Historic Moment - 1st 4xi Match Report on the blog - By Selvesy

Much time could be spent looking for a quote or coming up with something profound to say about the Hampton Wick Royal Cricket Club 4XI taking to the kingsfield on Saturday 2nd July 2011. However, breaking from the strange feeling of writing a match report including yourself in the third person, a day like Saturday is not a day for soundbites, we can leave those to the home balcony, but I feel the hand of history upon our shoulder with respect to this.... (not the writer's poor grammar. Points for anyone under 25 who knows that quote.). Anyway, the 4s fielding 5 under 19s from the WICKS thriving colts set up and former colt Charles Edmonds took to the field against Teddington Town 3XI. There hadn't been a toss as such, but a lot like back in Stormont the decisions were made before the ceremony when Selvesy informed the opposition skipper that the batting was light today.

Sohail took the new ball and plugged away up the hill finding some good lines but with no luck. Alisdair McNab came down the hill and after a first over finding his lines bowled a tight spell with a very tidy clean bowled to take the first wicket for the 4s in their brave new world. Zeesham came on for McNab and also took an over to find his straps but then, like McNab, found his lines and picked up a nice clean bowled. Teddington 46 for 2 from 12 after hard running up the hill by Sohail and two great little spells from two of the WICKS promising youngsters. Selves, feeling all this young talent may have him needing to start a 5th XI next year to get a game, plodded up the hill and Rob Swain making his Saturday debut for the WICK came down. A neat catch from Will Taylor off Selves followed by a cheeky lbw had Teddington 4 down before Swain got in on the act forcing a chip to mid off.

Mohit came on up the hill and bowling some good lines picked up a couple of clean bowled. Charlie Pilcher came down the hill for Swain and after struggling to find his lines produced a peach of a ball and took an even better catch to pick up his first senior wicket. With the ball turning Will Taylor came on for Mohit and bowled a great little spell at the death halting what was becoming a quick scoring number 3 who had carried Teddington through their innings. Phil Miles then brought on his experience to wrap up the last few overs down the hill.

Teddington ended on 182 for 8. Held together by a great knock of 70 by their number 3 and with extras being their second highest scorer there is work to do in the wides, no ball and byes area. However the ground fielding would have put other sides in the club to shame and not one dropped catch for the bowlers to moan about. Tea. We may be the 4th XI but we eat like the 1st XI.

After tea Phil Miles stepped up for the boys and opened up with James Dann and both looked good seeing off the new ball before Phil had one sit up on a pitch that was starting to behave like a new born baby (topical reference for the writer. For the bulk of the players at the club that means erratic and not doing anything you expect or want). Charles Edmonds started well playing what is fast becoming his trademark clips off his pads until he missed a straight one. Selves joined Dann and together they saw off the rest of the opening bowlers until having done the hard work and looking set Dann edged the last ball of the openers spell to the keeper. Alisdair McNab came out and leaned the hard way about playing on the back foot on the kingsfield. At not many for 3 Sohail helped steady the ship till drinks when the decision was made to up the rate. Two overs at 8 plus an over had the 4s back on the run rate until Selves missed one. Rob Swain continued the fight but when he and Sohail fell Charlie Pil and Will Taylor could not stop Teddington with the bit between their teeth. Zeesham hung in there but ran out of people to hang about with. The loss was not as bad as it looks on paper and with such talented youngsters coming through the 4s have a prosperous future ahead. The commitment, skill and attitude of the colts, who for many were making their senior bow, was a credit to each individual and the system in the club that has brought on such a great bunch of young players who all look to have promising futures at the WICK. With several seniors back this week the side has a better looking balance between bat and ball. Although it is good for all players to know that there are keen talented colts pushing them for their places and making the step up to senior cricket.