Energy Exiles Cricket Club

Match Summary: vs. British Library, Sunday, 27 Aug 2006

Ground: King's House Sports Ground
Captain: Andrew Wingfield
Match type: 40 overs
Toss: British Library elected to field
Weather: Breezy and part sunny
Opposition: British Library scored: 141 all out (34 overs)
Exiles Score: 179 for 5 (40 overs)
Result: Won 38 runs
Man of the match: Keith Roberts 101 not out

Exiles took on the British Library in the return fixture determined to overturn the disappointment of losing a tight game earlier in the season. This game proved no less tense as the Exiles battled hard before finally pulling off a tough win as the doom descended on a breezy day at Chiswick. Indeed it took a classy and fluent century from Keith and a crucial match winning hat-trick from John T to save the Exiles' blushes.

The day began in farcical fashion with Chiswick double booking the pitches and worryingly it was the Exiles name absent from the board; however some cool negotiations by Naren ensured Exiles secured a pitch and much more importantly ? tea.

The skipper once again defied the laws of averages by losing the toss (deliberately as it turns out) and Keith and Quentin strode to the middle to open the batting on a good looking pitch. However, any possibility of a brisk start was prevented by accurate spells from the openers, particularly Marke who although wicket less bowled through for the economical figures of 8-6-3-0.

Looking to accelerate Quentin fell tamely to the first ball of the new bowler but with some useful middle order support, most notably from Amil and John T, Keith began to stroke the ball effortlessly and consistently to all parts of the park. Keith left it late but some judicious rotation of the strike ensured a thoroughly well deserved century (and only the 4th in Exiles' history) off the last ball of the innings. Thanks largely to the efforts of Keith Exiles posted a competitive score of 179 but on a decent pitch and some hard hitting batsmen to come there was still much to do.

Andy opened at one end with characteristic pace and bounce, while Naren produced his customary precision from the other. The combination proved too much for the BL openers, both dismissed cheaply but with the bigger guns lurking ominously down the order the game was just beginning.

From an exceedingly slow start BL accelerated sharply with their enthusiastic youngster unleashing some fierce blows; Luke, in particular, unfortunate to be on the receiving end (although he was dropped early off the bowling of Robin). Joined by the phlegmatic and dangerous Marke the opposition set about the target with some beefy and well timed shots. And even after the sprightly number 3 had been bowled by Simon, the silent assassin continued the charge, ably supported by the middle and lower order. As the Exiles fielders sieged the boundary rope it seemed that history might be about to repeat itself. Enter J M B Tither (editorial licence on middle initials for effect!).

After a couple of overs John had clearly worked out that if he couldn't get Marke out then he?d just have to get everyone else out. It worked. In a sensational burst that included the crucial wicket of Michell for 1, John wrapped up the game in some style by claiming a hat-trick to register a hard fought and satisfying win for the Energy Exiles.

Report By: Simon Gundry

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