Team GB Leads the A's to glory!

Team GB reins supreme

ACC 202 a/o (Hurrion 46, Dhond 39*) by Egham 193 (Braganza 6-31 incl Hat-Trick) a/o by 9 runs

The A’s second string travelled to Egham, knowing that a win over their challengers would give some breathing space in the race for promotion. After some last minute chaos trying to arrange an 11th player, we finally had a full quota thanks to Adi Dhond who cancelled his snake charming appointments for the day.

To get over their big match nerves, a few (well most) of the team could be seen ‘strawpedo’ing drinks in Tiger the night before. Some were even rumoured to have left the nearby ‘gentleman’s club’ even after that! Craig Stevens decided he was going to lead the convoy this week. He decided to lead us into a whole load of trouble on the M25. With a number of hangovers, a 2-hour journey was not the best cure.

Being back in the 50-over format pretty much negates the toss, so we weren’t worried when BL lost the toss and we were inserted. Stevens and Hurrion strode out to the wicket first up and Stevens (0) quickly strode back when he decided to shoulder arms to a ball that hit off stump (pretty much halfway up). His decision making with the bat, matched that of his travel routes!!

Noble joined Hurrion at the crease and both soon settled into their stride. With the score on 47 however, Noble (10) was dismissed which brought DL to the crease. These two soon took the initiative and accelerated the scoring before Bugsy (46) played one pull shot too many and was caught at square leg. Bugsy was adamant that 4 runs had been given to another batsman and is still claiming a half-century. Having said that, when the scorer kept having to ask which batsman was Lineker and which was Roachie (when they were batting together), perhaps he has a point. My response to the above question was simply “one is skinny and left-handed and one is fat and right-handed”

DL and Roachie continued the scoring tempo and the A’s look well set to post a decent total with them at the crease. Unfortunately Roachie (25) was dubiously given out LBW. DL (29), Ramsey (3), BL (0) and Starnes (4) soon followed as the game turned back into Egham’s favour at 157-8. Dhond was joined at the crease by Nashley and both batted superbly. Dhond looked particularly good with the ball coming on and played some lovely drives. Nashley, initially looking to play a supporting role, soon got into the act too and even played a cover drive himself. They took the score over the 200 mark before Nashley (10) fell and GB (0) generously walked second ball. Dhond (39*) was left unbeaten the other end.

Tea was the part the whole team had been looking forward to the whole game, as the epic spread laid on meant that fielding was going to be a tough ask.

The A’s opened up with Starnesy and the returning Rambo. Both bowled well, without much luck as the breakthrough eluded us and the score quickly rattled along. It took the introduction of GB to get the breakthrough on 46. However, it soon became apparent that pace off the ball was needed, so skipper BL and Nashley were introduced.

Both Nashley and BL applied tight lines and halted the scoring rate as BL removed their dangerous opener with the score on 87-2. Nashley soon got into the act too with the score on 115. We knew however, that with their skipper still at the crease, we had our work cut out.

Whilst Egham’s tactics against Nashley and BL were debatable, both bowled superb spells, particularly Nashley who returned 1-17 off his 10. With Egham 180-3 and the game almost over, GB was recalled to the attack and chaos ensued. Cooler than an Eskimo in Alaska, he firstly removed their dangerous captain, thanks to a great stumping from Stevens (he had to do something in the day) and then forced a run out as the pressure applied. 190-5 and still a chance! Rambo finished his superb second spell without much luck, but the scoring rate had now gone up to 7’s off the final few.

We were down to the last 2 overs in the biggest game of the season so far. GB started off with a wide (he really is a crowd entertainer) before getting another breakthrough as Egham looked for boundaries. Another couple of dot-balls followed before GB really increased his legendary status by taking a hat-trick with the last 3 balls of the over. The A’s (well GB) went wild with celebration as we closed in for victory. The last rites were sealed in the final over when Starnesy cleaned up number 11. Mass celebration then really did start.

It was an epic fixture in such an important fixture and ultimately proves that cricket is never over (or just how good GB is). It was played in a great spirit and credit must go to Egham for sportsmanship after the game.

With just 4 fixtures remaining, promotion is a real possibility but there is still hard work to be done.