Concorde v Raynes Park Former Pupils

Match Report

For the third week in a row, Sunday’s game was a conference fixture and therefore, our knowledge of the opposition was next to nothing. However, a sudden influx of ex Hersham players left me looking at a batting order of considerable strength, a pleasant feeling which led me to break the habit of a lifetime and elect to bat first. Having returned to the clubhouse and having perused the team sheet in more detail, an icy chill settled over me as I realised that our bowling options were very limited and perhaps batting first was not a wise option.

The game which was supposed to get under way eventually began at just after two due to the late arrival of the opposition and even then, there were only 8 present so Nigel Wright and Dave Nash kindly assisted them until the remaining three arrived, a little after 2.15. Edgar and Matt Turvill opened the batting and, unfortunately, Edgar continued his run of bad form by stepping across his stumps and being bowled round his legs early on. Andy and Matt, however, batted very comfortably putting on 60 or so before Andy (15) guided one to gully where the catch was well taken.

Paul Risk, playing his second game for us and his first for 12 months quickly shook off the rust and was soon driving powerfully down the ground and Matt, also, was showing his class sufficiently for one of the opposition to mutter that someone of his quality should not be playing. These two dispatched the bowling to all parts and had taken the score to 140 before Matt (63) was very unluckily, run out, backing up, a fate which is never likely to befall Jerry Stockbridge (That’s enough of that. Ed).

Risky, watched by a number of adoring fans, moved past 50 and had reached 64 before being adjudged LBW and Chris Turvill and Jerry Wright, both new to the crease, were faced with the task of moving the score along during the final overs to try to achieve the par score of 245. Despite some good blows from both, the innings was declared closed at tea on 222 for 6, Chris having been bowled for a hard-hitting 38, unselfishly playing an optimistic shot to accelerate the score.

The Raynes Park innings got off to a fast start due to some uncharacteristically wayward bowling from Dave Nash and Andy Marshall and 50 had come up before Dave bowled the opener, playing one pull too many. The other opener and the no 3 both looked quality players and the score continued to mount although the introduction of spin in the form of Edgar and George slowed things a little but it was a surprise when the batsman pulled a ball to short square leg off Edgar where Mark Turvill took a very good catch.

George joined the action by having the other batsman beautifully taken above his head at slip by Edgar and suddenly, we looked in the game. Risky took over from Edgar and bowled a mixed spell during which he gained the benefit of the doubt with a shout for LBW but that was our last chance to win the game as the two new batsmen settled in to a very good partnership which ultimately took them to victory.

It must be said, however, that there were two moments of controversy. One, a high full toss which was questionably called a no ball off which the batsman was caught, had a material impact upon the game but which was well accepted by the Concorde players. The other, a low catch off his toes by Mick Reeve which was called a bump ball by the umpire, had no effect on the result of the game but led to what might be termed a frank exchange of views on both sides which, having to that point been a friendly and well contested game, resulted in an acrimonious ending.