Like ourselves, Exiles had been struggling a bit for players since early July (in fact several Nomads had turned out for them in that time) but, inevitably, it was a pretty strong-looking Exiles line-up that turned out for this latest renewal at Cottenham Park.
Exiles batted first and new man Sami, bowling a nice full length with good accuracy and outswing, took the downhill end, with Emil Todorow - who had had 2 hours sleep and made an early morning dash from Dover to avoid breaking his incredible run of successive appearances - toiling away uphill. Understandably, Todorow was not quite at his best and Exiles skipper John Tither went after him, pulling a huge six off Emil's third ball. Tither scored 140 earlier this season at this ground and there was something ominous about the way he started; several more powerful boundaries forcing Todorow to replace himself with Hassan. Our star all-rounder rarely goes uphill and the wisdom of the move looked in doubt as Tither continued his sparkling form with a string of boundaries wide of mid-off, though having to ration himself increasingly as Hassan found his line and length. A maiden from Hassan perceptibly altered the mood and a short one from the same bowler in his following over was cut uppishly by Tither to Backward Point where Darwin took an excellent and vital catch to dismiss this fine player for 34 scored at a run a ball.
Jasper Searle joined Will Kent and the pair took the Away side up to 57 for 1 with few alarms. We would probably have settled for 180 at this point but a vital wicket for Hassan coincided with the appearance of some high, irregular bounce at the uphill end. It must be said that few balls got above arm height so the danger to batsmen was to their stats rather than their bones, but Hassan exploited it well and was joined by Abbas who bowled a fiery spell - the fastest by any bowler in the match. A couple more quick wickets brought the big-hitting pair of Andy Wingfield and Simon Gundry together. With the short boundaries at Cottenham Park this was a vital passage of play but Hassan and Abbas managed to account for both players for a total of 1 between them, which was beyond our wildest expectations. 64 for 6 but a bit of batting to come. A run out accounting for Tim Storey brought Johnny Aloysius out to join Marcin Zielenewski. Both batsmen showed grit and fighting spirit to counter the worst of the conditions and make 10 each, facing over 30 balls apiece. Abbas, in particular, bowled beautifully. With no irregular bounce at his end he just sent it down fast and - with the exception of one beamer and one genuine short-pitched bouncer - pretty much on the stumps.
Zielenewski was finally bowled after 38 balls of stout resistance. New man Ben Brazier faced the returning Emil Todorow who now found his form. Underestimating Todorow and trying to hit him out of the ground is something a lot of batsmen do the first time they face the Bulgarian-born legend. Surviving by millimetres and then trying the same thing next ball? Oh dear! 88 for 9. With some help from the extra bounce uphill, Abdul managed to get Aloysius to sky one to Extra Cover where Abbas took a cool catch to complete what I think is the lowest total Exiles have made against us.
A target of 91 should have had us munching confidently over tea but you take nothing for granted against the Exiles, particularly with Mr Gundry pacing up and down the picnic area (but would they bowl him uphill at the dodgy end?)
Exiles - and former Nomads - opener Mark Bradshaw arrived just before tea to watch. Currently recovering from illness; how Exiles could have done with him in this type of game (and Nomads as well, for that matter.)
Paceman Andy Wingfield was unable to bowl due to injury so Marcin Zielenewski took his place and immediately produced a Wingfieldesque delivery, pitching on off and jagging away. Downhill (thank Christ) Simon Gundry was difficult to score off but, with no irregular bounce at that end, we managed to see off his first spell. Zielenewski was tight and began to find some very low bounce but it was one of his looser balls that induced a false shot from Gul to a short one - straight to a close up fielder. 2 for 1 with the man we had been relying on to hold our top order together back in the pavilion. The former Nomad Marcin continued to be a real handful. He hit No.3 Prasanth Pattiyil on the back foot in front of middle but an audible bottom edge saved our man who went to make a stylish 20 including several powerfully-struck boundaries. As has happened a few times this season, Mahesh Vyas grafted excellently but then lost his wicket to a ball that looked tailor-made for him - in this case a leg-side full toss that bowled him. 29 for 2 which soon became 33 for 3 when Zieleneski bowled Prasanth round his back leg. In this position a full-strength Exiles bowling squad featuring Naren Patel and a fit Wingfield would possibly have been favourites but, with the opening bowlers having only a few overs left and only Phil Ling being a proven dangerman amongst the others, Nomads fancied it but would still have to bat sensibly. Ably supported by Darwin Gunawardena, Hassan played a very sensible hand, keeping everything out and stroking the occasional four to remind Exiles who they were dealing with. A vital stand of 30 was crafted before Darwin fell but Jonnie Randall continued in the same vein. Gundry returned - downhill again - but it was the slower bowlers who accounted for Randall, stumped. 83 for 5. 8 to win and Hassan was still there and a comparatively strong lower order was on hand to support him if needed. In the event it was all over rather quickly; a beamer despatched for 4, a leg bye and a single equalled the scores and then .... I pause here because I might want the following 8 words put on my tombstone.... Lefebve hit the winning run off Simon Gundry.
This was a great result for Nomads. Although we had the best of the conditions against a slightly under-strength Exiles side, it was still our most satisfying win since.......probably the last time we beat the Exiles.
There were one or two on-pitch incidents that can best be summed up as fluffy handbags at 10 paces. Basically, I don't think there is any bad blood between the sides (Speaking for myself, I really like the Exiles and always look forward to playing them.) I just think the teams really enjoy beating each other.
We had a very pleasant after-match drink in the Raynes Park Tavern, the highlight of this was when a flamboyant Edwardian-style dandy loped past, sporting a walking cane, a beautifully-tailored light grey suit and a hat worthy of the Winners' Enclosure at Royal Ascot. Although immaculately decked out like Noel Coward, he also had the indefinable air of a street drinker about him. It was generally agreed that he was a potential Nomad rather than an Exile.
Man of the Match was Abbas who bowled a really excellent spell. Fielder of the Day was Darwin who took the vital catch to dismiss John Tither - the turning point.
Energy Exiles 90 all out off 29.3 overs (Tither 34)
Sami 7-3-13-1
E. Todorow 3-0-23-1
H. Khan 7-0-22-3
Abbas Khan 7-0-16-3
Abdul Khan 5.3-2-12-1
Clapham Nomads 91 for 5 off 24.4 overs
M. Vyas 11
Gul 0
P. Pattiyil 20
H. Khan 27 not out
D. Gunawardena 10
J. Randall 6
N. Lefebve 5 not out
Did not bat; Abdul Khan, Abbas Khan, Sami, E. Todorow
F.O.W. - 2. 29, 33, 63, 83
Clapham Nomads won by 5 wickets
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