Morden Corinthians 2nd Friendly Side vs Epsom Methodists
Home - Raynes Park pitch 1(!!!)
Saturday 15th September 2007

Lost by 7 wickets [Opposition match report]

The final game. One last chance to salvage some pride from a season which has yielded just 2 wins in a long, long, long campaign. And we're up against Epsom Methodists (having played them twice this season, the record is one win each). Surely one last effort would yield a happy end to the season?

Preparations were interrupted early on by first the loss of John Lepp due to a domestic incident, luckily a late replacement was found in league superstar Kaleem Ahmed who agreed to fill in at short notice. Then we realise the Southall Two are missing. Raj and Vikram were making their way across by public transport and were duly delayed.

Captain Cliffo either won or lost the toss and was inserted, thank God as we only had 7 players around when Hemant and Theo strode to the crease to open up.

The early signed were good, as Hament confidentally flicked Pennock for four through midwicket off of the first ball. This was a false dawn of sorts, as MCCC inched their way to 32 without loss before losing Theo caught going for the big one. No problem, in strides league superstar Kaleem. Big things were expected..... 7 plays and misses later, he finally middles one. Straight to midwicket. Oh dear.

41-1 quickly becomes 41-3 as vice-captain Cotter takes a big slog as his first ball and picks out mid on. Things took an all too familiar turn from here on, Girish briefly joined his brother at the crease, but Hament soon departed. Tom Compton and Vivek didn't hang around for long either. Raj Sharma got a wrong 'un soon after from Theo "Venkat" Moore. 49-7 and enter the skipper.

Cliffo and Girish mounted a rally of sorts. Girish playing the watchful role, with Cliffo initially playing himself in then starting to launch his usual array of edges and slogs. This cameo was short lives as he played all around a straight one and lost his off stump. Vikram came and went quickly leaving Fergal to play a heroic last man's role (0 off 15 balls) to accompany Girish.

Morden limped to 94 all out. Disappointing doesn't even begin to describe it.

After a very good tea and a celebratory shot of Sambuca for Fergal, we took to the field.

With 94 to defend, attacking field settings were the order of the day. The skipper hurtled in as fast as his lanky frame would allow him (ie not very) and along with Raj, Girish, Kaleem and Vikram we put up a damn good fight.

Epsom were clearly in no mood to gift us a route back into the game, but equally Morden fielded with the sort of purpose and commitment that had been lacking in a few games this season. It took Epsom 34.3 overs to chase down our 95 runs. Wickets for the old Bishopshalt school trio of Clifford, Sharma and Sangar. Kaleem Ahmad bowled outstandingly well but without luck. He actually denied himself a plumb lbw by following through directly into the umpire's eye-line!

All in all, a great bowling performance but not for the first time we were left rueing a batting collapse!

Man of the match
Girish Patel

Monty moment
Vikram "Late" Sangar losing the ball in the sun and making no effort to take a simple looking chance off of Kaleem.

Jonty moment
An outstanding reflex catch by Girish Patel off of Raj

Stats

Hemant Patel ct Morris b MacIntyre 3x4 24(55)
Theo Moore ct ? b MacIntyre 1x4 9 (33)
Kaleem Ahmad ct ? b Morris 0 (8)
Ewan Cotter ct ? b Morris 0 (1)
Girish Patel NOT OUT 0x4 26 (52)
Tom Compton ct ? b Morris 0 (5)
Vivek Sarohia ct wkt b MacIntyre 0 (2)
Raj Sharma lbw b Morris 0 (5)
Brian Clifford b Pennock 2x4 15 (22)
Vikram Sangar b Knapper 0 (2)
Fergal Diver b Yelland 0 (15)

Extras (nb1, w13, b1, lb5) 20

Total 94


Bowling
Brian Clifford 8-3-9-1
Raj Sharma 8-1-36-1
Kaleem Ahmad 8-4-12-0
Girish Patel 6-2-11-0
Vikram Sangar 5.3-0-16-1

Catches
Vikram Sangar
Girish Patel