RLC chances. That's all Foakes

Beefy reports on day ofhis  observations while waiting and wanting play to start. Then when it did, he wished it hadn't  

I’m on my way to Lord’s for our RLC decider against that lot South of River. It is a soggy start to the day and this match is not starting on time so I take refuge in Metropolitan Bar Baker Street.   I overheard a conversation of a bloke telling his friend how he got lost from SJW Stn. to the ground. Then there was the barman who seemed concerned on whether the game was going ahead. No idea whether either were MTWD or a Mexican?

I head to Lord’s on the off chance of play.  There is an inspection at 3:30 and the staff are working hard drying out wet covers with an odd looking motorised drying device. SKY sports girl with high heels walks out with the umpires (are you watching Mick Hunt?). It’s a 4:15 start 33 over match. Someone in the Allen Stand complains why 33, why not 34 or 35. I despair!!! More rain it’s 16:45 start 27 overs, then more rain. All I can do is study the table about many permutations, especially if this is a no result which seems to be more likely by the minute.  Then the most bizarre notice from our scoreboard as it is raining even more. “ Please take care of yourself and use lots of sunscreen”. Hmmm!

Eventually, much to my surprise, we have an 18 over game with 6:30 start. Without SKY cameras would have they gone for it?  We all know what happened next but here’s the summary. Mala out off of his first ball 5-1. Gubbo out 22-2, soon 23-3. Mexican cheering I want to go home.

Kev and R&O turn up  Drizzle gets heavier this game seems unlikely to finish. Even more so at 86-6 after 13 umps call players off in heavy rain. At this stage Kent on verge at beating Sussex , Hants struggling against Somerset. Stay off the pitch and we are surely through.

No such luck umpires, dragged on by Surrey SKY they want a game, it's now 16 overs a side. TRJ out first ball lofted one after restart when I said we need as many as we can, sorry. We finish on 101-8 which seemed light but more than could have hoped for at one stage. Remember how we defended a small total against Essex?

Mexican reply- TRJ gets Roy out first ball of innings.  Next over wicket maiden from Harry thanks to Ollie catch 2-2 after 2 Kent have won , Hants need snookers. It’s 28-3 and with dangerous Finch out 35-4 , Hants fail to get 6 off their last ball so Kev tells me from his phone and he said something to effect trophy is ours and then something unrepeatable.    

Foakes and Ansari gradually battle on but they are always just behind the Vera. Then , oh dear a Sowter over Foakes takes him for 14, massive swing in favour of those South of Border. They are level with 10 balls remaining I hand reporting pad to Kev.   There’s a dot and Kev chants we only need 9 dot balls, there’s a wicket, some more dots but the Mexican’s make it with 5 balls to spare.

That’s All Foakes- for our RLC campaign anyway.