KING’S Road will definitely remember one Fame player’s name – after a stunning performance that will live forever in their memories.
Farrukh – the only player on the field with his name on his back – blasted an unbeaten 70 to wipe out the Orange Caps’ total of 158 and take his side to victory.
It was the second loss of the season for King’s Road after the boys from Battersea were beaten by the Hammersmith Hawks in an opening day thriller.
This time though, in a match reduced to 35 overs because of the threat of rain, the outcome was a lot, lot more predictable.
The Road started out with a club record opening partnership between golden oldie Dean Aldridge and wickie Tom Barnes.
The pair negotiated a tricky first few overs with a dodgy Wandsworth Common pitch posing plenty of problems.
Both Dean and Tom were hit regularly by balls popping up off the pitch. One short ball reared up and hit Dean on the head sparking a wildly optimistic appeal by Fame bowler Ali.
The going was slow though and when the pair tried to up the pace their record-breaking resistance came to an end.
Tom – who hit 7 fours in a defiant innings – was left devastated after getting run out on 40 attempting a sharp single.
Eleven runs later newly-elected club chairman Giles Fagan holed out to the spinner Raza as he also tried to move the score on. It left The Road still in a healthy position though on 83 for 2.
Leon Watson then hit his first six for the club before being trapped lbw by Raza. Jamie Keating collowed soon after continuing his rotten run being bowled by Ali for 1.
By then The Road had slumped to 109 for 4 but with Dean still in and wickets in hand a blast down the order could still have pushed them to an imposing total.
In partnership with burly skip Matt Cocken, Dean took The Road to 134 before he was finally bowled at the death to end a marathon innings.
Matt hit 13 not out and a late flurry from Adam Majeed – who hit 17 off 11 balls before being stumped last ball – propelled the total to a respectable 158 for 6 off the full 35 over allocation.
Raza was the pick of the Fame attack with figures of 2 for 18 off 7 tight overs.
It set up an intriguing run chase for Fame who were fully aware that rain was closing in and they had to get a move on.
After a cagey start, Fame opener Akash started hitting out.
The dangerman smashed 5 fours and 2 sixes on his way to 38, before – to much relief – Giles had him caught in the slips by Leon.
The Road had to get him out to stand any chance of winning – because by this time it was clear Fame were going for it, fast.
Wickets were needed and newboy Rich Peralta stepped up to the plate. He overcame a nervous start on his debut to grab his first crucial scalp.
Rich tempted the other opened Danial to play outside off and quick-as-a-flash wickie Tom swooped behind the wicket to flick his bails off.
With two down, Jamie Keating got his first of the season in quick succession caught in deep by Fielder of the Year Simon Biffen.
It brought Fame skipper Imran – who sported a fetching grey tracksuit – to the crease and at number five Farrukh followed him.
Despite Farrukh’s hits keeping the Fame score rolling over quickly another quick wicket would have made The Road favourites.
But as the clouds gathered Fame hung in and Imran managed to give big-hitting Farrukh just the support he needed.
It wasn’t until Imran – who didn’t look comfortable at the crease – had scored an impressive 20 that he was bowled the final ball of Matt’s spell.
By now Fame were clear favourites with Farrukh dispatching the ball to all parts but a few quick wickets could swing it. And that’s just what happened.
Leon bowled the new bat Ghazi for 1 and then next ball had Umair caught by Biff for a duck. That was followed by pace ace Adam comprehensively bowling Sohail for 1.
But it was too little too late. The unflustered Farrukh finished it with ease smacking the ball over long on for his sixth six in an incredible unbeaten 70.
There was no complaints when he was named Man of the Match and Fame ran out clear winners.