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Match ReportsDulwich 3rd XI v Thamesmead 1st XI - 29 April 2006 Result: Dulwich won by ten wickets
Jeff Mascarenhas pronounced as “the Special One” at Dulwich faced a change in fortunes as his third team braves won handsomely. Jeff had claimed that the previous week's loss gave a false impression of the difference in quality in the two teams on show. This week Jeff was proud to say that Dulwich dominated the second of their pre-season friendly matches throughout and this was truly reflected in the size of their victory over Thamesmead.
Jeff was aware that he was pitching his wits against his opposite number, the Dulwich stalwart and Surrey Championship umpire, Matt Johnson. Matt was bringing his former club to Dulwich and there was much tp play for in the last friendly before the Championship begins! Matt was aware that his club was a little under-strength and the Thamesmead side elected to bat - and soon found themselves in the firing line.
Dan Synge, who had toiled away in the opening game for 13 overs but without success, finally gained his first wicket for Dulwich with the 2nd ball of this game, and then achieved his second scalp with the very next delivery. The fielders crowded the bat, but they were not to be required. Synge bowled straight and extracted an LBW decision from the umpire - Thamesmead three wickets down in the first over and the Dulwich left arm seamer having completed a hat-trick!
From this point onwards Thamesmead were always going to face an uphill struggle, particularly as by now Synge was beginning to warm up. Two more wickets quickly came for him and with the visitors now 12-5, the match was as good as over. Some spirited attacking by the Thamesmead middle-order - taking advantage of the attacking fields in place - improved slightly their position but a final total of 54 all out seemed unlikely to greatly challenge the Dulwich line-up. Synge ended up with career best figures of 8 wickets for 25 runs; there was only time for the captain to make one bowling change, the replacement of Conrad Chandler resulted in Luke Howard taking the tenth wicket from the other end and closing the innings.
The Dulwich middle order batsmen waited patiently as the openers went out to face the Thamesmead attack in the seam friendly conditions. However, Adrian Ting and Amer Saeed knocked off the runs without any alarm and Dulwich completed the rout by 10 wickets.
Although this was certainly a morale-boosting victory, it was not necessarily the ideal preparation for all members of the Dulwich team prior to the league commencing, so Thamesmead sportingly accepted the request for a further 20 overs per side ‘beer’ match with Dulwich batting first. This produced some useful time at the crease for Sunil Mahey, Dan Russell and Obafemi Shokoya in particular. The 113 scored by the team proved too much for Thamesmead. Luke Howard was given the opportunity to add to the three balls he had bowled earlier in the afternoon; Shak Farooqi, Sunil Mahey, & Paul Smith were also given the chance to turn their arm over. The only disappointment was the inability of Dan Synge to become the first known Dulwich player to take more than 10 wickets in a day!
Reflecting on the games afterwards, the third team supremo thought that the two games had ultimately proved to be a useful exercise for individuals getting some extra practice in advance of the season start. However he knew that selection would be tough and that some might be playing in a different league side. Jeff's task was make sure that those players selected for the 3rd XI match next week are ready to step up tp the plate to face what will be a much more competitive environment, and that the players are properly prepared for the long Surrey Championship campaign ahead. Jeff will lead his blue and white army to Walton on Thames next week to start the season.
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