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Saturday Third X1 Match Reports
Spencer away on 4th August 2007 in the Surrey Championship
Spencer 145-8 declared in 55 overs (K.Patel 5-34) Dulwich 146- 4 (O.Shokoya 65 not out G.Carveth 55 ) Result: Dulwich won by 6 wickets After a spirited performance by the infantry of the Dulwich 3rd Regiment in repelling the Norman invasion the previous week, the challenge of backing up against the far lesser fancied Spencer would always prove a difficult one for the lads. However this was the challenge that confronted the likely lads of the thirds, and it was one that they were relishing. Previous matches against the Normandy and Reigate sides who were 2nd and 3rd on the ladder respectively had shown what the fellows were capable of after a few games with a settled side, exhibiting impressive victories on both occasions. However Spencer did steal a winning draw on Dulwich soil earlier in the season and the skipper implored the lads not to take the game lightly. The first victory of the day belonged Dulwich with our fearless skipper inserting the opposition on what was a firm but turned out to be a lifeless deck. Thoughts of donning the pads were briefly entertained on what was one of the hottest matches (weather wise) for the summer, however the lure of rolling Spencer cheaply remained too great. Number 3 batsmen, Grant Carveth and his assorted collection of teammates, almost missed the start of play due to a case of the missing house keys. But to be sure, to be sure, they eventually made it to the ground with 10-15 mins to spare. Play started well for the boys from Giant Arches Rd, with tight bowling from the opening pair, particularly Deb ‘Stats’ Biswas who had figures of 1/8 off his 6 overs before being dragged. The decision appeared ludicrous at the time, however it soon became apparent that Captain Macarena was up to his usual wily tricks as the move brought the Kanak ‘The Ledge’ Patel to the bowling crease, the man who is experience personified with a 5.5oz lump of leather in his had. Success would prove inevitable. At the other end Brett ‘Croissant’ Casson continued to hit the crease hard but without success and whilst bowling 15 overs on the bounce, only succeed in claiming one victim and an impressive caught and bowled. Rumours later circulated that the cherry had a distinct foul odour after this event as the catch could only have been pulled from his proverbial. Despite the lack of success for B Casson, The Ledge was busy making hay in the sunshine, taking a consistent stream of poles to leave Spencer reeling at 68/6. However at this point the struggling Spencer side rallied, initial by simply repelling the Dulwich attack and in the final 5 overs, swinging the bat and getting a few lucky runs away. Eventually they declared on 145 after using but their full allotment of 55 overs, leaving Dulwich only 45 overs to chase the total. The stand-out performer in the field was without a doubt Mr K Patel. After coming on in the 13 over, continued in a marathon performance until the end of the innings and finished with the impressive figures of 5/34 off a staggering 21 consecutive overs! An impressive effort on an assisting pitch but on a lifeless track – remarkable. After the modest afternoon tea offering, the unfamiliar Dulwich opening bats strode to the centre wicket. The combination consisted off Obafemi ‘Shock’ Shokoya and the unlikely David Beggs enjoying a massive promotion up the order from his usual number 10 slot. However the improbable combination proved effective, producing an opening stand of 26 off approx 8 overs before the laconic Beggs was caught superbly in the covers. This hiccup only succeeded in bringing Carveth to the crease and he and Shock raped and pillaged the Spencer attack in what was a truly prison-style performance. The pair added just over 100 of the second wicket in even time displaying a full array of strokes to all parts of the ground. When the partnership eventually ended with Carveth being dismissed for 55, Dulwich only needed 14 for victory with 8 wickets in hand and 20 overs remaining. Surely this was a certain victory for the Dulwich 3rds with last weeks hero, Stephen ‘The Great’ Heath approaching the cut surface. However a week can be a long time in cricket and the cavalier batsmen was dismissed first ball, in true Heathy style, bowled sweeping around his legs. And when Alex ‘Ryan’ Ingarfield was dismissed soon after, things looked a touch shaky. However Simon ‘Imperial’ Leather joined the solid Shock and finished off the total with the opening batsmen making an impressive 65 in red ink, giving the Dulwich 3rds a 6 wicket victory and a third triumph from as many games. This result certainly showed how far the side has come since the first half of the season.
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