"Zo implores Tongy to move him from square at Claygate" - Ed
Claygate 128 ao in 30 overs
HWRCC 129 for 7 18 overs
G Tong, S Shinde, I Rashid, M Bal, Z Sadiq, F Tanveer, D Bendall, R Oliver, P Miles, P Vijay Kumar, Z Tughral
Despite the setback of the previous week's defeat to Ashtead putting an end to my dream of an unbeaten season for the Sunday xi, a confident Wick team travelled to not too distant Claygate, for, unbelievably, the second away game on the bounce. The fixture schedule of recent years had left the boys wondering what an oppo ground may look like and if such things actually existed. I concluded this was only my 5th away fixture on a Sunday in the 4 years of turning out for the wick (although Mr J. Breakwell, Fixture secretary will have to explain Mitcham away to me!!!).
The boys were joined on the trip by Riley, umpiring his first Sunday fixture. If you need an umpire on a Sunday; Riley’s your man, easily convinced during the previous evening’s casino night. Him being fairly pissed and up £30 through blackjack may have helped when convincing him however.
Unlike last week, the danger of the convoy getting lost on route (Graham Smith) came and went, despite a few minor scares. Imran led the way in his shiny toy car without the assistance of Sat Nav, and we managed to arrive with half an hour to spare, things were looking up.
Claygate will probably be one of the least spectacular but unique away grounds of the season. Firstly a leg side boundary of epic proportions, made that bit more interesting by the two trees placed in perfect leg glance and midwicket locations just off the square, made even more interesting by the bee’s nest located at the base of one. Zohak would find out later the penalty for drop catches. Dodgy clubhouse and even more dodgy 18th century hole in the ground for toilets complete the Claygate ground, a good reminder to us all of why we were glad to call the Wick home. To be fair, they are half way to fundraising for a new club house, which also meant you couldn’t grumble at £45 for teas….
The weather threatened for a while but held firm and I did the usual trick of managing to lose the toss (3 in a row now), but strangely also for the 3rd week running getting the desired outcome. A good amount of cloud cover, a lively green wicket, the threatening pace attack of Fahad, Bendall, and Pradeep and a Claygate team fielding 5 colts, still Claygate chose to bat first.
Sure enough, things went exactly to plan, Claygate soon reeling at 23 for 3, Fahad and Pradeep both claiming victims, the highlight being a spectacular leaping, diving effort at mid-off by Bendall to remove one of the openers off the bowling of Pradeep, this despite the sort of hangover you would expect from Casino night. Phil Miles even had chance for a nap as the outfielders were rarely troubled in the first 10 overs.
A little resistance from numbers 4 and 5 in the shape in some ugly mooing to cow got them up to 60 odd. Time for a change and the introduction of the now slightly more sober Bendall and colt Zeeshan making only his 2nd appearance for the Wick. The change bought more wickets and saw the oppo 70 for 7; we were in danger of a 4 o’clock lunch break.
I decided both Imran and myself could do with some runs to chase so decided to bring on new left armer Mohit and Robbie Oliver. Resembling Del in both stature and bowling style, he produced 4 overs of the most beautiful flighted left arm spin probably to be seen all year, encouraged by the calls of “pull out the pin” by Zohak. Mohit and Robbie Oliver got one each but allowed the score board to tick over, the Claygate tail end scrambled their way to 128 for 9 with 10 overs remaining. Getting slightly anxious, I decided that a bit of Bendall magic was required and sure enough he delivered, rattling the stumps for his 2nd wicket. 128 all out after 30 overs, just enough time for Imran and myself to go back out and face 6 overs of Claygate bowling.
Things looked like they could be over very quickly when I climbed into a juicy half volley 3rd ball of the game, however an over later I decided that I would make exactly the same mistake as I had on the Saturday and picked out Long on.
Time for tea, and it was worth the wait, the definite highlight being the bacon cheese and tomato croissant and fresh sausage+ketchup bap combo, great effort, 9 out of 10.
Back out after tea, Imran gets triggered to continue his run of bad luck. Miles followed shortly after, undone by a hint of swing. Shri was given the chance to impress with the bat but failed and soon at 4 down, only 40 on the board and the prospect of a long tail, the Wick were looking worried. However order was restored in the form of the quiet calm and confidence of Robbie Oliver (star in the making) and the brilliant hitting of Zohak. What was 40 for 4 became 100 for 4 in no time, Zohak getting to 50 off around 30 balls with overs 12-16 going for around 50. The poor colt who had bowled 2 overs for 11, found his next two went for 16 and then 23.
Robbie helped himself to a couple of textbook pulls for 4 through backward square leg to complement Zohak’s swatting. With Zohak peppering the straight boundaries and midwicket with regularity, clearing the sight screen with ease in the process, his only obstacle was the tree at cow which prevented him clearing the rope more often.
However a couple of shots later, both Zohak and Robbie were gone, undone by not committing to the hitting that had proved so successful. 25 needed 4 wickets left, Fahad came and went within 3 deliveries, 20 needed 3 wickets left. However the worry was soon over as Bendall and Pradeep both slapped shots through midwicket to see us home. Game over, within 50 overs, Riley delighted. That left the Wick with 3 out of 4from the season so far. There was even talk of taking home the biggest prize of the Wick season, no not the 1st team getting promoted, but the Bushy park league… game on.
Tongy's been with the club for a couple of years now... but underneath the diffident, floppy haired exterior, what makes the Sunday skipper and 1xi stalwart tick? Royal Cricket asked Tongy to give it to us in his own words...
Nickname: Tongy, Baywatch, Hollyoaks (thanks Hibby)
