Strollers robbed at the last

Sunday saw the Strollers somehow snatch defeat from the jaws of victory as the London Utopers agonisingly claimed an unlikely last ball win at Alexandra Palace Park.

It all started well enough though with Gav winning the toss and once again electing to bat first to make the most of the fine conditions. George and Spencer again looked comfortable opening the innings, batting sensibly and scoring where possible with both demonstrating an attractive array of shots until, having mounted a 50 partnership, Spencer took a swing at Coggan, misjudged and was bowled for a spirited 35.

Dickie, batting at number three, started well with a textbook on drive for four but unfortunately was then judged caught and bowled off a forward nudge. Progress was further stunted when George was late playing down to a grubber and was bowled through the gate for 18.

Skipper Gav, together with Chris, steadied the ship with initial circumspect caution giving way to more in the way of attack. Having taken the total past the hundred mark in the twentieth over, both batsmen began to lash out which prompted the Utopers to then introduce their spinners and, mistiming a cut shot off Khan, Gav was caught in the gully for 17 with the score on 110-4.

But the innings was by now well and truly alight as Graeme, joining Chris in the middle, raised the energy levels further with quick singles and punchy shots, reaching 22 in no time until he fell victim to a sharp stumping. But Chris remained in majestic form, carting the ball to all corners of the Ally Pally ground. Matching him shot for shot was Mikey, revelling in his role as a pinch hitting number seven with a license, and the run rate rose to a consistent ten per over.

Chris eventually succumbed, bowled by Babs, for a superb 63 giving way to wicketkeeper David who wasted no time in joining Mikey in an onslaught on the Utopers bowling. Having reached the 200 mark – the skipper’s initial target – with overs to spare, Mikey cracked on at speed, although a run out cost David his wicket after he’d made 13. In the last over, the same fate befell Jake leaving Andy to come to the non striker’s end (sans pads) for the last ball, which Mikey paddled round for a two to reach an invaluable 33 not out and take the Strollers to a handsome 230-8 of their allotted 35 overs.

Having exceeded the winning total of the previous week’s game, the Strollers took a sumptuous tea rightly feeling confident that their posted total could be defended.

Simon opened the bowling, with solid accuracy from the get go. Nevertheless the Utopers openers were clearly set on hitting their straps early and threw the bat from the start. Unfortunately Jake experienced problems finding his line and length but, struggling against the return of his recurring calf strain, he progressively worked into a better groove, and claimed the first breakthrough when Coleman was caught behind with the score on 39.

Mikey was brought on to relieve Simon in the eleventh over with his extra pace and, despite shedding two boundaries off his first two balls, was rewarded with his third as Khan also edged to David behind – who insisted the ball carried despite some initial doubt from the umpire. The controversy clearly fired Mikey up who kicked on and collected the wicket of the dangerous looking Odawele, beating him through the gate for pace. What then followed was nothing short of outright aggression as first Snook was stumped, thanks again to some sharp thinking from David and then Mikey trapped Shakkotal LBW next ball – suffering the slow death of the pondering umpire’s raised finger, leaving the Utopers 67-5. Jake remarked “if last week we were professional, this week we’re ruthless!” but sadly the hat-trick could not be completed.

In fact it was possibly here that the balance of the game first shifted as, with a general sense that the game was heading the Strollers way, possibly a little complacency set in. The Utopers, still pressing ahead, passed the hundred mark with fifteen overs still to go although Graeme, now operating in place of Jake, collected the wicket of Marshall for 33 shortly thereafter.

The Utopers’ number eight, Reuben, was let off early when Chris uncharacteristically put down a chipped catch to short cover. Further chances went begging behind off Graeme’s bowling, yet the Strollers felt the next breakthrough was surely round the corner.

It eventually came when, with the Utopers on 134 Coggan, having and played a supporting role to the more attacking Reuben, edged to David off Mikey’s bowling who collected his fifth dismissal of the afternoon and finished his spell with figures of 5-45, a fantastic effort.

Reuben sensed this was the Utopers’ last chance to salvage the game and with an unsteady looking partner in McCrone at the other end, did his best to keep the strike and lash out at every opportunity. Spencer was brought on for Mikey and did his best to contain the onslaught but the Utopers were achieving a run rate of 8 per over, forcing the field back to defend.

Before they knew it the Strollers were on the back foot as despite 80 being needed off the last 7 overs, the Utopers were advancing fast and the game was on. Simon returned to replace Graeme who completed his spell, and did his best to contain although with just two overs to go he too had to come off having spent his allotted seven. George was charged with this unenviable task of bowling the penultimate over with the Utopers needing twenty and after two boundaries, causing general unease in the field, struck with the dismissal of McCrone who drove straight to Mikey at long off having somehow amassed 37 and an 84 8th wicket partnership, leaving the score on 218.

With the young Marshall Jnr stepping out to the middle Reuben knew it was down to him alone to lead the charge and skied a drive to long on which Gav stopped before the boundary but agonisingly couldn’t hang on to.

Twelve were needed off the last over, but despite Spencer’s best efforts to bowl a steady line, Reuben was on the attack and pummelled everything to the boundary, somehow bisecting the field. Off the penultimate ball Gav dived for another skied chance but again couldn’t get there to do more than stop it, and a poor return cost an extra run. With just two needed of the final ball Reuben, riding his luck, chipped just over Simon’s head at cover to claim the most unlikely of victories to the utter dismay of the surrounding Strollers.

Having undoubtedly been well on top for at least two thirds of the game, the Strollers were devastated to have let it slip in the last few overs, most feeling they had well and truly been robbed at the past and reeling from the sense that they had been well and truly violated! With at least seven genuine chances spilled, George ruefully lamented afterwards that ‘catches do win matches’ and the side left Alexandra Palace with a harsh reminder that, in cricket, it ain’t ever over til it’s over.

But let’s not forget the great efforts of Chris (63), Mikey (33 not out and 5-45) and David (4 victims) – the better side had most certainly lost. One to chalk up to experience…

Gavin Richardson
11.09.07

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