Long Ditton v Clapham Nomads

Long Ditton 166 for 7 from 35 overs beat Clapham Nomads 141 all out from 27.5 overs by 25 runs.

This fixture had lapsed for some reason but a quick arrangement was made via "The Fixture List" on wednesday when both clubs were looking for a game.
It was an excellent game with some of Nomads' tightest bowling of the season restricting the hosts to what seemed like a gettable total.
We looked to be in the box seat for most of our innings (and several Long Ditton players confirmed that they had shared this feeling) but we kept picking out fielders just a little too often with aerial shots and a dramatic final over in which (?) Neely took our last 3 wickets ended our effort prematurely.
It was played in a very good spirit though with the Surrey side well captained by Tom Bennett, who was also one of their trio of impressive spinners; a useful asset which Nomads lacked on this slow pitch.
Nomads batted very entertainingly.
Just a note on Umpiring decisions; Several Nomads players felt that a shot given as 2 had crossed the line and had gone for 4. It is rare that these calls make a massive difference to the outcome and it did not do so yesterday.   Unless the white line is very bright and the umpire can see what has happened, you really have to take the fielder's word for it. This is something that almost all Sunday teams do and accept - not just the Nomads. Rather more significant in the context of the match result were a couple of diving catches that were claimed, and the batsmen were dismissed.  These both looked close calls and some of the Nomads felt they should have been challenged. I had a few doubts about the second one myself - KK's wicket.  However, it is extremely difficult for the umpires to query it when the fielder says he has caught it legitimately, without causing serious damage to the integrity and atmosphere of the match which again, particularly at Sunday friendly level, no-one wants.
These are two areas where it is accepted that the fielding side has the benefit of the doubt. The batsmen benefit from having the benefit of the doubt on LBW, Caught Behind, Run out and Stumped decisions and the major advantage (massive advantage many Nomads' opponents would claim) of having umpires from their own side.
The atmosphere in this fixture the last time I played in it (in 2015) was not great if I remember correctly and so it was important to have an improvement in this area yesterday, which we did.  NL

SCORES AND FULL REPORT TO FOLLOW - SCORES NOW ADDED

(I forgot to bring the scorebook but fortunately John had an old piece of paper in his back pocket - not the sort of paper Emil suggested he keep score on. John has taken this scoresheet on his walking holiday in Staffordshire so I don't have the scores. Mahesh, Javed, Faseeh, Zia and Hassan all made a few runs. I think Sami was the most economical bowler. (UPDATE .....Faseeh was the most economical) John took a full-length diving, one-handed catch.)

Long Ditton 166 for 7 from 35 overs

Nomads bowling;

Sami  6-0-22-1
Faseeh  5-1-12-0
Abbas  7-1-43-0
Emil  3-0-15-1
Zia  6-1-23-2
KK  5-0-18-0
Hassan  2-0-11-3
Riaz  1-0-13-0

Clapham Nomads  141 all out from 27/5 overs

Mahesh  25
Riaz  0
Javed  30
Hassan  5
Faseeh  23
Zia  31
KK  2
Sami  9
Abbas  0
Emil  not out 1
John  0

F.O.W. - 5, 56, 70, 86, 105, 117, 140, 140, 141, 141

Man of the Match  - Faseeh
Fielder of the Day - John