TIPENE AND RUN...

HWRCC 1XI beat Chobham 1XI by 80 runs

'LITE DRIZZLE!' as one famous Sky Sports Producer/Presenter famously used to say on the Soccer AM weather report. And thus it was on a typical English August day.

The 1pm start had evaded Kam's knowledge, so arrival at 1250 didn't leave much time for warm ups. Especially for Tongshan who would be driving up late, leaving work at 1230. Upon opting to bat on what appeared to be a slow dead track, albeit a bit lively if yuo hit the seam, Davies and Ali were met by Mr Friday - the overseas bowler from hell who had apparently played against Mohammed Amir last year in the u19 World Cup.

A Kiwi, he was too quick for Davies who had seem the ball leave the hand before it dissapeared, Harry Potter style, the other side of the boundary rope, alongside its new friend Mr Leg Stump. 2 balls Davies managed.Rashid didnt fair much better, adjudged lbw first ball, although he maintains he was outside the line. At 1-2 off 5 balls we were in the sh*t. Enter skipper Raza who with Ali (Ali dominated the early partnership), took the score to 75. Ali perished hitting the buffet stuff at the opther end (everything was buffet comparatively) to long on. Cronin made a few, Crowther didn't, and then Raza eventually fell for an excellent 75 with the score on about 125-5.Enter Madoc-Jones C who took on the big man and slapped him all over the place. Great stuff. Pulls, aeriel drives etc. He fell attempting a Tongshan scoop. In between Tong added a single and Dutchy 1 3rd duck (3rd ball), before the final pair were brought together. Davies announced early doors that a score of 160 would have been enough, and we'd passed that already by the time the last pair took to the stage. 40 runs later, including a Paddy McMullan straight six, and the Wick were laughing at 227. Loadsa runs nad surely a record 10th wicket stand. Leggsy: 'What were you worried about?'

Teas - awesome. Not only were 3 Wickettes Ramadamning, but they had fresh pizza! And the bread was uber delish. 8 out of 10.

The response was eventful to say the least. Tong had to leave at 6pm (having arrived late!) meaning we would be down to 10 for half the innings. Then after half a dozen fairly uneventful overs, Holland palmed one onto 1st slip, and Raza took it in the brow, becoming the latest X Man auditionee in the process. Upon being helped inside by Nurse Rashid, he stayed off the field, only returning once Tong had to scarper. Thus the entire innings, save the first 6 overs, was conducted with 10 men. There were also 3 captains, as Raza, Tong and latterly Davies (advising Raza to concentrate on standing upright rather than rotating bowlers) took up the reigns. When his return, names of Cyclops and my favourite from Holland.....wait for it......'One Eye'. Brilliant. Bill Bryson would be proud of that one Aside from a gritty opener who scored a muzzled 64, Chobham offered little resistance (he was dropped on 10 btw).

Wickets fell fairly regularly once the first had gone to a good Davies catch at square leg. Ali, his best bowling performance since Sanderstead found some lovely shape, as well as good pace and caused problems. At the other end, the non-responsive end, Leggsy continued manfully, keeping a lid on things and allowing attacking fields throughout the innings. Toing switched eneds briefly pre departure and looked like Tongshan of old, some lovely extra pace and shape. He desrevd more than the 2 he got, but Ali was good value for his 5. Leggsys 1, a debut wicket for McMullan and a run out sealed victory fairly comfortably.

MOM - should be Ali for 39 runs and 5 wickets, but I will give it to Leggsy and McMullan for a rousing last wicket stand, and a wicket each to boot. Play played Greg McMullan.

Its too late for Tiddles.....