Whalers CC v Morden Corinthians CC – 13^th June 2010

Whalers lose by 8 wickets

It was a case of déjà vu for the Whalers on Sunday as the batting failed miserably again and we were handed an eight wicket thrashing by Wimbledon (formerly Morden) Corinthians.

With the club captain now traditionally absent for this fixture Matt elected to bat first at Raynes Park. Just 14 balls later the batting had shown all the conviction of a Robert Green save and Whalers found themselves three wickets down for the addition of two runs with Pip, Al and Rob all out clean bowled. Khalil and Dario set about the rebuilding and put on 27 before Khalil took a swipe at a straight one and was caught plumb in front. Dan joined Dario and at drinks Whalers were an improving 57-4.

However the drinks break did for Dario - out lbw shortly after, and Dan followed bowled by a sharp turner. The powerhouse lower order took a few swishes – and eyes lit up big style when Pinkney to bowl, deemed by some to be even slower than one of the fabled (and recently underused) Whalers bowlers of yesteryear. Of course the result was wickets galore as late call up Steve Newmark toe-ended a massive heave to slip, Paul gave some catching practice and Nick Treadaway was last out for a carefully compiled 6 singles. Matt was left stranded without facing a ball and the Whalers had collapsed to 96 all out off 29.4 overs.

After tea the Whalers needed quick wickets, and we had secret weapons in the form of fielding shinpads purchased in the week, and Paul Mildon making his debut behind the stumps. Even more remarkably Dario, sporting the shinpads, was in action early taking a catch at short leg (!) off Dan’s excellent bowling to dismiss a Wimbledon opener for 6. Thereafter it was largely one way traffic – aside from some tight bowling from Matt and some probing stuff at the other end from Pip which earned him the only other wicket clean bowled. This only delayed the inevitable and Wimbledon Corinthians ran out deserved winners by 8 wickets and the small matter of 21 overs to spare.

Overall this was a dispiriting performance, especially when you consider that Whalers fought toe-to-toe with a stronger Corinthians team for a full 80 overs in a thrilling contest last year- this was very much a damp squib. Dario took Man of the Match honours with his purposeful batting and short leg catch fending off the nominations of ‘not awarded’ and Channa for taking the wise in hindsight decision of staying away and missing the whole sorry debacle. Surely in the words of Ollie Bayne’s favourite Yazz the Only Way is up?

Whalers: 96 a.o. (29.4 overs)

Morden Corinthians: 97 for 2 (19 overs)

Man of the match: Dario batting and catch at short leg

Champagne moment: Dario the catch at short leg

Muppet moment: Dan dropping a sitter off Pip