “Daz” Lloyd.