Friendly Match vs Duke Of Hamilton, 8th June 2008, London Fields

London Fields 224 all out, 34.5 overs
Duke of Hamilton 177 all out (32.3 overs)
London Fields win by 47 runs
by The Editor

On the hottest day of the year so far, London Fields CC took on regular friendly opponents Duke Of Hamilton on a broiling London Fields.

Winning the toss would be crucial to prevent severe sunburn, and luckily LFCC captain Chris Skinner guessed right and chose to bat first.

London Fields started steadily, faced with a strange mixture of full tosses and short pitched deliveries that encouraged the batsmen to play their shots (the ever-popular swipe-across-the-line and the rarer straight drive), and were soon rattling along at over 5 an over.

Openers Doug "Lord Douglas Of Buckingham" Precey and Steve Fernbank put on over 40 runs before Doug was clean bowled by the dangerous Sams. Vince then strode to the crease, and promptly strode back again, caught behind off the same bowler for a duck. Travis came in next and steadied the ship, though once Steve Fernbank was out, the wickets tumbled around him until Shannon came in at number nine. The Duke were presumably expecting to wrap things up when Shannon came out, but he ended up top scorer with 63, ably assisted by Paul Turley and Carl. Travis went earlier, bowled after reaching his maiden 50, and Grant was last out for a quickfire (i.e. two balls, including the one he was bowled off!) six.

After a short break for a beer and (optional) sandwiches, The Duke started their chase, requiring nearly 6.5 an over. From the start they were behind the run rate and never really looke d like catching up, even though several of their players made good scores, including openers Mark and Evan on 29 and 38 apiece, and no. 4 Lee May who made a good 50.

Opening bowlers Paul and Grant kept the lid on the score, going for just 55 from the first 13 overs, and then Carl and Travis took over, taking the first two wickets in their spells. Captain Chris mixed up the bowlers in an effort to keep the batsmen on their toes, and this really paid off when he took 3 for 17 from his 5 overs, and (very) part-time bowler Doug took 3-13 from his 3.

Rob and Dave W took the final overs, and with plenty of runs to play with (some might say that was a blessing), Rob finished off the tail with a neat caught and bowled.

Then it was into the pub for a few beers and a chance to watch Germany vs Poland in Euro 2008, which produced the immortal line "That was the most offside German since 1939!", when the first German goal was disallowed.

Scorecard "coming soon"...