OECC 1st xi 196 -8 (40 overs) v Belvedere 1st xi 128 all out (31.2 overs)

If all else fails, go back to what used to work. Win the toss, bat first, get Keeran to open with Irv and bring James D and Vik back into the team.
A strong opening partnership of 87 came off 18 overs at a very steady 5 an over. Yes, there were some big shots, but neither Irv nor Keeran found it easy to move into top gear. The outfield was quick, but the pitch was a little clingy. Early umpiring controversy came as Nick took 6 minutes and a 14 way discussion to turn down an appeal for LBW or caught behind for Irv. Luckily, he dealt with this smoothly by stating that we all walk if we’re out. Irv went first, then Rikin, despite looking hugely assured, followed him a little later. Reyhan joined Keeran and they took us along to 127 in the 26th (still that steady 5 an over) before Keeran may or may not have nicked one behind. After a few moments, Rikin raised his magic finger and Keeran entered into a full and frank discussion of a range of matters with Belevdere’s especially belligerent number 3 batsman. Reyhan was untroubled by the increased tension out there and, started to show great touch and timing with Nick alongside him. Sadly, Nick fell for just 6, but Reyhan continued with some lovely shots to make his way to 39 before being dismissed. The 5 an over theme continued but wickets fell more regularly as the overs column entered the 30s. Hammer, Jonny and Vitlesh all contributed single figures, with the notable running of a 3 by the partnership whose combined ages a just shy of a ton. The last three overs saw J Doyle join J Doyle at the crease. J Doyle looked classically trained and found the gaps well to get to 5, but was somewhat miffed when his younger brother started looking to farm the strike in pursuit of a re-energising 16 not out. 194, just shy of 5 an over, looked to be around par on a good outfield and average pitch.
Things felt better, watching James run up to open the bowling, and a first over that went for just 2 was a string start. Unfortunately, Vitlesh’s first over went for 14 as Belvedere’s number 1 played some decent shots from the off. Vitlesh did well to recover, subsequently managing 3 overs for just 13. Irv decided a change was needed, and after 2 impressive warm up deliveries on the outfield after tea, Rikin was selected as being the bowler with the best recent form. The decision proved inspired. A smart catch from Vik at square leg off James’ bowling got rid of one opener, but the number 1 still looked dangerous, especially as Belvedere were going at over 6 an over for their first 15 overs. However, Rikin got their star man clean bowled, then James grabbed a second, caught Nick in the covers. Things were turning, especially now Nick had slowed little in his fielding from 200mph which did involve missing the odd ball in the deep, turning 2s into 4s as well as turning 2s into 1s. Rikin got our fourth just before drinks, spotting the batsman strolling out of his ground following a regulation forward defensive back to the bowler. A cheeky underarm sent him back, and by drinks, things were finely balanced, with Belvedere on 100 for 4 after 20. From the next 7 overs, Belvedere manged 10 for 3. Jon had come on by now and bowled well and exceedingly economically, conceding only 14 off his 6 overs. Bit it was Rikin who was slashing through the batting. His 2nd wicket came from bowling number 5, then his 3rd came from a running catch pouched by James dashing to his left, well, trapped between his arm and his chest. Rikin finished his spell with 4 for 21 – a great performance with the ball. The final three wickets fell to leg spin, two to Jonny and 1 to Vik, whose single over saw him claim 1 for just 3.
We had won, fairly comfortably, by 66 runs.
MOM – won by Rikin, nominations for Keeran and James
DOD – Won by Reyhan for a shonky piece of ground fielding despite nominations for….Keeran, for his ill-timed discussion, Belevedere’s number 3, Belvedere’s number 4 and Nick for the more headless chicken aspects of his exciting performance in the field.
Champagne moment was James Doyle’s athletic ‘Running wing catch’
The Jonny Nicholls award for leg spinner taking the last wicket of the match (which, for technical reasons, cannot be won by the award’s sponsor), was won on ‘count back’ by Vik
The newly minted Maidstone Moment went to Rikin for bowling Belvedere’s good batsman
The BDS award went to Jon
The Sue Doyle tea award was almost unanimously claimed by Chicken Palace who now track OE’s home fixtures as part of their weekly staffing planning
And finally…..in a new innovation, we invite an online public vote for the hotly contested Mappy Magic Finger award. The two nominations are:
Nick Smith, taking a consultative approach in talking through his entire thought process in giving Irv not out caught behind off his pad, notably adding that ‘we walk when we’re out’
Rikin Parikh, giving Keeran caught behind when Keeran didn’t feel anything, and then proceeded not to walk despite being assured by an opponent that he had hit it and therefore had failed to adhere to Nick’s earlier proposition that we walk
Please vote in the facebook comments. The poll will close….sometime…tbc