Sunday June 21, 2009

Coopers v Fulmer Saturday June 20th

Fulmer 226-5 bt Coopers 103 all out by 123 runs

With our scheduled opponents pulling out, Di put in some great work to find us a match at 48 hours notice. It was an awayday at the splendid ground of Coopers CC in the forest of Ashridge just north of Berkhampstead, and the result made for a memorable afternoon as Fulmer enjoyed their best win of the campaign. 

On paper we had a formidable batting line-up, and so it proved on a cool and overcast day, more like autumn than midsummer. The convoy that left KGF had disintegrated inside 5 miles, as each driver took his own route to the ground. Nick Box in the fastest car, having borrowed Dad’s Merc, took the honours for arriving last by some margin.  

As a consequence, after we won the toss and elected to bat, Tony King found himself pushed up to open with Prash. The sides took to the field with whispers that Coopers had been dismissed for just 13 (!) the week before. After a cautious couple of overs Prash and then Tony began to motor along at four an over before Prash fell for 24. Tony started to drive the ball down the ground with all the fluency and authority of last season, and joined by the elegant Shayam it was soon clear Fulmer were set for a big score.  

Straight after drinks Tony was cruelly run out on 50 when a stinging drive from Shayam was deflected by the bowler onto the stumps with Tony 2 yards down the pitch. Shell shocked, he walked slowly off with the air of a Roman Emperor defeated on the field of battle by a stray arrow. 

But when Nicky Box joined his buddy Shayam the tempo really picked up and Fulmer cruised past 200 from their 40 overs, Shayam top scoring with a classy 70 and Nick notching 46. 

The bowlers then completed the job as Coopers never threatened to make a game of it. Krishan, in only his 2^nd game, started the slide with accurate medium pace that brought him 3 wickets. Mark Overall overcame a ragged first over to finish with 3-19, career best figures for him. Shayam’s leg spin was too good for the middle order as he too chipped in with three wickets, while Mark Denness and captain Colly had one each.  

Capping a great personal performance, alongside his welcome return to form with the bat, was a truly stunning catch from Tony K. Flinging himself full length at short mid-wicket, his one handed take to a full-blooded drive will become the stuff of legend for the 10 lucky enough to be able to say in future years, “I was there…” 

Hail Caesar!