Detail: 14-08-2016 - Blackheath
Result: Lost by 30 runs
Blakheath 137 (Opener 51, Zain 5 for 32). The Blues 107 (Das 23, Richie Clark 21)
Gosh, well how to describe the Blues' stunning capitulation against Blackheath other than to say it was very, very Bluesy.
On a beautiful day, a strong side of six were out in the field at the 2.15 start, which would increase to a final total of nine.
Fortunately it was a team brimming with quality, and among "the few" were two debutants and both made a strong impact on the game.
New boy Glenn Moore, opening up with Rich Mullett, only took two overs to make his mark, bowling two out and just missing out on a hatrick on debut, as the batsmen were unable to deal with his pitched up swinging deliveries.
Blackheath had a storming opening batsman who had dropped down from the first team for some form, and on a pitch where a gentle push meant four, the captain was fearing the worst.
Their batsmen were struggling at the other end though, and another excellent debut came in the form of Zahid and he took a wicket and helped strangle the run rate with a spell of excellent control. Then on came Zain with the bowling performance of the day, picking up a fivefer with a devastating spell of pace.
He was ably supported by Aman, who got the opener out after a chanceless 50, with an LBW that could be described as generous: it pitched outside leg and was possibly going over the top. Nice of their umpire to listen to the one appeal from the square leg boundary though.
The bowlers decided to aim at the wicket as in true style the catches were not sticking, especially behind the stumps. One fizzed to the slips and sadly your humble correspondent was unable to get my hands on it. That was especially sad for me as it rocketed into my chest?somehow it failed to stick between my iron pecs. To compound the misery the one (excellent) slip catch taken was off a no ball.
Spirits were high however as the final wicket was taken with the Blues needing just 138 runs for victory. After an excellent tea - very international with baguettes and pitta as well as the usual Cherry Bakewells - Matt Rolfe and Das opened up.
Rolfey's innings burned bright like a firework, cutting the 13 year old opening bowler then pulling him for a collective eight runs. He then received an inswinging yorker, and like a firework the innings burnt out.
Das provided his usual doughty resistance and Rich Clark making his season debut - clearly in disguise with a grizzly beard and wide brimmed hat - struck a range of collectors' items of straight drives, cuts and pulls. At 50-odd for 1 all was confidence, but in honour of the opening weekend of the Premier League, Rich backheeled the ball onto the stumps and things began to wobble.
A partnership between your captain and Das of about 30 settled things down, before the 12 year old spinner hung one over the eyeline and the inevitable idiotic swipe saw the idiotic captain trudge off cursing his idiocy.
While Aman was unfurling some excellent shots, the wickets were falling around him, a sorry collection of catches and run outs, with the final wicket (eight down) leaving us 21 runs short. To quote Glenn almost all the wickets could be put down to "collective rush of blood to the head".
We'll never know if the full 11 would have held their nerve and beaten a Blackheath team made up of 60 per cent children, but we can only have hoped? onwards and upwards. I may start recruiting for next year's match this week.
Nick
[updated 23 09 2016]