KING’S Road continued to explore the outer reaches of the A-Z in search of a victory against the Swinging Googlies but once again returned from their travels empty-handed.

Only a 50 from Tom Barnes made the trip to the Long Ditton Recreation Ground  more bearable for the outclassed Orange Caps.

Former skipper and champion tosser Raju Mazumder maintained his run of form with the coin and decided to bat on a pristine pitch, giving his successor as the Road’s leader Matt Cocken time to find his way to Surbiton.

A promising opening stand of 18 was ended when Leon Watson, wielding a new blade, was bowled by Pravin.

His fellow opener James Pritchard was joined by Barnes and the pair put on 29 before the Welshman was adjudged to be LBW.

The unhappy batsman later complained about the decision – not for the first time – but sympathy was in short supply.

Barnes struck a succession of boundaries as he took the score to 73 before Elliot Small fell with the drinks break in sight.

Three balls later and David Hughes was gone, continuing a woeful run of form for the Orange Caps.

The skipper and Barnes put on 17 before Cocken was caught-and-bowled by Joe.

Four runs later Barnes had his half-century but as he threatened to cut loose he was caught just after reaching the milestone.

John Smalley and Jamie Keating took the score past 100 before a succession of quick wickets.

Smalley was bowled by Pravin for 16, Keats was run out for nine and Guru Prasad was dismissed for a single, leaving the Road on 123-9.

All-rounder Adam Majeed, making a welcome return from injury, hit a lively 12 from seven balls but ran out of partners when paceman James Couldrey was out for one, leaving the Swinging Googlies chasing 134 to win.

The Orange Caps’ efforts in the field may have been hampered after their players tucked into the sumptuous teatime spread with gusto.

In hot and humid conditions King’s Road were subjected to the cricketing equivalent of Chinese water torture as the Googlies patiently and relentlessly accumulated the runs required.

Half-chances failed to go to hand and loose shots landed safe in the gaps as Rob and Amar put on 51 for the first wicket.

Majeed was the man to claim the scalp, trapping Amar LBW for 26.

But any hope that the wicket might lead to a more substantial breakthrough were dashed as Pravin picked up where Amar had left off.

Cocken, whose four overs went for just nine runs, used six other bowlers as he desperately attempted to find a way to prise the batsmen from the crease.

Guru, whose two overs cost 24 runs, was unlucky not to claim a wicket during his first bowling spell for five years – Barnes dropping a sharp chance behind the stumps and another possible catch spilled by an Orange Cap fielder.

But few of the bowlers will look back on the match with affection as the Googlies knocked off the total in 28.2 overs.