The Eagles Have Crashed

By Barmy Kev
August 28 2012

I started today uninspired, A Bank Holiday, lousy weather, Middle playing a meaningless game when mind on more important matters for the Club two LVCC games ahead. I was also not happy that both LVCC matches were midweek, stopping us working folk attending. I tried to enjoy the occasion and was grateful to start day at the end of season, before the game Seaxe Box party. They were very generous with their wine in the Seaxe Box area and very quickly realised this was a Must Wine Game.

As I was getting comfortable from my Seaxe Box view, 2^nd ball Jo Denly was caught behind. First over 1-1 did not look good. Before I could say anther red wine please Middx reached 50 after 6 overs as Malan started to let loose striking four successive deliveries for 4 of Chambers. Hard hat time when Stirlo started to show attacking intent. We were 62-1 after 7, and then a thick edge produced a superb high catch behind by Foster in front of 2^nd slip.

Dexter looked uncomfortable and there was a drop in run rate, nothing disastrous even when Dext out as we were 90-3 from off 13 overs. As wine was being replaced by tea and cakes in Seaxe Box I took a long walk via Lower Mound to survey matters. There I met Janet Davis and made my peace with her. Meanwhile, AC and the Ice Man were piling on the runs. I reached my Vermin corner seat in Tavern and realised the bottle of red was cork not screw top. Diamond said for a £5 for charity he would get it unDominicced which he did. AC and the Ice Man continued to dominate with some agressive hitting. The score was 185-3 and was a discussion point whether Ice Man on 43 at time will reach 50, before AC’s ton on 88 at time. I kept quiet realising normally such predictions cause a wicket- good move. The 100 partnership was well received with a glorious cover drive by the Ice Man, which was followed by a streaky single that bought up his 50. Then AC reached his ton thanks to an inside edge to boundary. Both landmarks were chanceless with quality shots. With 200 up with 10 overs left there was a charity sweepstake on our final score. I went for 305 and changed it 295 in retrospect, Scores ranged from Wham Man went for 275 and Spillage 326. Berg was “caught” behind when he seemed to be nowhere near hitting it. AC was out in deep thanks to a juggling act By Chambers. We were experiencing our cluster mid order collapse. Josh Davey hit a quick 11, Adam Rossington was run out going for impossible run. Kim’s predicted 285 looked good

As Gurjit Sandhu was bating his 1^st 2 balls were dots, his 3^rd clean bowled to rapturous cheers as it was announced 6 more runs added due to slow-over-rate rate. Essex were sloppy in field and lack lustre maybe it was fear of being attacked by a lion on their return to Essex. Final 288 score not spot on by anyone but more money for charity. I was still not sure if was enough given it looked like we were heading for 300+. And there were dangerous batters on Essex side.

Essex reply started slowly but solidly. Corey was particularly economical and difficult to get away. “Corey is too good for you was the chant”. In 10^th over Sandhu was given his debut bowl. 1^stball to Petting looked short tried to cut straight to Berg. Next ball slightly shorter another cut to same fielder but in air and Berg was ecstatically greeted by Gurjit. Surprisingly. Harbhajan Singh was next in. It didn’t last long well caught and bowled off Corey from mistimed drive. The cynics may say would have he done so well of somebody else bowling. Next in Gloucs reject Bopara and following over Gurjit strikes again as Ravi caught behind. A century stand at run a ball between Westley and our old boy Ace threatened to ruin our hopes. The run rate was creeping over 10 but with Ace showing glimpses of what we know he can do, couldn’t relax. Stirling did a good job of pinning them down and both lost patience and were caught in deep by Smudge off his bowling as they had to force pace. At 165-5 in 30^th over game over as contest in fading light. Smudge caught 10descate to give Gurjit 3^rd wicket. Soon after Foster was bowled by Berg in the gloom. Two new batters in, it was really dark and a bit of anti climax as match called off with 5 overs left 90 behind.

There was also a sad feeling as maybe my end of season and seeing us do so well in competition and failing to qualify. Gurjit’s bowling was a great boost

So it was Diamond and me for the Tavern for our final drinks of season and some Careless Whispers. Final catch up on matters but after that extra wine I lost the will to complete report.

The Eagles Have Crashed

Posted by: Middlesex till we die (IP Logged)

Date: 28/08/2012 19:50

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:08:29:19:49:08 by The Diamond ruled ok.