Match Reports for the Saturday Sixth Eleven
Saturday 9th June 2007: away to Seven-O 1st X1
Dulwich 151 all out (Wilson 25, Hussain 24, Pylas 24,Gulliford 23)
Seven -O 154 -1
Result: Dulwich lost by 9 wickets
When your humble reporter gets round to writing the history of the game we all love, there will be a chapter in there entitled "Wimbledon".
For it was in the shadows of the Lawn Tennis Association that Dulwich's first XI regrouped following last weekend's ignominy -- will anyone take responsibility? -- and crushed those arrogant so-and-sos of Wimbledon, and consolidated a berth just outside of the relegation zone!
Meanwhile, in the shadows of the other tennis complex in the vicinity, that of that prat David Lloyd, the 6th XI (really the 7th XI) suffered another defeat.
However, as in the game against the Amblers the previous weekend, there were further signs of a team at least willing to resist. The return of the President and Captain John Smith at least meant the team batted right down the order, isn't that right boss?
That sort of knowledge stiffened the resolve of the batters, with Chris Wilson and Michael Owen settling in and seeing off a hostile opening attack. Once Owen was out for 7 (his day is due). Chris Richman marched in, confident that his 13th Marlboro Light would light his fire. One ball later, the hockey club's 6th team goalkeeper, was off, bruised and battered by a fearsome delivery, his short-lived return later on easily blamed on what went on before .
Once Wilson was out for 25 after a far more sprightly innings, the young doctor Mudassar Hussain was joined by the past and future captain Pan Pylas. Both hunkered down and displayed a rich tapestry of stroke-making, and in Pylas's case a text-book defence against the oppo's swift Sri Lankan.
Unfortunately two runs short of a 50 partnership Pylas spooned one to deep mid-on and he was out for 24. Hussain went almost immediately for the same score.
A classic 7th X1 collapse ensued with the Scottish economic philosopher Adam Smith (no, not a mathematician Rochford), Rochford himself, Jim "Malvolio" Gibson (one run in four innings), and the skipper Smith all out cheaply.
The innings was saved by the numbers 10 and 11, James Gulliford (23) and David Mullany. They pushed the team to a respectable 151 and for one very brief moment threatened the all-time record for the last-wicket partnership.
It looked like a score that could be defended.
However, a lack of pace in the attack, a couple of injuries and some pretty sloppy fiielding (yes Michael, we did notice you had a big night in Chelsea the night before), meant Seven 0 won with nine wickets to spare.
All in all, it a was an encouraging performance for Dulwich against a very solid team. It augurs well for next week's rematch against the Amblers. But a message to the Committee. Captain Pylas will need at least two more fast bowlers!
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