Theale and Tilehurst vs Warfield 19th September 2004

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Report by Fingers

There was no toss for this game, Warfield suggested they didn't have much batting (and more of this later) and in the interests of the game it would be better for T&T to bat first. Os came back from the non-toss and looked to inform his opening batsman to get their pads on - Chilly quickly went to get ready but there was no sign of Micky. A quick 'phone call found him to be at home watching the India versus Pakistan game contemplating his departure for what he thought was a 2pm start. Fingers gratefully took up the opportunity to open the batting in his absence.

Chilly and Fingers were relatively comfortable against the new ball and raised the 50 partnership for the first wicket in the 14th over. Chilly went in the same over caught and bowled by Graham Morris to bring Dennis to the crease. Dennis has been in good form for most of the season and this innings was a perfect illustration of how he plays at his best: after facing 33 balls he had scored 12 runs but had now played himself in, off the next 56 balls he faced he scored a further 92 runs to finish 108 not out (other stats: his 50 came off 61 balls and his 100 off 87, he has now scored 705 runs at 58.75 in friendly cricket this season including two 50s and two 100s).

The main partnership of the innings was 81 between Fingers and Dopey before Fingers went for 59. Rog came and went quickly to bring the late Micky to the crease. Micky had obviously decided that having missed his chance to open he might as well not bother batting at all, to his second delivery he played to ball practically straight back to the bowler and called Dennis through for a single. Not believing his luck the bowler picked the ball up and gently ambled the three or four paces to the stumps to run out Micky for a duck. As if one of his nearest rivals being run out for a duck wasn't enough for Bob Dennis then ran out the unfortunate Spike, his other closest rival for the duck cup, for nought.

The T&T innings closed on 213-5 off 43 overs at what point we sat down for the tea that Micky had so lovingly prepared. This was a fine tea but having purchased a jar of pickle for the tea preparations Micky had obviously felt morally obliged to use the whole jar if he was to claim the cost of it back as part of his expenses.

The Warfield openers came out to bat and it would seem that Morris and Emery are firm supporters of the Keep Sunday Special campaign, they didn't so much shut up shop as never open in the first place (or perhaps when eaten in bulk pickle has a previously unknown sedative quality). When they said they had no batting perhaps they meant they had no confidence or ambition with the bat. Bob's luck for the day had obviously been used up with both Micky and Spike getting ducks as he went past the outside edge on countless occasions without ever finding it; Spike doing a fine job as wicket keeper and the slips definitely had their interest maintained.

As it was the game petered out as a draw with Warfield finishing on 117-3 off 41 overs; Emery finishing on 42no off 128 balls and it was only 42 thanks to some late donated runs in a final desperate attempt to buy a wicket.