4s secure another cracking win v Sanderstead

Match Report by Aaryan Purohit

This week, the 4th XI were back at the “Fortress”, trooping on through a dismal and rainy day. We won the toss, electing to bowl first; a correct decision due to the poor weather. We started off with the big Beefmeister charging in with his pace bowling; delivering fantastically and in the correct areas. The opposition were starting to hit the ball in the air, so the team started to get their pouches ready.

On the other end, our new signing from the U13 colts, Mann Patira, was playing his debut adult game. He bowled on the money pretty much every time, keeping his economy nice and steady. However, he was very unlucky not to secure a wicket, as his bowling was very tight. It was a great start for Mann and hopefully his efforts will come to fruition next time.

During the middle period of Jack’s 9 over spell, we were finally able to clinch our first of many wickets to come; as Big Beef’s bowling forced the opponent to knock the ball up into the air, which made for an easy catch to the skipper Jon. To replace Mann came young Tom Kuhrt. His first over made a massive impression; getting a double wicket maiden with an LBW first ball and then George doing a smart stumping. Sanderstead's batters seem bewildered by the turn Tom was getting.

100% Organic Beef Steak bowled great and ended with 3-28 off 9. He was replaced by Aaryan Purohit who bowled a great ball swinging and knocking over off stump on his first over, then managing to finish off the oppositions batting attack in his third over. Aaryan finished with an economical 2-5 off 2.2 overs. Tom ended with a fantastic 5-15 off 6 overs - it was the epitome of good, accurate, leg spin bowling.

So Sanderstead were bowled out for just 70 runs - a great bowling and fielding performance all round.

The rain was still pelting down, so instead of stopping for tea we carried on, and aimed to get the game finished as soon as possible. Skipper Jon Kuhrt and cricketing veteran Steve Hasler opened the batting, sticking around and batting sensibly. It was not a hard job, as we only needed 71 off of more than 60 overs; meaning that even as little of 2 an over would have sufficed! However, the opening bowlers bowled tight and we couldn't get much runs on the board.

A few loose balls meant we soon started to put some runs on the board. Unfortunately we then lost Steve, getting out to a simple catch, on 8 runs. Next in was colt all-rounder Rikky Mano. To our dismay, we lost him early, getting out for a duck. Remember to move those feet Rikky! Then came in solid wicket keeper George Baker.

The partnership between George and the Skip was phenomenal, with George scoring a colossal six over mid-wicket and some lovely on-drives. They were able to put on 50 runs on the board together, with Jon scoring an careful 25* and George getting a quick 28*.

This of course sealed the win for the 4s, giving us 24 more points in the league.

Big thanks to Jack and his mum for doing the tea and for the delicious Krispy Kremes donuts! Also, the team spirit was embodied by the Dias family trio of Brandon, Callum and Aaron, who despite all fielding well, were unlucky not bat or bowl but led the way with tidying and washing up at the end of the match.

Thanks to the whole team’s effort we are now one step closer to winning the league and it was great to celebrate back at the bar in Addiscombe. Well done everybody and let's continue this performance for next week's big game against Sutton!

By Aaryan Purohit