Burgh Heath v Clapham Nomads - 30/4/17

Nomads made it 2 out of 2 with an emphatic victory against a much-changed Burgh Heath side including several first team league players.  A very entertaining match played in an excellent, sporting atmosphere
Although Nomads did not bowl a single maiden, Burgh Heath, despite including several players from their 1st team Surrey Downs League side, could not really accelerate apart from a spell around overs 25 to 30. Zia made the early breakthrough but it was Emil who really put a clamp on the scoring rate. The first man out described Emil's bowling thus; "The old boy's just so frustrating. He doesn't spin it but it just takes forever to come down."  I was not going to put this in the report but in the interests of accurate journalistic representation (and not because I want to take the piss out of Emil - I'm not that brave) I have done.  Anyway, if you can restrict club players to 2.3 an over on a good track in a 35 overs a side game, you must be doing something right.
Further tight spells from KK and a flurry of late wickets from Abbas, Mudassar and Javed meant Burgh only posted 141 which was gettable on paper however, with both the previous week's batting heroes missing, we felt our chances were only around 50 % at tea.
Two early wickets for the home side removed our experimental opening partnership - Zahid and Naeem and a bright start from Riaz was cut off in its prime by a rare leg before decision from Umpire Lefebve (I don't give too many but this was a yorker on leg and middle...sorry.  It was given very reluctantly as I really enjoy Riaz's batting.)  35 for 3 and we were in a spot of bother. Fortunately, Darwin played a fine hand on seasonal debut with a hard-hitting 27. Javed was still there and - usually an explosive hitter - played very sensibly (rotating the strike and progressing from 20 to 40 with 2 twos and 16 singles.  When Darwin departed on 88 for 4 there was still a lot of work to do but Zia took command - the highlight was a brilliant hook shot - and quickly knocked off 38 of the 53 runs we needed to win.
A great way to secure only our second victory over Burgh in about 7 games. A win that looked in doubt for while but was eventually secured with almost 10 overs to spare.
Burgh Heath 141 for 5 (Masini 49, Matthew 40) from 35 overs

Nomads bowling;

Zia  7-0-28-1
Emil  7-0-16-0
Abbas  7-0-32-1
KK  7-0-25-0
Mudassar  4-0-31-1
Javed  3-0-7-2

Clapham Nomads  143 for 4 from 25.2 overs

Zahid  3
Naeem  8
Javed  47 not out
Riaz  10
Darwin  27
Zia  not out 38
Did not bat:  KK, Abbas, Emil(capt), John (wkt), Mudassar

F.O.W. - 11, 17, 35, 88

Clapham Nomads won by 6 wickets.

Man of the Match - Javed
Fielder of the Day - Mudassar

Although Javed was Man of the Match on the figures, I must mention the brilliant all-round contribution made to this fixture by Zia who not only opened the bowling, saw us home to victory in an unbroken 50 partnership with Javed, but also brought along 3 new players (including the excellent, youthful Mudassar) as we were hit by injuries and withdrawals. He also played one of the best shots seen from a Nomads player; a stunning hook right off his nose against a lively paceman.

Next up is Energy Exiles and it looks as if we might have a strong side on paper - we are going to need it.  If any players with test experience (oh go on, we might also consider county players as well) are reading this, then please contact me and you can have my place.