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Match Reports for the Saturday Sixth Eleven
Saturday 29th August versus Whittington 1st X1
Whittington 180-6 declared (D. Hawes 4-33) Dulwich 6th X1 115-9 (S. Nadar 40, A. Ingarfield 30) Result: Match drawn Whittington First eleven away constitutes a long away trip for the Dulwich sixth’s but familiar territory as they assembled at the Copthorne Stadium in Barnet. Last year the sixths had a hard fought and successful tussle with Dick Whittington’s favourite sons. As the home game had not been played in June, there was much to settle as the visitors were asked to field by the Whittington home skipper Bart Bartholomew. The square at the Copthorne looks fine but it is some times difficult to see the fielders to the north of the wicket as the outfield slopes away dramatically. Running up the hill was the first method employed to use up Sassy Nadar’s energy. However the little man’s spirit is indomitable and Sassy bowled with fire and vigour gaining two quick wickets to remove both openers. Another good start for Dulwich as Whittington were 18-2. Sassy’s opening partner, James Baggott seemed able to swing the ball but sometimes too often and too wide for the batsmen, keeper Choney and probably a third slip if there was one! The two new Whittington batsmen Beckett and Alastair played and missed but gradually became more comfortable. Sassy tried a few variations and lost his line whilst James bowled only two good balls an over. Philip Parbury was introduced but seeking to stop a powerful straight drive took a blow to the shin and retired from the attack. David Hawes replaced Nadar at the far end and bowled with some control. Control was not a word that could be used to describe Nick Rochford’s fielding as he struggled to see the ball in a pair of glasses that seemed to impair his usually sparkling performance. Nick has provided his team mates with cameos in the past however his performance at Barnet seemed to suggest that the frames on his spectacles were too heavy or that the lens were opaque. As Nick soon found – if the ball beats you, it will find the boundary soon after! As Nick struggled, so too did the Dulwich fielders who seemed to wilt as the second wicket pair added sixty without ever looking in command. Leicester born Hawes though had the last word dismissing both batsmen within six balls leaving Whittington 101 for 4 at drinks. The skipper’s pep talk over orange squash seemed to work as Hawes took the fifth wicket at 120. However Ray started to punish the bowling as Chris Wilson was brought on for some gentle off spin and although Hawes grabbed his fourth wicket at 140, the Whittington skipper was able to declare before the tail was exposed at 180-6. The Leicester City loving, Hawes led the fielders off with 4-34 off nine whilst Nadar had bowled well for his 2-32 off ten overs. James Baggott had proved expensive with twelve overs for 52 and Chris Wilson’s three overs cost 26. A total of 180 was a sporting declaration and Dulwich set out their stall to attack with Alex Ingarfield asked to open with the unorthodox Sassy Nadar. A combination which had the Whittington fielders in some problems as Bart, the Whittington skipper failed the perennial problem – how do you set a field for Sassy? Alex looked confident and was soon driving elegantly through the covers whilst Sassy got runs in everything but elegance. As the Dulwich score mounted, the opening bowlers were frustrated as Sassy smote the ball and laughed at the same time. Sensing that slow bowling might be the key, Bart brought himself on and within a few overs, Sassy had picked out a fielder in the deep and he was gone for an exciting 40. However Dulwich had the momentum at 70-1 and the skipper asked Wilson to bat three. Chris was returning from two serious operations and was clearly rusty as he tried to get the slow bowling skipper away. Worse for young Alex Chris could not take sharp singles and Alex soon followed Sassy back into the pavilion for a fine 30. Chris was joined by Danny Yiltay struggling for confidence and despite an early boundary Danny was out for 9 at 95. With the score unchanged Chris was bowled by Ali for three. Dulwich were 95-4 with Pylas, one of the best Greek cricketers playing in the modern game and Nick, son of the ageing Peter Rochford at the wicket. Most Dulwich teams would say that with Pan at the wicket, prospects must look bad but when he was joined by Nick, sporting his spec saver rejects, there was considerable anxiety in the Dulwich camp. The self styled vice captain was unable to handle the lively Ali and returned to the sidelines for 5. The temporarily blinded, Rochford managed a boundary of defiance before being stumped off Ali for 9 whilst the injured Phil Parbury collected a duck to add to his bruises. The run chase was over as Dulwich reached 110 as the skipper missed a straight one from Ali. Smith had only made two as David Hawes equalled Parbury’s nought. Ali seemed rampant with his five wickets and his spin twin Bartholomew claimed four! Dulwich had stumbled to 112 -9 as Steve Choney and James Baggott were left with two overs to negotiate. Steve who had dived to the left and right all afternoon played a straight bat in the evening as he and James showed up the middle order and got Dulwich the draw. An enjoyable encounter for both teams as all of the players got to bat or bowl. Although later in the Whittington Cricket team’s favourite hostelry, the Dulwich players were informed that they had drawn against a club described as “One of Islington’s worst teams” This description had been used by the Islington Gazette in a virulent campaign against the eleven representing the Archway’s finest hospital. Despite a number of the team suggesting that Whittington might offer terms to Nick Rochford as he often stays in North London, no offer was made and the team returned home safely to the Dulwich bar. Next week sees the return of Steve Carr and possibly Haseeb if he does not get arrested at the Womad concert – a return match against the Wimbledon 4th X1 that should set the pulses racing?
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