Whalers CC won by 5 wickets
Whalers 2009
momentum increased with a comfortable and well-paced 5 wicket win at Chiswick. Tight fielding, good bowling and solid
batting showed a team clicking into gear after a mixed start to the outdoor
season.
Overcast
conditions saw us bowling first (not tactical -Dan lost the loss).
Showing the versatility and strength in depth of our squad,
wicketkeeper/come opening bowler Stu ripped into the oppo
early on. A combination of accurate bowling and good catching at the
wicket and in the field saw him make inroads into the Mustard top order
with an excellent 3-28. Skipper Dan kept it tight at the
other end. He bowled with Flintoff-like
pace and accuracy and was rewarded with figures of 1-14. With the
pressure on, Dan turned to spin-twins Pip and Kamal to turn the screw in the
middle overs. Pip’s spell of 3 wickets for 4 runs in 4 overs was pretty
special and Mustard were struggling at 60 for 8.
At the other end, Kamal struggled initially but fought back well with his
last 5 overs only going for 16 runs. Unfortunately, some
good hard hitting from the final batsmen (with the final pair putting on
50) allowed Mustard to escape a little to 150 in their 35 overs. A good
performance in the field overall, with catches from Rob, Oz, VDP and Stu, but
still something to chase.....
The Whalers
reply saw Ads and VDP start solidly, putting on 31 for the first wicket.
Ads, on a good run of form, looked untroubled in his bubble at
the crease, nudging and nurdling alongside some
bigger shots. Nick came in and provided further acceleration with some
hard hitting anddodgy running. When he was
(unsurprisingly) run out for a Whalers career-best 21, the platform was
there. A couple of quick wickets gave Mustard a sniff and substitute
fielder Stu gave them a further hand by catching Oz. After the good
start, we probably let it get a bit closer than it should have been.
However, calm and confident finishing by Rob and Ads saw the
Whalers home with 15 from the last 3 overs required....Ads finishing on 67
not out and looking forward to a jug and some batting-for-average fines. His
batting this season has been a revelation – more private coaching in the close
season?
Mustard CC: 150 for 9 from 35 overs (Pip 3-4, Stu 3-28)
Whalers CC: 151 for
5 from 34 overs (Ads 67*, VDP 25, Nick 21)
Man of the match: Adam Hanmer
Champagne moment: Dans caught and bowled
Muppet moment: Pip’s jockstrap faff