Nomads were defeated for the first time this season but it was yet another close game. We finally went down by 6 runs in a fluctuating encounter that we had chances to win. 30 overs a side was agreed on as dark clouds encircled Raynes Park Sports Ground. In the event, the weather brightened and we could have played our usual 35. Long Ditton made 128 for 7 from 30 overs with Abdul returning the best bowling figures; 3 for 16. Nomads were 122 all out in reply with Riaz top-scoring on 29. I didn't play in this one myself. I was 12th Man anyway but I was head-hunted by Barnes Occasionals to play on the next pitch against Kingston Lefthanders which was an even closer game than Nomads/Ditton and not as controversial as I was expecting. I was able to glance across at the Nomads match and I could tell it was played in good spirit - other Nomads confirmed this. It has been a bit of a vintage season so far. Next up...Wimbledon United away.
Full report and stats to follow when I get the scorebook back.
MORE ON THIS GAME ..... Long Ditton won the toss and made a very sound start with the bat despite tight spells from opening bowlers Abbas and Hassan. Acceleration was made from 20 off 7 overs up to 71 for 0 at the 15-over drinks break. Emil Todorow found the breakthrough at 76 but the momentum continued and, at 90 for 1, a stern question seemed about to be set to our batting line-up. Fortunately, our front-line bowlers are not known as The Super Six for nothing and, led by Abdul with an important 3 for 16, Nomads roared back into the contest. Between overs 19 and 30 excellent bowling and fielding prevented the Away side's middle order from settling and the innings closed on 128 for 7 which was lower than had seemed likely at any stage of the knock.
Our reply began brightly with a first-ball boundary from Mark Bradshaw but we soon settled down to some hard work against awkward bowling, especially from B. Cheema who claimed the crucial scalp of Bradshaw which was swiftly followed by the running out of Mahesh Vyas. Both openers were back in the pavilion before 20 had been scored and there was a further blow on 29 with the loss of Hassan. Nomads recovered with classy attacking batting from Prasanth, Darwin, Riaz and Abdul. Long Ditton had some very young bowlers but they were no mugs and fast scoring was never without risk. At 103 for 5 Clapham were clear favourites but then a familiar slide took place. Riaz fell for 29 (a welcome return to form though), and was followed fairly quickly by Abdul and Sami. Suddenly we were 6 runs short with Emil, Abbas and John to bat in a scenario horribly remininscent of our tied match against Surbiton Imperials in April. 7 needed off 3 overs. Todorow got his head down and tried to consolidate and wait for the bad ball but it didn't come; just a Jaffa from Cheema to send the skipper on his way. John Crossland strode out and this was a fascinating situation, given his comments on the tied game. Unfortunately, he didn't have too long to reflect on this, failing to pick up another good one from Cheema to end Nomads' valiant attempt on 122 all out.
Third good game in a row though. I hope this will become a regular fixture. Man of the Match was Abdul who returned clearly the best bowling figures and hit 18 late on which took us close to the line. Fielder of the Day was Hassan with a catch and a run out.
Long Ditton 128 for 7 from 30 overs
Abbas Khan 6-0-16-0
Hassan Khan 4-0-14-0
Emil Todorow 5-0-39-1
Sami 6-1-24-1
Abdul Khan 6-1-16-3
Riaz Khan 3-0-16-1
Clapham Nomads 122 all out from 27.5 overs
Mark Bradshaw b B. Cheema 8
Mahesh Vyas run out 5
Prasanth Pattiyil run out 19
Hassan Khan stumped b C. Neely 6
Darwin Gunawardena b Hughes 20
Riaz Khan c b Williams 29
Abdul Khan c b I. Neely 18
Sami b O. Neely 7
Emil Todorow (capt) b B. Cheema 0
Abbas Khan not out 0
John Crossland b B. Cheema 0
F.O.W. - 16. 19, 29, 56, 88, 103, 114, 122, 122, 122
Clapham Nomads lost by 6 runs
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