A crucial second-wicket stand of 68 from Butterlords in pursuit of Kings Road’s 164 all out set the away side on their way to a comfortable victory by 7 wickets in the sunshine at Dundonald Rec. Despite Oscar’s entertaining 50, including a Champagne Moment-winning cover drive, and Nimit’s devilish spin spell, Kings Road were unable to make it three wins out of three to begin the season.

Movement and maidens

Sherman and PEJ made their way to the middle to face a concoction of unpredictable bounce from both ends. Balls springing up off a length and deliveries flashing past the bat meant two maidens in a row until Sherman broke free to get the Road innings underway with a boundary off the bat. 

PEJ’s defiant stand was broken in the 7th over with a boundary off the bat. He was only able to make one more before being stumped, much to Nimit’s surprise as he didn’t fancy giving it out. 

The next over saw the consistent Pechey turn erratic and a little dangerous. Full toss, four. Full toss, four. Full toss to the back of Sherman’s head. Bowled. Cricket finds a way to kick you while you’re down. 

Newlove, new tricks

Oscar started well, finding the boundary with ease. The return of Tordoff to the attack meant maidens were potentially back on the horizon. Maidens are there to be ruined and Oscar wasted no time, cover driving the first ball of his returning over for four. Fear not, off-side fielders, you won’t be needed now. Oscar was quickly back to his leg-side tricks.

A partnership of 55 between Oscar and Ali Gordon after Craigie fell LBW brought stability to the innings, before Gordon was bowled by Tordoff. Nimit came to the fold to add a classy 20 in difficult circumstances, while 360 Mahony and Ali T were dismissed for ducks off six balls each. 

Blockley added another red inker to his early Kings Road career, making 10 alongside Nikhil and Will B to leave the home team all out for 164. 

Teasy does it 

The oohs and ahhs of another successful Kings Road teas rang out from the Butterlords as the spread was unveiled. Oscar brandished a knife from a sheath but only threatened his own fingers as he sawed his way through a crusty loaf; Sherman’s fig tree chutney took the plaudits and chocolate tim tams turned to mush in the beating sun.

Moradi, mo’ problems

With a battery of left-arm seamers at his disposal, Craigie called upon Ali and Nikhil to open up proceedings. The latter’s opening spell of 4 overs for 2 maidens for 7 runs tested Butterlords’ opening pair as they sought to set a platform. Despite the wheels from Ali at the other end, Kings Road couldn’t get the early breakthrough as T Hildebrand and P Moradi chalked up 41 before a full toss from Brown was clubbed into the grateful hands of Oscar at mid-on. 

Craigie called upon the services of Mahony to test out the defensive and ducking capabilities of Moradi, but nothing could stop him accumulating runs – apart from traffic, kites, park users (general), rugby, flies and sounds from behind the bowler’s arm. 

Tidy spells from Ali G and Blockley followed but wickets evaded Kings Road at an important period of the run chase. 

Just a Nimit

Step away, seamers. The now-dusty, baked pitch had all the makings of a spinner’s dream. Nimit hit the spot from ball one. Moradi had brought up his 50 but was unable to stop himself pushing a teasing Nimit delivery that took the outside edge into Craigie’s lightning quick hands behind the stumps. Never push it to the Nimit.

Lance and Moradi’s 68 partnership was important but the former was out with the first ball of Nimit’s next over bowled to leave them requiring 40 more runs to win.

An unlikely Kings Road win was snaffled by a run-a-ball 26 from Thompson as Butterlords wrapped up victory inside 32 overs.

Match report by Will Brown for Saturday 10 May

Match stats

https://kingsroadcsc.play-cricket.com/website/results/7123928

KRCSC Awards vs Butterlords CC

Champagne

Oscar cover drive – 6
Nimit wicket – 4

Embarrassing

Moany 360

Teas (savoury)

Cheese and chutney sandwiches 2
Paneer bread – 4
Chicken satay 2
Jerk chicken 1

Teas (sweet)

Rocky road 5
Muffins 2

Overall

Rocky road – 5
Paneer bread 4

Mandy of the Match

Oscar – 6
Nimit 2