MCA win by six wickets
scoring 129 for 4 off 25.4

SCC all out for 123 off 29.4

Isn’t Chiswick House lovely? It makes the whole day of cricket against splendid foes take on a sugary, shiny glow that lights up the dullest expression. And my God, the sunshine beat down too and this elevated even further the day. PAWS and kids, new bloods and chums, all enjoying the spirited gusto of an SCC day of cricket.

We lost of course, but not for the lack of trying and certainly for the lack of spirit. Captained by myself, Yuri, I lay the blame at my door for electing to bat first rather than field. If we had done it the other way around, we would have at least got more game in, but there we go!

Just after 1pm Vlad and Dacha strolled as our opening pair. The bowling assault began with McDonagh and Robert and it was fierce. Not a lot of leaves to be had and each ball requiring great discipline. Dacha was first to fall to Robert but he had put up a useful 14. Falling in behind him and falling out rapidly too were Yankheroff and Sewelski. Make no mistake though, Robert was a very hand bowler.

Brandonovski delivered a useful 36 minutes of resilience that calmed us a little. A lot of balls faced and kept off. Four doesn’t sound a huge score but it’s the stopping of the dam that was key here and Brandonovski deserves a lot of merit. A rushed score book prevents me from detailing what happened in detail hereafter but we heartily welcomed aboard Allenski ( Andy Allen ) who is my neighbour from across the road – and what a super neighbour to have onboard. Producing a handy 28 to Vlad’s 39 meant we were able to get some numbers on the board. Two other points of note of course to Hodderoff who amongst his 14 got a super six and another new-blood, Patrick Harrison (Still need a nickname) – A good friend and musical theatre supremo chum of mine!

MCA worked really hard and put up a great show on the field. Robert and Bacon bowling up a storm and taking 3 and 4 wickets respectively.

Tea was our success and congratulations and thanks to all of the comrades who came together to produce a lovely tea for all. Well done.

We took to the field. One very long boundary and a tempting short one. Lots of space to fill and cover. Bowling attack lead excellently by Dacha and Hodderoff. Second over and Hodderoff bowls Benz for 8. A hot start! And in the 8th and 9th overs  two more wickets, First was Duffield and then Kilshaw, bowled and caught and bowled by Dacha and Allenski respectively – What an inaugural match for new comrade, Allenski!

It briefly at this point, felt like we had a chance but it slipped away. Their run-rate was steady and we couldn’t get the bails off. Fraser ended the day with a superb six up and away to the entrance end of the pitch. Goreat play.

A lovely day of cricket and rightful win by MCA. Good sport, comrades!

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