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Match Summary: vs. Agricola, Sunday, 20 May 2007

Ground: King's House Sports Ground
Captain: Andrew Wingfield
Match type: 40 overs
Toss: Exiles elected to field
Weather: Fine
Opposition: Agricola scored: 171 all out (33.5 overs)
Exiles Score: 173 for 6 (39.5 overs)
Result: Won by 4 wickets
Man of the match: Michael Yates 50 runs

charts of Exiles wicket partnerships for this match
Score board
 Batsmen RunsBalls4s6s
Wil Scott b.  23 
Quentin Davies b. 30  49 
Amil Patel (W)b. 35  68 
Michael Yates b. 50  42 
Jasper Searle b. 30  39 
Simon Gundry not out 11  13 
Andrew Wingfield (C)lbw 
Phil Chamberlain not out 
Jeff Hilson dnb      
10 Naren Patel dnb      
  Extra(s)  3w 3b 4lb   10      
    173  239   
Bowling
 BowlerOMRWAvg
Jeff Hilson  5.0 12 0
Phil Chamberlain  8.0 34 0
Simon Gundry  8.0 32 8
Andrew Wingfield  8.0 51 17
Naren Patel  4.5 41 13.7
Wicket Keeping and Fielding
PlayerCatchRun OutStumpingPenalty
Phil Chamberlain    
Michael Yates    
Match Photos Album Link

A TIME FOR HEROES…

…And there were many on display on Sunday 20th May.

The odds were stacked against the Exiles pulling off a famous victory at the start of their game against Agricola, as they could only muster 10 men (including a borrowed player from the opposition). Of those ten, it could be argued that our bowling far outweighed our batting expertise. However, those doubters should be eating their words, and now realise that we have many a player able to cope with the pressure of run-chasing at its highest order.

The game started well, with the toss going our way, so that we could play to our supposed strength and allow Agricola first use of the wicket. All concerned thought this to be the correct decision, but perhaps we should have consulting our premier opening bowler, Jeff Hilson. Renowned for his ability to arrive late, flustered and struggling with an array of plastic bags (as was the case on this occasion), he normally settles into his fearsome stride with ease. This, however, was not the case for the Agricola game. Whilst he only went for a mere 12 runs from 5 overs, they were unthreatening at best. In fact, it was claimed in the bar after the match, that his first ball had similar pace to a Keith Roberts delivery.

At the other end, Phil Chamberlain bowled his normal line and lenghth stuff, with the occasional away swing (and in-duckers, much to the surprise of his team mates). However, from his first spell, only one edge was found, but that opportunity was not taken so the inevitable double bowling changed happened.

On came Captain Wingco and Gundry. A quality first change in any Sunday friendly side playing at Chiswick! However, after their first few overs, the Exiles outfielders were beginning to panic, as neither had found their rhythm and it has to be said that the Agricola opening batsmen were looking particularly comfortable. The wicket was doing very little; in fact it was deader than "Club It" (that well-known Grantham experience) on a Saturday night. "Too many wide deliveries" was the cry from behind the stumps and "not enough penetration", but I won't tell you who said that!

However, there was soon to follow a passage of play that changed the course of the game. Much has been said for the way Captain Wingo has been going about his business as a bowler since taking over the captaincy, and it was his "clever" use of the crafty leg-side full toss (a delivery not employed by other less daring bowlers) that worked its magic. It has to be said though, if it weren't for the lack of concentration on the batsman's part, or for the brilliant catch of our Agricola-turned-Exile-for-the-day, Mike Yates, we would have been collecting the ball from way past the boundary rope. As it was, celebrations all round, as the tide was about to turn.

Next over, up turns Gundry, bowls slightly outside the off-stump, as he had been for the past few overs, giving the new batsman a chance to leave well alone. But no, he decided to try a late cut (having spent the last 15 overs on the sidelines watching his team mates do exactly that with great success) - which was his downfall, playing on, first ball. Game on.

Two wickets in two overs were just what the Exiles needed, but it didn't stop there, as Captain Wingco had other ideas. Buoyed by the success of his full-toss strategy in his last over, he tried it again. Another mistimed shot by the other opener, which presented a chance, gratefully received by the ever alert Chamberlain in the filed (I would say that, as I'm writing the report). Three down and Exiles were back in the hunt.

With Gundry now bowling a much better line, and Andrew continuing to pose a threat, wickets began to fall at regular intervals. Naren was introduced into the attack, and with his first ball removed a batsman - much to the delight of the Exiles (all except Hilson, who knew that he would hear much about that delivery throughout the season). However, for all Naren's finger-waging at Hilson and Chamberlain, it has to be said that there was an element of "purchasing" the wickets he took. A number of lusty blows were played off Naren - 3 huge sixes in fact - that kept the Agricola scoreboard moving along at a worrying pace. The Innings though soon came to a close on 171, with 6 overs left - a crime in any standard of cricket.

With 10 men in the field, this was a performance that the Exiles could be proud of, and took to the tea interval with happy hearts. That was until they saw the crab sandwiches, and feared for the Hilson trots to soon re-appear.

The batting line up almost wrote itself, with Scott W, Davies, Patel A padded up before most of us had finished our third (yes, third) piece of cake. A good start was what was required, as we didn't want to rely too much on the bowlers-come-batsman too early in the innings. Wil and Q set about building an innings, and facing some good line and length bowling found it hard to get going. Wil was the first to succumb, as he was unfortunate to play on to his leg, foot and then watch the ball roll back onto his stumps.

Amil came, and almost went first ball, although later in the bar he and the umpire at the time (i.e. me) discussed the possibility that the ball he edged to second slip at a very catchable height was in fact a bump-ball. However, that was one of many missed chances that Agricola would fail to accept during the course of the afternoon.

Using that luck, Amil and Q then set about building a partnership, in an attempt to lay the foundation for the middle-order to exploit. A very good plan indeed - and sensible cricket of the highest order. They both, however, fell in quick succession in the 30's, having done much of the hard work. Like Agricola's innings, ours stuttered, but this did bring our guest player (Mike Yates from Agricola) to the crease with Jasper Searle. It was their chance to shine, and with Geoff sitting in the wings, beginning to show first signs of nerves, a lot was on their shoulders.

We needn't have worried, though, as both went about their business in an assured manner. Mike, obviously with the inside skinny on the Agricola bowlers, was able to dispatch them to all parts of the ground, hitting the highest of straight drives for 6 probably seen at Chiswick, on his way to a well-deserved half-century. And Jasper, growing in confidence with every swipe to the boundary, played a supporting role, but one of great maturity, scoring a fluent 30. However, needing 16 off the last 4 overs, both were then out in quick succession, leaving a nervy passage of play.

With a number of wickets in hand (including the Club's main lower-order "hitters" - Gundry, Winfield, Chamberlain and Hilson), the result was surely not in question. If you thought that, you are not a true Exile. We managed to take the game into the last over, due to some reasonable bowling, but also our ability to leave alone many deliveries. This demonstrates a well managed run-chase (as long as you make the runs) but to be sitting next to the ever-shaky Hilson on the boundary edge, you begin to get wound-up by it all.

Then disaster struck in the last over. We needed 4 to win. Wingfield on strike. First ball - dot; Second ball - dot; 4 to win off 4 balls. Nervous yet? Third ball, Andy misses a straight one, the whole of Chiswick stops as Agricola appeal as if their lives depend on it. Naren raises the finger - so, boy, it must have been out! 4 to win, off 3 balls. Out strides Chamberlain. If ever the Exiles needed his ex-league head this was it. 4th ball, a high full toss, which Chamberlain swots to midwicket (his favourite shot) for two. No sighs of relief yet from the boundary. 5th ball, Chamberlain plays a classic off-drive through the covers, for the two required. Exiles win with one ball to spare, and the cheers and singing begin.

There were many notable performances with bat and ball, Gundry's 4 wickets, Andy's 3 full-tossed wickets; Naren's 3 bought wickets; 30's scored by Amil, Quentin and Jasper; Chamberlains calm heroics at the end; and Mike's half century and match-turning catch (he may be a non-Exile at the moment, but an offer was made to him in the bar to play whenever he is available!). I left the ground with the remaining players debating the man-of-the-match decision, so I'll leave it there!

Report By: Phil Chamberlain

Last modified: 11 March 2018 14:31:46. Top of the page

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