Detail: 12-06-2022 - Roehampton
Result: W by 5 wkts
Blues vs Roehampton - round 2
It's always a good start to the Blues cricketing week when the match manager himself pulls out due to a diary mix-up. In steps Jenks to manage from afar. Luckily the hardest part was done and we had enough Blues to take to the field of battle in a revenge match vs Roehampton. And what a squad it was. Seeing the lack of wins of late the Blues illuminati took matters into their own hands with big guns FitzGerald and Mullett returning to thunderous applause. The joker in the pack, Digby Walker, half-man, half-myth, was also down on the team sheet to make his season debut. A few worried whatsapps had been circulating in the week with rumours that Digby was doing the 6am Windsor triathlon before somehow getting to Barnes for afternoon cricket. Luckily a black tie dinner in the Hurlingham club meant that at 2am Sunday morning (4 hours before the race started) Diggers decided to keep his powder dry and save the triathlon for another day.
A quick ground change meant that there was no undergrowth to contend, but did bring its own challenges. Namely, a strip that was so green it could not be spotted from the sidelines, being the same colour as the outfield. Glenn was seen licking his lips.
Remarkably the Mullett, with nephew Charlie in tow, was the first to arrive and soon got all the boys padded up and netting. 1pm kick off came and went and still the Blues were netting and only 4 roehampton boys were spotted, no captain and no stumps. After some gentle encouragement from stand in skipper Jenks, Roehampton were suitably chivvied along, told to get the stumps, told they were batting first and told to pad up.
1.20 game started. Brandon and Rich both very tactically declared they didn't want to share the new ball with Glenn, so Jimmy Leworthy was given the honours. After routinely dispatching yours truly's bowling during our Lords net, Jimmy had been promised a bat via an early Saturday morning voice note from HJ. In textbook tactical man management, this seemed to have done the trick as Jimmy arrived a new man: on time, no sunglasses in sight, bright eyed and bushy tailed. With the new ball in hand James proceeded to tear through Roehampton's top order with a quick, testing, probing length that targeted the stumps and made the batsmen play. A red hot spell, the best James had bowled for the Blues saw wickets flying: caught Mullett, LBW, bowled and Jim had picked up 3 wickets reporting figures of: 17-3 from 7 overs. It seems 8 hours sleep makes all the difference. Bowling so superbly he had of course condemned himself to be batting low down for yet another match.
Glenn toiled at the other end, getting stuck with their young skipper on strike who was content to leave, block and see Glenn off. Bowling tidying, Glenn kept the run rate down but finished his 7 over spell wicketless, grumpy and looking forward to the pub.
On comes The Mullett. First game in a year. Zero looseness. First ball, on the money. Fielders move in, crowd start bubbling, 'the Lords hum' reverberating around the ground. Rumours of historic magic moments are heard whispered in corners of South west London as Richard walks back to his mark. Second ball, lollops in, left arm raised to take his aim, right arm brushes past his ear and his spell is cast. On a good length the batsmen plays a shot with hard hands that pops up in the air to be gobbled gratefully by a smiling Simon Richards at mid off. He had heard the legends, but now he could witness it for himself.
A few overs later, Richard bowls a beautiful 5th stump away swinger, the nick duly obliges, Wardy takes the catch behind the stumps and Rich's work is done. Immediate impact showing you never lose it (provided you had it in the first place) and retired from the attack 5-2 off 5 overs. A cheeky wink to Glenn, 'that's how it's done old boy'.
Brandon, after a few sledges from Diggers about not getting any wickets whilst Rich was cleaning up at the other end responded in typical fashion: by bowling even faster. Once he found his rhythm he proceeded to hurl thunderbolts that the batsmen couldnt get anywhere near. Luckily a decent bat came out, looked handy and then was good enough to nick a ball that swung in and straightened after pitching. Good take from Wardy and Brando was in the game. Out walked another lad who looked like he could play. First up he gets the ball of the year so far. Brandon steams in, bowls an in-swinging ball, of a full-ish length, just short of a Yorker. It absolutely cleans him up smashing into the middle of his off stump. Standing in disbelief the poor lad, clad in blue shorts and t shirt (wear whites next time please) can only shake his head and angrily trudge off. We later learned that this lad, despite his appearances, was 13. A promising young gun by the name of Usman (who later bowled a wicket maiden) - one can only empathise with the lad. I imagine facing a rilled up Antipodean is a far cry from the school fields of under 14s cricket. Brandon's work was done and he too was taken out of the attack, claiming 2 wickets for 6 (or 4) runs from 5 overs.
Simon Richards was then brought into the attack. In the same vein of James Leworthy bowling himself down the order, so Simon seemed to have batted himself into the bowling attack. Putting those biceps to work, he had been shining the ball vigorously all game, and now his chance came to make the ball talk. A few sighters and then Simon found his rhythm, settling into a lovely line and length, keeping the run rate down and challenging the batters. Second over in and Simon strikes, drawing the batter into an uppish drive to mid on. A leaping Brandon dives forward and takes the catch nicely. An elite club is joined and another Blues all rounder is born: first Blues wicket for Simon, however, most importantly, first (of many I'm sure) headpat from The Mullett. Not settling with 1 wicket, Simon quickly bowls a full Yorker to smash into the poor number 9s pad and the finger shoots up. 3 overs: 6-2. 'Bowling is easy mate' he tells Brandon.
Sammy Robinson probing at the other end is not one to miss out on wickets on a nibbling pitch. With only 1 wicket left unclaimed Sam was determined to add to his growing tally. After standing at second slip all game, Jenks moves himself to mid wicket. Next ball Sam throws a lovely out-swinger that takes the top of the bat to pop up to exactly where second slip would have been. Heads in hands all round, wry smile from Sammy. Luckily, a few overs later Sam brought the fielders in and laid a trap for the bowler. Throwing in a planned slower shorter ball, their last batsmen rocked back and absolutely smashed it at the mid wicket fielder. Luckily Jenks redeemed himself by grabbing the ball with nonchalance. Contemptuously tossing the ball on the ground, plaudits were taken. High fives all round, smiles galore and the Blues left the field having bowled Roehampton out for 61 from 30.2 overs. A day to be a bowler.
Roehampton cocked up tea so we motored through to the second innings with tummy's rumbling. Digby, golden locks glinting in the sun, took to the field and quickly started smashing the ball to all parts. The runs flowed and the boys looked comfortable. A few tinnies were cracked open and the Blues bowlers settled down to talk to the various fans, promising not all Blues fielding performances were so smooth.
Blues batting being what it is, a quick 0,2,4 from batters 2,3,4 got the Blues bowlers excited momentarily and Jack Ward frantically padding up. Enter FitzGerald, striding to the crease purposefully. With a few powerful strokes he took control of proceedings. Diggers departed after top edging to one of their better fielders, top scoring for the match with 30. A few runs left to go and Roehampton bring on their 11 year old. Often this can bamboozle bluesmen and one can be caught in two minds. Do I smack him to all parts and crush his young, tender soul? or do I block him out and let the lad go home with his hopes and dreams intact?
Seasoned from hundreds of Sunday cricket scraps Fitz showed no hesitation in striding down the wicket first ball and thumping the lad through extra cover. 4 runs and victory was sealed. Pinching oursleves, all 11 blues plus at least that many fans rolled into the Red Lion pub to regale all with tales of glory.
In the pub by 5pm, remarkable, what a result! Expensive larger, roast dinners all round, and the Blues were warming up, settling into the evening session. Pushing tables together, a few customary speeches rang out, as the Blues collective frolicked at ease, at home in their natural element: revelling in sun, beer and victory.
Special mention to everyone who brought along fans, especially the fairer sex. An almost carnival atmosphere drenched the sun kissed fields of Barnes Elms sports trust as the travelling fans tucked into refreshments and picnicked away merrily, obviously honoured to watch a serene performance.
If you've got this far then congratulations and do please post your availability on the google doc as we are looking very light for the next 6 weeks and we may have to cancel games. If so, it's better to know in advance so weekends away with the lovely Ellie can look planned and not a last minute scramble. Also, a big push for BLUES TOUR at Chez Digby 15-17 July, all are welcome, no cricketing ability required.
Yours faithfully, Jenks
Batting:
Digby 30, Fitz 12*
Bowling
Moore: 7-17-0
James Leworthy: 7-17-3
Mullett: 5-5-2
Brandon: 5-6-2
Sam Robinson 3.2-7-1
Simon: 3-6-2
[updated 15 06 2022]