Detail: 17-06-2012 - Shackleford

Result: WIN
The 9 v 9 game against Shackleford started 15 minutes late after a mad-dash by Corcoran from Sheffield, via Whitechapel and Balham, picking the kit and three players up en-route. Tom Ellen has a lot to answer for.

Having lost the toss the Blues were put into bat in a time game. The Blues' openers struggled initially to work out the pace of the pitch which was a little soft. Bad balls were near unplayable as the ball would "stop" on pitching, and the cut shot saw the downfall of 3 of the Blues top 5 (all of them through the shot too soon), Appleton first spooning to point, Zubair following and Tink completing the catching practice by guiding a dolly to cover (albeit after his 8th scoring shot of the season over two games brought him his 4th six).

With instructions from the Skipper not to pull, cut or drive (or flick or glance) ringing in his ears, Carmen was next to go (making it 50 for 4) when he defended a regulation ball that popped and resulted in a simple catch for the bowler. Suddenly the skipper's hope for 250 and an early declaration were looking a little optimistic. In came Drinkwater at 6, and after a flurry of well-timed shots he too was on his way, this time given out caught behind to a phantom nick.

Fortunately for the Blues, opener Jordan was still scoring quickly, hitting straight and powerfully to anything pitched up. As the Blues tail began to wag in earnest he was joined first by Metson (in typical fashion, looked great, but missed a straight one a ball after one of his customary drives had people drooling on the boundary), before Corcoran arrived as the penultimate man. Having decided to avoid all attacking shots and help Jordan to his century, there followed 20 minutes of painful viewing, as unable to rotate strike Corcoran faced 5 of every 6 balls! Carmen finally triggered Corcoran LBW much to the relief of the fielders before Asif joined Jordan, still 15 short of his ton. Unfortunately it wasn't to be as the Blues lost their final wicket, with Jordan finishing on 93.

Defending 183 it was clear after the opening 2 overs from Drinkwater and Corcoran that Jordan's knock was brilliant, as the two Blues pacemen (one of whom was likened to Jonathan Trott) looked immediately unplayable!

Some errant fielding and dropped catches (most notably by Jordan behind the stumps) meant that Shackleford took tea only one down, Corcoran knocking off-stump over after jagging one back up the hill (for those that know the pitch, it is quite a hill to "jag" the ball back up). Drinkwater in particular was unlucky to leave for sandwiches and cakes (which were excellent) without a wicket to his name.

After tea Drinkwater changed ends and Asif charged in down the hill. One ball before he was told to "take a break" Drinkwater got the breakthrough, finally realising that to rely on catching was not the way to take wickets when playing for Les Bleus.

Asif soon picked up a third wicket (again bowled) before Tink also picked up a clean bowled to leave the hosts in big trouble on 80/4. Seizing the initiative, Corcoran brought on his all spin-attack, with Ahmed and Appleton enjoying bowling to attacking fields. Ahmed picked up 3 wickets and turned the screw to decisively turn the game in The Blues' favour, with a superb run out (Tink / Appleton) completing the wickets.

In the end an enjoyable game and a good win for The Blues on a tricky pitch (which given the rain may be the norm this year). There were lots of contributions (9-aside tends to get everybody involve) and some good performances (Ahmed in particular) but Jordan gets MOM for the stand-out knock in a low-scoring game.

MOM despite dropping 4 catches in one over off their best batsman (while wearing gloves), my standards must be slipping...perhaps I'll put Ahmed behind the stumps next week.

[updated 19 06 2012]