Dodgers gathered on local election day in England, Scotland and Wales, hoping their fortunes might prove to be more favourable than what was forecast for the Labour party. Despite a winning outing on the historic Hackney Marshes a week earlier, Dodgers felt happy to be back for their first home outing of the season, on the goose strewn fields of Kings House.
After agreeing to an 18-overs-a-side game, Treasury won the toss and elected to bowl, with Mike and Kunal opening the Dodgers batting. The wicket proved to be your typical early May English wicket, with inconsistent pace and bounce. Despite this, Mike and Kunal got Dodgers off to a flyer, with 23 runs scored in the first two overs. Both were unlucky to be dismissed shortly after, however, with Kunal chipping one to a waiting fielder and Mike being bowled by one coming back in through the gate.
This brought Satya and Jack to the crease. After an initial slow start, Satya accelerated quickly, and retired on 28 off 18. There were some particularly bludgeoning shots from Satya, including a dismissive four 4s in a row. Perhaps from chuckling away at the other end due to Satya calling his boundaries as he hit them, Jack's innings was much more patient. With Dodgers wickets falling around him - including Charlie who was dismissed lbw by the umpiring Satya before the opposition had even appealed - Jack too retired on 25*, the highlight of which was a lovely languid drive back over the bowler's head for 4. An excellent cameo from Aaron at the end - including a lovely flick to cow corner for four - meant that Dodgers ended their innings on 123-5. Given the wicket and conditions, Dodgers felt this was a very defendable total, but knew they would have start their defence well.
Abhi and Charlie opened the bowling for Dodgers and delivered the start that was needed. Bowling a fiery spell which left Ralph fighting for his life at times behind the stumps, Abhi took the first wicket with a lovely delivery that nipped back into the Treasury openers stumps. At the other end, Charlie bowled with excellent accuracy, leaving him with the superb figures of 3-1-3-2. This combined spell laid an excellent platform for the next bowlers to continue to turn the screw, with Satya, Amir, Karan and Kunal all taking a wicket apiece. The Treasury just couldn't get the Dodgers bowling away, with all Dodgers bowlers going at under five-an-over. The Treasury finished their chase on 79-7, meaning a comfortable 44 victory for Dodgers was secured. A special shout out must go to skipper Ralph, for keeping excellently on what was a tricky wicket.
Victory of the Treasury made it two wins out of two for the Dodgers in 2026, with Chairman Stockers keen to extend his reign's perfect start when Dodgers play AGCC next Wednesday.
Man of the Match Votes:
Satya - 5
Jack - 4
Charlie - 1
Scorecard - here
The victorious Dodgers (minus Satya who for some reason was chosen not included in the photo by the Treasury photographer!):
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