Addiscombe 1stXI suffer their first defeat of the season

Streatham & Marlborough CC v Addiscombe CC

Streatham & Marlborough CC – 146 all out (42.2 Overs)
Addiscombe CC – 140 all out (46.4 Overs)
Streatham & Marlborough CC win by 6 runs

This week saw the 1st XI make a short journey to Streatham looking to make it 4 wins from 4. The sun was shining and the A’s morale was high after a perfect start to the season. None were however happier than David Roche who was so happy that he would not be keeping.

Lewis Noble was captain for this fixture and fresh from his toast on eggs could not decide what to do if he won the toss. With his brain ticking into overdrive Streatham won the toss and decided to have a bat.

Panic then set in as our keeper Adie Monk was nowhere to be seen. Roche’s happiness was short lived and he was forced to start behind the sticks.

Addiscombe opened up with James Ramsey and Charlie Foden. The A’s fielding with 10 men were made to pay early on for being short as Antony Starnes shelled his fourth catch in his three games. It would have been straight down his throat if we had 11 men.
Adie then arrived and was quickly changed and onto the pitch. His excuse was that he thought it was a 12 meet. Clearly had been drinking too much wine in Italy. He was swiftly told about the dropped catch.
Addiscombe did not have to wait too long for their first wicket. The opener had clearly seen Lewis Noble’s hit video and decided to leave a straight one from Charlie. 21-1
With Starnes given the nod to warm up and with that Ramsey decided to get smashed on to the club house and lose the new ball which was beginning to hoop. The home team unable to provide any good balls we turned to Baz who gave us a ball that would go on to work wonders. Starnes then replaced Ramsey.
Charlie was the man who got the next wicket for Addiscombe. Bowling the other opener. Streatham were now 58-2. He could have been out earlier though had Dan not dropped the easiest catch you would ever see. After taking his wicket Charlie was unceremoniously taken off and replaced by Barry Lineker. Conspiracy…
Barry started off his usual self, hooping the ball and it was not long before the wicket fell. With an outside edge we saw a catch from Lewis Noble, at gully, that would rival Ben Stokes. Diving one handed to his right in true goalkeeper-esque form. 73-3.
Barry was then the man again to pick up a wicket. Nicking off the batsman to Antony Starnes to take his first catch of the season. 83-4
Starnes was fired up after giving away a no ball that hit the batsmen on the leg. New rules for different bowlers apparently.
Bowling his usual line and length with the ball swinging miles he was the next one to pick up a wicket. Trapping the batsmen in front of the stumps. 94-5
Starnes and Lineker bowled their full allotment. They were replaced Dan Lineker and Adi Dhond. Dhond’s spell was however short lived and he was taken off after one over. Replaced by Foden.
Dan Lineker was the next man to get in on the act. Their batsmen going for a big one and straight down the throat of Dhond. 129-6
Fresh from his tough spell Adi Dhond was the next man to help the A’s to reach their target. Run out 132-7
Ramsey then helped Dan Lineker to take another. 137-8
The roles were then reversed and Addiscombe had Streatham 146-9.
It was not long before it was all over. Ramsey picking up the final wicket with Obi taking a catch diving forward.
The wicket taking bowlers figures were James Ramsey 2-28 off 6.2 overs, Charlie Foden 2-39 off 10 overs, Antony Starnes 1-29 off 10 overs, Barry Lineker 2-28 off 10 overs and Dan Lineker 2-12 off 5 overs. One run out by Adi Dhond.
Another superb bowling session from the Addiscombe bowlers again. With half the job done we looked forward to teas. Addiscombe were chasing 146 and looking at another good win.

Teas were fantastic, a lack of variety, but fantastic. With no sandwiches we found ourselves eating chicken tikka wings and naan bread which is not a bad replacement. Teas were then topped off with some fantastic lemon drizzle. The lack of variety brings the rating down 7.3/10

Now that we had done the work with the ball it was over to our batsmen to take us to the total and to the win.
Opening up was the stand in Captain Lewis Noble and Dan Lineker. Addiscombe were desperate for these two to get us off to a good start. Lewis was then rushed and we were 8-1. Not exactly the start we were looking for.
Next man is was Aide. He was however quick to follow Lewis into the changing room. Playing a loose shot he was caught behind for 4. Addiscombe were now 22-2.
Up next was the run machine John Fogarty and the A’s were desperate for him to find some form.
The next man out was Dan Lineker. A few too many big shots attempted and he was caught at Mid Off. 38-3
This wicket brought in Adi Dhond and once again Addiscombe found themselves in trouble. He was quickly out for 6 and Addiscombe were now in deeper trouble. 47-4
John Fogarty then decided to try and sweep the spinner who was bowling straight darts. Bowled for 3. 52-5
Now at the crease were Roche and Ramsey and Addiscombe were now staring at their first loss of the season. Only the top run scorer Roche could help us out now.
Roche was then caught and Addiscombe were now 56-6 and things were not looking good for Addiscombe.
Ramsey and Lineker were now Addiscombe’s only hope for a partnership and that is what Addiscombe finally got. Both batting extremely well, playing some beautiful shots before Lineker kicked a straight one and was out LBW. Something he would now go on to regret.
Ramsey and Lineker put on 57 together and swung it back towards Addiscombe. 113-7.
Next man in was Antony Starnes and he got some sound advice from Ramsey regarding the bowlers. Not listening to that advice he was nearly out first ball edging through the slips for four. Some big hitting from Starnes saw him take Addiscombe up to 129-8 before playing too many shots and he was caught behind.
This brought Obi to the crease and it was now tense all round.
Addiscombe needed Obi and Ramsey to see us home. Ramsey was then caught behind and Addiscombe were within touching distance on 134-9.
Specialist number 11 Charlie Foden was now at the crease and after a few runs it was all over. Charlie bowled and Addiscombe were left short. All out for 140.

A disappointing run chase saw Addiscombe fall to their first loss of the season. It was only a matter of time before our batting would catch up with us and our luck would run out. Fantastic bowling performance yet again from the bowlers.

Next week sees us welcome promoted Old Hamptonians who have lost 2 and won 2. So expect another close game. Hopefully our batsmen turn up this week.