Match Reports for the Saturday Sixth Eleven
Saturday 14th July 2007: away to Old Rutlishians 5th X1
Old Rutlishians 234-1 declared
Dulwich 207-5 wickets
Result: Draw
The Saturday 6s, a broad cross-section of British and international society, made their way down to the hallowed council grounds off the
A3 in Raynes Park, skippered by the world's greatest Greek cricketer following the President's self-sacrifice to lead the 5th extras.
Captain Pan Pylas marshalled his troops with the sensible advice of President Smith: "Let's murder those bastard Ruts!"
Despite the large number of South Londoners in the team, the 6s so far this season would be lucky to skewer a kebab, let alone another human being.
Nevertheless, they remained undaunted and positive, aided by the news that the Aussie wonder Steve Carr would be playing alongside a couple of kids Tom Corby (21, you ain't that young mate!) and Ryan Holloway.
The toss lost, Dulwich went into bowl, Pylas confident that his wide and varied attack would wreak havoc.
Two and a half hours later, he led the team off with the Ruts declaring at 234 for one. Though the figures look bad, there was some tight bowling throughout, notably from young Ryan, Stan the Qatari Kiwi and Jimmy Gibson, who managed to put aside the fact that he was gigging in front of a thousand at the Forest Hill Tavern later that evening.
The team unfortunately was effectively three short. Carr down and out before he got to the ground sought to convince the skip that he should have opened the bowling, dived down to his right at point and stopped a dead cert four with his knee. Ouch! Steve Choney's knee was out too after he jumped for the ball while Chris Richman succumbed to his old groin problem -- how long has it been Chris?
So, what to do, given that this collection of hapless individuals had been bowled out for less than a hundred in their last two games.
Pylas said everything is possible, even Rochy could make runs on this deck.
Alas that wasn't true though he saw off the opening Ruts bowler before he went off for prayers, or was it dinner.
Pylas had a cunning plan. The former one man crime wave Clark Osborne, for so long marginalised by Smith would bat at four. When he came in at around 30-2, things were looking bleak, the skip was wondering who would run for the afflicted.
He needn't have worried. Osborne and Corby put on over 180 in roughly 20 overs. Every shot under the sun was played, greeted by a whooch and whoo and a yay and hay. Brilliant atmosphere! Game on!
Pylas wanted the score to be 200 with four overs to go. Unfortunately it was 199; he dropped his head knowing that his chance of leading this bunch of misfits and losers was over. After Corby was out for 83, Jimmy Baggott was sent in with strict instructions to heave ho. After eight airy swipes he was out and the game ended tamely in a draw.
Osborne was carried off, put on a ventilator and a drip but the wonders of a B&H helped limit the NHS bill.
What a great day had by all! Cricket even at this level has the power to enrich the soul, if not the body!
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