HQ Cricket - Sports Day
The annual titanic struggle for the Symonds Cup took place at the traditional time and place (Sports Day at Chiswick) between those two perennial sides HASS(HQ)RA and OPCS on a wicket that, four days earlier, had seen the sad end of the Strollers' much famed unbeaten run (stretched over 22 months and 29 games - but more about that in another article).
On a rare hot day in this summer of cricket, HQ captain John Newton (DH) won the toss and graciously elected to bat, thereby allowing the OPCS players the benefit of fielding in the scorching sun. A promising start by opening batsman David Crang (DSS) was abruptly ended with the score on 10 (he had made 9 of them) by a splendid catch at cover. HQ's other opener, Marc Gunby (DSS), saw the efforts of John McGirr (DSS) (10), Newton (21 - the victim of a very sharp piece of fielding leading to his run out), before he himself was out for 37 with the score on 80 for 4 after 20 overs.
Further contributions of 37 by Nick Clark (DH), 4 Carole Cumino (DH), 2 Sailesh Thakrar (ITS) and an unbeaten 27 from Phil Connell (NHS), batting surprisingly low down the order, meant that HASS(HQ)RA scored 166 for 8 off their allotted 35 overs. A light (non-Perry) tea of coke and crisps was hastely taken.
With Mick Matthews (DSS) and Paul Lees (DH) opening the bowling, OPCS were restricted to 35 for 1 from their first 14 overs. A change of bowlers saw the contrasting styles of the pacey, aggressive Clark at one end and the slow, wily Thakrar at the other. Soon the rather suspect wicket began to show the strain of excessive use. At 72 for 2 a ball from Nick Clark suddenly reared up off the pitch and struck the OPCS number 4 in the face. After receiving first aid it became clear that he needed further medical attention and an ambulance was called. (Subsequent reports indicate that there will be no lasting damage.)
Whether this unfortunate incident had a phycological effect on the remaining OPCS batsmen is hard to tell, but suffice to say from 76 for 2 they collapsed to 85 for 9. Sailesh Thakrar finished with the excellent figures of 5 wickets for 25 runs in 7 overs and deservedly won the best bowler award. Wicketkeeper David Crang also had a great game, contributing 3 catches, 3 stumpings and a run out. HASS(HQ)RA, therefore, retained the Symonds Cup for the third successive year.
John Reidy