Another Saturday, another game for the might of Stone CC – the season is drawing to a close, and we are looking to end on a high. After picking up the newly-married Benty at Northfleet Sainsbury’s, we set off in the direction of Upchurch. After navigating our way through the country roads, we found ourselves at an impressive set up – two pitches and an impressive clubhouse (Paul was already taking advantage of the facilities, ahem 😊). I parked my car at cow corner for the first team pitch, but luckily for me, two people parked in front to protect my 12 year old Qashqai from any slog., Many thanks whoever you are!
After finding our changing facilities, Rossington won the toss and asked Upchurch to bat. It was down to myself and Benty to open the bowling. Benty bowled well without any luck as the pitch was slow and sluggish… I started reasonably well and managed to make the breakthrough, bowling the opener after one cut in as he attempted a cut shot. In my next over, I trapped the Number 3 lbw, and nearly the Number 4 next ball, but a slight inside edge saved him. He would prove to be a bit of a pain as he finished 69 not out. Benty was replaced by Ram after 5 wicketless overs, while I was replaced by Kuldeep after bowling three full tosses in a row that got dispatched to the boundary. Both of the new bowlers remained wicketless though as a dangerous partnership built that took them to 100-2 with around 20 overs remaining.
Bukkan replaced Ram & Shreyas replaced Kuldeep as Rossington turned to youth and asked them to show their respective fathers how it’s done. Shreyas struck first ball to remove the remaining opener for 55 as he top edged one to me at backward square leg and I managed to cling on at the second attempt. Bukkan bowled well but struggled with a couple of no-balls that affected his confidence a little. Shreyas then induced an edge behind which Stumpy juggled but managed to cling on to this week! The run rate was healthy as Upchurch continued the charge, and Shreyas was replaced by “one ball Paul” who didn’t disappoint by bowling a filthy wide long hop that the batsman dabbed into Stumpy’s grateful mits. Last minute sub Karthik(thanks Ram!) came onto bowl and was unlucky not to get an lbw shout in his favour after a stiff couple of deliveries. Paul picked up another couple of wickets to finish with 3-14 and Upchurch ultimately finished on 203-7.
After an amazing tea, and a presentation to the tea lady of Upchurch (by them, not us…), we set about trying to chase down 204 to secure victory. The newfound partnership of Rossington & Kuldeep set about the chase with gusto… After a couple of trademark drives from Rossington, he perished for 16 with the score on 43. Double O Dino came in at Number 3 and perished shortly after, as did Ram, both of whom failed to trouble the scorers. During the drinks break, Kuldeep made the fatal mistake of checking the scorebook to see what he was on, and one ball later he was caught at slip for a well made 44. Meanwhile we were falling behind the run rate as we reached 73-4. Benty and Karthik try to up the rate, but Benty goes for 12 and Karthik follows shortly after for 5. We are sinking slowly and quietly, unlike the game on the other pitch which is building up to some sort of exciting finish, although we all agree that, after hearing some ropey sledging, that’s not our style! Stumpy is quietly going about his business as first Shreyas and then Bukkan perish quickly to leave us 127-8 and needing about 12 an over! I join Stumpy before he slaps a filthy full toss straight to cover and then Paul is cleaned up off his second ball to bring our inning to a close on 138. We didn’t play that badly as the scoreline suggests – we leaked a few too many runs, but they were just the better side who have ambitions to join the league next year. After a drink in the bar and a good ol’ chat, we bid Upchurch a farewell and depart home to lick our wounds. On to next week whoever that is to hopefully return to winning ways after four losses on the spin… I’m out.
– Richard