Wimbledon United v Clapham Nomads - 15/5/16

Wimbledon United captain Dave Hitchman has become possibly Nomads' most-feared opponent.  Last season, he played an extraordinary innings of 85, coming in at No. 9, to deny Nomads a victory we were probably 20 to 1 on to achieve.
The blond destroyer was, if anything, on even more formidable form this time; hitting a magnificent century to set the home side up for an apparently match-winning total of 219 for 8.  Nomads have not quite hit top form yet this season with the bat and, despite United's home base of Cottenham Park tending to favour batting, 220 looked a very tough ask.
I didn't play in this one myself and I'm told fielding was not the best with about 6 chances going down.  2 catches from Darwin and 1 from Abdul spared some blushes.  We never totally gave up with the ball.  Hassan was the pick of the bowlers and Emil bowled his heart out in his 5 overs, with his back muscles audibly creaking as he completed his spell.
It was a rather lacklustre reply with the bat from Nomads.  As usual, Peter Brown "The Southfields Express" raced down the hill and made an early breakthough, bowling Mahesh for 5.  The 3 wickets that Rowan and Hasan took with the score on 34 ripped the heart out of our knock and it was hard work from then on.  A fine innings of 40 from Darwin was the bright spot, with Hassan and Abbas providing the best support.
There was a rare sighting of the legendary Andrew West, who came late on to watch, and I intended to come along at 5 myself but Night Shift-itis proved too much.  When I heard that Emil batted with a runner in partnership with John, I wished I had come, as this sounds like it had the potential for huge entertainment.  Sadly, it didn't last too long with a run out being the not altogether surprising result.  At least Nomads passed the 100 mark for some kind of respectability.
Darwin takes both Man of the Match and Fielder of the Day with a great individual display

Wimbledon United - 219 for 8 in 35 overs

Nomads' bowling

H. Khan  7-1-25-2
Abbas Khan  7-0-41-2
Zia  7-0-58-2
E. Todorow  5-0-32-0
R. Khan  5-0-34-1
Abdul Khan  4-0-25-1

Clapham Nomads - 106 all out in 25.3 overs

M. Vyas  5
Gul  9
P. Pattiyil  6
R. Khan  0
H. Khan  11
D. Gunawardena  40
Abdul Khan  0
Zia  0
Abbas Khan  11
E. Todorow(capt)  2
J. Crossland(wkt)  not out 0

F. O. W. - 20, 34, 34, 34, 62, 64, 74, 100, 106, 106

Nomads lost by 113 runs