Energy Exiles Cricket Club

Match Summary: vs. Old Rutlishians, Sunday, 26 Jul 2009

Ground: Dundonald Rec Ground
Captain: Amil Patel
Match type: 40 overs
Toss: Old Rutlishians elected to bat
Weather: Drizzle, damp pitch
Opposition: Old Rutlishians scored: 165 all out (34.4 overs)
Exiles Score: 168 for 3 (31.2 overs)
Result: Won by 7 wickets
Man of the match: Andrew Wingfield 5 for 32,
Jon Parker-Jones 56 not out

After Merton cancelled midweek we turned up at Dundonald Park expecting to face the Old Rutlishians, a team we haven't played since Mark assaulted a deckchair after being mistakenly given out some years ago. It became apparent rather quickly, with the appearance for several of the opposition under 5ft tall, that we were going to play a considerably younger version of the Old Ruts. With some of them looking like they had just recently discarded nappies, many Exiles' bowlers licked their lips at the prospect of improving their averages (as Naren has been heard to say in the past, 'it still says bowled Patel in the scorebook' after he bowled yet another bouncer at a 4 year old). Having won the toss, the Old Ruts elected to bat. Simon and Andy literally sprinted to their marks, with Simon given the rare opportunity to open the bowling.

The two young batsman arrived at the crease ready for action and didn't seem to be perturbed one little iota about facing these two giants of Exile cricket. Both beginning slowly (Simon worried about ending a child's life and Andy because he was moving like a 90 yr old after bowling 12 overs on Saturday), the two batsmen, particularly the left-hander, played some glorious shots. Quietness descended quickly over the Exile fielders as thoughts turned to the thrashings we often suffered on tour by a similarly aged Caythorpe. However both bowlers began to find their line and length and the talented left-hander soon drove a delivery from Andy into the hands of a grateful Wil fielding at short mid-on. Simon's pace started to pick up and after a couple overs the other opener (at least he had to be over 15 as he wasn't wearing a helmet) missed a straight one and was lbw.

Wickets continued to tumble, with Andy bowling well after his old and weary bones started to loosen up, and the Exiles were in control until the middle order came to the wicket. Both Martin and Phil L were unlucky to be bowling at the time and their classy no. 5 scored a chanceless 49 until he succumbed to a mixture of a decent ball from the returning Andy and friendly sledging from our team bully Simon, caught (with his third catch of the day) by the nimble and athletic Wil at mid-wicket.

Some late order hitting continued with all of these young men being very harsh on any bad balls. Andy completed a '5-for' and was then promptly hit for successive boundaries by the number eleven - until the wise old head of JPJ brought some control and bowled their last batsman, with the Old Ruts reaching 165 all out.

The Exiles reply began well with Keith spanking (a word not used since the much missed Kristian retired from cricket) two loose balls for four only to be out shortly after to a ball that bounced, seamed, and turned (well that is what Keith says), flying off his gloves and was out caught behind. Keith continued to chunter throughout the Exiles' innings about this missed opportunity to score runs. Sri and JPJ continued well against a mixture of very good and truly awful bowling. Sri was eventually out for an excellent 39 off 36 balls, hitting once too often in the air. JPJ was joined by another ex Innings player Mahinda who batted solidly, though his running between the wickets caused much amusement to Sri and an old Innings stalwart who had come to watch. The bowling also became a lot more threatening when their top scorer came on and showed that he is a very talented all-rounder.

JPJ continued merrily on his way and was joined by Wil who was immediately disconcerted by the prospect of facing a leg-spinner who couldn't have been more than 4ft tall. He held his nerve, at one point hitting the young lad gloriously back over his head for four. JPJ scored a much-deserved fifty and it was left to Wil to score the winning runs with a superbly timed edge for four through the slips.

A very enjoyable day ended with an invitation to the Old Ruts ground to make use of their showers and drinking facilities, and I think I might have even spotted the deckchair that Mark attacked all those years ago. Another special mention should go to the Old Ruts umpire who was very fair and consistent throughout the game. The only sour note was the rather tiresome sledging that a couple of the young men partook in. I do hope this so-called 'mental disintegration' isn't coached.

Man of Match goes jointly to Andy Wingfield for his 5 for 32 and JPJ for his 56 runs and 2 for 18.

Report By: Wil Scott

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