A SIZZLING King’s Road were too hot to handle as they edged a strong Sunday Times Occasionals side on the summer’s warmest day so far.

Skipper Mark Isham lost yet another toss – for the fourth time since taking the reigns this season – and The Road were put in to bat at Dulwich sports ground.

It didn’t matter though as Mark’s side put on a healthy 175 in their 40 overs, with 50s from Jack Caesar and Jon Malsingh, before restricting the ST to win by 8 runs as the match went to the final over.

So far this season The Road’s batting has looked fragile when they have been asked to set a total.

But on a good track at Turney Road with lots of batsmen in the side Mark was able to feel confident.

Opening with himself and newboy Lewis Robinson, the side got off to a slow start and were only on 14 when both openers fell in quick succession.

The skipper went first, run out on 6 after slipping over, and Lewis followed,  caught off Pitt on 7.

This brought two players who like to go after the bowling to the crease in Jack and Jon.

After an unusually circumspect start, the pair started getting in amongst the runs, blasting the Sunday Times attack to all points of the ground.

The 89-run partnership was ended when Jack was stumped on 55 off only 53 balls, going for one big shot too many.

Mally continued to make hay while the sun shone. He accelerated his scoring rate to ease past 50 for the first time for the club.

He finally fell, caught behind off Smith, for well-executed 54 which put King’s Road well on the way to setting a good first innings score.

[pullquote]”It’s like running in through the t’Dales! Eee-ba-gum trouble at mill”

– Matt Glover[/pullquote]

But the work was not done. It took a tasty 34 from Elliott Small and support from Chris Beckett, 4, to get the total to 175 for 5.

The Road’s bowlers have looked strong so far this season, taking wickets despite not having many runs play with.

And with a side including four openers, the Orange Caps were feeling confident. But the Sunday Times had other ideas.

Matt Glover, struggling with the hilly run up that played havoc with his radar, took some tap early on and his first two overs were dispatched for 22.

Clearly frustrated, the Yorkshireman exclaimed: “It’s like running in through the Dales!”

Kevin Pittaway fared better, but could not make the breakthrough.

On came Jamie Keating, but even the ever reliable JK couldn’t make inroads into the Times’ top order.

Glover returned to replace Kev from the other end, and regained control of his length.

His second spell of 6 overs went for just 19 runs, but there were still no wickets.

At the drinks break the Sunday Times were on 85 for 0, slightly behind the run rate, but looking poised to accelerate. The Road needed to take wickets fast.

We're off at Dulwich vs Sunday Times @KRCSC pic.twitter.com/PAAdsFclZG

— Smally (@Matt_Smally) May 18, 2014

It came with a bit of luck soon two overs after drinks. A mix up between the two batsmen, and a sharp bit of fielding by Jamie, saw The Road’s first wicket as Smith was run out Smith on 28.

Soon after, Matt Small bowled the dangerous-looking Gatwood who had hit 59 off 75 balls. The very next balls Smally bagged another.

All of a sudden the Kings Road were buzzing in the field, and it showed in the following over.

Left-handed bat Pickford sent a sharp chance off James Couldrey to the covers, and it was expertly caught by Glover.

Pickford’s wicket put the Sunday Times on 106 for 4 off 26. Were the Kings Road about to pull off a famous victory?

Tight bowling from Matt Small and James Couldrey saw the required run rate creep up and up.

By the time James took his second wicket in the 33rd over The Road were favourites, with the home side needing exactly a run a ball.

Six overs left, and with the Sunday Times needing 45 runs to win, some tight death bowling was required.

And who better to turn to than debutant Lewis Robinson?

First ball, the newboy clattered into Mohsin’s stumps to put The Road well on top.

Two over’s later Lewis took his second, courtesy of an excellent catch at mid-on by Keats. Three overs left, 26 runs to win.

Kev, returning for his second spell, gave only two runs off his first over.

The Road’s fielders were at all points at the boundary trying to save fours and sixes.

In the final over, the ST needed 28 to win while The Road just needed to keep their composure.

The first ball was a dot ball, the second just one leg bye. It was the final death throes of their innings and the orange men were on their way to victory.

With the last ball of the match, Kev got the wicket his bowling deserved, finishing with 1 for 18 off his 8 overs.

This was an accomplished, all-round performance by The Road, and the captain can be proud of his team.

If these are the types of performance they deliver, then they will be a force to be reckoned with this season.