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Match Reports for the Saturday Sixth Eleven
Saturday 22nd July versus Old Rutlishians 5th X1
Old Rutlishians 5th X1 117all out (J.Baggott 4-23) Dulwich 6th X1 106 all out (L.Vidler 25) Result: Dulwich lost by 11 runs
Another muggy but sunny afternoon as the Dulwich Sixth X1 stalwarts travelled to Raynes Park Playing Fields in high spirits. Their mood was further brightened, when the early arrivals saw that the local townsfolk had prepared an afternoon garden party. Was it in honour of their sporting prowess? Or more likely an attempt to divert them from the task in hand. Who would fancy taking on Ralph Tomlinson and Steve Choney in the tug of war, who would bet against Haseeb Chaudhary winning a goldfish or who would gainsay David Hawes in a race with a beach donkey? As the players mixed with the tattooed throng, there were problems in Tooting. The team subsequently discovered that Mike Owen’s Sat-Nav had guided his car to a traffic jam in Tooting and Simon Jones had followed him! Without four players the Dulwich master plan of bowling the Ruts out on a dodgy track seemed in tatters. Smith, the skipper seemed oblivious to this fact as he inserted the opposition on winning the toss. Controlling the match as storm clouds threatened did seem sensible but how could seven fielders stave off the determined Old Ruts. However any school that could produce John Major can also produce sportsmen. The Ruts skipper, John Chick offered substitutes while Mike Owen finished his shopping in the Tooting branch of Safeway. The Dulwich V11 took to the field and the attack was opened by James Baggott making his debut with some useful pace bowling in the slippery conditions. His initial spell (in a short rain shower) bringing his first wicket for the club, quickly followed by a smart run out to leave the Old Ruts on 7-2. Lee Vidler at the other end was producing bounce and swing that made batting difficult. In his opening spell of some twelve overs, Lee removed Barnett and Pattison both caught behind by Steve Choney - who was all encouragement and appeals behind the stumps. The Old Ruts skipper was staying put as Vidler swung the ball away from him without getting that nick! All three slips seemed to be in a state of perpetual excitement as Steve Choney continued a series of anguished appeals. As home skipper, Chick was proving a stumbling block; help arrived as the Dulwich late night shoppers appeared! Sassy Nadar was soon summoned to the attack and delivered a wicket to leave the Ruts on 36-4. The pressure on Chick proved too much – he swung outside off stick and Simon Jones took a fine catch off the deserving Vidler to grab the fifth wicket for the now complete Dulwich X1. Wickets had to be fought for as Nadar and then David Hawes were unsuccessful. Number five batsman Sayed started to play some shots. At 59, Hawes got some exaggerated movement and Jones snaffled a second slip catch – the Dulwich fielding was mustard and runs were hard to obtain. Haseeb was brought on to replace Vidler, but he too had no luck in his four overs as Sayed profited with ambitious shots. Sassy was brought back for a second spell and in his first over did the trick removing Sayed for 32 caught at square leg by that man Vidler. The score was 91-6 and the Dulwich boys were in no mood to give away easy runs on a spiteful pitch. James Baggott was brought back to finish off the tail which he duly did taking 4-23 off his nine overs. The Dulwich attack was slightly delayed by an elegant 15 from young Viyasar but his innings was ended by an outstanding gully catch by who other than Lee Vidler? Lee, despite his Australian background has been a great asset to the sixth team, making up for many of the misdemeanours of his race. Perhaps in fifteen years or so of stout service, he could become accepted as an English gentleman? A great fielding performance allowed the Dulwich batsmen to tuck in at a tea but alas it was for the last time that day. The post tea session allowed Dulwich to create their own problems. Ralph opening again, found another way to get out cheaply – scooping the opening bowler around the corner to the only fielder behind the wicket. He was soon joined on the sidelines by his opening partner Owen. Mike, in his last knock before a Spanish holiday made 1 and Nick Rochford made one less. Dulwich were 12-3, but last week’s run maker Simon Jones and that man, Vidler were together. Surely they would steer the ship home? They briefly looked as if they might. Until Jones’quickfire 15 was ended at 34 and he was replaced by a promoted Nadar. Encouraged by his wife and a girlfriend, Sassy set out about the task in his usual individual manner. With scampered singles and some boundaries, the pair started to gather momentum until Vidler misjudged one and was caught for 25 useful runs. David Hawes entered the arena confidently but soon made way for Haseeb, who had been snoozing for most of the Dulwich innings. He soon became wide awake as Sassy’s enthusiasm got to him and the pair moved the score on from 66-6. Ten runs later Sassy was out- an enterprising 21 caught by young Viyasar. The match seemed over as Smith joined Chaudhary. The Dulwich player’s thoughts were moving to taking part in the Raynes Park karaoke evening. However Haseeb was in the groove and started to cajole his skipper – both buckled down to the task of keeping the Ruts bowlers out, as the twenty overs were called. Smith soon decided to take the fight to the Old Ruts as he swept and drove the wicket taking Hall out of the attack. Haseeb at the other end was a model of patience as he stood resolute, saying that they shall not pass and I will not run quick singles. As Chick juggled his bowlers the Dulwich score moved onwards to three figures. Just as the visitors began to think that a win was possible, the opening bowler Carroll was brought back to remove Smith caught behind for 21 and then dismiss Chaudhary for a hard fought 10. As the Old Ruts celebrated their win by eleven runs, Dulwich players were heard to say did I really shout “give the strike to Smith”? The Old Ruts 4th X1 were able to report back to their selectors that they had seen off the Dulwich sixth X1, as the visitors quaffed their beer in the Poplar Road bar. At the same bar, the skipper sensed that he must soon relinquish the Aussie Vidler to the 5ths. The players wondered whether JL would accept Rochy as part of the deal? Others speculated whether Ralph could be persuaded to take up croquet, so that we would still have the benefit of his company at the Dulwich bar. More strategic thinkers debated whether Mike Owen’s Sat-nav would get him to the airport or would Steve Carr be allowed into the country. Selection for each week is always complicated but the proposal of Haseeb opening the batting was forestalled by his statement that he was appearing at Womad. With that news, some were pleased to note there may be a slot for the best Greek batsman in South London? Would Pan Pylas return in glory? Many of these dilemmas will be solved by the time Dulwich travel to North London next week to take on Whittington. A game not to be missed!
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