Detail: 10-07-2022 - Paddington Rabbits

Result: W by 3 wkts

Blues CC vs Paddington Rabbits

Waking up slightly hungover on a Sunday morning, the inevitable fear of a couple of late night/early morning dropout texts running through my mind, I thought it was best not to check my phone and just hope for the best. However, to my surprise there was radio silence. Arriving at Paddington Rec I could see the youngest recruits, Ed J and Harry Baker ready and raring to go. Could luck be on our side, and no dropouts from the Blues under 30s? Almost... Archie Tawney arrived and mentioned our opening bowler was still semi-comatosed in South London, feeling the effects of a few lagers in the sun yesterday.

Having met up with the oppo captain Ellie, I found a team that was perhaps more village that the mighty Blues. I was informed that they had no scorebook, currently one set of plastic stumps, and definitely no bails. "They'll be honest if it hits the stumps" Ellie politely told me. Whilst allowing the Rabbits to sort out the rest of the kit, we did the "coin toss". But again, I was informed that they had no coin, so we did what any group of millennials would do and flip a credit card. Unfortunately, the Blues were sent out to field on what was going to be a scorcher of a day.

Jimmy Leworthy, having arrived with 5 minutes to spare and what looked like 5 minutes of sleep the night before was told we were fielding, and he had the honours of the new ball. "I knew I should've stayed in bed" was murmured. The boys went out to the field and watched their opening batsman wander in, wifebeater on, and having just necked his Carlsberg Export. Jimmy realised the new ball may not be the worst idea after all.

With Jimmy (Leworthy) and Jimmy (Howe) opening the bowling from the same end, the blues starting strong with some excellent line and length. James Leworthy with some serious wheels and had the opener nick one straight past 2nd slips hand. Harry Tawney quickly deciding that he needed to take a few steps back, otherwise there could be some costly dental work required. Jimmy (Howe) had the ball on a string bowled a couple of beauty's and within 3 overs had the Rabbits at 5-2, skittling both the openers in his second over. With an outfield described as electric and lethal, any bat on ball resulted in a 4, the Blues knew that they had to be tidy with the ball. A few streaky fours later, Leworthy was in on the action, full and straight was required and a "you miss, I hit" mantra was realised. Unsure of what they had in the shed but knowing what he had to bowl later (a Tawney or two), the skipper proceeded with both Jimmy's to try and get some more early wickets. The aggressive tactic paid off, and both Jimmy's got another wicket in their first spell to have the Rabbits at 55-5.

Hamish Fyfe coming of a glorious sounding 70 at Putney, had the Blues curse of the being an all-rounder and was required to bowl a full set. Happily, he set about his work, playing mind games he moved HT around to behind backwards square-leg, the trap was set. Having recently bragged about not dropping a ball for the blues in 3 years, HT was confident he could help Fyfe dismiss the batsman. A couple of balls later the ball whistled straight into the hands of HT, unfortunately what followed was the ball hitting chest, knee and floor and Harry lying on the ground cursing his luck. Luckily, this batsman only stayed in for another 20 overs and top-scored.

The Blues were then on the back foot, and the Rabbits built a steady partnership. It was not helped by every fielder wanting to field at either fine leg and 3rd man, as there was a couple of particularly well (or not) dressed ladies watching.

Hamish, deciding to take matters into his own hands, managed to get the ball to skip on and end the partnership whilst snapping the wooden stump in half. The broken stump landing cleanly in the hands of Jack behind the stumps, Jimmy Leworthy noting "cleanest take you've made all day mate", much to the skippers' amusement. Rory Collett, having opted to bowl 1st change to try and get some more wickets to his name, was unfortunately met by a very solid batsman and got no change from his excellent deliveries. He did bounce Ellie, with a short ball that kicked off the pitch and caught her in the neck. Whilst checking she was alright, Rory wanted to make sure she had hit it into her neck rather than pad to neck, because otherwise "she was plum mate".

Ed Jenks had volunteered to bowl some military medium and teased the batsman with some line and length. Simon was offered to use the ball he had so expertly shined and bowled some excellent in-swingers and was both blues were unfortunate to leave the day with no wickets.

With the sun beating down and the boys keen for a bat, Jimmy and Jimmy came back on and went through the tail. With both Jimmys on a 4fer, James Howe got the last bastman to knick off to 1st slip where Jimmy Leworthy proceeded to shell the catch, competition for the honours board? Luckily, a few overs later James Howe ended the innings, skittling another rabbit and finishing with excellent figures of 5-34.

Archie Tawney, having finally left fine leg, was the elder statesman opening with Harry Baker, and as any true bluesman would do, let the younger man face the first nut. Archie was playing in true Tawney fashion and clipped the 3rd ball of his legs for a glorious boundary. Unfortunately, a couple of balls later, missed a straight one and had to depart for 10. Alex Pike coming of a glorious 136*, came in at 3 wanting to cement his grip on the batting trophy for another year, unfortunately the Rabbits had an excellent opening bowling who proceed to skittle Pikey and Jack in quick succession.

With the new scoreboard having all the technology, strike rate was all that HT cared about. Fortunately for the blues he connected with more than he missed and quickly built an excellent partnership with Harry Baker, racing to 34 or 22 balls (SR:154). Next ball, HT nicked it to slip, but Archie Tawney like any good Blues umpire kept his hands in his pockets hoping Harry would walk. HT, not feeling so generous stood out there, confirming he hadn't hit it. Alex Pike at square leg, quickly intervened and HT was sent packing.

At this point Harry Baker and just reached his debut 50 for the blues in his first innings, great work. I'm sure when Youcef is match managing he will also succumb to the all-rounder curse. Harry and Simon Richards kept the scoreboard ticking, but after a shot too many, Harry had to depart for 62 and Simon for 8 (Simon less happy with the new strike rate feature).

James Leworthy and Ed Jenkins got the blues close, only for Jimmy to be beaten by a straight one. 30 to win with only 3 wickets remaining, do the under 30s have it in them. Hamish Fyfe, in great form came in and proceed to hit a few excellent boundaries to get the Blues over the line.

First win for the Blues under 30s, but hopefully many more to follow.

Stats:

James H: 5-34
Jimmy L: 4-34
Fyfe: 1-46
Harry B: 62
Harry T: 34

[updated 18 11 2022]