Clapham Nomads v Energy Exiles - 19/8/12

Nomads were only able to raise 7 players for this fixture against our old friends and rivals the Exiles.  It was important to get this game on to try and keep some kind of momentum going this season, so thanks to those who did turn up.  Also, thanks to Prasad, who had come along for a quiet afternoon watching the cricket at Raynes Park and ended up being headhunted by Emil Todorow, and thanks most of all to Exiles' organiser Naren Patel who joined us for the day to complete a 9-man team and a dream New Ball pairing with the Nomads' skipper.
Nomads won the toss and chose to bat.  In normal conditions that would have been a mystifying decision but, given the 90 degree heat and stifling humidity it was perhaps understandable.
Unfortunately, Nomads batting line-up failed to match even the low expectations that we held and were dismissed for 47, with only Darwin (16) and, to a lesser extent, Emil Todorow near the end providing much resistance.  This was without Simon Gundry getting on to bowl but Andy Wingfield and Phil Ling did quite enough damage between them to ensure Exiles' talisman wasn't needed.
This was all rather depressing but Exiles' innings produced a couple of moments which made me almost wish I had been there. To have E. Todorow and N. Patel share a new ball was surely a treat for all connoisseurs of the More Experienced Gentleman and a sight that followers of South London Sunday cricket probably despaired of ever seeing.  Not surprisingly, two of Exiles' early order just could not cope with this Treasure Trove of Trickery and, at 14 for 2, there was just a sniff of a decent contest.  Jasper Searle quashed this with a very rapid 31, including 17 off Prasad's over, before being bowled by an Andrew West shooter with the scores level.  A golden moment followed as Simon Gundry, minus pads, emerged and attempted to smack West over the trees.  An admittedly good connection went straight down the throat of Prasad for an excellent catch and the notable scorebook entry; S. Gundry,  c Prasad b West - Duck (Golden.)  Martin Thomas, also without pads, kept his head and denied the Big Man a hat-trick and sealed an easy victory for the Exiles.
It was all rather a shame when you remember all the memorable matches these 2 teams have played, but I'm sure there's plenty more to look forward to from this enjoyable rivalry.
Man of the Match would have been Andrew West for dismissing Mr Gundry first ball, but apparently he was making some rather odd comments so is disqualified.  Darwin takes it instead for his nice innings.  Fielder of the Day was Prasad for his fine catch. 

Clapham Nomads  47 from 17.4 overs

M. Vyas  1
Darwin  16
P. Pattiyil  0
Prasad  4
C. Kee  3
E. Todorow  7
J. Crossland  2
N. Patel  0
A. West  not out 1
F.O.W - 10,11,18,30,33,45,45,47

Exiles' bowling

A. Wingfield  5-2-3-2
M. Thomas  5-2-12-1
P. Ling  4-0-8-3
Plume  3.4-0-17-2

Energy Exiles  48 for 4 from 8.4 overs

Nomads' bowling

E. Todorow  4-2-16-1
N. Patel  3-0-8-1
Prasad  1-0-17-0
A. West  0.4-0-5-2

Clapham Nomads lost by 6 wickets