Crossbats v MCCC, Saturday 9 April CORINTHIANS CAST AGAINST TYPE
By Andy 'Saturday Skip' Fletcher
There are many certainties in the life of a Morden Corinthian. A boundary
walk with Graham Pinkney, a shout of 'scoreboard please' from the middle, a batting
collapse when not making the total seemed harder than making it, and defeat
at Crossbats on the opening day of the season to name but a few. In recent
years, the traditional curtain-raiser has been more of a procession, practice
in how not to play for the rest of the season.
With low expectations in low temperatures, MCCC won the toss and elected
to field. Corinthian debuts were handed to David Underwood and Gerry Coetzer
who were to make a sizable impact. First David, bowling an opening spell
that the skipper dreams of: tight, imaginative and quick. He was rewarded
with three wickets, including the huge dismissal of the opener Collier who,
having pummelled the MCCC attack in recent years, had signalled his intentions
by lofting a six clean into someon's garden over mid-wicket in the second
over. He was ably supported by Jess Sharling who tightened up after some
early inconsistence.
Vic Luis pitched in with two good wickets in a useful spell and Graham Pinkney
did it again, rolling back the years with a mesmerising 4-18 from 7 excellent
overs. Gerry's two overs gave a signal of what was to come this season and
by the time Majid Rafiq removed the consistent Chance for 20, Crossbats
had been dismissed for 73.
Soup to wam the soul at tea and then the reply. A promising start by Steve
Herat and Mark Bartram before Steve edged behind for 13. Sam Cope didn't
hang about, dispelling any nerves with a fine 37, remaining unbeaten with
Mark who made a steady, solid 24.
A nine wicket win. Few in the visitors changing room could believe it. As
I pondered whether there really are any certainties in life, I was instructed
on a bondary walk with the man of the hour. Some things will never change....
