08/05/04 - Economicals v Old Thorntonians 'A'

Rained Off

Comics 222-5, Guildford 223-3

The season began with defeat, although it was actually a pretty good performance. Having won the toss on a decent if greenish pitch, Officially recognised "popular captain" Chris Cooper chose to bat and strode out alongside new boy Martin Soakell under blue skies. Coops clipped the first ball of the season for four, little knowing that this would be his last piece of timing for the day. Going was tough against a pretty decent new ball attack, and barely 20 runs came off the first ten overs. Soakell struck a sumptious straight-driven four but then succumbed by playing round a straight one for six. Mark Gray soon came and went in much the same way, leaving the comics precariously placed at 41-2 off 14 overs.

Jon French now strode to the crease. Seeing that he was now batting with the tail, Coops decided to change his approach, and swapped his bat for his trusty two-iron. The next hour was possibly the most unattractive piece of cricket ever seen, as pies were cross-batted on a regular basis by the two lefties. the partnership was nearing 100 when French tried one baseball swing too many and was caught for 30. He was swiftly followed by Brett Marett, palpably lbw first ball.

As Paul Matheson took time to acclimitise to the slow pitch, Coops opened his shoulders to move the run rate along. He finally succumbed for 95, having hit four sixes and nine 'fores', somehow caught on the third man boundary despite not hitting a single ball to the offside all day. The wagon wheel was a thick black line to cow, or at least it would have been if Mark Gray hadn't eaten it. Some lusty hitting from Matheson and Ian Dodson took the total to 222-5, which looked like being a match-winning score, particularly when Dodson removed their skipper for a duck in the first over.

From this point on it all went wrong. Actually that's a bit harsh - their batsmen put away every loose delivery and Afsal in particular made batting look ridiculously easy on a tough pitch against some decent bowling from Dodson and Craig Hughes. This was his debut for Guildford City and I'd be surprised if he wasn't in the 1st team quite soon. There wasn't even a sniff of a chance until a double-bowling change brought on Steve Cottrell and Coops. Whatever standard this chap was accustomed to, he'd clearly never seen filth like this, and seemed bemused by it all. Memories of Graham "Bomb" Bell circa 2000 were fondly recollected as Coops tried to burrow one under his bat, and then he gave his only chance with the score on 120-1 when he hit a waist-high full-toss from Cottrell to square leg, where Soakell failed to take a difficult chance.

And that was that. Dodson picked up two late wickets, and Matheson bowled well with no luck, but they coasted home, with Afsal making 115*. They didn't look like they had an awful lot of batting left, but his was a quality knock and out of character for this division, so there was no shame in defeat. Another good batting performance bodes well for the season, and if we get some luck in the field we should win some games. It was good to see everyone down the pub for a few drinks and the chance to watch Mark Gray eat a whole cow. If only Norris McWhirter could have held on for another week, Oat-head's year 2000 meat-eating record set at Cape Towns Planet Hollywood would have been expunged from the books. 

Coops drives, while Cottrell practices his true vocation	Another quality pull from Coops	French demonstrates his full repertoire	"The camera adds 50 pounds	Soakell hits one for a change

BBC 265-7, Economicals 132-9

A disappointing performance from the Comics against convicted fraudsters the BBC. With a team much weakened by work commitments, the test match and the cup final, it was always going to be tough for the 9.5 men that took the field having lost the toss on a predictably good Berrylands wicket. We started brightly, with Coops and Paul Matheson keeping it tight, and Coops soon forced their opener to play on for a duck. The game turned when, on 33-1 off eight overs, Ratboy Lawrence let a regulation catch slip through his furry claws to reprieve the other opener. When Martin Soakell gave him another life at fine leg soon afterwards, again off the luckless Matheson, we knew the game was up. He went on to make 94, and their number three also cashed in as the fielding became ragged.

With the shackles broken, Coops turned to Jack Bertram to buy a wicket/give everyone a game. It quickly became clear that the phrase "Jack Shit" had possibly originated from Bertram's cricketing days, as 42 runs were plundered from his four overs. However, the plan was a success, as both batsmen holed out on the boundary, first to a good running catch to Coops at long on and then to square leg where Brett Marett, who had an exceptional day in the field, made no mistake. When Denis Aghaizu redeemed an earlier drop off the debutant James McDonnell, who bowled a decent spell, we were perhaps back in the game at 140-4.

Coops picked up another wicket with a catch from Denis, and also caused two run-outs, one with a jonty-esque pick up and direct hit off his own bowling, but three more chances went down from Ratboy, Jack and Jon French, allowing them to reach a total of 265-7 that was always likely to be too much. On a pitch like ours we cannot afford to give lives, especially when short in the field and with not many bowling options, and as they also only had 10 men, it could so easily have been a different story.

Coops smashed the fourth ball of the innings for six, but then Soakell completed a miserable day by getting a cracking delivery to bowl him for a duck. Going was slow against some pretty good bowling and defensive fields, and Aghaizu, French and Matheson all succumbed to their wily young leg-spinner. Coops ploughed a lone furrow at the other end, and enjoyed some good-humoured banter against their big fast bowler before smashing him about. He reached his 50 but then played on, and was swiftly followed by Barry, unluckily run out after a mix-up with Marett. McDonnell looked handy with the bat before being triggered by their umpire, and the last couple of wickets provided little resistance. Marett was left unbeaten on 25, including an eight, as an all-run four was followed by four overthrows!

Thus a heavy defeat ensued. There were some positives - Coops bowled well and McDonnell looked a useful addition - but we simply must hold our catches if we are to win any games this year.

Economicals 188-9, Battersea Ironsides 192-4

Another defeat from a very winnable game, as poor fielding played a part once again. Coops chose to bat on winning the toss, despite a poor-looking pitch, mainly as only nine players were present at the time. Fortunately both Martin Soakell and returning hero Ross Broadstock turned up just before the off, but not before Ratboy Lawrence took Martin's opening spot. This proved a good move, as the pitch played pretty well and the comics raced to 40 in quick time, before Lawrence succumbed, caught at square leg. After moving smoothly to 32, Coops clipped a half-volley to mid-wicket, and when Jenkins quickly followed, bowled for 0, the comics were suddenly in trouble at 61-3.

Gray and Aghaizu did a fine rebuilding job, putting on 70, but both got out in quick succession just when acceleration was required, and Broadstock followed for a duck to once again put us in deep trouble. However, Soakell and McDonnell blasted a swift 40-odd between them, including a towering six from macca that required a replacement ball, and some swishing at the end led to a total of 188, which seemed ok, if perhaps 20 short of what it could have been.

Coops continued his good bowling form of the previous week with an accurate spell that accounted for both openers, caught behind by Jon French. Alongside Aghaizu's stunning catch, Battersea were precariously placed at 67-3 off 20 overs with no superstars at the crease. However, then the wheels came off. Cottrell bowled an appalling spell of filth, mixing up half-trackers and beamers, and the fielding went to pieces, as players forgot where they were supposed to stand and, crucially, how to catch. Broadstock missed two dollies, and Soakell kept up his 100% record by missing a difficult chance off Mark "Eddie Hemmings" Gray. Cottrell's might not strictly be called a drop, as he failed to actually put a hand on it despite it being straight at him. Perhaps he is the second coming of the Lord, and this was the result of stigmata. The team certainly thought so, judging by the collective scream of "Jesus Christ!"

So a third defeat ensued. There will be many more unless catches are taken... 
 

Lambeth 157 a/o (Coops 3-29, Oxley 2-31, French G 2-40)
Economicals 158-2 (Coops 101*, Marett 27*)

At last a win! The Comics lost the toss and were sent to the field on a predictably good track against Lambeth’s prolific openers. However, the new ball partnership of Coops and McDonnell kept a good line and length once again and each grabbed a wicket with a caught and bowled, with Macca’s catch a stunning effort. At 30 odd for two the Comics were in good shape, but as usual we couldn’t capitalise and Lambeth began to get away, as some indifferent ground fielding gave up easy runs.

The introduction of debutant kiwi Pete Oxley, who had impressed earlier in the nets, brought about a breakthrough. Having put down a tough caught and bowled chance, his full-toss was smashed to Coops at mid-off who held on. It was a bad delivery, but no more than Pete deserved for some very good bowling. Steve Cottrell was being slaughtered as usual at the other end, so Coops turned to ‘spin’ with the introduction of Giles French, returning to the side after a long absence. After an expensive first over, French bowled a tidy spell, and soon grabbed a wicket as the Lambeth batsman missed his ‘arm ball’ (aren’t they all) and was stumped in slow motion by his slightly less gay brother Jon.

It became clear that Lambeth did not have 11, and what was left wasn’t up to much, but their skipper played very well at the other end. Oxley and French both shattered the stumps to put the score on 130-6 with only a couple of wickets left to fall. Then Paul Lawrence dropped what can only be described as the easiest catch anyone had ever seen. My Grandma would have caught it, and she’s dead and cremated, why even Barry would’ve had a sporting chance at it. The skipper made the most of his life to hit French for two big sixes and take the score past 150. Coops had seen enough and brought himself back on. He immediately removed the skipper for 78 with another sharp caught and bowled, and cleaned up the last man to leave a target of 158 for a first win.

With only nine in the field there were lots of easy runs about, but the opening bowlers were pretty handy and Lawrence and Denis were soon back in the hutch for 14 and 5 respectively. Brett Marett joined Coops at the crease, and played very well after surviving a big appeal for caught behind early on. Coops was in imperious form, playing shots around the park, and apart from a lucky escape when the ball ht the stumps but failed to dislodge the bails, it was a chanceless innings. As Lambeth wasted time and bickered among themselves, the total was reached with ease, and Coops completed his sixth Comics ton just before the end, finishing on 101*, with Marett finishing up on 27.

So a first win was achieved, admittedly against only nine men but who cares. If Oxley can play more games we might finally have a decent bowling attack and win some more...

Deando 228-8 (Hughes 4-65, French 3-49)
Economicals 140 (Jenkins 49, Perinperaja 22)

A battling defeat for an undermanned Comics side, though at least the spirit was good. Having been down to nine plus Barry on Friday, Mark Gray came up with the goods when, not for the first time, he convinced a man from work to play with him. Sadly, when Saturday came, Mark forgot not only his chum, but also himself. Events conspired against our hapless hero, so much so that he only arrived with four overs of fielding left. There were tell-tale signs that all was not well on the journey: the rivers of sweat that flooded Clapham Junction when he waddled for the train; the cow that had been murdered and picked clean by a wild animal near Tolworth station; and the “sold out” sign by the Ginsters counter at the petrol station by the ground.

Gray missed a stirring comeback from the nine-man Comics, who turned 122-0 into 228-8, thanks to good bowling from Craig Hughes and Giles French, and some keen chasing in the field. There was even time for Barry to take his first catch for the Comics, wisely choosing to take it out of Jenkins’ hands, as if in doubt, the better fielder should go for it. French was unlucky not to pick up a fourth wicket off the last ball, when Paul Matheson horribly misjudged a boundary effort; combined with an earlier dropped catch and misfield, he duly earned his “Barry White” nickname.

While Gray worked back the four calories he’d burned off in the field with a display of savagery at the tea table, the Comics pondered the run chase with thoughts of winning, but it was not to be, as first Coops was undone by a ball that kept low, and then Gray followed first ball to complete a miserable day. Jenkins made a laboured 49, and Barry, promoted to number 5, made a graceless 22 - his highest score for the Comics (obviously). Sure he did have a life when shamelessly not walking when caught behind, but apparently the nick was drowned out by the voices in his head telling him to kill.

The rest of the team didn’t contribute too much, so defeat duly arrived with a few overs left. Still, it was a respectable performance under the circumstances.

Heston and Old Isleworthians 250-1 (Coops 1-27)
BB CC 139 a/o (Coops 56, Ratboy 27)

Day six in the Big Brother CC season.

1.00 pm: Marco wins the toss and celebrates with a gay dance and some seal clapping. As most of the talented players have already been evicted from the team, leaving behind a gallery of reprobates, he chooses to field, despite the fact that two of the team are yet to arrive – the posh and busty Shell, making her return after a lengthy absence, and drug dealer Victor (favourite saying: “my DNA stands for Dis Negro’s Attractive”). Shell arrives just in time, but despite being on the same train, Victor is over an hour late, having taken the wrong direction looking for people to stab with his butter knife or throw paper plates and Lambrusco at, as is the way of the gangsta.

1.30 pm: So, as last week, when busty she-male Nadia was delayed due to getting her big cock and balls caught in the train door, BB CC had to field with only 10 men for the first 16 overs. Or 9 men, if you take into account the fact that asylum seeker Ahmed was sitting naked in the Jacuzzi at third man and thus unable to do anything other than kick the ball over the boundary. Or 8 men, if you take into account the fact that Bubble from BB2 had bruised his hand, thus preventing him from stopping anything. Or 7 men, as Bubble’s step-son was sent away to go looting in back gardens. Or 6 men, as Nadia in his/her whites became an impromptu sightscreen. It was going to be a long day.

2.30 pm: Marco made a breakthrough by trapping their opener LBW with 50 on the board, but it was all downhill after that. Fat wife-beating muscleman Jason bowled a fiery early spell with no luck, and then channelled his rage towards Ahmed’s misfielding as the wheels came off. Initially Dan aka Gandalf the Gay bowled a tidy spell of “off-spin”, but he too was soon smashed to all parts. Once northern retard Emma grabbed the ball with no other options left, the writing was on the wall, and it said “10 an over from here”. Bubble went off injured while Marco took over the keeping duties, and Heston/Old Isles scored 180 off the last 20 overs from Emma, Dan and Shell.

4.15 pm: Marco and Nadia got BB CC off to a flyer, with Nadia showing no ill-effects from his/her samosa-eating world record at tea. S/he could have done more, s/he claimed, but with only 22 to be shared around 22 players, s/he thought it would be rude to eat more than 14. Nadia went for 18, and was swiftly followed by Victor and the returning Michelle, who had been in the second team bedsit many moons ago. Ahmed went first ball, cruelly triggered by Emma, probably due to racism. Bubble played a good cameo despite a bruised paw, plundering three fours and a six off one over, but when he followed Marco’s well made 56 by being bowled for 27, any hopes of winning were gone. Unlike Bubble, the tail didn’t wag, and another heavy defeat ensued.

Who goes? You decide. To vote Ahmed, call 07817699702, to vote Nadia, call 07989345795
 

	Player		Score	Overs	Mdns	Runs	Wkts	Ave	Econ	Ct	Wk	St
1.	C. Cooper		56	12	4	27	1	27	2.25
2.	M. Gray		18
3.	D. Aghaizu		7
4.	R. Downey		2
5.	B. Perinperaja		0
6.	P. Lawrence		27
7.	C. Hughes		3	12	3	59	0	-	4.9
8.	G. French		8*	10	1	59	0	-	5.9
9.	C. Lawrence		0
10.	S. Cottrell		0	8	0	63	0	-	7.88
11.	M. Cook		0	3	0	18	0	-	6

Morden 261-3
Economicals 160 a/o (Coops 69, Jack 21)

The rain somehow missed Berrylands, allowing the Comics to slip to another heavy defeat. Courtesy of the Gumtree and the LSE magazine, Coops dug up three debutants to make up the full side. He had dreamed of Nel, Pollock and Khan, though predictably the newcomers were closer to Smel, Bollock and Khan’t. Well that’s a bit harsh – but never let the facts get in the way of a good gag. Indeed, Angus Davis took a wicket with the third ball of the game, and Mark Veitch and Amit Sinha ran around gamely in the field, but once again the bowling lacked penetration. No one bowled badly, indeed Steve Cottrell almost bowled well for once in his life, but on a good pitch against a couple of good players it was tough going. Had Coops taken a tough chance of his own bowling at 48-2 things could have been different, but once again it was lots for not many by the end of the 45. There were a few highlights, as Martin Soakell finally took a catch after 15 near misses, while Matt Cook’s commando roll in the outfield cheered spirits.

A reshuffled batting order was required due to Cook and Jack Bertram having to leave early, and the latter was a revelation up the order, smashing the ball to all parts on the way to an opening partnership of 72 with Coops, who once again racked up a decent score. Outside chances of victory were soon dismissed when Graham Jenkins and Soakell decided to play for bad light and come back again tomorrow to try to save the test match. A familiar lower order collapse followed, though perhaps this was understandable, as the guys had to be woken from their deep comas caused by Boycott and Tavaré. Barry was so disorientated that he almost fell down a hole while waddling between the wickets, though sadly he was not badly hurt. Cottrell got his first run for almost two years, and surely his first wicket cannot be far away now.

Economicals 160 a/o (Mark V 35, Denis 27, Angus 22*)
Putney 161-5 (Angus 2-38, Coops 2-39)

Another defeat, though a few more signs of promise on which to build. Having been evicted from the Big Brother house, Coops won the toss and chose to bat on Putney’s notoriously bad wicket, mainly because the Comics had only taken four wickets in two games, and so bowling wasn’t a wise choice.

As it turned out the decision was not a bad one – the wicket played ok, and once Ratboy and Coops had fallen to the new ball the middle order made batting look quite easy. Mark Veitch was particularly impressive, and there were good supporting roles from Denis, Jon, Angus Davis and Jack. Barry flopped once again, gleefully triggered by Ratboy as he tried to camouflage himself in the stumps, while Tom Evans fell first ball on his return to the Comics, to much amusement all round. Still, 160 wasn’t a bad score, and at least we were still in with a chance at half-time for once.

Angus once again picked up a wicket in his first over, and when he removed the other opener soon afterwards, the Comics were on top. However, he again went for a few runs and then went off injured, and gradually Putney got on top. Coops bowled a decent spell and was rewarded with two wickets, but while the Comics bowled well, they lacked the penetration to keep picking up wickets. John Vonderborch picked up a wicket on debut during the worst spell ever seen, thanks to a stunning catch from Mark, who also bowled well to complete a fine game.

Norwood 212-8 (36 overs) (Steve 3-46, Oats 2-62)
Economicals 92 a/o (Angus 31, Mark V 25)

A heavy defeat for the Comics against a team with a 100% record who were a different class in every area. The day started in customary fashion with the late-minute withdrawal of Mark Gray. Rumours were rife that he had been crushed under the weight of his missus' thumb, but the actual reason was that Coops had forgotten to book the chauffeur to pick up his kit, or the sedan chair to carry him around the field. Thus it was Steve Cottrell who got the call-up, having previously been controversially dropped after many weeks of gash bowling.

Coops chose to bowl on a wet day, but Norwood's strong batting line-up put the bowlers to the sword. Coops missed a sharp caught and bowled chance but removed their dangerman with another great slower ball, while Jon French reprieved their skipper twice, first when he was too scared to stand close enough to take an edge on 0, and then when he bottled an easy run-out chance on 50-odd. He made 90, before being run-out by a fine throw from Denis, but while the middle order was reined in by some fine bowling from Steve, they made 212 which always looked like being plenty.

Tragedy struck in the opening over when new boy Dave Taylor was unluckily run-out for a duck. When Coops swiftly followed the game was certainly up. Once again the South Africans Mark and Angus impressed with the bat, but no one else got stuck in and so defeat was swift and heavy. Jon completed a game to forget with a duck, as fear filled his eyes as he cowered away against their pop-gun bowler.

Selsdon 246-6 (Macca 3-75)
Economicals 189-9 (Macca 54, Jabba 25, Mark V 24)

Having lost to every side within 20 miles, the Comics traveled far on Saturday to deepest, darkest Warlingham to face a solid Selsdon side. A 90-minute drive (or longer if you had Mark Gray looting Burger King halfway there) was compounded by losing the toss and having to field in very humid conditions. It was a familiar story, as Coops bowled a tight spell at one end but runs flowed at the other. The fielding wasn’t too bad, but Selsdon’s good bats had it very easy. The sight of Barry and Jabba bowling in tandem was certainly a low point in everyone’s cricketing career, though at least there was a possibility of weather saving us, as the polar ice-caps melted during Barry’s 40-yard plod for each delivery. At 198-1 off 35 overs, the dreaded 300 loomed, but some safe catching kept the score to a more respectable 246-6.

Ratboy went early once again in the Comics’ reply, and then disaster struck, as Coops was struck on the head by their fiery paceman. The shock among the Comics camp was evident by their raucous laughter, and Coops retired hurt after a zombie moment à la Graham Bell many moons ago. Gray and Veitch both played well, but the customary collapse followed. Coops heroically rejoined the fray but both he and Jon French were undone by ones that kept low, while there were first-ballers for
Jack and Blair Newdick – that was his real name, and he was new…

At 86-8, another sub-100 total was on the cards. Enter Macca, who, judging by his bowling earlier, clearly liked seeing boundaries. Smashing it to all parts, he shared big partnerships with Paul Matheson and Barry to take us to one of our highest scores of the season. Beaten, but not embarrassed.

With four games to go, relegation looks assured, unless the Comics can go on a winning run. Much will depend on the mental state of Coops – if Barry can get a bowl under normal circumstances, the horrors of brain-damaged leadership truly do not bear thinking about.

Putney 'A' 102 a/o (Oat-head 3-22, Coops 3-27, Macca 2-24, Mark V 2-27)
Economicals 106-7 (Macca 33*, Mark G 21)

The Comics picked up their second win on a glorious day at Berrylands. Putney won the toss and chose to bat, probably expecting to rack up a big score as many others had this season. However, this was not the normal Comics, as a rare week of near-full availability meant the axe falling on the likes of Ratboy, Steve and Barry, and the strongest 11 for a while taking the field. Oat-head and Coops began well, but Putney were going well at 40-0 off ten overs. The turnaround that followed was staggering, as the Comics took 10-62 off 29 overs despite the flat pitch and lightening outfield. Coops began the collapse by removing both openers to sharp catches behind the wicket from French and Matheson. Veitch picked up a couple of wickets at the other end, as maiden followed maiden and any loose deliveries were snaffled by solid ground fielding. Oats and Macca picked up the last five, and Macca also took a sharp catch, as the four seamers put in a great effort.

103 to win should've been a simple task on a great pitch against ordinary bowling, but the Comics tried to throw it away. The return of the prodigal son Trehy was not a success, and he was soon replaced with the fatted calf. Coops hit two fine shots but then chased a wide one, and Angus missed a straight one to leave the innings in tatters. Jabba and Martin put on a nice partnership but a middle order collapse left the Comics facing certain defeat at 59-7. Enter Macca, who showed the right amount of contempt for the bowling and set about the rescue mission with fellow kiwi Paul 'Benson' Matheson. Apart from a couple of LBW appeals, it suddenly became very easy and the runs were knocked off within eight overs, as Macca continued his great run of form with the bat to complete a fine all-round match.

Relegation still seems likely, but if we bowl and field like this for the rest of the season perhaps last year's end-of-season winning streak can be matched...

Travaux 271-5 (Angus 2-49, Mark V 2-73)
Economicals 73 a/o

One of the worst performances in Comics memory, and the less said the better. Only highpoints were a stunning catch from Mark Veitch and a great bowling effort from Angus Davis. Simple catches put down, players not trying in the field, batsmen getting out to bowling that was straight but nothing special. Players not being superstars is no problem, but players not showing the necessary commitment or application both on and off the field is not good enough. 

Economicals 194 (Gray 57, Marett 40)
Addington 159 (Angus 4-41, Coops 3-27)

The Comics made a mockery of the league table by stunning second-placed Addington on a scorching hot day in the middle of nowhere. Coops predicted a good performance following last week's debacle, as a near full-strength side rocked up at the rough terrain past Croydon. Coops won the toss and had no hesitation choosing to bat. However, having been inspired by the 20:20 cup, he was back in the hutch in the second over for a 10-ball 17. Aghaizu soon followed, but the Comics were rattling along at a run a ball against fairly ordinary bowling.

Brett Marett survived an early chance, but soon he was providing the strokeplay that had been missing from the middle order and shared an 80-run partnership with Mark Gray, who was in great nick. The Comics were going along at a run-a-ball and the opposition looked very downbeat, but the introduction of a pair of good spinners began to turn the game back Addington's way. Gray and Macca went the same way, caught at short cover, and when Marett was followed by Mark Veitch, collecting his third consecutive duck to approach Trehy's 0000 record, the Comics had collapsed to 143-6. On another day, that would be game over, but the deep batting line-up came to the rescue and, while no one scored heavily, Martin, Paul, Angus and Jon all contributed to take the total to 194 - a disappointing total when it looked as though 250 was on the cards, but it was something to bowl at, and with plenty of bowling options, Coops was quietly confident.

Confidence dipped slightly as Oat-head's first ball was smashed for four, but Angus' incredible ability to pick up wickets led to early inroads, and he cleaned up three top order batsmen to catches following good changes of pace. At 25-3 the Comics' tails were up, but their number 3 was looking good. He survived tough chances and was looking well set when Macca trapped him palpably lbw. Sadly, the rules of the game haven't got this far south, and he was reprieved, followed by the predictable French explosion. Coops shattered the stumps at the other end, and then Macca finally got the wrong man lbw to leave Addington reeling on 57-5.

Another good partnership followed, and the no 3 brought his 50 up by smashing Coops for six. Coops decided to bring back spearhead Oat-head for a short burst, and the big fella cleaned up their last hope, to much relief all round. Addington made a last throw of the dice by bringing out an umpire who could spot wides but not massive edges. However, it was all academic as Coops and Angus cleaned up the tail, helped by an astonishing catch on the boundary from Brett, which summed up the difference from last week. Relegation may be unavoidable, but performances like this make it all worthwhile.

Economicals 190 (Coops 56, Rob 34*, Mark V 25, Angus 21)
Hampton 133 (Angus 3-27, Mark V 3-43, Coops 2-18)

The Comics finished the season in style with their third win in four to give themselves a chance of avoiding relegation. This was perhaps the most satisfying win, as it was achieved with many key players missing, thanks to solid contributions with bat and ball and an excellent all-round fielding performance.

Coops won the toss and went against team orders by choosing to bat on a wet wicket - a decision that of course turned out to be correct! There were no cricketing reasons for this bizarre choice, but with Dave Taylor and Joe Elliott yet to arrive, and Ratboy Lawrence temporarily disposed conducting another hammer killing on nearby Twickenham Green, he didn't want to be short in the field. Jon French went early, and Denis laboured for a pitiful 11, but with Coops smashing it around the run rate was good. However, when the skipper fell soon after reaching 50, the Comics were in trouble at 70-3, and with Dave and Joe also falling cheaply, a low score was on the cards. At this point, Hampton decided to make it interesting by putting on some terrible bowling, which allowed Mark Veitch and Angus to make decent contributions. The hero of the hour was Rob Dunster, brother of Coops' girlfriend, who smashed 34* on his debut. It was a great innings, worth Coops staying with Anna for a few more years in case he plays again, and it allowed the Comics to post a challenging score of 190.

On a decent track, and with very small boundaries, it was likely to be difficult to keep the runs down, but Angus and Coops kept it very tight, with Coops returning an extraordinary opening spell of 8-4-6-1. The fielding was brilliant, with many runs saved by many players, including guys like Paul and Barry who aren't always the most agile. As the required rate escalated, and with Mark and Steve Cottrell also bowling tight, some silly shots led to downfall of the Hampton top order.  When Hampton's danger man was superbly run out by Dave, the game was up, and Angus cleaned up the tail to pick up some deserved wickets.

All in all it was a great team performance, again showing the difference that can be made when the whole team puts in 100% effort. Whether it's division 2 or 3 next year, performances like this and we'll win our fair share.