Blog Posts

SBCC Wednesday Cricket Nets Suspended Until Further Notice

3/30/2020

As you may be aware that the ECB has suspendended all cricket matches. We (SBCC) currently do not know when isolation will cease and when we will be able to resume cricket or even cricket nets / training and our weekly Wednesday practice sessions.

Please stay tuned by visiting this website to find out more information

Outdoor Cricket Nets:

Mike McIntyre has kindly offered to run Summer outdoor nets this year - normally 6pm on Wednesday evenings at the club
These typically start in mid-April (depending on weather) and we're hoping we'll be able to proceed a normal with these but we will follow-up nearer the time once we know more
Similarly, we will need to schedule the date of our 'Spring cleaning'/net repair day (normally early April) nearer the time

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SBCC COVID-19 UPDATE

3/30/2020

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Dear all,
I’m afraid to say that, given current government guidance, we have decided to cancel the SBCC AGM this evening.

As an alternative, over the next couple of days I will circulate an email covering the key points that we were due to cover during the meeting so that you are all up to date.

The good news is that the club is in a fantastic position and is generally running smoother than ever, meaning there were no significant points for discussion during the AGM. The bad news is, we were all looking forward to escaping our homes and catching up over a beer!

As far as we’re aware, nets tomorrow night are still on and will continue to be. Mark Bradshaw will be in touch should that change.

Thanks and apologies for cancelling this at such short notice. Any questions, feel free to give me a call!

Will

Players wishing to pay their membership for the 2020 season (£100) can do to the clubs account, details below. Please let JT know once you have paid your subs so he can tick you off the naughty list.

COVID-19

Per my previous email, unfortunately we had to cancel our annual AGM due to the latest government guidelines around the coronavirus outbreak but below are the key points we wanted to communicate under each of the agenda headings.

Some of you will also have seen that the ECB has recommended suspending all recreational cricket until further notice. Obviously this is very disappointing for all of us but we're hoping that by Easter we should have a better sense of how this will impact our cricket season - hopefully the guidelines will be relaxed and we can get the majority of our season in. As you know, things are moving very quickly at the moment and it is very difficult to say with any certainty what the impact on the club will be. The Trust and the Summer Users group are obviously monitoring the situation very closely and we'll do our best to keep everyone informed on the latest developments.

South Bank CC, Barclays 20-66-55, a/c number 83460932.

In terms of club kit, for those wishing to buy any items ahead of the upcoming season, the online store can be found here https://teamwear.nxt-sports.com/shop/south-bank-cc. Based on experience from last season, I would recommend placing your orders ASAP as the manufacturers experience a bottleneck at the start of the season every year, which means there are likely to be delivery delays.

Ahead of the AGM, please find attached:

An agenda for the meeting (please let me know if there are any other items you'd like to add)
Latest fixture lists for Saturday and Sunday XIs
2019 Subs
2019 Accounts

STAY SAFE AND PLEASE ISOLATE AS PER GOVERNMENT GUIDLELINES

PLEASE NOT THAT ADVICE INCLUDING FACTS AND MYTHS ARE CHANGING DAILY!

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SBCC 2019 HIGHLIGHTS

3/11/2020

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SBCC AGM Updates:

Changes to SBCC Club officers/roles for 2020:

Social Secretary - Giaco Bridgett
Club Secretary - Will Arnold
Wednesday Nets - Mike McIntryre
No other changes to other officers - listed out with contact details on Club website

#sbcc

#southbankcc

#cricketlondon

#cricket2021

#cricket21

#southbankcricketclubClu

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NEW SOUTH BANK CC TEAM KIT

4/2/2019

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Cricket Kit Update

Club Kit/Teamwear:

The club online teamwear store will continue to operate as per last year (website: https://teamwear.nxt-sports.com/shop/south-bank-cc)
A number of new items have been added this year - so take a look and get your orders in!
A reminder for those looking to purchase club kit - get your orders in now as past experience tells us you can be waiting a while for delivery if you wait till the start of the season to place your orders!

Previously on SBCC

Dear SBCC members,

The new season is fast approaching and as many of you may know, behind the scenes we have been organizing some new club kit. You will be pleased to know that the online kit store is now live! See link below - order away!

https://teamwear.nxt-sports.com/shop/south-bank-cc

A few things to note:

Delivery is typically 3-4 days so those ordering this week should have their kit for the first game of the season
There is an initialing service (up to 4 initials!) on all items for a small additional cost. Not only does this look smart but it will stop you getting your kit mixed up with your neighbors
Beware, there are 2 hat styles on the site - the more traditional 'Beechfield' cap (which most of us would be more accustomed to on the cricket field) and a more modern 'Flexifit' style (a la Big Bash), for those of you looking to keep up your street cred!
£1 on every purchase will go to the club
It would be great if all regular players could get a shirt and cap but, of course, none of this is compulsory

Any questions - feel free to get in touch with Will.

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Celebrating 125 years of cricket

3/7/2017

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This year is the clubs 125th year anniversary so we will have a few things going on to celebrate it.

If there is enough people interested we have an opening fixture on Sunday 23rd between the Saturday and Sunday sides rather than having a game on the Saturday. It will be held at the ground.
Please can anyone interested in playing let myself know ASAP.

Mahesh has organised an Indian touring side to come over on the weekend of 5th & 6th Aug.
The weekend will include a BBQ at the club on Saturday 5th Aug.

East Dean Tour Game is now a home fixture on 28th May,

Old Boys game with 125th Anniversary celebration BBQ is on 9th July,

There will be a number of Surrey CC 20/20 tickets available to club members. Details to be circulated later.
Nets will continue on a Wednesday evenings

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South Bank Cricket Club vs South London Odd Balls CC

6/20/2016

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SBCC Match Report By : Southbank CC
South Bank CC Win by 170 runs19 July 2016
SBCC Versus SOITH LONDON ODD BALLS C.C.
HOME Dulwich Sports Ground, Turney Road
Start Time 1.30pm 40 overs cricket match

South Bank CC Win by 170 runs

With Noticeable batting performances from Pedro 80 , Ben Hayes 45 and Zach Mendelsohn 41.

And Bowling Matt Ireland 8 overs 3 maidens 14 runs 1 wicket
with both Nigel Evans and Murthi collecting 3 Wickets apiece.

And a solid debut by Hamish.

https://southbankcc.play-cricket.com/website/results/4537799

SBCC 365 / 9 (38) SLOBS 85 / 10 (24.5)

SBCC Captain Jon Thornton

SBCC Vice Captain Zach Mendelsohn

#sbcc #southbankcc #slobscc #southlondonoddballscc #2016 #southbankcricketclub #dsg #dulwichsportsground #cricketsouthlondon #SCST #Southwarkcommunitysportstrust #Londoncricket #southbankcricket

https://www.sbcricketclub.co.uk/

SBCC WIN

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South Bank Cricket Club vs Southgate Compton CC

6/20/2016

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South Bank versus Southgate Compton CC
Where: Cockfosters
18th June 2016
40 over game
Weather - overcast and pitch sodden
SCCC won the toss and chose to bowl

Not the best of starts to the pre match. Mil Steyn only got the email saying he was playing that morning that morning and so could only text me that he couldn’t when I was already at the ground (grrr). Matt and Tim were running late (ggrrr) and Australia had just lost the rugby (oh FFS). Southgate won the toss and chose to bowl so at least that took care of problem 2. Dan (C) and Jon opened for us and the Southgate attack was less zingy than Village. Pitch was less zingy and more pudding like too and in accordance with the instructions the openers dug in and served up a solid helping of stodge too. Dan was solid and occasionally fluent- when lancing through the covers especially and Jon was watchful (but oh where is the flowing pull shot of yesteryear?). Left armer Willis got one to shoot low through JD’s defence (b 8) and Simon (J) took his instructions to build a platform very literally - playing the sort of defensive innings that would serve well in a timed game rear guard but less so in a 40 over affair. So not so much building a platform as a mausoleum - SBCC 52-1 at drinks.

After the break Simon cut loose and missed (b off stump Brandon 5). I sent in Will A and he picked up the tempo - finding the rope with lovely crunches through the covers. Dan had slowed from his bright start and was looking to accelerate when he got an lbw that he’d never have given himself (a front foot struck by a ball that even after deflection still missed leg stump lbw Brandon 32). Shortly after Will went down the ground but got under it and Brandon held the skier at mid on (better than a run a ball 21). Simon (M) set off briskly but then played across a straight one (b Khan 5) and 83-5 looked pretty ordinary with just 13 to go. Supersub for the day Dan (V) a Southgate Compton man who came to help us and the skipper then set about trying to build something we could bowl at. We profited from some “it’s only a friendly game” fielding (letting well struck shots go through the man for 4), but also started to find the gaps and with the lush outfield ran some threes that were probably Ok for a man in training for a half marathon but damn near killed me. Dan was strong on the sweep (he later admitted his main/only scoring shot) and I hit the only six of the innings - an on drive that carried the very long long on boundary to appreciative comments from the fielders. Our partnership ended when Dan top edged a sweep to his skipper Ben at mid wicket (b Wallis 29 and hopefully having made a case for selection in his team next week- the partnership worth 60). Big Tim joined and said simply - “I’m gonna tee off” and was, I think, eying a passing BMW over the hedge he was trying to nail when he thrashed at and missed a full one (B Wallis 1). I fell next hitting straight to point and relying on the direct hit missing (it didn’t - 31). The innings was nearly done but there was time just enough for all to get a bat. James Smith was run out in the last over (0) and Matt got to face one ball. He attempted to tw*t it over cover but gave birthday boy Wallis his 3rd and himself an average for the season (5). SBCC all out 154, Michael Mcintyre not out 4.

SCCC bowling
Willis, 8 overs, 2 maidens, 16-1
Arif, 5 overs 16-0
Abbas, 8 overs, 2 maidens, 20-1
Brandon, 4 overs, 20-2
Khan, 6 overs, 1 maiden, 28-1
Wallis, 7 overs, 1 maiden, 26-3
Brazier, 2 overs, 23-0

We returned after a cracking tea (3 desserts- scones, with cream, jam and strawberries, banoffee cake and chocolate cake) with Matt and Tim to try to lead us to our first win of the season against grown ups. It looked pretty good too. Matt was his usual controlled self - luring the skipper to play an ugly mow to leg from a decent off side ball and not quite carrying Dan (V) at mid on (build that case for selection Dan, Shearly b Porter 5). Tim was his usual bundle of Geordie aggression and joined in with a short ball that was top edged off the pull to carry to Matt P at fine leg (good catch making up ground to take it knee height - Walker 7). So 13-2 and Will A turned to me from slip and said maybe this week we’d have a celebratory pint than a consoling one. Southgate showed why they had won their last seven games as Brandon at 3 and Brazier at 4 rallied well. Brandon was strong off his pads and Brazier fond of thrashing through long on or over cover. Will replaced Tim from the cenotaph end and Michael M from the pavilion but despite beating the bat well (Will especially- he kept it outside off and Dave Brandon looked far less assured trying to cut or off drive) the partnership grew and passed 50. At which point it stopped - Dave inside edging a cut onto his stumps (21). They had restored Southgate’s advantage though and at drinks they were 83-3.

After drinks I resolved to run through my shock bowlers from the pavilion while trying to contain from the cenotaph end*. Matt P got another breakthrough when Brazier picked out Tim on the boundary at mid wicket (“Why am I here Mike?” he’d asked moments before he took a brilliant catch over his shoulder running to his left - Brazier 36). Masood and the birthday boy Wallis (turning 18) then rallied again feasting on some nervy stuff from James S, and from Dan’s floaty right arm around (crunched wonderfully through the covers by Wallis). Tim replaced Matt and blasted out Wallis when it ricocheted off his thigh guard into the stumps (b 16) but could get no more. Will replaced Tim but he couldn’t run through the opposition either and was hooked very sweetly by Masood when he strayed short (and through which we lost the match ball for the final time in the hedge and blackberry border). Only about ten runs or so to defend and Michael Mc replaced Dan and got his first when a rank half tracker was planted to Will at deep square leg (he neither moved nor dropped it- Grayson 9). Dan V opined that new man Khan would go long over mid off and I hoped for the miscue and kept Tim up - but he carried big Tim by yards (and would have been safely taken had I followed the intel). So last rites time again and Masood sliced a dreadful heave to leg and it landed safely short of a despairing Matt P at gully, Southgate home by 4 wickets with the cheery Masood not out on 28 and Khan not out 7.+

SBCC bowling
Matt Porter, 8 overs, 33-2
Tim Williams, 8 overs, 2 wicket maidens, 18-2
Will Arnold, 7 overs, 1 maiden, 23-1
Michael McIntyre, 5.4 overs, 32-1
James Smith, 2 overs, 21-0 (most of that in the second over alas)
Dan Cohen, 3 overs, 23-0

We had fought really hard all day and bounced back from our drubbing last week. What was so impressive was that we dropped nothing and held some great catches - it was just that the tickles we needed never came however many times we beat the bat. Southgate were a good outfit who showed why they had won so often- mixing brutal aggression with sensible batting against our best bowlers knowing there were easier pickings on offer. Lovely bunch of lads too and we enjoyed a few very cheap beers (£3 for a pint can you believe and £12 for a jug) before I headed off to take our token supporter (Mrs Dollin aka Crawf) for a meal at recommended curry house Anuraags (garlic chicken as nice as advised). Thanks again to supersub Dan Vanniasingham for playing for us (and buying a jug) and if you are ever at a loose end in South London let us know. We may also get a Sunday game against them next year (if Sir Jon can be persuaded to head that far North).

* Lest people think that I just stand there and ask bowlers to bowl - there is usually a plan.

+ Actually 3 wickets as their number 11 was in a strop for some reason and may well not have batted (he’d changed and declared himself hors de combat). He’d also exhibited some of the strangest behaviour on a field I’ve seen since those classic Mushie Punjabi strops (though to be fair he never sat down with legs crossed like the great man was known to do muttering “joke game man” to himself…)

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South Bank CC versus Village CC 11th June

6/15/2016

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South Bank Cricket Club vs Village CC

Fishpond Fields - Tooting
11th June 2016
40 over game
Weather - muggy, threatening rain and eventually delivering.
SBCC won the toss and chose to bowl

It was a verdant patch of green hidden in the most quotidien of London suburbia but intel from Mark was that the pitch usually wasn’t nice and so I chose to bowl and take advantage of the muggy conditions and whatever juice was in the pitch. Matt P started for us in partnership with Michael McIntyre (not *the* MM fortunately) and both bowled well. They got the batsmen to play and miss, edge past the stumps and edge along the ground. But ‘Bosh’ and Abrar also batted sensibly and when the bad ball came- the odd full toss - they were quick to pounce and smash it away. Matt may have deserved more but ended his initial spell wicket less and in striving for the breakthrough Michael dented his figures (he was 27 off 7 but ended more so). Peretz “Mil Steyn”* replaced Matt and bowled a useful spell but without nipping one out and George’s pace wasn’t enough to force a breakthrough either. At 20 overs “Village” were ominously placed at 97-0, Bosh already at 50.

After the break I called on Will and Dan (“Pirate”+) and nervous exchanges were had between the two otherwise well set batsmen as Will fired up the pace. This injection unsettled the otherwise serene Abrar who on drove powerfully but straight to the man with the safest hands in the team - George (taking a catch a game on average - Abrar b Arnold 46). This brought Tim de Wit to the crease and rather than let him eat up over after over of plays and misses Dan unsportingly (and foolishly) bowled him a straight one (b 0). Bosh was still living up to his nickname but finding things tough again with Will steaming in - he was lucky to survive when he played and missed (again) and it edged the off stump. Fran told a disbelieving Will that the bail had lifted and dropped back perfectly. He added not much more given lbw to a confident Arnold appeal (for a very well put together 68) and we were making inroads. Cressey and de Mellow looked very composed (and readers of Village CC’s website would know that whippet thin left handed de Mellow was in something of a purple patch). They flicked Will’s often leg side bowling well and were just looking like they were going to push the foot down when unexpected things happened. Cressey flicked one down leg side ct Fran moving sharply to his left (b Will 14). De Mellow perished in even unlikelier circumstances - he absolutely smashed Peretz first ball to leg for six and when M Steyn followed up with an absolute piece of filth down leg Toby smashed it straight at the only man within 60 yards - Matt Porter at backward square who held a juggling catch diving to his right (at the 7th attempt). Perhaps the best catch to the worst ball combination ever and De Mellow is no doubt still shaking his head (19). There followed a long rain break that was ended when it lightened enough to get back onto the park so it could get heavy again and ensure we were thoroughly drenched. Despite our “attack” being reduced to off spin (M Steyn pace) we did better in the conditions. Peretz picked up a genuine wicket (bowling Ollie 7) and Matt got a deserved wicket - Nas Siddique clone Naz heaving across the line (b 1). George got some stick in the last (let down by the captain in the deep at one point) and Village just crept past 200 - 204 for 7 with Troja not out 19 and EK not out 11.

SBCC bowling
Matt Porter, 8 overs, 1 maiden, 22-1
Michael Mcintyre, 8 overs 45-0
Peretz Milstein, 8 overs, 8 overs, 44-2
George Rennison, 5 overs, 44-0
Will Arnold, 8 overs, 28-3 (a bloody good spell)
Dan Cohen “Pirate”- 3 overs, 19-1

We returned to sunshine, a drying wicket and a dry outfield and a very good pace attack with run ups unhampered by the downpour we‘d played through (worse luck). Cressey was OK, but skipper “Thomo” Thompson bowled very well. I played on early (the ball trickling into the stumps just enough to dislodge the bail cf above -1) and fellow opener Jon D was eventually undone by a dipping yorker (Thomo 9). Mark and Will rallied for a time but first change was about as useful as the openers. Naz bowled off 3 paces but as pacily as Thomo and EK varied off breaks with the slingy faster ball. Slingy faster ball that straightened from leg undid Mark (kept low too b 17) and an under edged pull saw off Will (b Naz 8 “great length“ apparently). Fran was digging in but then straight drove off Naz to Naz (ct and b 4). Debutant Simon James showed application to Woodhouse (“Louse“) a Yorkshire leg spinner but then darted down the wicket to be stumped and bring him to 99 victims for the Village. Dan inside edged a quick one from Naz (b 7) and at 56-7 things were looking rocky. Last man who might Michael Mc hit his first six off charming Aussie Troja and showed good intent against the man most likely to get to a hundred (I thought as I contemplated our three specialist number 11s present today and only Ranj missing to make it the full house). To be fair to the Louse his 100th wicket was not one of this fabulous trio but Michael Mc- edging to the keeper in what seemed like super slow mo (16). George gave him his 101st - dancing down the wicket in uncharacteristic and unwise mode - b 2. Last rites time and Peretz faced up to Naz having been left with this duty when Troja failed to bowl a straight one to Matt P. Naz did not repeat this and P failed to quite get the bat down in time (about 3 seconds too slow- b 0). Southbank all out for (ahem) 73 and Matt left high and dry (again) on 1. One day - like McGrath - his day will no doubt come.

Village CC bowling
Cressey, 5 overs, 1 maiden, 15-0
Thompson, 6 overs, 3 maidens, 9-2
EK, 4 overs, 12-1
Naz, 5.4 overs, 2 maidens, 12-4
Woodhouse, 5 overs, 14-3
Troja, 3 overs, 2 maidens, 4-0

If last week was the hardest defeat to take this week was the heaviest, and though we probably didn’t get the breaks we’d have needed more than breaks to beat that team. The figures for Matt and Will showed the way and we may yet give them pause when they are back at ours in July but we’ll also need to bat far better to give them a game.

Still they were happy and I took a picture for them as they celebrated their longest winning streak and holding the centurion in the air length wise. But the spirit of the day is perhaps best captured by a quote from that great Australian batsman Warwick Todd:

“People may complain about how hard we play on the field, but you should know that after a long day of conflict on it me and Nasser both left the field and had a beer. Not together obviously.”

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South Bank CC versus Spencer CC Turney Rd 21st April 2016

6/1/2016

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South Bank CC versus Spencer CC
Dulwich Sports Ground, Turney Rd
21st April 2016
40 over game
Weather - brass monkey weather
Spencer won the toss and chose to bat.

“On days like these, I wonder why we start in April…

Spencer won the toss and chose to bat with little hesitation - an ominous sign. Ben opened from the Pavilion end and Matt Porter from the MP memorial. Spencer’s opening duo were aggressive and keen to get on and our first wicket came from a mistimed on drive- Nariq hitting Ben with an on drive that carried as far as George who took his first catch for South Bank CC in his first game (12). Ben got the other opener Ponsonby when he flashed hard and edged to Trav who held a catch (mark really) to his shoulder at gully (15). Sid replaced Matt and bowled very well - air and turn and it was a dipping full toss that did for Willmer (b playing over the top - 13). He quickly followed up with another full ball that hit Fawden in front and on the front foot - no mercy lbw 0. 60 odd for 4 and in trouble and should have been more so when number 3 James edged off Dan to me low and I thought yes we are in. Except Dan’s right arm round had obscured the umpire’s view (he said). And James was playing in front of Daddy and he “wasn’t sure” he’d edged it. What he was sure about was having to go and sit down when he fancied getting a ton. And that was that. Spencer have a bit of a record on this and what we needed was Sean Keaton’s white hot fire of indignation and what we got was my “come on let’s get on with it”.

On with it we went and James gave another chance - a skier that Trav got under running back from gully and then spilled it having made the hard yards. Trav winkled out Burd with an edge to Jim at slip (12) and Shak went for a dance down to Sid and was stumped/run out by me for 7. But James, having rode and in effect made his own luck, batted very sensibly and particularly powerfully through the covers and batted in a way that would have been deserving of more praise had circumstances been different (I.e. had he not been a cheat). Pickles added oomph at the end of the innings in partnership with James and Spencer tucked into the bowling of George, Jim and the returning openers and pushed to 221. A frustrating score as for most of the innings 150 seemed a more likely tally. James got a begrudging slow clap from some of us - led by me.

South Bank CC bowling
Ben Hayes, 8 overs, 1 maiden, 40-2
Matt Porter, 8 overs, 1 maiden, 34-0
Stephen Barker, 8 overs, 40-1
Ojha, 8 overs, 1 maiden, 38-3
Dan Cohen, 2 overs, 19-0
George Rennison, 4 overs, 32-0
Jim Gant, 2 overs, 15-0

Over tea there was much discussion about the score and grumbling about the way it was acquired and that this notwithstanding there was a general feeling that we had a good batting line up and could make a good fist of it. Spencer had other ideas though and bowled a tight controlling line that kept us thoroughly pinned down and behind the rate. JT’s long vigil ended with a Hussein fast full one (b 8) and Jim prospered for a time with debutant opener Mark (showing his class with powerful drives through the covers). There was a mix up though and Jim found himself on a tight run that left him short (8) though suggesting it would’ve needed a video review to be sure, and Pedro followed almost immediately - awkwardly spearing a full toss to carry easily to cover from a leading edge (b Hussein 0). I joined Mark at first change and well set he looked to get after the slower bowler but it nipped through the gate to his flashing off drive (b Aqib 27). I was never comfortable and played one to leg that was too straight (no mercy - lbw Aqib 2) and things started to accelerate downhill pretty sharpish with our most prolific blades back in the pavilion. Dan dug in briefly for a long duck (ct I can’t now recall how b Aqib) and George batted only for a short duck (b Aqib). Ben played a couple of nice shots but couldn’t stop the rot, let alone pick up the rate to the fanciful 12-13 an over we by then needed. He was ct off Farukhi (12) and Trav was likewise dismissed (a slightly miscued off drive - b Farukhi again 7). It just remained for Sid to have a wild dart at Farukhi to be stumped for 1 to leave Matt with all the promise and none of the glory not out 1. Southbank had capitulated to 75 all out in just over 30 overs.

Spencer CC bowling
Glover, 5 overs, 1 maiden, 11-0
Pickles, 8 overs, 18-0
Hussein, 4 overs, 1 maiden, 14-2
Farukhi, 7.2 overs, 3 maidens, 19-3
Aqib, 6 overs, 1 maiden, 8-4 (these seem scarcely credible he didn’t seem that good but we certainly made him look so).

A thorough spanking and but for Brims and Fran that was one of the strongest batting line ups we can put out. All turned on the centurion but that is just sour grapes really. They batted better, bowled better and fielded better and deserved to win (though perhaps not by such a whopping margin). Great start to the season - cold and thrashed- at least it didn’t rain.

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South Bank CC versus London Itinerants Barnes Common 28th May 2016

6/1/2016

4 Comments

Barnes Common

South Bank versus London Itinerants
Barnes Common,
28th May 2016,
35 over game,
Weather - sunny,
Itinerants won the toss and chose to bowl.

Back to 11 men this week though as light on batting this week as we were light on bowling last. Our problems though were as nought to those of the Dodfather’s - down to 9 that morning and as it happened the 9th never showed either. So he borrowed Santha’s oldest boy Abhilesh and a fielder from us on rotation and started with ‘Chaos’ and ‘TFL’ two words that often go together. Both used the pitch well - not that the pitch played well. The bounce was erratic and yet consistently awful - the pitch soft and yielding more than the usual number of pea rollers and shooters. It took me 3 overs to get off the mark and while Dan looked more fluent he was also the first to fall - bowled by a low slinging ball (off “Chaos” Wilson 7). Jon Dyson at 3 made the right noises about covering up but got across too far when he tried to keep out Davis and was adjudged plum (b “TfL” - 1). Santha Kumar was playing his first innings in England and didn’t have the time to get accustomed to the difference between Chennai and SW London. He played over a low full toss and edged onto his stumps (Chaos- 0). Things didn’t get much better when George came out- he saw off Chaos but then played expansively off Geordie Al and it nipped back through the gate (more a barn door for width- b 1). So things were looking pretty hairy when Mahesh joined me - 56-4 off 16. Mahesh was not fazed though and picked up his first ball (a chest high beamer from Geordie Al) and planted it over the very long square leg boundary for six. We tried to reconstruct the innings and hitting the ball well (and calling atrociously) and it was a surprise when Staples (on when Chaos finished his spell) got a thick edge from Mahesh’s off drive and it sailed high to backward point (well held - Mahesh 13). Dave Dawkins played a trademark back foot off drive, where the pitch needed front foot play and was bowled second ball (Staples again- 0). 79-6 off 21 and Southbank in a mess of trouble with just Michael Mcintyre between the Itinerants and our 3 number 11s in Matt, Ranj and Peretz.

Fortunately Michael showed a solid defence getting right across and getting the bat down to avoid the lbw. He supported me as I started to reap the reward of patiently building to 50 and now being able to get stuck into Itinerant’s 4 and 5th bowlers. Walker “Flakey” bowled medium pace but too many full tosses and they went back the way they had come though covers and the slow bowling trio of Abi, “Dodfather” and “Barbarossa” were regularly dispatched to and over the boundary (the skipper Dodman most often - conceding 22 off one over). Michael was scoring more freely too- especially working the ball fine and square but when they brought back Geordie Al he got one through the gate (b 20). Not quite a hundred partnership but a magnificent pairing and just after this I biffed one down the ground to give my first chance (on 97) thankfully Abi dropped it and a flick to leg later and I’d made another hundred against my favourite attack (3 not out tons in a row against these guys). Matt and I scampered and stole our way to a few more off the last 3 but couldn’t quite surge to 200 (Simon the Pirate aka Barbarossa bowled a tight last over conceding only 1 boundary) and SBCC closed on 188-7 me on 113* and Matt on 1*.So about a par score and something to bowl at.

Itinerants bowling
“chaos” Davis 7 overs, 3 maidens 9-2
“TFL” Wilson, 6 overs, 1 maiden, 31-1
“Geordie Al” Hutchinson, 7 overs, 1 maiden, 30-2
Abi Kumar 1 over, 0-8
Staples, 5 overs 23-2
“flakey” Walker, 5 overs, 32-0
“Dodfather” Dodman, 2 overs, 31-0
Barbarossa (with his own theme tune- “Simon the pirate, de do do” to the tune of 7 nation army. My god the man has two nicknames) 2 overs, 0-14

A tea seemingly sponsored by Tesco later (judged by the amount of products on offer from same) we walked out to defend our total against a strong Itinerant batting line up. Flakey and the Dodfather found he going tough from Porter (Barnes end) and Ranjan (from the railway end) as both made good use of the latest version of the match ball - a rough and much battered 3rd edition of same (the others swallowed by the boundaries the way out of bounds scrub claims golf balls). Ranj got Dodfather- a straight one missed and rightly lbw (3). CJ came in at 3 and looked scratchy (as he does) but then settled and seemed ominously hard to shift. Peretz came on and was rewarded for good bowling by getting a wicket with a bad one - Flakey pulling straight to George at square leg (the big man taking a great catch moving to his right - 14). Michael replaced Matt and was a very useful addition to the attack- getting a play and miss or two and nearly nabbing CJ who cut hard and Peretz and Gully got a hand on it diving to his left but could only parry it down. More successful was when he got Geordie Al to top edge over the keeper- and I nabbed it cycling back behind Mahesh (Al -4). When Peretz bowled Davis (“Chaos“) who chopped on playing back to a full ball (4), Itinerants were 77-4 at 18 and we were well in the game.

But CJ was still there and ably abetted by Staples they set about pushing on with the chase. Peretz and Michael contained them to the rate but at second change things started to slip. Santha bowled ok off breaks but was not supported in the field- a punch to cover beat the fielder and went for four (ought to have been 1) and the next ball was smashed past point for another 4. Dave “Golden boots” Dawkins bowled two good overs and his third started to slip. A couple of full tosses went sailing away to square leg. But he finished strong and I gave him a fourth which was alas a disaster. Despite picking up Staples at cover he went for 25 and I had to return to Ranj and Matt to try to break things up as the Itinerants had rocketed to 166-6 with 6 to go. Abi played well and smacked a couple of fours through the covers and was unlucky when CJ called him on a suicide single to cover (even my arm beat him and Mahesh broke the stumps -10). Ranj and Matt built some pressure but Itinerants found regular release- Simon the Pirate (de do doo) planted Matt over his head for four and CJ just cleared the fingertips of the ill fated Dawkins at mid off. Dan needed to defend 6 off the second to last and conceded a boundary early in the over. Then CJ lamped the ball to cow where Santha had been placed for the eventuality but he’d drifted* 3 yards off the cone marking the boundary and in backpedaling slightly spilled it and past the rope it went for the winning runs and his century. A fitting reward for his effort- he was often troubled but never flustered and deserved his ton.

South Bank CC bowling
Matt Porter, 7 overs, 24-0
Ranjan Bhattacharyya, 7 overs, 1 maiden, 23-1
Simon Mcintrye, 6 overs, 23-1
Peretz Milstein, 7 overs, 35-2
David Dawkins, 4 overs, 45-1
Kumar (S), 2 overs, 23-0
Dan Cohen, 1 over, 9-0

Another disappointing loss but Itinerants have always been a strong batting line up and have pushed us close when we had posted larger totals. That said, we fielded well for the most part (Mahesh’s keeping especially) and if I had stopped Dave after his two good overs and bowled George (he bowled very well for Dodgers on Sunday) maybe we could have clung on for the win. Still all of it paled into irrelevance as we sank pints of mad goose at the Sun Inn in Barnes as the sun went down and reminisced and thought that there are worse things in life than losing a cricket game.

* Aficionados of village cricket memoirs will know this is called stone drifting and there is no known cure.

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