Stoke Row
Maharajas CC (10/9/2017)
Result: DRAW
WCC 176 for 8
(35 overs)
Lee 6, Shimoga
42, McCallum 2, Hogben 39, Douglas 14, Orwell 11, Dunne 26, Millind 4, Dibley
16, Lyons 3 n.o.
DNB: D'Inverno
Ceeley
4-38
Maharajas CC 78
for 5 (20.3 overs)
May 30, O. Ravden
30 not out,
Douglas 4-0-15-0, Orwell 4-0-18-0, Dibley 6.3-0-37-2, Millind
6-0-14-3,
Catches: none
Debut: Millind
This one felt more therapeutic than
pleasant, and the ÔEnders pores have never been more cleansed, after the
four-hour facial dispensed by persistent drizzle. But it was still an oddly
jovial jaunt in the Chilterns. Moods dipped as Dibley
entered the dressing room with news of his imminent return to NZ, after a
decade of Weekender service, making this his final game. But after a promised
goodbye booze-up; we were all more or less happy. Skipper lost the toss
and started the batting with Lee & Shimoga. NJ
looked the business; pulling, glancing and driving the
ball to all corners. When joined by Hogben, the
ÔEnders were motoring. But the persistent drizzle became heavy, so we scurried
in for an early tea. The gloom and damp started to get to the all-action
all-rounders. Shimoga perished via an outstanding
catch at square leg. Millind, your correspondent and
our Secretary all missed straight ones from the slow left-armer.
Dibley got a dozy run-out, leaving just the imperious
Dunne to smite the sodden ball around the undulating paddock.
176 from 35 overs seemed just good
enough, but we suspected the total might not be fully tested as the rain set
in. Bowling with a wet ball was surprisingly tricky for all, apart from debutant
Millind who cleaned up three Maharajan
batters with a series of in-nippers at decent pace. Sadly we had to acquiesce
to the heavens when SRM still needed 99 off 15 overs with only 5 wickets left.
Of course, as soon as Skipper shook hands on the draw, the clouds cleared and
the sun came out to light our way to the pub. At the Cherry Tree, we wrung out
our whites and said goodbye to our beloved Kiwi.
Mixed emotions
Steve Dunne looks at a piece
of watermelon