Clapham Nomads v Barnes Occasionals - 31/5/15

Nomads just lost out by 18 runs to Barnes Occasionals in a very entertaining match at Abbey Rec.  This was notable for a fantastic six-hitting, car roof-crunching half-century off approximately 26 balls from Riaz, an early morning dash back from Spain by Ollie Hogg of the Occasionals, who was not playing but was understandably anxious to get a glimpse of this very watchable Nomads side, and most importantly, the seasonal re-appearance of the charismatic Mr Andrew West.
Chasing 186 off 30 (Roger Price had top-scored for the visitors with 70-odd), we were at one stage (with Riaz in control) 77 for 1 off  7 and a half overs. Riaz received able support from Mark, who was unluckily out played on to a thick inside edge, and Gul who scored 53 at a rather steadier pace than Riaz.)  However the middle order lost its way somewhat, especially against the very tricky Keith Seed who went for only 3.7 per over and the late men had a bit too much to do, with 19 needed off the last 2 overs.
Man of the Match was Riaz.  Fielder of the Day was Mahesh who produced one of his stunning, full-length diving, fingertip slip catches.  FULL REPORT TO FOLLOW.

REPORT .... Nomads were only able to raise 9 players who could do the full shift and 2 who could play part of the game.  I was one of the 2 and I emerged from a hole in the Abbey Rec hedge just after 3 pm together with Andrew West (who was late) just in time to see Occasionals' batting star Roger Price despatching Emil Todorow over the mid-wicket boundary for 6.  This kind of set the tone for the rest of the innings and Price went on to score a pretty rapid 70-odd, with Nomads dropping him - possible crucially - at least twice.
Barnes kept up a consistent rate of above 6 an over with punishment being shared out fairly evenly.  Our highlight was the seasonal debut of West, an increasingly charismatic figure and one of the few Nomads the public would pay to see, should we ever start selling tickets to our games.  The big man was not quite at his best, having not bowled for some time, and went for almost 10 an over but showed a mature attitude by bagging a wicket and only threatening to retire once.
A direct hit run out from Abdul ("The throwmaster") was another bright spot but Barnes, who have started to develop a youth policy with positive results, posted an imposing 185 for 6 at the close. Abdul and new man Imran shared equally the other 4 wickets.
Someone said the pitch was slow (and in fact on the next-door pitch, Nursery Road, Energy Exiles' Keith Roberts made 12 from 66 balls) but our track was anything but sluggish and Nomads openers Mark Bradshaw and Riaz Khan fairly burst out of the traps and we had already reached 49 in the 6th over when Bradshaw was most unluckily out played on to a thick inside edge.  The bowler was Dan Hogg (another of the famous dynasty - (? nephew of Ollie and son of Adam) who impressed with good pace and hostility bowling left-arm round.  He hit No. 3 Gul in the collar-bone with a lifter early in Gul's innings.  At the other end was Tom Hooker who bowled straight enough but for some reason Riaz just took an absolute shine to him and dispatched him for two sixes off his second over and a brutal 22, including 2 further clearances, off his 4th.  The last of these sixes hit a car roof which reminded me of an Energy Exiles batsman hitting a car at this ground a few years back which prompted some wag to ask; "Are you fully ensured, Emil?" This was met with an uncomfortable silence.
Riaz and Gul kept up the pace and Riaz reached his 50 off approximately 26 balls.  Sadly, he had to leave for Night Shift and went into Death or Glory mode and was stumped.  Gul and Mahesh took us well over 100 with Tooting's finest barber making a 50 of his own before being trapped leg before.
I had to leave myself at this point and the required rate was down below 5 an over.  Sadly, Mahesh and Imran became rather bogged down against the legendary Keith Seed who is lethal on a slow pitch but still difficult enough to score off on a fast track like this one.  The asking rate went up and up as wickets fell - a six from Abdul was one of the few high-points - and we found ourselves needing 19 from the last 2 overs.  Emil Todorow and Andrew West were both bowled by Blair in the attempt and we fell 18 runs short.
We certainly missed Hassan and Abbas in this game and I hope they will both be back soon.  Also, if Riaz had been able to stay just another 10 minutes that might have been enough, but all credit to Occasionals' improving side for a fine victory - their first against Nomads for a while.
Man of the Match was Riaz (another Nomad the public might pay to watch.)  Fielder of the Day was Abdul.

Barnes Occasionals 185 for 6 from 30 overs (Price 72 (?) )

Nomads' bowling

Sami  6-0-36-0
E. Todorow  6-1-33-0
Abdul Khan  6-0-33-2
R. Khan  2-0-11-0
A. West  5-0-47-0
Imran  5-0-22-2

Clapham Nomads  167  from 28.5 overs

M. Bradshaw  17
R. Khan  50
Gul  53
M. Vyas  7
Imran  7
Abdul Khan  9
Sami  3
E. Todorow  3
J. Crossland  not out 0
A. West  0
Did not bat; N. Lefebve (had to leave early due to work commitments - pre-arranged with the captain.)

F. O. W. - 49, 92, 134, 142, 154, 167, 167, 167

Nomads lost by 18 runs.