Saturday 9th Aug MCCC v's Fleet CC Corinthians sweat it out for a win.
Win by 5 wickets.

If ever there was a toss to win, this was it, on a scorcher of a Saturday afternoon with temperature hitting the 90's. However, we found ourselves taking the field first (were we mad?). Vic and Jess opened the MCCC attack, keeping it tight as per the skipper’s orders. After 10 overs, Fleet had progressed to a steady 31 without loss. A bowling change saw Vic Luis replaced by older brother Edgar. This change immediately paying dividends with 2 wickets 6 balls, the second of which was a stunning catch by the safe hands of Brian "The Gazelle" Douglass. Another wicket fell in a simple run out and Fleet found themselves 48-3 off 15 overs. David O'Brien, arriving late from the pub chipped in with a couple of wickets of the Middle order assisted by some good catching from Vic Sharma and Graham Pinkney respectively.

Fleet then recovered, as MCCC started to feel the heat and boy was it hot! We must have been mad to play in this kind of weather. Graham started his spell with a typical mean line and length. However, the Fleet captain (Goodsell) came in to rally his boys and built a solid partnership with the number four bat, Batchelor. The runs had started to flow freely and I failed to hold onto a sharp chance at midwicket. Fortunately, Graham again came up trumps ably assisted by Steve Herat behind the sticks to take a stumping. The Fleet Skipper was on his way back and the tail failed to wag when Vic Luis came on for his second spell. The Fleet boys collapsed from 129-5 to 144 all out. We had given 29 extras away! Could this be crucial?

A sumptuous tea provided by our very own Viv Sharma gave us brief respite and a chance to rest under a shade of a tree. Viv and Steve Herat opened the innings. In particular, Viv was a joy to watch, with his orthodox batting style applied
in a positive manner took full advantage of the attacking field. The first wicket partnership was worth a very decent 39 runs with Viv Sharma the first to depart on 15. Brian got into double figures in brisk fashion but was well caught off a half chance. Next up was Majid Rafiq, who's already had a stonker of a season with the bat. He smacked a 50 runs of 33 balls to bring MCCC to the verge winning with Edgar polishing of the final few runs in next-to no time.

Another fine result on our debut home game on Wandsworth Common. Thanks for everyone’s efforts in the extreme heat. Lets finish the season with a flourish!

MCC Bowling (Overs/maidens/runs/wickets)
V. Luis 7.1-1-17-2
Sharling 5-1-9-0
O'Brien 7-1-37-2
E. Luis 8-0-25-2
Pinkney 7-0-25-1
Imran 2-0-6-0
O'Neal 2-0-8-1

Saturday 2nd Aug MCCC V's Blackheath Select Won by 91 Wons

We were back at Blackheath this Saturday, for a conference fixture. It's normally a evenly fought game and today was no different. This was a 40 over game
and after winning the toss I decided to put us into bat. The weather was very sunny and hot with very few clouds overhead and little or no breeze.

It was a slow start with ony 25 runs coming from the first 10 overs. The pitch at the Civil Service ground was giving an inconsistent bounce making it hard work. The Blackheath opening attack kept a consistent line and length. Andy Fletcher was first to return after being run out after a late call by Steve O'Neil. Brian at 3 immediatly got the run rate back up. However, as Brian was looking to really progress he was bowled with one that cut in dramatically, clipping off stump. A late change in the batting order saw the Jess Sharling take the number four slot as his no-nonsense swash buckling style was required as he run rate was hitting the buffers. As widly predicted Jess didn't hang about and was out bowled on 3. Next up was Majid. Steve O'Neil who's timing looked very off had progressed to a respectable 25 but was then bowled.

All of a sudden there were 2 new batsmen in - Majid and Viv Sharma. Viv Sharma fresh from some coaching at the Oval was putting his newly acquired technique into practice. Majid was being kept off strike whilst Viv held down one end. The problem was the overs were ticking over but the scoreboard wasn't. By 20 overs we were 72-2 and at 30 over mark we progressed to 108-4. With plenty of wickets in hand we really needed to go after the Blackheath bowling. Viv was starting to find his range with classic leg-side shots. Majid still wasn't getting much strike. Viv sportingly retired on 41 to allow the skipper to come in for the last couple of overs in the innings. Majid got his 50 and finished the Morden innings in style with a 6. The last over yielded 17 runs pushing the final score to a respectable 188 for 4.

After consuming too much quality ginger cake at tea MCCC took the field. David O'Brien and Jess Sharling opening the attack. Both were instructed to keep it tight which they did. In 2nd over number the key wicket was taken. Amoulis who has always damaged us in the past holed out to point, after crap a ball from Jess! All of a sudden the game was heading our way. David in his openining spell was unlucky not taking a wicket but held back for later. First change was Vic who bowled well, really keeping the run rate under control. A brilliant catch, diving forward at gully by Majid got Morden the other vital wicket. The big man, Mr. Pinkney then came on to clear up with 4 wickets. Imran filling the gap at one end got a couple wickets. David O'brien claimed the final scalp to give MCCC a great win. The last 5 wickets fell for 6 runs. Thanks to everyones efforts. A true team performance from everyone in all departments.

MCC Bowling (Overs/maidens/runs/wickets)
O'Brien 5.5-1-18-1 (1 wide)
Sharling 6-3-14-1
Luis 8-5-11-2 (2 wides)
Rafiq 8-2-29-0
Pinkney 6-2-17-4
Ahmad 2-0-4-2