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V&A CC v Top Knockers CC

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V&A XI:Adam Jacot(C), Chris Mounsey-Thear, Christiaan Jonkers, Tom Bird, David Pitlarge, Sean Gleason, Jasper Arnold, Enzo Nicoli, Ilija Krunic, Jake Warman and Doug Gordon

Venue: Stonor
Format: Timed Match
Result: Match drawn

Score Summary:

  • Top Knockers: 154/9
  • V&A CC (A): 92/6
  • Result: Match drawn

Ah, cricket in the spring. The sun was out, the pitch was dry, and the players were up for it. Vanda CC (A) took one look at the luscious strip and — full of premature confidence — decided to have a bowl after winning the toss. What followed was a performance so tight it would’ve impressed even the most experienced professionals.

The opening pair of Sean Gleason and Chris MT were absolutely relentless. Like a couple of lovers with a point to prove, they hit their lengths repeatedly — and not infrequently found that elusive G spot, much to the frustration of the Top Knockers’ top order. The early breakthroughs came quickly, and Vanda were on top in every sense.

The pitch was a bit on the slow side (we’ve all been there), and the outfield didn’t help — it was as sluggish as a Sunday morning walk of shame. Scoring was hard, strokes weren’t coming off, and the Knockers had to work every inch for their 154 for 9.

In the field, David “The Cat” Pitlarge lived up to his nickname with two glorious grabs, pouncing with feline grace early in the innings. A couple of other fielders got their hands involved too — and not in a clumsy, teenage kind of way. Only two drops all day? Now that’s what we call safe hands.

Ilija Runic, making his debut, got stuck right in — showing great control and stamina for a first-timer. And Jake Warman brought the innings to a climax with some late magic, bowling with the kind of precision that could turn heads in the Members’ Pavilion.

Then it was Vanda’s turn to chase. The opening duo of Doug Gordon and “The Cat” Pitlarge came out looking frisky, setting off at an electric pace. Things were getting hot under the collar — but just as we started to purr, David was removed by a blinding catch. You could hear the collective moan from the boundary.

Then came Chris MT, and oh my — did he let loose. 28 runs, including two enormous sixes in one over that had the crowd gasping, ducking, and in some cases, blushing. It was explosive, entertaining, and entirely too short-lived.

Sadly, after that… things went a bit flaccid. The famously reliable and stylish middle order of Tom Bird, Jasper Arnold, and Jack Warman offered just 15 runs between them — more tease than satisfaction. Jasper’s exit, thanks to a ridiculously good slip catch, reminded us all that sometimes beauty just isn’t enough.

Jack’s fate was crueller still — a run out after a quick call from Doug, who sprinted like a man being chased from the wrong bedroom. Nobody else could match his burst of pace, and frankly, there were a few bruised egos and tight hamstrings in the aftermath. Run outs definitely did not help the cause.

In the end, Doug batted through like a man posessed, offering a gritty 32 off 30 overs while stroking it all over the field. But with the outfield sticking to everything like last night’s glitter, the runs just wouldn’t come fast enough.

And as the final overs came and went, there were a few sighs from the boundary — we never even got to see the batting prowess of Adam Jacot or Enzo “Romario” Nicoli, who were cruelly kept under wraps. A bold strategy by the skipper, but maybe next time we get the big guns out a little earlier, eh?

Final Thoughts:

It was lovely to see everyone back on the field, with the Vanda CC (A) team alive and kicking in what promises to be an exciting season ahead. Despite not quite getting the victory, there was plenty to enjoy about this contest, and it’s clear that the team has the potential for a fun and successful season. With a bit of fine-tuning, the results will surely follow. Here’s to many more thrilling moments in the upcoming matches!