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Match ReportsDulwich 3rd XI v Purley 3rd XI (home) 9 August 2003 Dulwich's third successive win, in sweltering heat, took them to the top of the table for the first time this season, as rivals Old Wimbledonians slipped up against Chessington. Skipper Stewart Harmer again won the toss and decided to field first in temperatures well into the 90s. The energy-sapping heat made Dulwich unusually quiet in the field, and the Purley batsmen reluctant to hit the ball, so after 20 overs the score was just 38-1. Clearly, it was to be a day for the spinners, David Woods and David Begg. But at first nothing much happened, and Purley moved to 96-3 before the balance finally tipped decisively in Dulwich's favour. The last ball of Begg's over was lobbed up to Harmer at mid-off and caught, Woods bowled a maiden, and then Begg struck again, with a mistimed drive going straight to Peter Rice at short extra cover. On a hat-trick, but oblivious to the fact that he was on the verge of his first ever three-timer in his 43 years (who knew there were so many of them?), Begg bowled again. The ball was straight (of course!), the pad was in front, the finger was up, and the achievement finally dawned. Begg concluded his Michelle haul with the vital wicket of opener Hall, another one to offer a catch to 'safe hands' Harmer. Then Ian Marshall and Jason Speer polished off the tail, to dismiss Purley for 167 after three very hot hours in the sun. There was drama from the second ball of Dulwich's innings, when Rice hooked a bouncer towards the boundary, the fielder dived forward to attempt the catch, missed it and the bowler took loud and angry exception (in a family report, the words are not for repeating, I'm afraid). He fell soon after with the score on 10, which brought together Messrs Harmer and Cable. There was the odd alarm, and Harmer decided to test Cable's knee with another of his famous 'yes, no, sorry' calls. But Cable had the solution, and hit the ball beyond the boundary. Again and again. His fifty came in 40 balls - and then he began to accelerate. The hundred partnership came and went, and so the question was whether Cable could make his first ton of the season, or would Harmer get to his fifty before the target was reached? Cable had the answer, and hit the last ball for six to bring up his century and the victory. He'd made 104 in 76 balls with 17 fours and 3 sixes to take his season's total to 505 at an average of 50.5. It was a win well worth celebrating. Next week Dulwich visit fourth from bottom Cheam. Dulwich are now eight points ahead of second-placed Old Wimbledonians and 17 ahead of third-placed Woking & Horsell, who still have to play each other. A draw in that tie and Dulwich are one win from promotion and two from the title - but let's win all three!
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