In a break from League action saw the Hill 4s travel to Palewell Common to oppose Sheen Park 3s.
With appaling traffic getting to the venue, Skipper Mallet left the toss to Nigel with clear instructions to bowl. The toss was subsequently lost and the Hill were put into bat, with a fairly small outfield. Anyone who may have played at Palewell Common must also remember how dreadful the deck tends to be, and this didn't disappoint...
Out went Deepak and Aditi Sahoo to open up. With the first over of the day being 11 balls in length, your author was already concerned about the end of the day being far later than necessary. Having seen the first over off, Deepak was the victim of a ball that kept slightly low and held its line to take his off stump bringing Nigel Harman to the crease. Aditi was dismissed to, not quite getting enough on a pull shot and being caught at a very wide fine leg.
Nigel then started to pick up, winning plink of the day for a back foot punch through the covers, as Louis also came in and battered his first ball to the boundary. Nigel played some wonderful strokes to the boundary, and Both were rotating the strike nicely, something which as a club we could all learn from. Nigel, then decided some mixers were in order. He picked up 2 short deliveries as easily as he picked up Choreography for his recent Strictly appearance, to dispatch them into the trees. Then picking another up to bash the ball into some brambles. It was a splendid knock to watch as he comfortably reached 66 alongside partner Louis holding the innings together and scoring at a good rate, reaching 105-2 off 22 overs.
However reader, this would not be a Hill match without a collapse now would it?
Louis top edged one after a well made 22 bringing Mallet on. Poor Barry trudged off the ball after, due to a suspect LBW decision. Max McGregor the next man in, but he soon was dismissed from another suspect LBW decision, unfortunately finding reasons to give each other out. Strangely Dan Beadle was the next man in, how does his name keep getting mentioned alongside suspect LBW decisions. Nigel Harman sadly ended his superb knock, with another good catch by Sheens youngster, bringing in All-Rounder AO, (yes all-rounder) for some stability in the innings. He was exactly what we needed at the time, sadly he then fell to an LBW decision from (not-out masterclass) Mallet. Defending Mallet, nobody including AO had any complaints, and was a relatively straightforward decision.
Jerry Fallows alongside (banned from umpiring) Beadle didn't last long as Jerry fell trying to increase the run rate. Tommy in at 10 worked with Beadle sticking on 23 together with some good running, and an exquisite flick over Mid wicket for a one bounce four. Tommy then was too early on one giving the bowler a nice one-handed grab. Beadle trying to manage the game refused a run off a bye, but then only ran a single getting Zeeshan on strike who was bowled for a duck. Beadle ending on a commendable 25* and the Hill on a slightly under par 157.
It was time for our pre-bought tea and a rant from Tommy mainly aimed at why the U17s failed to chase 81 the previous night. With that set in mind, we had a total to defend. And what a start we made, Zeeshan making a breakthrough in the first over with an LBW. Tommy opened with him bowling a good line and length. Zeeshan was causing all sorts of problems, including a calamitous run out having everyone frantic and confused. Everyone except Aditi that is, who calm as you like, collected the ball and threw it into 'Keeper Max who whipped off the bails.
Zeeshan was to collect another wicket in this over with the batsman feathering behind to claim Max an impeccable grab. After urges for the batsman to walk of his own accord, the umpire eventually raised his finger sending him on his way. 3 wickets in the first 3 overs. Tommy bowled his second over, with multiple swishes and misses.
Not willing to hang around, the Sheen Park number 4 scored a couple of boundaries from the next over. Tommy growing increasingly frustrated as to how he hadn't claimed a wicket then passed the bat for an entire over. Zeeshan then bowled a waist high full toss which was skied high into the air, with Dan Beadle taking an incredible catch despite all of his limbs seemingly facing in different directions! Not to worry though as next ball, Zeeshan had his man bowling an excellent seed onto off stump. His work in this over wasn't finished there as he then showed some excellent variation to take another wicket. Well I say that, a slow full toss that ended up on the stumps.
Tommy, at the other end absolutely speechless continued to steam in, bowl well and get nowhere. In a desperate search for a 5-fer Zeeshan went for a bit of tap in his final over but rounded off a successful spell with 4-34. Tommy finally got his reward and has saved the poor reader from an uncontrollable rant for his 1-5.
On came first Change All-rounder AO, bowling for his first Saturday this season, and Dan B. AO was bowling a tight line, and Beadle getting some good turn before claiming a wicket of his own, with a top edge, and a safe catch from Deepak at slip. AO not to miss out, got a pearler of a delivery to come in and knock off our 8th wicket of the afternoon. Beadle had another, getting one to turn onto the stumps before Aditi and Louis Juniper got the last bowl, with Louis bowling an exceptional over somehow not getting the wicket of the number 11 bat despite 3 that missed the stumps by a matter of inches.
The honour of the last wicket fell to Aditi, who had the number 11 hit one up in the air, to a shuffling safe hands Mallet to skittle Sheen Park for 64 and claim the win.
The effort in the field was exceptional, with the energy 10 times better. This was to an extent where there were 4 people sprinting to back up a throw towards the stumps on multiple occasions. Skippered very well by Mallet, and multiple individual contributions both with the bat and the Ball by the team to claim an enjoyable Saturday win.
