Marble Hill remain on course to go unbeaten throughout the 2020 weekend season after another facile home victory, this time by 95 runs against Sky Sports CC. However, the margin of victory belied the reality of what was an action-packed and eventful match in a blustery, autumnal TW1.
As 2pm came and went, a severe shortage of first teamers negated the need for a toss, with Sky Sports kindly offering to bowl first. Courtney and Aseef opened this time for the hosts, and built a solid platform, in the face of quick opening bowlers and an errant and unforgiving pitch, almost unheard of for an artificial surface. After Aseef departed, Wes discovered this the hard way, when a short pitched delivery – aided by a top edge – reared up and connected with his chin. Claret was spilt on the hallowed Marble Hill pitch, and Wes was forced to decamp to a local pharmacy for medical attention. In came Sush who – ably assisted by Joseph – batted superbly for 66 which became the bedrock of Marble Hill’s innings. While other players came and went – including your correspondent for a duck, and Ashley, who was still clearly feeling the after affects of a heavy night on the sauce in one of Twickenham’s numerous watering holes (God bless the Rugby ground for the saturation of pubs in a relatively modest suburban town!) – Sush remained constant and helped the hosts post another commanding total. To top things off, the previously stricken Wes returned to the fray, and valiantly continued his innings, landing a classical on-drive for 4 with his very first ball back. Another excellent batting display from Marble Hill.
As was the case a fortnight ago against CrossBats, the opening overs of Sky Sports’ innings were fallow ones, with a combination of superb swing bowling from Ashley, Wes, Paul and Sush – and miserly fielding, despite being 2 men down – restricting runs and forcing the visitors to up the ante. In response, a cavalier, counter attacking display from a young man by the name of Saleem briefly had the hosts on the ropes, and forced Marble Hill into defensive mode. Once Saleem’s swashbuckling innings came to a close, Marble Hill remained firmly in control until disaster struck; Aseef, having taken two priceless wickets with his off spin, set off in pursuit of a ball headed towards the long on boundary, and aimed to stop the ball with his foot. Poor Aseef consequently rolled his ankle, forcing his early departure from the game.
Suddenly down to 7 men, Marble Hill were then faced with a battle against the elements; informed that the park had to close by 7:20, it suddenly dawned on Courtney that if the allocated overs were not bowled, or the remaining 5 wickets not taken before sundown, then Sky Sports would be able to pull off a heroic draw. Panic ensued as the hosts scrambled to rattle through the remaining deliveries. Disaster was ultimately averted, but Sky Sports batted extremely well – taking runs when on offer – to remain at the crease until the 34th over and really make Marble Hill sweat.
A very enjoyable afternoon, and a match played in superb spirit. Kudos to Sky Sports for their amiable attitude, in particular the gentleman who had travelled from Doncaster to umpire, and whose commentary provided great entertainment as the sun went down over Marble Hill House and the last knockings of Summer 2020 dispersed into the Twickenham night.
Man of the Match: Sush, for his crucial 66 with the bat.
Memorable Moment: No contest for this one really! Having had his fair share of trauma for one afternoon of village cricket, you could have forgiven Wes for taking a backseat during the Sky Sports innings. No chance. One of Paul’s many beautifully crafted deliveries swung away just enough, took a genuine edge and – just – carried to Wes at first slip who took a superb, one handed low catch.