V&A XI: Ilija Krunic (skipper), Joe Tetlow, Matt Wright, Christiaan Jonkers
Nick Constantine, David Pitlarge, Alex Pitlarge, Mo Uddin, Christiaan Jonkers, Adam Jacot, Robin Hayley
Heil Hitler! Screamed mummy as she pushed daddy down the staircase……so started one of Chairman Bird’s favourite bedtime stories. The fact that it was the luncheon interval in front of a captive audience of, welcome Interlopers (does that even make sense?) whilst the V&A had staged a recovery after an early innings wobble, made it all the more a tale of the unexpected..
Once the right wing leanings of ‘mummy’ (let’s not get too specific) had been digested along with the delicious fare prepared by Adam and Emma. If only we had diligent Emma instead of subversive Eve, we could have avoided that whole, awkward garden incident, but I digress..
Let’s rewind back to the toss. We encountered an outfield of straw and a wicket of uncut green. Bemused glances all round. Nobody said anything but all were thinking along the same lines as we committed a huge faux pas and started hurling balls at the track to ascertain it’s suitability (well some laws do get broken, just ask Eve!) Pitch inspection passed.
Neither skipper wanted to win the toss. I spun correctly. After a prolonged, Pinteresque pause, decided in for a penny, in for a dinar and chose to bat.
At 19/2 we’re a wobbling but cometh the hour, cometh the Matt! A dear, departed friend once (well more than once) stated……Avoid the great delivery, negotiate the good and anything loose shall be punished!
That’s kinda what Matt did, as he gritted his teeth to subdue the bowlers best efforts and indeed punish their indifferent deliveries as he hit a dozen boundaries with delightful grace and a hint of gumption. It was a terrific innings, ably assisted by Joe. A vital partnership, that will, for sure be on the shortlist, come awards season.
Robin looking resplendent with evening shirt and cricket related cufflinks, a style icon no less, looked to be starting another partnership with Jasper but both, unfortunately, ended up at the same end……the cufflinks had to be removed..
Jasper kept the momentum going with ones and twos….yes twos! Jasper is a lot lighter and fitter after an intense winter regime…….in-between smokes.. Alex bashed a few at the fag end of the innings, ending with a total of 178. A grand amount on a testing wicket. Three cheers for Matt!
Christiaan and Alex opened up and bowled impeccably. Did Mr. Jonkers bowled a single, erratic delivery? Methinks not! He finished his spell with the aesthetically pleasing figures of 5-3-5-3 a cameo for the ages..
Alex’s level was only a smidgen below, but he was also too good for the top order with figures of 5-2-15-1 Mighty Mo continued the brilliant work with classical line and length, which was far too good for Interlopers middle order. Again Mo’s figures deserve a full recital 7-3-12-2
Adam picked up a wicket, as did the Skipper. Let’s hear it for the (slightly aged) seam bowlers. Hip hip…. the oppo were in shock, the contest all but over.
Joe came on and decided that lollipop bowling was the way forward and a batter was indeed snapped up but the last wicket bats turned barracuda and indulged in a feeding frenzy of fours to give the total more than a hint of respectability until one of them fell on their swordfish, attempting a second run, whilst Pitlarge Snr snared them with immaculate pick up and throw with WK Arnold whipping off bails. A tremendous piece of cricket to finish the game off.
Top notch performance from V&A and let’s not forget the fielding. Two very handy catches from Joe and catch nonchalant supreme by Robin. Style guru indeed..
