SHAMBOLIC King’s Road were so bad in their season opener they won’t be going near any Hall of Fame – but they could go in a Hall of SHAME.

The Battersea-based club got 2009 off to the worst possible start – losing a shocking TWO games in one morale-sapping day at Wandsworth Common.

The Orange Caps’ first match ended in disaster after they were blitzed by Fame CC in just 36 overs of play.

It was over so quick a Twenty20 between the two clubs was hastily put on – and The Road got thrashed in that too.

The rot set in straight away when opener Jamie Smith narrowly escaped being caught first ball.

But six balls later the pint-sized pinch-hitter had his stumps smashed in with just one on the board.

Fellow opener Leon Watson was also having a torrid time in the middle after eight months off.

He survived a series of close calls while staging a mini-fightback with Jamie Keating. The pair managed to put on 29 before Jamie was bowled for 19 off 19 balls.

Then – with the score on 43 – all-rounder Leon’s resistance was broken when Victor sneaked one through.

To read the first scorecard of the day click HERE.
To read the second scorecard of the day click HERE.
To see Amir’s pix from both matches click HERE.

Matt Cocken can count himself unlucky after getting a shooter he could do nothing about on three. And he was followed by Dan Chaplin who couldn’t add to the total.

David Hughes went for six and both Adam Majeed and captain Raju Mazumder fell for ducks in quick succession.

Adam was beaten by the devilish spinner Sagar’s well-disguised quick ball and Raju gloved a bouncer from Victor.

Rookie Roader Tony Swann found time for a quick 10-ball salvo at the end hitting two monster sixes in his 18 to give The Road hope.

But he couldn’t keep out Fame’s classy pace aces who were bowling a barrage of wicket-to-wicket deliveries with nagging accuracy.

Finally, James Couldrey and Kevin Pittaway capitulated – James went for another duck to leave Kev one not out.

Given the way Fame bowled it was no surprise that a staggering eight of the ten wickets to fall were bowled.

It was the powerful combination of relentless accuracy and speed that left The Road’s bowlers with an impossible task of bowling out Fame for 72 or under.

Opening bowlers Kevin Pittaway and James Couldrey made quick inroads to leave Fame briefly teetering early on with three wickets down.

It was not enough though as a steady stream of wides and byes took the pressure off. Adam was carted for 18 off two overs and quickie Tony took one wicket but couldn’t turn the tide.

Hashim and Daniyal led Fame home with ease to secure a six wicket win.

It was a dismal display by The Road – but what followed in the Twenty20 was just as bad.

Fame had no problem proving the first match was no fluke by skittling The Road again for a measly 76.

Only Matt Cocken and Adam Majeed – both unlucky to get out in the first game – put up any resistance.

Matt hit four fours in a pedestrian 24 and Adam came in at seven to hit 16 at a run a ball.

The story with the rest of the batting was much the same with another seven victims bowled. This time though there was little fight left in The Road as Fame cantered home with ease.

King’s Road again made it easy by giving away 22 extras and Matt was the only bowler to take a wicket.

Farrukh hit 11, Raza scored 21 not out and Victor hit 26 not out to condemn The Road – who were without several key players – to another embarrassing defeat.

Last season King’s Road Golden Oldies Dean Aldridge and Giles Fagan battered a weak side but this year the kids from Fame were a different kettle of fish.

Now, after two thrashings like that, captain Raju and his King’s Road bros must’ve been left wondering, “When will I, will I beat Fame-ous?”

Let’s hope he CAN answer that, next year.

* Why do YOU think The Road were thrashed so badly at the weekend? Tell us your thoughts on the match in the comment box below.