Vintage Tuffers gets Nomads close vs Old Isleworthians - 10th July 2011

BY TUFFERS:

The match was played on a warm and cloudy day with the Nomads having a few new faces in Sameer and Manmeet. Daisy won the toss and decided to field in a 40 over match.

The wicket was a bit slow and low, with Deano and Mahesh opening the bowling and keeping things very tight. Deano bowled 2 of their top order, and Mahesh bowled his 8 overs for a very economical 15 runs. Richie was a bit variable, but produced a beauty to bowl their very solid looking opener, and at drinks the score was 64-3.

Mike, Naresh and Manmeet continued the bowling taking 2, 1 and 1 wickets respectively. Mike and Naresh bowled some steady medium pace and Manmeet useful spinners. The Isleworthians middle order quickened the pace well towards the end of their innings and took the score to a respectable 186-7.

One of the opposition had a very keen photographer with them, who asked if she could stand with the square leg umpire for a while to take some pictures. A few balls later a fierce pull was hit in that direction and as the umpire moved out of the way the ball ricocheted of the photographer’s legs! A good tea was enjoyed by all and was followed by team photographs.

Daisy and Tuffers started the Nomads’ run chase, with Daisy hitting some crushing pull shots until he chased one outside off and was caught behind for 20. Naresh hit some typically classy shots before being LBW.

Tuffers continued to enjoy driving down the ground and was joined by Sameer who hit some well timed boundaries. Drinks were taken with the score on 103-2, with Tuffers just past 50. From a position of strength, 4 quick wickets fell to bring Richie to the crease. He hit some lusty blows before being bowled and leaving the Nomads 40 runs short with only 2 wickets left. Unfortunately Clint and Mahesh couldn’t hang on and the Nomads were all out for 167, leaving Tuffers 77 not out.

This is the third match in a row that we’ve had a close result in this underrated fixture and the day was rounded off with a few drinks in the Isleworthians’ friendly bar.

MOM: Tuffers