The Wick 1XI broke a few hoodoos last weekend. Previously we'd shown a
tendency to beat the stronger teams and contrive to lose to the weaker ones.
We'd also been struggling at home (a relaid pitch perhaps?) whereas been
excellent away. On Saturday we beat the team at the bottom of the league at
home. It was an important victory in what was the yellowest of potential banana
skins. It was a little close for comfort, but a win is a win.
Batting first Mitcham threw the bat at anything wide. Some good bowling
went unrewarded with gully and backward point seeing plenty balls fly in its
direction of edges. But as the openers settled some more arthodox shots emerged,
and Mitcham progressed well. The bowling was committed on a flat surface, with
Ted in particular showing great discipline, and as usual Ali being very
unlucky.
The breakthrough came from Iain Tong whose versatility is proving a
valuable asset this year, Fin taking the first of 3 catches. Wickets fell fairly
regularly thereafter, with most getting involved in the act. Special mention to
Alex Dare who continued is fine debut season bowling 10 overs for only 22 and
picking up two important wickets. A score of 182 was a decent effort from both
teams. Mitcham, bottom of the league will have been happy with a score, whereas
Wick fought hard and didn't let a poor start become a steep total. Run rate was
never going to be a problem, it was whether we could play the clever inning
needed to get over the line.
A source tells me that Alex Dare loves Dave's teas. I say he will soon tire
of them. 7/10. No change.
The response required a confident start, and we got one. We lost three
early wickets, but the rate was good and Ali and O'Mahoney in particular looked
in control. The came the crucial partnership, with Raza and Murray proving
excellent foils for each other, one finding gaps for 1s and the other looking to
hit hard and pleasing the increasingly partisan balcony (Cheers Alison and co).
Fin fell and Raza somehow managed to lazily contrive to put us under more
pressure than was perhaps necessary. JMJ unfurled some glorious shots before
being adjudged strangled down the leg side, which left Iain Tong and Davies to
see the boys home with plenty of time if only 3 wickets left.
No obvious candidate for MOM, but id probably give it to Fin Murray. 38
runs in a vital partnership, 3 catches and a run out (even if it did come from
his own misfield). We're on a bit of a roll and ever since Oxted we've felt like
the Wick of old. Winning. Promotion is still very much on.
