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Match Reports for the Saturday Sixth Elevens
Saturday 8th July versus Bec Old Boys 2nd X1
Bec Old Boys 251- 7 declared (S. Nadar 5-71) Dulwich 6th X1 110 all out (M. Owen 52 not out Result: Dulwich lost by 141 runs
As the sixth eleven players gathered for the away clash with Bec Old Boys Second X1, the Dulwich dressing room was rocked by news of Nick Rochford’s shock withdrawal from the team to travel to Ewell. As rumours mounted about Peter Crouch’s girlfriend, a source close to the ageing Lothario confidentially disclosed that Old Nick had been summoned to a show down meeting with his girl friend’s parents in London. Later that evening his even older father seemed close to tears as he denied knowledge of the alleged meeting – silver haired Peter seemed scarcely able to form words as he clung on to the Dulwich bar. As he tried to apologise to team mates, all Peter could say was that he would never miss a game of cricket for one woman! With such a tragic build up it was no wonder that the Dulwich skipper lost the toss and that the team talk was peppered with references to concentrating on the game in hand. Just as Dulwich had been strengthened by the absence of Rochford, Pylas and Chaudhary so had the Bec Old Boys 2nd X1 – their first team game was cancelled and senior players came to play against Dulwich’s senior team. As the openers strode to the wicket it was the turn of Sassy Nadar and Jamie Hall to share the new ball and soon the ball was in the air! Sassy found the edge of Irfan, the Old Boys best bat whilst Jamie’s three overs kept the scoreboard turning over as he conceded thirty runs. Sassy got Meyul caught well at cover by Dan Yiltay but the runs continued to flow as Irfan cruised to a quick fire fifty. David Hawes making his debut for the sixth eleven sought to stem the runs with his medium pace and had Imran caught by Hall for 18. Mike Owen brought on to slow down Irfan had the opposite effect as the first team opener whacked him over cover and mid wicket for 26 in two overs. The skipper sensing that wickets might fall at the other end brought on debutant Lee Vidler. The tall Aussie used his action to bring some bounce and control to dismiss the Bec skipper Steve Perry for 36 as Irfan continued to smash his way towards his hundred. Lee’s first seven overs brought him 1-41. Changing bowlers seemed to be the only answer as Nadar was brought back and soon Sassy had his reward – as Irfan sought another boundary only to be caught calmly by Clarke Osborne in the deep. Irfan had made 112 as his colleagues contributed sixty. The Dulwich tails went up as Sassy ripped through the middle order to take his third five wicket haul. With Dulwich staring down the barrel at 185 for 3, the Bec Old Boys faltered and eventually declared at 251 for 7 wickets. Despite the withering attack of Irfan and some poor bowling, the Dulwich fielders never wilted and overall fielded well and with some spirit. As the Dulwich boys took tea, a run pursuit on a good pitch seemed to be on! The Dulwich reply was to be led by Tomlinson and Owen until Ralph got early on a full pitched ball to be caught and bowled. He was replaced by Jamie Hall who with Mike Owen seemed intent on putting together a good score. The Bec Old Boys brought on wily leg spinner Khaled who soon bowled Jamie neck and crop for 14, enticed Danny Yiltay to swing wildly for a duck and induced Lee Vidler to slash at a wide one. Dulwich were on the back foot at 64-4. Stuart McKee provided some resistance with Owen as they pushed and nurdled their way to 85 before McKee became Djilali’s first victim. At the other end Khaled claimed the wicket of Clarke Osborne and then Djilali quickly dismissed Nadar and Hawes to leave Dulwich almost finished on 95-8. The skipper, John Smith strode in knowing that there were thirteen overs to be batted out for a draw and more importantly some time for Mike Owen to complete a hard fought fifty. As the skipper defended, Mike gained confidence and reached his 50 with two boundaries. Mike had made his first fifty for seven years! As the Bec Old Boys juggled the bowlers the batsmen held out until Imran was brought on. He first induced the Dulwich skipper to tuck him away for four. As his team mates cheered, their roars turned to horror as Smith’s pirouette left him standing on the wicket! Keeper and coach Steve Choney followed next ball as Dulwich were all out for 110 – well beaten by a strong Bec Old Boys team. Mike Owen was undefeated on 52. The chastened sixth team was left to reflect on some indifferent bowling and poor batting as they discussed the individual performance of Nadar’s bowling, Owen’s batting and Osborne’s catching. Will the team morale recover in time for the Wimbledon fixture next week? Coach Steve Choney demanded more time in the nets on Thursday as Ralph Tomlinson pondered whether he would find out more about the Rochfords, Crouch’s and their WAGS in the News of the World or on a web blog site.
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