TFL Dinos

17th Jul 2018 - Alexandra Palace
Won by 2 wickets - NRR = 0.61

In the continuing absence of Supreme Leader Spurr, it once again fell to others to organise and inspire the team to further glories. John Hull did the organising bit beforehand, and it was agreed on arrival that Milton would take on the burden of captaincy on the field, so that Hull (in particular) could focus on batting well with his lovely new bat.

Given CIPA's fragility in run chases, it was concerning when we lost the toss and were asked to field first. The initial disappointment did not last long. Headley, opening the bowling with a brand new cherry, immediately found prodigious swing. TLF Dinos didn't have any answer, and Headley's final figures of 2-16 from 4 overs reflect that. The pick of the other bowlers was Torrance, who also found some lovely shape. At one point it looked like we might restrict the opposition to around 110, but they had reserved some big hitters to bolster their lower order and consequently managed to push their total up to 125 by the end of the 20th over.

As an aside, it should also be noted that Dean had been "rested" this week, but SL Spurr had forgotten to tell him. Dean therefore turned up, unrested, and kindly agreed to provide substitute fielding and umpiring services. The latter was excellent, the former a bit droppy.

We started our run chase confidently - having scored well in excess of 150 the previous few matches, we felt that 125 ought not to present any difficulties. Wilson, in particular, quickly found the groove we have all come to know and love. Unfortunately, events were rather less strong and stable at the other end. King dollied a catch from the toe of his bat, which the opposition snaffled gratefully, and departed for a duck. Duffy strolled languidly to the crease, nonchalantly took his guard, and was then bowled first ball off his pads. The opposition had 2 from 2, and we were on the ropes.

As all this happened, next batsman in Theo Carter was knocking back a beer and not wearing much way of batting equipment. Hull and Carter therefore padded up as quickly as they could, with Hull "winning" the race and ending up facing hat trick ball. Initially it seemed that Hull had neutralised the hat trick ball by dispatching it out of the middle of the bat to the cover boundary. In fact, his shot had been a bit uppish and somehow it had been caught! A hat trick for the opposition, and a rather disappointed trio of CIPA players with rubber ducks in their beers

At this point, Carter decided to take the game to the opposition. His first two balls when for 6 and 4. Game on. Then he was bowled. Oh dear - an England-style collapse seemed inevitable.

Fortunately, it is not an accident that Torrance is the leading run scored this year. He and Wilson calmly provided the platform we needed, and both retired, which meant that Pidgeon and Grant came to the wicket with about 50 required for victory. Grant scored a few runs, but soon he was out too. It was all looking a bit too close for comfort. Milton, despite being burdened with the onerous duties of captaincy, hit a brutal 28 at a strike rate of 280. The opposition bowlers looked finished and we needed just 10 or so runs, with plenty of balls to spare.

You'd think that victory was ensured at this point, but next batsman in Headley missed a straight one and departed for a duck, quickly followed by Pidgeon. Suddenly, retired batsman Wilson was back in! Realising he could finish the game off with a boundary, Wilson attempted to provide one, but was out caught behind. Disaster! Torrance came in next, but did not make the same mistake. Four runs sealed the victory, and calmed nerves back in the pavilion.

A good victory for CIPA - we have seldom prospered in run chases, and to do so despite four ducks (including a hat trick) was excellent!

Batting

Player	Runs scored	How Out	4s	6s	SR
Justin Wilson	29	Caught	6	0	126
Nick King		Caught	0	0	0
James Duffy		Bowled	0	0	0
John Hull		Caught	0	0	0
Theo Carter	10	Caught	1	1	333
Bruce Torrance	29*		6	0	112
Andy Grant	12	LBW	2	0	120
George Pidgeon	4	Caught	0	0	31
Chris Milton	28*		1	3	280
Tim Headley		Bowled	0	0	0
Ben Hunter	0*		0	0	0
Extras	15				-

CIPA - 127 for 8 off 18.3
Scorebook

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