Dodgers met the auld foe Superstars on a brilliantly sunny evening at Chiswick to open the 2023 battle for the Ken Block Trophy (which we hold). Dodgers batted first on a good pitch but an outfield that resembled a newly mown hay meadow, with clumps of grass everywhere making it almost impossible for anything hit along the ground to reach the boundary.
Our innings started in tentative fashion thanks to some tight bowling from Gary and Konrad, but Jatinder and Dave H soon found their rhythm and propelled us forward strongly before each falling to the slow spin of Mike Duggan. Damian was unlucky to mark his return from the USA with a duck, but the arrival of Mike Dollin to the crease saw another spurt of energy. A glorious six by Matt over the square leg boundary was one of the highlights of the innings, and we ended with 129 off our 20 overs, a reasonable but by no means unassailable total.
The Dodgers bowling attack was spearheaded by Charlie and Christian, backed up by Chairman John and Paddy Malins, the latter on loan from Marauders, with Matt and NJ second change. All bowled tidily, with Paddy and Matt each picking up two wickets, and the pressure proved too much for Superstars to bear. The run rate rose inexorably higher until they required 39 from the final over, which would have been a tall ask in anyone's book. Dodgers emerged worthy winners and go one up in the series.
Man of the Match votes: Dave H 7, Paddy 2, Mike D 1, Matt 1, Christian 1
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