MCCC v's Reigate Priory 5th XI @ Friends Provident Ground, Dorking - Match result WON

This weekend found MCCC having such a shortage of players that one match on the weekend had to be cancelled. The only game being played was against Reigate Priory fifths on the beautiful Friends Provident ground in Dorking. With the usual Saturday Skipper and his deputies not available, Imran Ahmad found himself back at the helm. Damish Umar was making his MCCC debut on this occassion.

The weather was a warm 25c with only sparse cloud crossing the Surrey hills. The match format was a strange one - 40 overs a side, but with no limit on bowling. Imran Ahmad won the toss and put Reigate into bat. At the same venue last year, MCCC found themselves bowled out cheaply. So we thought let's try and chase the runs this time. It's something we have been doing well under the direction Andy Fletcher this year. 

Opening the MCCC bowling attack, was Rajesh Ganesh from the Box Hill end, partnered by Tush, from the Friends Provident end. Rajesh got into the groove immediately moving the ball off the seam. The first wicket to fall was off the 2nd ball of the game, when the Reigate opener playing onto the wicket from a good length ball delivered by Rajesh. The other opening batter was soon walking back to the pavilion after being well caught near the extra cover boundary by debutant Damish Umar from bowling of Tush. This early wicket for Tush really gave him confidence after his bowling spell on the previous week.

Bowling with good speed, Tush took another 3 wickets including a couple of vicious yorkers taking those stumps out. The other wicket was a sharp catch by Brian "The Gazelle" Douglass at gully. With the bowlers keep a tight line, the captain could afford to set only 2 leg side fielders with everyone else on the off side. The attacking field placement paid off when Reigate tried to steal a quick single, Johno fired in a sharp return throw to Tush. This was turning out to be a promising start for MCCC whilst Reigate was loosing wickets at regular intervals without scoring rapidly.

It was almost the 20th over before the first bowling change. Krishna Murali was the first change to come on. Krishna's quicker ball was a wonder to watch whilst Reigate was finding the going tough with 2 quick LBW's. Krishna wrapped up the Reigate Priory innings on 92. Tony Hammond taking a dolly catch at mid off.

Opening the batting for MCCC was the in-form Johno Petit and Darmish Umar. After a brisk start and some flashy shots from both openers, Darmish was first to go when a yorker squeezed through from the steady bowling of Azher. Brian was in at number 3 to settle things down playing conservatively. Reigate's Azher carried on his fine line trapping Brian Douglass leg before after one kept low. Johno fell soon after from a full length ball taking out his off stump. By this stage MCCC had managed to keep the score ticking over. Next up was Imran at batting at number 5. Richard Spencer became Azher’s 4th victim with another full length ball getting through the defences. MCCC were starting to wobble! Ali Heart came in number 6, hitting some quick runs including big six over extra cover. With the victory in sight the skipper didn’t want to waste too much time but sadly gave his wicket away with the MCCC score on 88. Ali Herat lead us home scoring the winning runs with a boundary.

For the record
Toss won by MCCC
Game Format: 40 overs per side with no limits on bowling
Pitch Conditions: Flat, with a bit of green. Outfield lush green falling away on one side.






MCCC Squad (batting order)
1. Johno Petit, 2. Damish Umar 3.Brian Douglass 4.Richard Spencer 5. Imran Ahmad (Captain) 6. Ali Herat 7. Tony Hammond (Wkt). 8.Krishna Murali 9. Steve Vickery 10. Rajesh Ganesh 11. Tush Wadha

Saturday 3rd July 2004
MCCC v's Old Manhattans (Home Fixture 40 overs a side)
By David O'Brien

An embarrassing chain of events preceded this weekends fixture against Old Manhattans of Surbiton. Firstly we did not sufficiently check the standard of the pitch and secondly we started with only six players as most had been stranded by the ineptitude of the London Underground system. As we began the game the pitch was in a poor state with water seeping out of the ground as pressure was exerted. Winning the toss the opposition was put into bat and a tight opening spell from Graham Pinckney allowed Morden to exert early pressure. As new players arrived the skipper removed himself from the attack and finally we began to take control. Krishnan, Vic Luis and Imran made significant in roads in to the manhattan top order. Top quality slow bowling enabled us to restrict the opposition to 95 off of the first 32 overs. As the skipper bought himself back into the attack Old Manhattans took advantage and with a final flourish finished the game on 140.

The Morden innings started badly with Mark Bartram caught in the first over looking to hit the opening bowler out of the attack. Morden then gained control with the technically good Abdul and imposing Imran. Both players took Morden to the verge of victory with Abdul out in the forties and Imran making 52. After a slight wobble in batting the Skipper redeemed himself after his poor bowling and smashed a quick fire 17 to lead Morden to victory. Good fielding, excellent bowling and strong batting ensured a very satisfying victory well done to all players even those who were late!








MCCC Team
David O'Brien (Captain), Mark Bartram, Abdul Hussain, Vic Luis, Krishna Murali, Tony Hammond, Graham Pinkney, Steve O'Neil, Steve Vickery, Richard Spencer, Imran Ahmad