Written by Dave Hayward

Back on the road with the 1 st team, the first of a series of trips to the coast, this one to Westgate. For those of us who have visited before one of the easier ones to find, for those who haven’t, well maybe not. We are missing a few of the 1 st team regulars. Leigh and Govind on the injured list, Fookes and Sanket on holiday and skipper Chelly trying to keep life and marriage intact by celebrating wife’s birthday. Happy birthday Helen. Kartik back from overseas, Ashiq a 2 nd go in the 1s this season, Athul and Amal their first and stalwart Dave Underwood is back in, and on debut, standing in for our normal scorers Will Herridge having his first try at looking after the book.

11.30 meet. First phone call at 11.40, Jesuit, Amal, Ashiq and Athul are going to be late, maybe about 12.35, get here as quick as you can. 12.10, Samir is at the train station car park but doesn’t know where the ground is. 12.15 Samir arrives followed by the fab four wandering through the gate with 10 mins. to spare to cheers from the waiting 5. Kartik arrives a couple of minutes later on, on Kartik time and we are 11. But wait, understandably, considering he has been away from home Kartik has arrived with boys and dog. No dogs allowed, discussion takes place and generously our hosts agree to them staying as long as they stay in one place. Thanks Westgate.

Anyway, the game. Lose toss and asked to bat. Short of an opening bat Lucas is pressed into action with Jesuit. Outfield like lightning Lucas cover drives for 4, Jesuit with classic back of square cut also for 4 but he edges one into his stumps 2 nd over. Rich at 3 following last weeks first ball duck cannot fail two weeks running, but yes falls 2 nd ball. Some improvement then! Kartik at 4 all extravagant drives and cuts hits a magnificent straight 6 then loses his poles trying something similar. 41 for 3, this is not going well. Ian out to join Lucas, the two grafting on a tricky wicket but putting the off line balls away for boundary. A 50 partnership, Lucas slightly ahead, 100 up, Ian catching up, Lucas reaches his half century a few runs ahead of Ian, the 100 partnership, Ian surges ahead, the 150 partnership, Lucas finally falls for 76 short of what would have been an excellent and well deserved maiden century for the club. Amal next under instruction to get in before playing shots, doesn’t and falls for 0. Samir next. Meanwhile Ian is now punishing 3 d change bowling and reaches his 100 with 2 consecutive 6’s, one across the road into the front gardens, and is finally done by one that stayed a bit low for 109, super knock. Samir, with a reasonably strong tail has licence to hit and does so with some mighty blows to get to 33 before we are final all out for 282, significantly above par on a not perfect track.

A very nice tea is provided and we are ready to bowl. The Smith brothers open the batting and as required get off to a fast start before Lucas nips the bails of Smith number 1. Pilcher, the leading run scorer at 3 joins and the two continue to score quickly. Samir continues to question whether Smith number 2 can straight drive, turns out he can and they get to 70 without further loss. Jesuit takes over from Samir and immediately slows the rate, Ian replaces Lucas a few overs later and with first ball removes Smith number 2. Next over Jesuit removes Pilcher and we are fairly confidant that that is probably it. Ashiq and Athul come on after drinks. Coney having not kept to Athul queries whether to stand up and under advice takes a ripper first ball above his head standing 15 yards back, good decision. Bit by bit wickets fall, Ian comes back on, Athul holds on to an excellent running catch at deep mid on before Jesuit takes an equally good one 2 feet in from the boundary straight in front of the pavilion to finish it off and give Ian his 5fer.

A good win, Ian as stand in skipper had a day out but huge credit to Lucas for his innings. Sandwich next, maybe a 10.30 meet time would be appropriate.