The Very End

Beefy provides chapter and verse on a bitterly disappointing final day of the season for Middlesex. Don't shoot the messenger folks - many many thanks to Beefy for biting the bullet and providing this heartfelt report.

Oh well, i packed my cold bag for the last time this season,and the journey begins.Some may cheer the season,some may not.

As the start of the last day nears,the bell in rung and The Middle come out,lead by Ace and Ped great touch for the two who are saying their goodbyes today.

Worcester are on 195-7 overnight,a lead of 116.TRJ takes first over from nursery end as the sun comes out and slight rain comes down,2nd over is Ped from the Pavilion end.

TRJ,who,we say has had a great last third of the season,gets the breakthrough,first wicket of the day as Moeen Ali(who is called Uncle Albert by his team mates) goes LBW for 81 its 211-8,as the wicket goes we see OB going towards the nursery end,going for a net,or doing a bit with Radio London and Kevin Hand? must be a net,couldn't see his shirt through the window.

Ped carries on from the Pavilion end,get a wicket and the score goes to 222-9 as Shantry is caught by Simmo for a duck,last man comes in Big Al walks to the Middle hoping he doesn't last long,so we can get batting towards the total we will need to finish with a win.

First bowling change,Ace from the nursery end to applause all round,and from his over Andrew sends the ball into the top tier of the grandstand and it bounces straight back into the field of play.

Without warning Seaxe Man,who has been calling Moeen Ali Uncle Ben,not Uncle Albert,breaks into song(well,sort of) calling out ' i love glamorgan,glamorgan ' trouble is,he sounds more of an asian accent,nothing like welsh at all!

Another bowling change,after the Ace over,TRJ is back from nursery end.And Ped is removed from the bowling at Pavilion end to be replaced by Finny.

Worcester get the 250 up,a lead of 171 with the last two still getting runs,come on we say,get this last one out before the target gets to much,finally,after a couple of dropped catches along the way,the last one goes Andrew has gone for 73,caught and bowled by TRJ,who returns with a fivefer,figures of 5-83 off 19.1 overs.

As our lads go off,the team and members form a guard of honour for the two who are departing.And applause from the stands as well.

Our openers are on the field,Newman faces the first over from Richo at the Pavillion end,we get 3 on the board,Simmo is facing Richo,who takes his wicket plum LBW Simmo didn't even wait,he just knew he was gone.

Ace is in,who gets applauded all the way to the crease,and a vast majority of the small crowd standing as well.

Poor Kimmy,she has looked after me all season ' don't forget your suncream,got your hat etc. ' today,without a coat,she is shivering as the wind picks up,I'm fine,wearing a light tracksuit top!

Its 11-1,there is no rush,take your time lads we have 2 and a bit sessions to get the runs.

A Newman nick is dropped behind the wicket he is on 8,Ace on 5 and its 13-1,we need 165 to win.Scottie sends a lovely 4 over the bowlers head,and Ace joins in with a drive to the Pavilion boundary for a 4 as well,we now need 157 to win,easy lads,easy i think,don't rush it.

Wicket goes,Newman has gone for 12 to Richo,he takes both openers.Malan comes in,needed a single run for 1000 runs this season,and reaches it with applause from the faithful,not long after he goes as his wicket goes to Al Hasan for 2 runs,its 33-3 bowled round his legs.

Dan Housego comes in,we need another 145 to win,dig in lads i think to myself.Ace runs well between thw ickets as lunch arrives,and we are on 36-3,Richo 2-12.We have a prediction by Middle Mark,he said we will win by a single wicket,and the last two are Ace and Pedro as they walk off together into the sunset.

The PA has asked that no perambulation at lunck,but the stewards are taking their places around the square,so people take a leisurely stroll around for the last time this season.Bell rings,lunch is over and we only need another 142 for the win Housego faces Richo,and gets through the over,then from the Nursery end Al Hasan takes over and takes Housegos wicket,its 37-4 as he goes for LBW,in comes Dexter,I mutter come on Dext,no pressure,and he gets off the mark,we have 63 overs of the season left and need 140 now.Ace gets two good runs,but has to dive at the Pavilion end to stay in,gets up and brushes himself down,Midle Mark says don't bother brushing down,wont need that kit anymore.

Arrgghh,Dext is dropped on 1,then drives Al Hasan for a lovely 4 and next ball does the same,its 51-4 and another 127 to win.Wicket goes,everyone goes silent for a second then all stand to their feet as Ace walks back to the pavilion for his last time wearing the shirt of Midldesex he goes for 25,c Shantry b Al Hasan another wicket for the spinner.Ace turns to the smallish crowd,holds his bat and helmet up to say cheerio to everyone,and all you can hear is people shouting ' CHEERS ACE ' .

Murts comes in,and goes back again,he has gone for a duck,its that man again,Al Hasan.We need 124 to win as TRJ comes in to join Dexter at the crease,and still 59 overs to go,its 54-7.

Another wicket goes,58-8 and we are in freefall Al Hasan has 6 wickets and since lunch we have just collapsed and need 120 to win,the winning line looks as far away as the sun is.

Bowling change Uncle Albert(Ali) from Pavilion end,so its spin from both ends now as he bowls to Finny,we are on 64-8 with 49 overs left and need 114 to win,all we can do is pray for rain to get the draw,but the sun keeps showing bit by bit.Wicket goes,its Dexter who is caught by Solanki to a great left  handed catch diving to his left,its 66-9 as last man Ped comes in for his last appearance to applause.

Final wicket goes,we are all out for 66 as Finny departs,Al Hasan has taken 7-32 off 11.1 overs as we have a collapse.
 

Well,that's all folks as they say.Just like to say cheers to all for the company this season,been a hard one again.Have a healthy Autumn/Winter one and all,see you next year for a better time.