South Bank v Clapham Nomads - 26/8/12

This was a replacement fixture as our original game against Bec Old Boys was cancelled.  Sadly the Old Boys' Sunday team seems to have folded, at least for this season.
Anyway we found a nice match at Dulwich Sports Ground against a team we seem to play about once every 8 years.  They always have a few characters and, certainly on this occasion, they had bags of talent.
Given our recent difficulties and various floods and wild weather warnings on Saturday, it was a relief to actually get a game and it was a great improvement on last week with Nomads posting 115 for 8 off the full 35 overs which was not a calamity against a bowling line up with few, if any, weak links on a bouncy, slightly irregular, pitch.  Top scorer Darwin (27) shared in a good early stand of 36 at a good strike rate with Abdul.  Hassan's 25 ensured reasonable momentum in the middle third of the innings. For spectators though, the highlight was an excellent stand of 19 at the close between Emil and John which took us up to a total in excess of what we expected when Hassan was out at 96 for 8.  Surprisingly, the entertainment in this stand was to be found in some clever cricket rather than in banter although when Emil thanked John for supporting him at the end, John replied ; "you were supporting me."  No. 11 Andrew West had been padded up for 5 overs when, with 4 balls remaining, he tore off his kit in a fit of pique and flung it to the ground with a resounding oath.  It would have been quite funny if one of our heroes had been out on the penultimate ball and forced our disgruntled tail-ender to put his gear back on and face 1 delivery.
South Bank had little problem knocking the 116 off in around 24 overs, despite tight opening spells from Hassan and Abdul.  The only wicket to fall was secured by a twisting, feline, slip catch an inch from the ground by Mahesh Vyas off the bowling of Andrew West.  South Bank's innings featured some stunning hitting - 1 shot cleared the trees - from a very entertaining Australian guy who had long hair rather reminiscent of the mid 70s Yes keyboard player Rick Wakeman and was referred to by his nickname "Criminal."  He was supported by his captain who secured a 50 right at the end in rather Boycottesque fashion.  Once the scores were level, with the captain on 49, the pair declined to run if Criminal had played the shot, despite several opportunities, and chose to wait until the skipper was on strike to seal the victory. A Wide or No Ball - accidental of course - would have been amusing.
Man of the Match was Mahesh for taking the Catch of the Season which was all that saved us from a Club Record 10-wicket defeat.  Fielder of the Day was either Prasanth or John Crossland.  They both stopped plenty and missed nothing.  Since John did more diving I will give it to the glovesman.

Clapham Nomads  115 for 8 from 35 overs

M. Vyas  1
Darwin  27
A. Khan  16
H. Khan  25
P. Pattiyil  2
R. Khan  8
Abbas  0
N. Lefebve  0
E. Todorow  not out 10
J. Crossland  not out 9
Did not bat - A. West

F.O.W. - 3, 39, 53, 61, 74, 75, 80, 96

South Bank 117 for 1 from 27.1 overs

H. Khan  7-4-17-0
A. Khan  7-0-15-0
A. West  4-0-27-1
E. Todorow  5-0-28-0
Abbas  2-0-11-0
R. Khan  2.1-0-16-0

Clapham Nomads lost by 9 wickets

Clapham Nomads v Energy Exiles - 19/8/12

Nomads were only able to raise 7 players for this fixture against our old friends and rivals the Exiles.  It was important to get this game on to try and keep some kind of momentum going this season, so thanks to those who did turn up.  Also, thanks to Prasad, who had come along for a quiet afternoon watching the cricket at Raynes Park and ended up being headhunted by Emil Todorow, and thanks most of all to Exiles' organiser Naren Patel who joined us for the day to complete a 9-man team and a dream New Ball pairing with the Nomads' skipper.
Nomads won the toss and chose to bat.  In normal conditions that would have been a mystifying decision but, given the 90 degree heat and stifling humidity it was perhaps understandable.
Unfortunately, Nomads batting line-up failed to match even the low expectations that we held and were dismissed for 47, with only Darwin (16) and, to a lesser extent, Emil Todorow near the end providing much resistance.  This was without Simon Gundry getting on to bowl but Andy Wingfield and Phil Ling did quite enough damage between them to ensure Exiles' talisman wasn't needed.
This was all rather depressing but Exiles' innings produced a couple of moments which made me almost wish I had been there. To have E. Todorow and N. Patel share a new ball was surely a treat for all connoisseurs of the More Experienced Gentleman and a sight that followers of South London Sunday cricket probably despaired of ever seeing.  Not surprisingly, two of Exiles' early order just could not cope with this Treasure Trove of Trickery and, at 14 for 2, there was just a sniff of a decent contest.  Jasper Searle quashed this with a very rapid 31, including 17 off Prasad's over, before being bowled by an Andrew West shooter with the scores level.  A golden moment followed as Simon Gundry, minus pads, emerged and attempted to smack West over the trees.  An admittedly good connection went straight down the throat of Prasad for an excellent catch and the notable scorebook entry; S. Gundry,  c Prasad b West - Duck (Golden.)  Martin Thomas, also without pads, kept his head and denied the Big Man a hat-trick and sealed an easy victory for the Exiles.
It was all rather a shame when you remember all the memorable matches these 2 teams have played, but I'm sure there's plenty more to look forward to from this enjoyable rivalry.
Man of the Match would have been Andrew West for dismissing Mr Gundry first ball, but apparently he was making some rather odd comments so is disqualified.  Darwin takes it instead for his nice innings.  Fielder of the Day was Prasad for his fine catch. 

Clapham Nomads  47 from 17.4 overs

M. Vyas  1
Darwin  16
P. Pattiyil  0
Prasad  4
C. Kee  3
E. Todorow  7
J. Crossland  2
N. Patel  0
A. West  not out 1
F.O.W - 10,11,18,30,33,45,45,47

Exiles' bowling

A. Wingfield  5-2-3-2
M. Thomas  5-2-12-1
P. Ling  4-0-8-3
Plume  3.4-0-17-2

Energy Exiles  48 for 4 from 8.4 overs

Nomads' bowling

E. Todorow  4-2-16-1
N. Patel  3-0-8-1
Prasad  1-0-17-0
A. West  0.4-0-5-2

Clapham Nomads lost by 6 wickets

Update - 4/8/12

Last Sunday's game against Wimbledon Corinthians was called off by the opposition.  It rained most of Sunday afternoon anyway, so probably a blessing.  No games scheduled now until Energy Exiles on Sunday 19th August.