Tongy for The Ashes - 1xi Match Report by Matty D

HWRCC 166-8, 52 overs. Davies 44, Tong 38
Chobham 152, 42 overs. Tong 8-38

Cricket is brilliant. It is simply, undeniably, definately the best thing in the world, ever. Sure you have crap days - and no doubt Chobham are feeling pretty grim this morning - but there are times when Cricket seems absolutely perfect. For the Wick on Saturday it was one of those days, and for one man is particular, it was the day of his cricketing life.

Chobham won the toss and bowled first. The correct call on what looked to be a flat deck, typical for this season. We knew Chobham had a serious gun bat, and that whilst he would obviously stand out, they would have some other players too. It was going to be a tough fixture.

Davies and Goulbourn opened up, with the pitch being instantly easy paced, although there was some evidence of swing. One opener in particular bowling some hoops, but without the necessary control to beat the bat consistently. Goulbourn, fresh from a 2xi league average of 180, was rightfully promoted to the first XI, but dissapointingly failed to trouble the scorers, lopping one straight to gully. Raza, skipper for the day, joined Davies, but put at an to his recent good form by feathering a wide half volley behind.

At 10-2, Rashid and Davies began the repair job. Runs were slow, but the bowling was tight and accurate, and once the wax had left the ball, it was difficult to get away without taking some risks. At 35-2 off 15, both bats accelerated, putting the bowlers under pressure and turning the game back to wards the Wick - Rashid in particular smiting some ugly blows alongside a few wonderful straight hits. 75-2 at drinks, probably advantage Wick.

Rashid fell chancing his arm a little too much. Hibberd then never looked settled with the consistent slow line and length and fell lbw in a typical Hibberd way. Davies, who had hit some lusty blows, then fell to one that kept low, just as he was starting to accelerate. Berrera didnt last long either and the Wick were tottering at 100-6, and off 40 overs. Slow stuff indeed - Chobham shows excellent patience and simply bowled straight.

Tongy then joined Whinney at the crease and turned the heat back on the bowlers, and in particular the fielders. One all ran 5 was typical of how they were turning the game back in our favour. The balconies were filling up, the 3s were in for teas, and the Wick were using the atmosphere to seize the momentum back in our favour. Tong scored 38 excellent runs.

Having no option than to bat the full 52, the Wick ended up on 166. A total we knew we were more than capable of defending, given that Chobham would need to score at 4s to win the game.

Teas - Dave experimented with salmon instead of tuna. Very controversial. Everything else was the same as usual.

Having entertained thoughts of taking the old ball, Raza instead opted to gun with some guns, and took the new cherry, opening with the line and length of Ford, and the wicket-taking pace and shape of Sri. Sri didn't settle and was replaced by Whinney. Both Ford and Whinney bowled well, but Chobham had the gun bat who we knew could win the game on his own in 20 overs. He walloped one huge six straight.

Chobham 40-0 off 12. Only defending 166, Raza was ringing the changes. Enter Tong.

He started finding some shape. Opting to go around the the gun left hander, he quickly induced a wild slash which Raza gobbled up at the second attempt at a wide first slip. Rightly, the Wick celebrated wildly, knowing we were back in the game. Tongy then found some serious hoop and bowled #3 second ball. Awesome.

The runs dried up and the pressure was built. Chris bowled some tight stuff, and although Raza wasn't up to his normal tight standards, there was nothing easy given away. Tongy was settling into an unbelievable rhythm. He proceeded to get 4 more wickets, all bowled. All absolute pearlers. Fordy got the #8 to snick behind and Chobham were 120-7, with about 8 overs to go.

The young #9 joined the Chobham skip and backed his eye. Davies then got a sharp run out, swooping in from cover - direct hit. With 20 needed off 3 overs, Chobham 8 wickets down, but with their skipper still at the crease, on 40-odd. With the field spread, it was clear he was going to back himself at hit the runs. Tongy, with a superb slower ball, deceived him and, yup, you guessed, it, bowled him. The game was up for Chobham - they wern't going to get the runs, it was now whether the Wick could get the last wicket in the 11 balls remaining. Tongy only needed 5 more, hooping the last ball of his 15 over spell back in, nailed the #11 in front - with bat not even close to the ball. LBW. Everyone understandably went ballistic.

Tong. 15-5-38-8.

It was openly acknowledged by all, including the gracious Chobham, that it was a truly remarkable bowling performance.

The Wick's batting was poor - too many bats giving away their wickets. The bowling was good by all, and the fielding was sharp and keen. The team spirit was admirable, and the support was again excellent from the balcony. The oppo were strong and keen and played well enough to win the game. But in all honesty there is one reason the Wick won this game, and that was Graham Tong. He bowled with pace, control, guile and all this for 15 overs withot a break. None of his wickets were gifted to him and 6 of them were bowled.

Outstanding.

[Victorious skipper for the day Kamran celebrates the win - Ed]