The last remaining storm clouds sped away as Dodgers went in to bat against Ad Hoc on a lovely Chiswick evening. Mehboob and Tom B started with a will, both scoring freely and retiring with their respective 25 not outs in double quick time. New recruit Jack Pethick and Tawhid kept the scoreboard ticking over before Mike and John H also came in, the former not finding the third and fourth change Ad Hoc bowlers up to his standard, the latter finding them perfectly suited to his. John retired on 26 not out, so Matt Scarborough (kindly appearing for us on free transfer from South Bank), Ralph, Tom W and Adam saw out the last of our 20 overs. Dodgers ended on a powerful 164 for 5, but the pitch was still playing true and there was no sense that the game was won.
The Dodgers bowling attack began sharply, with Bilal and Adam sending down their usual barrage of swinging sorcery. Ad Hoc were by no means cowed, however, their opening bat Diego advancing down the pitch to our openers and hitting the ball to all corners of the ground. Special mention must to go Matt for tireless fielding behind the wicket, as every other delivery seemed to come his way. After their first 10 overs, Ad Hoc were well up with the 8 an over required of them, and nerves were jangling. Jack soon showed himself to be as stylish with ball in hand as with bat, as he and Tom W bagged three useful wickets apiece and the game began to inch our way. Ralph and Matt turned the screw still further and before long Diego had returned to the crease to mount a last ditch effort for his team. In the end, each one of his comrades was winkled out around him, and we were victorious by a full 50 runs. It was a happy band of Dodgers that sat drinks in hand outside the pavilion, watching the geese graze greedily o'er the sward.
Scorecard
The Dodgers bowling attack began sharply, with Bilal and Adam sending down their usual barrage of swinging sorcery. Ad Hoc were by no means cowed, however, their opening bat Diego advancing down the pitch to our openers and hitting the ball to all corners of the ground. Special mention must to go Matt for tireless fielding behind the wicket, as every other delivery seemed to come his way. After their first 10 overs, Ad Hoc were well up with the 8 an over required of them, and nerves were jangling. Jack soon showed himself to be as stylish with ball in hand as with bat, as he and Tom W bagged three useful wickets apiece and the game began to inch our way. Ralph and Matt turned the screw still further and before long Diego had returned to the crease to mount a last ditch effort for his team. In the end, each one of his comrades was winkled out around him, and we were victorious by a full 50 runs. It was a happy band of Dodgers that sat drinks in hand outside the pavilion, watching the geese graze greedily o'er the sward.
Scorecard
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Adam and Tom W finish the Dodgers innings |
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