Overnight rain did not dampen Dodgers spirits as we set off for the premium game of our season in the glorious surroundings of Windsor Great Park. The outfield looked much as it was: a parched surface drenched by a sudden burst of precipitation, but the covered wicket seemed more promising, despite the continuing presence of showers. Dodgers went in to bat with high hopes.
NJ and Mike started off our innings nicely, riding out a great deal of uneven bounce and pouncing on the occasional bad ball, so that by the drinks break at 17 overs we had a solid platform to build from of 67 for 0. Mike's dismissal for 28 off (erstwhile Dodger) Milind brought Jack to the crease, while the loss of NJ for 47 saw Karan come out to join him. Accurate bowling and excellent fielding made it increasingly difficult to find the boundary, however, with the result that our run rate dropped and wickets began to tumble. Will, Idrees, Ralph and Gary all pushed the total onwards so that we finished on 137 for 6 - much lighter than we would have hoped, but not bad given the conditions.
Our defence started most promisingly, with Jack picking up two key wickets in his first three overs and Idrees bagging one in his second. Yet this brought together the dangerous pairing of Umair and Milind, who proceeded to build a partnership of 113 that swiftly took the game away from us. Gary, Will, Karan, NJ and Aamir toiled away but the afternoon was now warmer and the pitch drier, so boundaries began to flow. Our hosts passed the Dodgers total with a dozen overs to spare, Milind top scoring with an unbeaten 75 that had offered us no chances. Special mention for Ralph's exceptional keeping behind the wicket, and many thanks to John's nephew Tobias for turning out to field for us at short notice in place of the injured Harry. We were well beaten, but it had still been a most pleasant day's outing.
Man of the Match votes: NJ 4, Idrees 3, Jack 3, Mike 1
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