With the Ken Block Trophy retained for the 2024 season, Dodgers went in to our final match against Superstars buoyed by high spirits- but still harbouring plenty of ambition to secure it outright!
Our opening pair got off to a strong start, bringing up a comfortable hundred partnership. NJ once again made tricky shots look trivial on his way to a deserved retirement at 52* and Mike was unlucky to fall just before retiring after a well-made 48. The Superstars bowling attack was already feeling the strain when our next partnership continued to pile on runs. Jack found some form with the bat to reach his 33, only losing his wicket in the final stages while searching for the boundary. Jatinder contributed another fine innings, the latest in a strong season, and was feeling spry enough to sprint several twos as he retired at 51* in our final over. Brendan and Charlie steered the side home for the final few balls, running well between the wickets and leaving Superstars a healthy total of 212 to chase.
Matt and Satya opened the bowling for Dodgers and made our total seem ever more towering as they took two early wickets apiece (and probably a few more that should've been given...), including a sharp catch from JT behind square. Jack was unlucky not to take a wicket of his own during a dominant spell where he produced two genuine edges which narrowly evaded our one-man slip cordon. Amit bowled well to earn a wicket, his first (hopefully of many!) for Dodgers, with John making an elegant catch on the pirouette. Still far behind thanks to relentless fielding led by Ralph, Superstars began to build a partnership under Khaled and Vijay; the former scraped into retirement but John took the valuable wicket of the latter, caught behind by Charlie. With time running out, the Superstars old guard came to the crease. Paul was run out looking for a quick two, perhaps underestimating Brendan's legs in the field. NJ claimed the final two wickets, appropriately finishing with a beauty to find the edge of Khaled's bat (and Charlie's well-positioned gloves) and deny him any further glory on his return cameo with the final ball of the innings.
Another summer, another year for Dodgers etched onto the Ken Block Trophy, which will continue to rest easy in Captain Ralph's cupboard. We enjoyed a fine final evening of the season in the Chiswick pavilion, reflecting on a season well spent and trying not to notice the earlier evenings of an impending autumn.
Man of the Match votes: NJ 6, JT 5
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