Detail: 18-05-2014 - Slinfold


Result: Loss
9.5 Blues arrived at Slinfold on a lovely Sunday Surrey afternoon chasing an elusive victory at the ground where I?m told the Blues haven?t had the most enjoyable time over the years. With the Match manager unsure how long his ankle would last the skipper duties were handed to bowling first captain Metto who I assume lost the toss as we were sent in.



Cormac and Das were literally the only people close to volunteer to open and got off to steady start as we were 0-12 after 5 with Cormac smoking a few through the covers. Cormac?s cataracts got the better of him and was cleaned bowled on 8 and Das out for 5. Charles ?Ricky? Walford poked around 8 and put on a nice partnership with Aqib (22) who smoked a few to the boundary and was looking good for a decent score. Asad (29) looked very comfortable before spooning on of the curvy deck and unfortunately the primed middle order of Metto (2) and Drinky (9) didn?t quite reap the runs we were aiming for. At 7/95 and the big guns back in the shed - the injured match manager Ranatunga hobbled out (with Drinky nominated as his runner) to meet Zubee at the crease and looked to get the score over 150 so we didn?t leave Slinfold as the village idiots.



Despite being bowled while still taking guard Zubee looked solid while the match manager looked like he was holding a bat for the first time. After a slow start to the partnership a numerous comical moments with the runner in the mix (like Zubee needs any more excuses for confusion at the crease) we managed to put on about 40 before Zubee departed for a hard fought 8 which included a lot of extras and hard fought singles. New man Adnan (welcome) then joined me and we managed to get a few more around the park before Adnan cost the match manager a certain 50 when he departed for a classy 7. With the Match manager unbeaten on 36 we got the total to 159 setting a respectable 160 of 40 for the win.



Team time talk was centred on the spread, Metto particularly impressed with the pineapple on show and Drinky treating it like an all you can eat buffet. After Aqib was complaining of a sore shoulder and seeking a spot in the covers to save his throwing arm it was suggested he bowl it in form the boundary like Courtney Walsh. Aqib (whose only shirt is the West Indies one day shirt) looked at us as to say who the f*ck is Courtney Walsh!! Kids these days.



It was pretty close to 5 by the time we go into the field and we set out about defending our total. Metto sacked himself as skipper (meaning the only thing he contributed all day was calling the toss incorrectly) and I took up the reins from a non running first slip positions (I must say Paul Whelan that you are on to something there) With a team full of kiddies early wickets an applying pressure was the main game plan. Drinky and Asad bowled with good heat and looked quite good. Asad got the break through with a nice catch form Metson(?). Aqib came on and also got a wicket caught by Das? We were generally good in the field with a few spilled catches but the game was even stevens at drinks with Zubee tying up and end and bowling without luck. After drinks Zubee and the new boy Adnan were bowling well in tandem, turning the screws with cries of chabbas chabbas from our Urdu speaking community (and first slip).



With a circle field we were apply pressure and Adana picked up a couple of nice wickets with a another good catch from Metson and Zubee also snaring a well deserved wicket. When they bowled out Drinkwater and Asad were back in the attack with the oppo needed around 25 form the last 5 overs. After some dodgy slip fielding and few plucky hits (including one that nearly hit Mrs Charles right on the mug) the oppo snuck home with a over or so to spare. Das was particularly good in the field and drinky, Adnan and Cormac put their body on the line as did Charles behind the stumps - but I have to give fielding award to Metto for two great catches.



A few more runs form an 11th batsmen and an extra fielder would have proved decisive but we can hold our heads up in what was a tough time game. Lets just put it down to whatever metto did at the toss.



Facility Review (scores out of 10)



Outfield ? 8 (despite on a slant similar to a sinking titanic it was in pretty good nick)

Deck ? 5 (prepared ok but the undulation made it almost like a slips cradle)

Tea ? 9 (one of the best but more pineapple next time please)

Changing room - 7 (plenty of room to leave bits of the kit behind)

Club House - 8 (had a bar, one decent sort)

Showers - 6 (think Zubee is still in there trying to figure out the timer)

Overall - 7



Pleasure to match manage the Blues, thank you to Corcoran limo services for the use of the vehicle (yes I went cruising all day Saturday).



Good luck next week ? hope to back able bodied in mid June.



Cheers,



Ranatunga Tink

[updated 19 05 2014]