Due to holidays, Ramadan, apathy and pregnancy, Nomads were only able to select 8 for this latest renewal at Barn Elms against our longest-standing opponents. In contrast, the Theatres, who appear to be resurgent, brought 13 and were able to lend us noted Sports and Thriller writer Chic Fowles and former Nomads legend Chris Kennedy, who made the short hop across South London earlier this summer, joining Theatres for an undisclosed fee.
SW13 (and 14, 15 and most others) was in lockdown but it wasn't the Barnes Riots, merely the Olympic Cycle Race rehearsal. This was no obstacle to the mustard-keen Theatres who were limbering up in the nets a good hour before the start. Even Nomads didn't do too badly despite the chaotic traffic, though Andrew West had to walk from Putney which was roughly the same route taken by the cyclists. Rumours that he overtook Sir Chris Hoy remain unsubstantiated.
Asked to field first, Nomads were distinctly light on bowling options so it was hoped that our new ball pairing of West and Emil Todorow would make significant inroads. When Emil bowled Ben Martin in the 3rd over the fixture appeared to be following its traditional course.
At the other end was Ben Tranchell who has always been a more than useful player - he once scored 96 against us - but who has lacked support in recent seasons. This time it was different; finding an able partner in No. 3 Shafiq, Tranchell took 3 fours in an Andrew West over to prompt a double bowling change.
Skipper John Crossland had to juggle his change bowlers; Chris Kennedy went for 19 off his first 2 overs but Prasanth Pattiyil, probably the quickest of the available bowlers, was tighter with only 10 taken off his first 3.
The batsmen looked assured as 50 was passed in the 10th over and the 50 partnership in the 12th. Apart from one close-looking LBW shout and a half-chance in the deep, there seemed no reason why they couldn't bat right through the innings on a placid, slow-ish pitch with only the occasional irregular bounce.
Nick Lefebve was third change and the left-armer kept a reasonable off-side line but the batsmen were able to push singles at will to a deeply-set, some might say negative, field.
The 100 and the century stand both came up in the 18th over before Lefebve finally made the breakthrough in the following over, slanting one in to hit the stumps of Tranchell (55) and greeting the grounding of the bails with a strange, superfluous, full-throated roar of Howzat.
105 for 2 with 11 overs left meant that Theatres would have to bat spectacularly badly not to be in a commanding position by the close. This was unlikely with the excellent Shafiq still there. Chris Kennedy returned to dismiss No. 4 Naseef. Shafiq was dropped by Lefebve - a firm caught and bowled chance - with the score on 119 and he celebrated with a 4 off the same bowler and a big 6 off Kennedy before falling to the latter bowler for a potentially match-winning 67.
The opening bowlers returned but No. 5 Edwards shepherded the lower order, including the redoubtable Roger Daltrey-lookalike John Witham, into plundering 25 useful runs from the last 6 overs; mostly off Andrew West, who had the consolation of 2 late wickets. Emil Todorow remained impressively tight to finish with 1 for 11 as the innings closed on 159.
Nomads really only had 3 recognised front-line top order batsmen and, realistically, to have much chance we would need Mark Bradshaw, Mahesh Vyas and Prasanth Pattiyil to chalk up around 90 between them.
The early run out of Vyas was the worst possible start (we are starting to suffer too many of these run outs.) No. 3 Chris Kee looked solid enough on his debut for the club but was the first victim of an accurate spell from spinner Cal Robertson. Kee was bowled by the seasoned blond twirler, a fate shared the following over by Chris Kennedy. Mark Bradshaw was joined by Prasanth Pattiyil and there was still hope at this point as this pair have played many fine and productive partnerships. However, when Bradshaw was dismissed for 9 by a brilliant slip catch from the ubiquitous Cal Robertson, the dye seemed cast.
Prasanth was bowled behind his legs an over or two later and this brought Emil Todorow out to join Nick Lefebve. This pair's running can sometimes be entertaining, especially to the fielding side, but a calf injury to Lefebve caused the batsmen to agree that they would only take absolutely nailed-on singles (2s to many other players.) A partnership of 16 followed but Nomads were falling fatally behind the rate with not a lot of batting to come.
Todorow was eventually bowled via his legs. Chic Fowles attempted a risky single but was unchivalrously sent back by his limping partner and was run out.
Andrew West joined Lefebve and it was time for the purist to look away as the pair made a stand which Emil Todorow would describe as having; "Such command, such elegance." Basically it was two fat blokes cross-batting some cafeteria bowling through the leg-side. West did play the Shot of the Day though, his unique grip meaning that one of his leg-side flicks was a perfect replica of a left-hander's reverse sweep as played by, say, Adam Gilchrist. Unfortunately the non-striker was so stunned by the shot that he failed to notice that the top spin which West had cunningly put on the ball had taken it out of the fielder's reach and the single, which was a fraction of what West deserved for this shot from the Golden Age, was declined.
Inevitably there was an injury to West who was stuck in the splits position for a minute after executing another leg glance. There was a surprising lack of volunteers to help ease him out of this position.
The lofty heights of 61 had been reached when West finally chipped it to a fielder and he was followed 2 balls later by John Crossland to confirm Theatres' 3rd and easiest victory over us. Still, I'm sure John was delighted that we avoided the 100 run defeat.
In truth this was a poor Nomads performance but remember how depleted we were. It was probably the strongest line-up Theatres have ever fielded against us but they all played with enthusiasm and skill and were excellent value for their victory.
Nick Lefebve received a nomination for Man of the Match (thanks for that) but although he did OK, 16 not out and 1 for 33 is not really enough. I would have to award it to the ever-economical Emil Todorow who returned the only really eye-catching figures with his 6-0-11-1. Todorow also fielded well and Mark Bradshaw and John Crossland (only 1 bye) caught the eye in the field, but Fielder of the Day must be the evergreen Chris Kennedy who made a couple of remarkable stops.
Touring Theatres - 159 for 6 from 30 overs
Todorow 6-0-11-1
West 6-0-37-2
Kennedy 6-0-36-2
Pattiyil 6-0-40-0
Lefebve 6-0-33-1
Clapham Nomads - 61 from 25.5 overs
Bradshaw 9
Vyas 1
Kee 2
Kennedy 0
Pattiyil 4
Lefebve 16 not out
Todorow 0
Fowles 0
West 4
Crossland 0
F.O.W. - 7, 17, 17, 22, 29, 45, 45, 61, 61
Nomads lost by 98 runs
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