We are a London-based cricket club. Although we don't have our own pitch, we usually play our home fixtures in Greenwich Park. This blog records our regular triumphs and occasional failures.

Wednesday 25 June 2014

It's the Simon and Richard wicket-taking show as Cincers humble Holtwhites up north London

Another week, another game called off by our scheduled opponents.
So it was off to new side Holtwhites Trinibis up in Enfield that we went.
Smart-looking ground, fine pavilion and a Sunday team which, we heard as we trembled, hadn't lost yet this year.
But that was before Simon M got to work on them, backed up ably by Richard H.
Both Cincers' bowlers took four-for's ('and two catches dropped, Skip,' said Richard).
On a sloping pitch, Holtwhites had no answer to Simon's wicket-to-wicket balls, with all four of his victims clean-bowled.
It was a lively affair to begin when a full-length ball from Faisal struck a painful blow on the batsman's foot.
The umpire, his dad, wasn't best pleased.
Cue some heated exchanges.
The best answer was exactly what Cincers came up with - a succession of quick wickets which meant the oppo never got going.
Only two men made it into double figures and the opposition finished on just 79 all out off only 25 overs.
Forty over game this, so a piece of cake for Cincers?
Not with our recent batting form, it wasn't.
And, inevitably, Holtwhites had some pretty decent bowling to open up with.
Mr Chairman (Tim) went cheaply, caught in an impressively large slip cordon, and Saqib was snared after flashing at one outside off.
When Dee missed one of his trademark hits to leg, we were rocking at 15 for 3.
That become 35 for 4 when Dan P went.
Much biting of nails and off-field rows, mainly between Dee and the Skip (me).
We're transferring to the West End next year.
Abid and Ali were at the crease as we all looked on.
It was anxious. It was nervous.
In the end, Ali sliced through the tension with a succession of fine fours and a couple of giant sixes - one of which to win the match and bring up his 50 at the same time - was an extraordinary bottom-hand, straight jab a la Freddie Flintoff.
Abid, though, was also a rock (insert fielding-related jokes here, please), pinching the odd signal and also striking a few boundaries.
Is there space to mention Abid's running catch off Richard? Only if we also record two comic bits of misfielding off the same bowler.
But Abid finished on 14 not out and Ali on an undefeated 51.
Thanks to Holtwhites Trinibis for a great day and fine hospitality.
Cincers Man of the Match: Tricky one, this, given Ali's knock but Simon set the game up. So S. Murphy.
Game played at Holtwhites Trinibis, Enfield, on Sunday, June 8.

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