Match report

On a warm August afternoon, 11 fine Ploughmen arrived at the DSG for what was set to be a grudge match against Freddie Mills’ mate’s team, Thames Otters. As Freddie was running late to his own party, normal skipper Si took on the toss responsibilities. With the toss won and the Hollies looking as glorious as ever, Si elected to bat. 

Paddy and Rohin got things underway for the Plough as the opening bowler proved his worth for the Otters with some fantastic line and length. Rohin was unfortunate to fall early as he played on to a good ball. Paddy remained as solid as a rock as he and Will continued to see off the opening bowlers. 

Upon the first bowling change, Will hit one straight back to the spinner and was dismissed. With Paddy now joined at the crease by Paul Hynes there was no need to panic as Paul began to find the boundary and take on the spinner. 

Unfortunately for the Plough, London Otters had depth throughout their bowling attack, and as wickets quickly began to tumble, we found ourselves in a real spot of bother. Few batsman troubled the scorers, except Niraj who worked hard for his gritty 21. But, with just 32 overs used, Plough found themselves all out for 87. 

After an inspiring halfway team talk from skipper Freddie, the Plough took to the field quietly optimistic of causing some sort of upset. Things couldn’t have started any better as Connolly charged in with the new ball, polaxing the opener’s leg stump with an unplayable yorker in the first over of the chase. Lonsdale bowled brilliantly with some express pace line and length and was unlucky not to grab an early wicket as well.

With such a small total to defend, The Otters began to attack the bowlers as they continually started to find the boundary. Just as it started to look as the match was getting away from us, Carson took a blinding catch at short mid wicket from a shot that went as quick as lightning, providing Leo with another wicket to his tally. As the game got ever close to ending, the unthinkable happened, Si took a catch even better than the previous, since described as ‘the best of his career’, although with it being hit even harder than his first, the rest of the team seemed unconvinced how much he really knew about it and whether or not he was just protecting his face…

Unfortunately it was all too little too late for the Plough as The Otters saw the total knocked off in just 12 overs. Ever gracious in defeat, The Plough made the most of an extended afternoon, sat outside the DSG with a couple of jugs. A day well spent.

Plough on

Will