Match Report
Storms and lightening were predicted for the Ploughman v Wimbledon on Sunday, luckily it turned out to be accurate only in describing Tom Lonnen’s reaction when his would be first wicket refused to walk after hitting the leather off the ball and being caught behind by Student. A south London diplomatic incident was averted only by Tom castling him two balls later. He departed with Tom’s words ‘Got you at last you blighter, off you go’ (paraphrased for those of a delicate constitution) ringing in his ears. That, and a run out not given that even John from behind the bar could see was out, proved to be the only incidents of note in a humid, sweaty and turgid innings from Wimbledon. They pushed and nurdled their way to 115, at least 30 more than it should have been had it not been for their 59 year old West Indian stalwart who refused to budge for a creditable 42, falling to a Lonnen C & B on the final ball of the innings. Noodle and Student combined for a lovely run out from the boundary, that it was too close to call and given only to compensate for the aforementioned run out howler is pure conjecture. Credit goes to all the Plough bowlers who toiled in the tropical humidity keeping and admiral line and length to keep the run rate down and getting regular wickets when required. Pick of the bunch was Farhad, tweaking away with metronomic consistency from the pavilion end, landing it on a fiver every time and being rewarded with a brace, superb figures of 8-2-14-2, and announced as bowler of the day by both sides. All 6 bowlers were in the wickets, 2 a piece also for Angry & Andrew, demonstrating a strength in depth that augurs well for the season. Catching was excellent except for a mea culpa from your correspondent who denied Long John a wicket from his first ball by completely missing a well struck cut at point, instead taking it clean on the tits to save a certain 4 if nothing else.
Yes was the usual excellent DSG affair, with the added interest of spring rolls that were hotter than lava.
Plough openers Tom ‘I’ve calmed down now’ Lonnen and Chunder sauntered out and set about their work in a thoroughly professional manor. Captain Buckers dropped himself down the order claiming a wish to let others having a go, although wearing a cataclysmic hangover was by far the more likely reason. We had all the time in the world, to quote Louis Armstong, and they let Kirt and Johnny sweat buckets in full kit for 12 overs before Chunder finally succumbed for a patient 11. Tom was filling his fluorescent yellow boots, spraying the cherry all over the post-code on his way to a superb 57. Kirt and Student both reached double figures (12 & 17 respectively) and your correspondent showed a display of what Noodle described as ‘Houdini batting’ to reach 5, and graciously allowing Student to hit the winning runs in the 30th over.
Beers in the warm bath of the evening sun followed, with Noodle improving his catching stats by 200% by virtue of two cherry tomatoes taken orally. A grand day out all round.
Hugs,
MR
