Eager Roaders united on a welcomed sunny day in South London, after already experiencing more washed-out games in 2023 than the entirety of last season. The team were presented with a flat-looking wicket and a precariously quick outfield. The batters were licking their lips, the bowlers were heads bowed, avoiding eye contact with the captain. Therefore, it was a welcome relief that by hook or by crook we found ourselves batting first.
The innings started in slightly unorthodox fashion, with Oscar doing his best Jack Russell impression behind the sticks for the opposition, heckling our poor openers until their wicketkeeper turned up. Meanwhile Roaders were taking cover in the only patch of shade in the park and quickly became covered in aphids falling from the Oak tree. Which after plenty on online searching we now know are sap-sucking bugs with the latin name Aphis gosspii.
A new opening partnership of Sam and Chinmay got the innings started, with the presence of Sam’s dad at the match (who was visiting from Wales) adding an extra notch of pressure to our first batter. The opening bowlers were metronomic in hitting a good line and length, and the early overs saw some solid defensive strokes played. After having a few sighters, Mr Wright decided to open his shoulders and there were some delicious drives through the covers and solid punches through point. This went on for several overs and we suddenly found ourselves on 66 runs when the first wicket fell in only the 11th over, after Sam eventually succumbed to some Bodyline tactics for a well-made 41. Dad, I do this every week.
As has been the case in many Road games this season, a great platform had been laid for the team. Chinmay then decided it would be his duty to takeover where Sam left off and keep the impetus going. There were plenty of trademark late cuts and flourishing drives until eventually he sliced one upwards to the point fielder for a well-made 48. This brought together Ali and Woody. Ali utilising the rare opportunity up the order to build out a proper innings, he played himself in and rotated the strike. Woody on the other hand carted a couple of lovely boundaries, including a vintage cover drive before being clean bowled. In came Moaney, who much in the same vain as Sam, had the added pressure of a fan club watching. His friends had made the 9,000 mile trip from Perth to London to see if his tales of cricketing heroics were true. Under the most immense pressure he looked solid and assured in defence (despite the heckling from the crowd) and paddled the ball into the legside Simon Katich-esque whenever the ball strayed onto the stumps. His wagon-wheel was reminiscent of a clock at 10:50. However you can only resist that kind of peer pressure for so long and Moans eventually chipped one up for 11.
Mandy’s innings can be described in 4 words ‘Four. One. Four. Out.’ as he exited the arena as the only batter not to bring up double digits. This writer reckons 8 batters making double figures in an orange-tinged shirt must be a Road record of some sort. Ali then fell for a very well made 31 runs after being caught short on a quick single, a very well-paced innings and rewarding the captain for the faith shown in him. Also worth mentioning that he hit a ridiculously big six down the ground!
We didn’t have any photos of the game, but this was taken on the same day
During this middle period of the innings wickets had been falling but runs had also been flowing. Sherman played some strong strokes through the offside to fly to 12 runs off only 5 balls before perishing to an aerial stroke caught by the Actonians. This brought together two ends of the batting spectrum, Oscar (celebrating his hundredth fixture) with his strong bottom hand and Birch with his classical high elbow and oaky defence. Both methods complemented each other with a partnership of 64 coming in just 5 overs! Oscar eased his way to 35 off 15 balls, with some lusty striking, including a massive six, and was eventually bowled during the mayhem. Birchy meanwhile had steadied the ship, rotated the strike, and then decided to deliver some strong shots of his own. He departed for a well-made 20 off just 27 balls before being bowled. This left Pedge and Rossi to face a handful of deliveries to bring the Road over the line, with the total being 252-9 off just 35 overs. A run rate of 7.2 an over! Viva la PEJ Ball, Allez le Road.
After some delightful teas provided by the Road we made our way out to the middle to begin the fielding innings. Pedge and Birch it was to open the bowling. Despite some early loose deliveries, Pedge found an awkward line and length to clean bowl the opener for a 3rd ball duck. Birchy on the other side was getting the ball to in-duck from a good length, a dangerous delivery that embarrassed a few Roaders at winter nets.
After the initial wicket, Actonians got into their stride putting on 72 runs for the second wicket, then after a few tight overs by Rossi, the pressure of the run rate began to tell on the Actonians. Their 3rd batter smashed the ball back at Oscar off his own bowling, with Oscar unsure whether to duck or jump out of the way, it somehow stuck into his hand (he decides to catch those!). This triggered a collapse as Ali, who had been basking in the afternoon sun, unleashed some venomous deliveries having one batter LBW and two others clean bowled. This rapid spell of slingy bowling led to slips and wicketkeeper alike taking a few steps backwards. Oscar chipped in with another wicket and the Road began to circle like vultures.
Moany entered the attack and got in on the act, claiming a scalp in his first over. Moans bowled a tight spell with 18 dots delivered in the 4 overs. Sherman and Woody came on and both bowled economical spells, with Woody taking a wicket after some sharp work behind the stumps from Chinmay saw a stumping take place. The game then began to meander towards the finish line as the Actonians shut up shop to bat out the innings, ending on 179-9 from their 35 overs. The Road had backed up their bowlers and fielded heroically, and were well led by Dej Dej whose field placings and tactical nous saved us a lot of runs.
All in all a good game was had, and despite a few early leavers, the Wibbas Down Inn made a pretty penny from us.
“Your freshly baked pizza has left Domino’s Bromley South and is on its way!!”
Dominos – Bromley South (2023)