Clapham Nomads v Monty cc

Nomads were due to play new opponents Friends XI but 7 days before the match, the Friends announced that all 11 of them would be attending a wedding. It must have been the Social event of the summer to justify missing a trip to play Clapham Nomads at a deserted Raynes Park Rec in steady drizzle - and a chance to meet Andrew West, but I hope it was a nice day and best wishes to the happy couple.
Anyway, Nomads had the bonus of meeting very pleasant new opponents in Monty CC who had some familiar faces with a smattering of Burgh Heath players and also the Sunday cricket legend Khalid who has turned out for most south-west London teams including the Nomads and Surbiton Imperials.
Nomads did brilliantly well to recover from 19 for 3 to the heights of 224 for 8 off the full 30. The pitch was a bit erratic and bouncy but it can't have helped Monty bowling with a soggy ball. Great knocks from Riaz (45), Zia (51), KK (36) and Abbas (36 not out) saw us to a very businesslike total.
The imposing figure of Andrew West arrived in time for tea and it will not surprise readers to hear that all the food that was not blown by the harsh breeze to all parts of the ground was eaten.
Monty started quite sedately against the accuracy and guile of Sami and Emil. 43 for 0 off 8 overs but, led by their former Burgh Heath opener they then began to flay anything too short or over-pitched - of which there was plenty when the change bowlers came on - all over the park. It must have been difficult bowling in the wet conditions, I must add. At one point over 40 runs were taken off 2 overs. It took a good straight one from Abbas to dismiss what we thought was the main danger man but Monty kept up the pace. A good spell from Zia with 2 wickets kept us in the game but I always felt Monty had just enough in hand.  Nomads' catching was poor - at least 5 catches went down, notably when Emil ran to get under a skyer but, due to wearing a Mexican-inspired broad-brimmed hat rather than a cap, the chance was spilled and actually caught our skipper a nasty blow on the eye. Emil said the ball had briefly disappeared behind the brim of his sombrero when he was shaping to catch it.
Emil said he briefly lost his vision and had to come off. Fortunately Nomads had a very athletic substitute's bench featuring Nick Lefebve and Andrew West and Nick came out to replace the skipper. Riaz took over the captain's armband with the match finely balanced. Khalid started cautiously but soon found his range with some slogs over mid-wicket before Zia bowled him. 27 were needed off 4 but there was plenty of batting to come. A tight penultimate over from Riaz left the visitors needing 5 off the last over and the first ball of over 30 from Abbas was a dot leaving a run a ball needed. Unfortunately an edge went high over the slips for 4 next ball and Nomads were passed with 3 balls to spare.
It was a pleasant - if damp - match against sporting opponents.  As he reached the pub, John began to say his usual "that was rubbish etc...." but then he stopped and realised it had actually been rather a good, close game.

Nomads lost by 6 wickets with 3 balls to spare. Scores to follow.

Man of the Match - Zia
Fielder of the Day - Zia (a run out)

Clapham Nomads 224 for 8 from 30 overs

Mahesh  4
Darwin  8
Riaz  45
Javed  0
Zia  51
KK  36
Abbas  36
Sami  0
Yahyah  0
Emil(capt) 2 not out
Did not bat - John (wkt)

F.O.W. - 14, 14, 19, 107, 128, 198, 198, 208

Monty cc 225 for 4 from 29.3 overs

Nomads' bowling;

Sami  6-1-36-0
Emil  5-0-27-0
Yahyah  2-0-29-0
Abbas  4.3-0-50-1
Zia  6-0-27-2
KK  4-0-34-0
Javed  1-0-11-0
Riaz  1-0-5-0