Clapham Nomads v Touring Theatres - 31/8/14

Theatres were only able to raise 6 for this game at Abbey Rec.  Nomads' batting order had a threadbare look to it, especially after we gave Mahesh Vyas to the opposition,  We should probably have given them 2 players to make it a 9-8 contest.
There was a welcome return to Nomads action for Abdul, his broken fingers still strapped up.
Skipper John Crossland's search for a replacement opener to accompany Mark Bradshaw led him to Emil Todorow, who has opened the batting many times for the club, though not for a while, and has produced some memorable moments against pace bowlers.
The opening pair played nicely to see off some testing bowling from Ben Tranchell and Hansell, the latter recording figures of 0 for 9 off 7 overs (very economical with such a sparse field.)
Todorow looked sound.  If only he was a bit quicker between the wickets, he would be a very useful standby opener.  On 31 though, with the shine seen off and the hard work done, Emil middled the 7th ball (including 4 wides) of Pensen's first over, but unfortunately straight to Short Mid-Wicket where Dirk Fieldhouse held onto a sharp catch.
Numbers 3 and 4 Sami and Hamid didn't last too long but Bradshaw was starting to punch it about confidently against the change bowlers.  The 3rd wicket fell on 58 and brought Darwin out to join Mark.  These two were the only batsmen in out side with any kind of recent form in the book.  Fortunately it was absolutely cracking form.  This was maintained here; Darwin spanking it straight and towards Mid-Off, with Mark solid as ever, consolidating and rotating the strike, making it look easy.
The pick of Theatres' change bowlers was Nomads Legend Chris Kennedy who got through a 6-over stint conceding only 1 boundary.  He was milked for regular singles, but 5.5 an over is not bad at all against a classy pair of batsmen and supported only by a keeper and 5 other fielders.
Great 3rd and 4th wicket stands have been the high spot of our batting this summer and the undefeated 113 put on by Mark and Darwin took Nomads up to 171 at the close.  This seemed likely to be enough but the visitors had 2 new players, 1 of whom had travelled all the way from the Isle of Thanet to play, and we still remembered the century scored by another Theatres debutant, John Warnaby's cousin, last summer.
Dirk Fieldhouse's partner Maureen set out our tea for us and it was a more professionally presented meal than we usually get from Nomads.  Thanks again for that, Maureen.
Skipper Crossland twirled his moustachioes thoughtfully and produced the tactical rabbit from his cap.  The new ball would be shared by Abbas and Andrew West, who are very different in age, build and pace, but alike in their fiery determination.
Our own Mahesh opened with Ben Tranchell and the Theatres star was soon run out.  Any suspicions that Mahesh was acting as our 5th Column were soon dispelled as he played smartly for 19, the away side's top score.
There is usually no let-up from a Crossland-captained bowling unit.  The openers shared 3 wickets (West's 2 taking him to the top of the 2014 club bowling averages) and bowled their full 7 overs each.  Change bowlers Sami (3 overs, 3 maidens) and Abdul (2 for 2) then polished the job off professionally.
It was a pleasant, sociable afternoon.  The comedy highlight was when Hassan turned up with his family at half-time and jokingly offered his batting services to the opposition.  John Crossland, not realising Hassan was joking, was distraught - his recent 100% record as skipper suddenly seeming under threat.
Man of the Match was Mark Bradshaw who saw off some useful stuff early on in his 68 to underpin our total.  Darwin was a close second though, his unbeaten 62 means that, at the end of this game, he had scored 193 runs since he was last dismissed.  Fingers crossed for the Double Century in the next game.  I can't remember the fielding all that well (early-onset Alzheimer's - it was only 17 days ago) but I will give the fielding award to Hamid who set up the run out of Theatres' best batsman.

Clapham Nomads 171 for 3 from 35 overs

M. Bradshaw  not out 68
E. Todorow   5
Sami  0
Hamid  6
D. Gunewardena  not out 62

Did not bat; Abdul Khan, Abbas Khan, N. Lefebve, A. West, J, Crossland (capt/wkt)

F.O.W. - 31, 40, 58

Touring Theatres  37 all out from 19.3 overs

Nomads' bowling

Abbas Khan  7-0-17-1
A. West  7-2-8-2
Sami  3-3-0-0
Abdul Khan  2.3-1-2-2

Clapham Nomads won by 134 runs