Saturday 23rd August 2008: Sanderstead 3rd XI v Egham 3rd XI

An early meet saw Charlie Mac arrive on time for a change, sporting a slightly reduced "Hairbear" cut for our away day trip to Sanderstead in the penultimate game of the season. Wayno proved yet again, what a top tosser he is and duly inserted the opposition on what looked to be bowler’s heaven on a dodgy looking park pitch.

The Tank broke through early bowling D. Young, but the other Sanderstead opener, S. Elleray threw caution to the wind, swotting and edging his way to 57 after surviving a very early [nailed on] LBW shout from Alex Pinder. Whilst carving his innings to cow corner, three further wickets fell to bring in their #6 [P. Bakey] with dreadlocks flowing to set up a 5^th wicket stand to halt the Egham push. The opposition were at 4+ an over so on came Wardy and a change of tactics from the Tank put the pressure back on reducing the run rate to 3 an over.

Wardy was getting good bounce and produced a peach of a ball that found a VERY thick edge, heard all around the ground [except by the umpire and the batsman!]. Thinking this was his first catch behind standing up, Chris Watmore launched into an ecstatic appeal with all around celebrating…….failure to walk raised tension and some good sledging and on came our fiery Scouser to capture the important wicket of Elleray. Soon to follow was our friend Mr Bakey, now into his second innings and H. Duncan who fell to an Ando wonder catch at gulley [held onto everything this year and still fit enough to thrash Nashy at a sprint!].

Gavin and Wardy mopped up their stubborn tail ender’s for an over achieved 152 and off for a 7/10 tea a bit light on cakes, unless the crèche had swooped them all before I got there!

In reply, a pair of Chris’s opened and looked steady in the chase until the Watmore variety was given the slow crooked finger by Pinder A @ 58-1, bringing together Captain Wayno and [Miami] Vice Nashy. The pair brought the score up to 104 before Nashy’s swash buckling innings came to its usual end with a miss hit cut shot, caught for a fine 58 runs.

Charlie Mac, almost caught & bowled off the first ball only managed a single before edging to the keeper to bring in Pinder R, who fell early for 5 to give Sanderstead false hope. In came Wardy [23 – NOT age!] to partner Wayno [39] to finish off the game and keep Ando padded up for yet another DNB for a deserved 13 points to stay in 2^nd place. With the top 3 all winning, it is in our hands for promotion next weekend. TFC award today went to Matt Hodgkinson and 2 x jugs [What a pair!] for Nashy [58] and Wayno [3 x catches].

Ando

 

Saturday 16th August 2008: Egham 3rd XI v Ashford 3rd Xl

No Report

 

Saturday 9th August 2008: Warlingham 3rd XI v Egham 3rd XI

Egham 3rd XI had a particularly uneventful match against Warlingham 3^rd XI on Saturday.

The real action occurred 2 days before the game was due to be played when Dunning of Warlingham sent an email to the League saying that they were unable to field a team. It was a nicely constructed email, well paced, with a good line and length. But it caused Edwards, of the League, little trouble. He simply played a straight bat and acknowledged the situation. Some reference was made to any future concessions but, overall, it was an exchange played in the best spirit of the game.

So Egham picked up another 13 points and returned to their rightful place at the top of the table. Highlights of Saturday; Wayno didn’t lose the toss again, Egham conceded no extra’s in the field, Nashy bowled with as much precision as Wardy, Charlie Mac still hasn’t cut his hair and Bradley was joint top run scorer. A special mention must also go to Tom Bouch whose performance must have caught the selectors eye as he has been promoted to the 2^nd XI for this weekends fixture.

Nashy  

 

Saturday 2nd August 2008: Egham 3rd Xl v Malden Wanderers 3rd Xl.

On a slightly overcast day Egham’s Chris Nash won the toss and decided to bowl first against a strong Malden Wanderers outfit. Their openers put on a hundred partnership in good time without offering anything by way of chances until, with the introduction of spin both were removed by Bradley Staight and Adrian Ward. Another couple of quick wickets put Egham on top until the Malden Wanderers number five who apparently plays for Surrey U19s took some liberties and smoked Egham’s bowlers to all parts as he struck a punishingly efficient 64 before being excellently caught in the deep by Gavin Byron. A late surge of wickets led Malden to be bowled out for 213 from 53 overs.

In reply Egham never really got started, early wickets meant that Tony Gregory was forced to take the attack to Malden on his own. His score of 43 was the only contribution which stood out in a largely disappointing run chase. However Egham did come close to securing the losing draw which kept the game alive until the 45^th over. Adrian Ward was eventually left stranded as Bradley Staight’s batting technique let him down as he failed to get forward and look at a fully pitched ball which cannoned into his pads giving captain Chris Nash as umpire no choice but to raise the finger which consigned Egham’s 3^rd XI outfit to it’s first defeat of the season. With lowly Warlingham next week it is not a feeling the team expect to get used to.

Tom Bouch

 

Saturday 19th July 2008: Egham 3rd Xl v Chipstead &CW 3rd Xl.

Egham hosted at St. George’s college on a very sunny, breezy day.  In spite of the perfect cricket conditions the day started ominously when Wayno - given one job to do - lost the toss and we were asked to bat. This was to was to be a day of many firsts. It was as clear as the freckles on their otherwise pasty white faces that the oppo were very smug as they took the field. They arrived at Royal Holloway in good time - only to discover that they were at the wrong ground - and then, upon arriving at St. George’s, attempted to claim the morale high ground by complaining about the garden shed we all had to change in. (Actually it was just their tall spinner, Robin Hagenaars, that was complaining, but he had a natural gift for nagging). Besides, as far as garden sheds go this was luxury and even had a veranda. With the whole team showing signs of unease with Wayno’s loss of tossing form, it was clear the rest of the team would have to pull their socks up to recover what they could from the rest of the day. Step up Pricey and Jonah. 

The wicket was a touch slow so anything bowled short asked to be hit, furthermore, somewhat surprisingly, the wicket kept low with a little bit of bite for the seamers/spinners. Nonetheless the lack of bounce tended to favour the batsmen and, after about 22 overs, we were 100-plus without loss with both Jonah’s and Pricey’s 50’s coming up in the same over. At this point something very mysterious happened, the breeze picked up and high level cloud rolled over, Jonahs eye’s began to transform and he grew just that little bit taller. I don’t know what caused it but everyone that day witnessed a strange inner beast emerging from the Tall-One; Jonah began hitting sixes, lots and lots of sixes. In fact he hit 10 sixes and rocketed his score to 145 until he was finally caught attempting his 11^th six. It was a fantastic innings offering very few chances; one on 91 and another in the 120s. By the time Jonah was out the opening partnership was 235 from 41 overs and the oppo were enquiring about a merciful declaration.  Wayno, by virtue of being brought up in Australia, showed no such mercy and ordered 250 in as few a balls as possible. Pricey (86) soon got out attempting to top edge a six, allowing Big Mac and The Tank to get to the target and beyound from 45.5 overs. Egham posted 257/2 with CCW’s Hagenaar taking both wickets from his ominous low bouncing off-spin.

Thanks to Adam Hill for supplying a nice tea with those lovely Sainsbury donuts.

We now had the task of bowling CCW out. The CCW openers looked confident to emulate the Egham openers; after all getting wickets was neigh-on impossible. Step forward Bradders with the old ball to bowl the first over; after two inconspicuous deliveries, he got spanked for four, and it was at that very moment something very mysterious happened. The wind died down and the clouds disappeared, Bradder’s eyes began to transform and his hands got that little bit bigger. Bradder’s next ball was to turn and bowl the opener off his inside edge. CCW were 4 for 1 and, in spite of the perfect batting conditions, doubt infected their minds. Wayno wanted to take wickets and asked Pricey, aka golden arm, to try something different with the old ball; so Pricey took this as an opportunity to try his leg-spin.  This apparently took some people by surprise: "What are you bowling!" cried Chrissy Watmore, "Hello, was that a new slower ball" cried Nasher, "Hello!" exclaimed Tanko, and grunts of "Eh?" from some of the remaining fielders. Anyway, Bradders and Pricey kept bowling with the old ball until well past drinks; Bradders bowled in two spells, one at the start and end of the match, picking up a total of 6 wickets from five turning deliveries and one pie, Pricey picking up just one from his experimental flighted leggy. Bring on G-spot and Tanko with the new ball (in about the 26^th over!). Tanko was unlucky to have all three LBW appeals turned down in the same over, perhaps the batsman came forward to one thereby introducing doubt in the umpires mind, but he certainly didn’t on the other two. Gaurang ‘Ladies-Man’ Patel’s life as an eligible bachelor had taught him how to get wickets; the cricket ball, like a woman, has to be treated well with care and respect – if done properly you will be rewarded with copious amounts of swing. Ladies-Man produced an excellent in-swinging Yorker to get rid of the oppo’s half-centurion, Amur Gujral, the very next ball after getting his half-century! Credit must go to Gujral up to this point, he played a very controlled and disciplined innings to get his 50; and truth be told it was looking like he would see them home.

Matthew Hodgkinson bowled a little, and after having no luck was replaced by Patel to grab the 10^th wicket of the 100^th over of the day thanks to a catch behind by Chrissy Watmore. Two good catches during the match were also taken by Tea-Boy (Adam Hill). CCW finished with 175 all out. And a TFC award for Nasher.

Pricey

 

Saturday 12th July 2008: Egham 3rd Xl v Esher 3rd Xl.

Having played 5 of their last 6 games away, Egham 3’s were pleased to have a home fixture, and welcomed visitors Esher to Holloway College. Home or away, it makes no difference to Wayno, who won the toss again and duly inserted the opposition.

Egham opened the bowling with Mr Makusa and the Tank (2-69). Despite the Tank taking an early wicket neither bowler really found their best form and the next wicket was a long time coming. It eventually fell to Sucky (2-22), just after the drinks interval, when he took an athletic caught and bowled to dismiss Esher’s number 3. Sucky fully deserved to make the breakthrough, having softened up the Esher batsman with a virtually unplayable first over. Meanwhile, at the other end, Wardy had been brought into the attack and he bowled with excellent control for the rest of the innings. Wardy finished with 4-34 and could have had more wickets had Nashy not put down 2 catches. Nashy, just back from a family holiday in Croatia where the sun shone brightly all day, most probably had trouble adjusting to the half-light of the English summer. Helped by a few lusty blows from Esher’s middle order (but hindered by 2 run outs), the visitors managed to reach 159 before losing their final wicket.

Both sides then enjoyed a typically good Egham tea, made by Mr Makusa and his mother, Mrs Sweeney. Sandwiches, sausages, scotch eggs, crisps, cakes, fruit – the only thing missing was the Kenko coffee.

Egham opened the batting with Nashy and Jonah. The opening partnership was dominated by Jonah. He made an accomplished 44 before somehow getting bowled by a half-tracker. This brought Wayno to the wicket. The second wicket partnership was dominated by Wayno. He made a very aggressive 42, playing most of the innings with demented eyes, before getting out caught playing a loose shot. This brought Sucky to the wicket. The third wicket partnership was dominated by Sucky. He hit some big shots and made 25 not out. Egham reached their target for the loss of just 2 wickets, with 7 overs to spare. Nashy was unbeaten on 38 but this was not one of his more accomplished innings; most probably he was suffering from delayed jet lag following his long flight home from Croatia.

Nashy     

 

Saturday 5th July 2008: Chessington 3rd Xl V Egham 3rd Xl.

No Report.

 

Saturday 28th June 2008: Edward A. Honor Oak 3rd Xl v Egham 3rd Xl.

Wayno’s super Egham army made its way to Dulwich College this Saturday for a first vs. fifth clash… they then realised they were playing down the road so went to Edward Alleyn and Honor Oak’s (EAHO) ground instead. After this long and plainly confusing journey, the skipper managed to collect his thoughts and prove once again he is one the greatest tossers in the game and inserted the oppo. It looked like an important toss to win with the pitch looking very placid and the outfield quick.

Spoilt for choice in the bowling department, the Aussie selected Shoulders and Gaurang P to open up. Neil initially struggled to find rhythm down the hill, but still managed to bowl with excellent pace, Gurang was the model of consistency so the EAHO openers struggled to score quickly. Phil was swapped for Shoulders and started to show his class. The resulting pressure and accurate bowling led to a couple of wickets for Egham’s Army. With the Lover man clearly suffering from not speaking on the phone for a whole hour was withdrawn and Phil changed ends with Wardy coming down the hill.

Again the slope caused the bowler problems and prevented Wardy from finding his usual consistency and leaked a few runs. It was not solely down to him however. Fielding is a key element of the game. An element the youngest member of the team decided to ignore at one stage during Wardy’s spell, cleaning the bottom of his boot while "fielding" at deep square leg only for the ball to pass him and the boundary while he intently focused on the sole of his boot. (Editors note: team please think of relevant nick names for next week match)

The veteran did take a blinder at slip off Gurang and seemed happy to let Neil take over from the top end with EAHO five down. In partnership with Phil, who bowled well throughout and took regular wickets (32/5), Shoulders (40/3) seemed to relish in the freedom of short and sharp spells. So Egham continued on the front foot and skittled the home side for a touch over 150 runs.

It was a very impressive performance in the field with the fielding, bowling and catching (don’t worry Wayne I won’t mention your drop off Wardy) all at a very high standard. With a score to chase, maybe 50 runs short of par and plenty of overs to get them, the Army retreated to tea well pleased.

The Doctor and Vice Skipper opened Egham’s innings with solid defence and powerful attacking strokes. Pricey continued his excellent form this season with a very well paced 54 not out and never really looked in trouble. Nashy after some crushing and trademark cuts, fell to an uncharacteristic slap to cover with the score at 50/1. The skipper came to the crease and continued the march to victory. With four runs for victory and six needed for his fifty, only Shoulders apparently able to work out how both could be achieved, the Skip, with more luck than judgement, celebrated his half-century and the team’s seventh victory of the season with a lusty blow to cow.

The Army marches on then, leaving the leafy London suburbs with 13 more points and with half the season done well placed to gain promotion.

Banzai Harrison

 

Saturday 21st June 2008: Egham 3rd Xl v Beddington 3rd Xl.

It was cloudy and wet when Egham 3^rd XI arrived at our substitute home ground Heathervale, to do battle against one of our favourite opponents - Beddington. On inspecting the pitch pre match Egham found 3 strips and all were covered in grass and wet. Carefully choosing one strip at the far right and avoiding one slight incline and one where the batsman has to face a red ball coming from red trees. Once again good tosser Wayno won a crucial toss and put the opposition in bat. That’s 5 out of 7 so far this year.

The Egham opening bowling pair of Neil Sweeney and Gaurang (Loverman) started brilliantly. Gaurang was able to stay off his phone for long enough to bowl to the Beddington batsmen. Fairy tale start for Egham by Neil. He scared the opposition opening batsman by some fearsome bouncers and quick deliveries. The first wicket was secured by brilliant catch from Charlie Mc (the three of us) and that was just for starters. Awesome Neil kept taking wickets and the opposition were struggling to have good partnership. Inspired by Big Gs words and the threat to take his mobile away Gaurang joined the party, with 3 quick wickets. The skipper for Beddington was holding their innings together, but with Egham now looking to finish before drinks, but the No 10 and 11 pairing gave the opposition their best period of batting. Tank brought into the attack to break this partnership, but Neil was having none of this. Tank bowled excellent first over but awesome Neil finished the job. Lucky as Wardy was waiting to come to bowl. Beddington finished at 95 in 31 overs. Mark R.Brown-17runs, skipper Chris Austin-17runs, Ryan Repperall-27 runs.

N.Sweeney 16 over-3 maiden-42 runs-7 wicket G.Patel-14-4-42-3 A.Pandit 1-0-2-0

So 96 to win in 70 overs. Steady start by Pricey and Jonesy. A few good deliveries by Sam and Ryan but Pricey and Jones were determined to put on a good partnership. Egham got to 50 runs mark without losing wicket and then opposition had their first bowling change. R. Caroll had success. First break, Jones (28) played good shot but straight into the fieldsman’s hands at cover. Egham51/1. Charle Mc joined Pricey. Pricey (29) played well but was tempted by a juicy delivery and gave a catch straight to the fielder. Nashy and Charle Mc now kept the score running. Nashy (12 runs) was unfortunate to given LBW. Charley Mc (26) finished the job with Big G in style. R.Caroll finished with 3/27 runs. Egham 99 runs in 26.1 over. Excellent performance by Egham once again. Egham 3^rd XI back to Egham club just before 5pm to watch 2^nd XI Game.

Under the M25 we stand

With the Magna Carta in our hand

A native of this village town

Go Egham you little beauty!!!!

LOVERMAN. (The Poet)

 

Saturday 14th June 2008: Guildford 3rd Xl v Egham 3rd Xl.

Another Saturday, another search for the ‘Spirit of Cricket’ by Wayno’s enforcers of justice. After finding the Bandits of Banstead, and the Pirates of W.Park sadly wanting, would the 3’s find any ‘Spirit’ at Guildford? Sadly, not!

Again proving to be a good tosser, Wayno inserted the oppo, on a slow spongy wicket. The Egham opening bowlers Kiddy (17-6-44-3) and Mr Loverman provided an excellent display of tight swing bowling, admirably backed up by the Tank (2/24 off 11), and the Spanish archer (2-41). However, the first wicket came by way of a fine run-out by Dr Price, choosing against overthrows this week. Then Will talked out their number three, and the rest of their middle order were not good enough. Still there, was their opener and skipper, despite this week’s plumiest plum lbw, obviously turned down, the Tank being the bowler this time. In such a mess at 50-5, their rotund captain tried his plan B which was to pretend to be injured and obtain a swift runner to turn his one’s into 3s! The Aussie bought it and even, allegedly offered to run for him too, but obviously the bandit was after someone much quicker! Although, getting Guildford down to 127-8, little thought had been given to ending the innings. Through some over-bowling, the total negation of Wardy, and even forgetting that Mr Loverman was still there, and not on the phone, a situation was self-created where the oppo could flail the willow, esp. if you don’t have to run afterwards, and through a combination of lusty blows, a large dose of luck and dubious tactics a score was posted, 174-8. Guildford were obviously proud of themselves. Egham, bowled well in the main and fielding was much improved, and during a tea-less tea the lads looked forward to a challenge for once.

So, 175 to win in 45 overs, bring it on! Dr Price and Cliff, sorry Nashie opened up and made an excellent steady start. Watchful at first and opening up after realising they were not facing much. Nashie (16) succumbed while trying to increase the pace, but Pricey started to straight drive beautifully, until realising he may have to buy a jug, gave it up for 45 good runs. Steady bowling then tied down the skip and Hair Bear, so when Wayno was bowled for 17, the bugle was needed! This was briefly provided by Wardy and ‘G ‘ Bartlett, and they awoke the before dozing young Hair Bear. Like Samson, the power in those locks can be devastating, and Charlie put Guildford to the sword, for a fine 53, until trimmed up by Banzai Harrison. After a mighty six from Kiddy and some crazy running, only one run was required off the last over. One for the dramatic, Will waited for the last ball the scamper a leg bye to secure victory. Even then the oppo appealed for a run-out after the WK broke the stumps first with his gloves. Shameful!

An entertaining win then, should have been much easier, But this side are learning as we go along. Another victory for the good guys…and justice served.

Judge Dread. (wardy)

 

Saturday 7th June 2008: Egham v Worcester Park 3rd Xl.

It was a sunny day on a crumbling track in Teddington and we were playing Worcester Park. Everything seemed to go to plan; Wayno won the toss and elected to bowl. Patel and the Tank opened; bowling straight and taking wickets. Gordon, Ando and Edwards all expressing their admiration from behind the wicket between balls. And the oppo struggled to 21 for 3 off 20 overs. From the outfielders there were many yawns, and thoughts naturally started turning to tea, beer and an early finish. With the Tank tiring and Patel looking bored, Wardy and Bradders were brought on and, with this change of pace, the oppo decided to counter-attack.

Suddenly the batsman started hitting boundaries and showing some of that great British fighting spirit. With the prospect of something to chase it was no secret that this brought great delight to our faces, all our faces; particularly Pricey who after saving dozens of runs sweeping on the leg side, decided to give them one back by over-throwing the debutant keeper. The umpire was feeling generous too and, with the Batsmen ‘shot-admiring’, conveniently signalled four just as the Tank collected the ball a good 3 metres in from the boundary. A chorus of exclamations and, in some cases, expletives, echoed from around the field. With the batsmen and umpire each looking as guilty as a smiling puppy sitting next to a pile of poo, they offered us an explanation: it turns out the batsmen didn’t run because the umpire had signalled four, and, it seems, the umpire had signalled four because the batsmen didn’t run. How convenient. In the mean-time Bradders and Wardy bought wickets; with Wardy learning that the exchange rate for LBWs in the 3^rd eleven is pretty (infinitely) steep.

The oppo had fought back to 120/7 after 45 overs, and after a brief trial of Charlie Mc in place of Bradders, Patel came on to finish the job. The oppo finished on 147 all out from 52.4 overs; 3 oppo made it in double figures: Byford ‘the part-timer’ (72), Jackson (18) and Daniels (22).

G.Patel: 16.4 overs – 6 maidens – 24 runs – 4 wickets

Tanko: 10 – 5 – 10 – 1

Wardy: 16 – 5 – 35 – 2

Bradders: 8 – 0 – 49 – 3

Charlie Mc: 2 – 0 – 20 – 0

So after a basic but sufficient tea the new opening pair of Pricey and Nasher kicked things off. The oppo tried the tactic of mixing straight balls with some wide, very wide, leg-side balls; the kind of leg-side balls that really should be called wide. Why? Because it is impossible to play a short to them unless you have mistakenly taken guard on the neighbouring wicket. The umpire partially acknowledged this by teasing us thus: ‘ok bowler, but don’t do that again’, ‘ooooh, next time bowler I will call it wide’, ‘hehehe, be careful I might call you for a wide’ and ‘that really should be wide but I’ll let you get away with that one’. In fact there was only one wide called, and it was to a ball just missing off-stump with Nasher backing away – obviously having been double bluffed for a leg-side wide. With Pricey tucking off his legs and driving, and Nasher cutting through gully and swinging, we reached 100 off 34 overs and then 122 off 41 overs; at this point Pricey (46), playing positively and using his feet to the spinner, top-edged a ball to mid-off: a 122 run partnership for the first wicket. Wayno (12), relieved to be required after pacing around in his pads for 41 overs, and Nasher (68), finished things off with a couple of overs to spare. TFC’s for Gordon and Ando.

Pricey.

 

Saturday 31st May 2008: Egham v Banstead 3rd Xl.

Egham 3’s arrived at Banstead on Saturday knowing that there had been much rain during the week. On inspecting the wicket pre-match, they saw that two strips had been cut, one marked “SAT”, the other “SUN”. Nothing unusual in that. The Saturday strip looked the better of the two, with a more even grass coverage and a much firmer feel. The Sunday strip looked a shocker. At that point, the Banstead skipper walked out to the middle with the stumps, inspected the two strips and decided that the Sunday wicket would be used. Clearly confident of winning the toss and putting Egham into bat, he then beckoned Wayno, the Egham captain, to join him. Up went the coin, Wayno called wrongly, and the first part of Banstead’s master plan had fallen into place. A dejected Wayno returned to his players where a few of them unfairly accused him of being a useless spinner, or words to that effect.

Wayno and Nashy, the Vice, opened the Egham innings. Both played some decent shots early on before Wayno nicked one behind. Charlie Mac, who hasn’t cut his hair since last season, joined Nashy and played a couple of good shots before also getting an edge. By this time Banstead had brought on PJ, their cagey bowler, as part two of their master plan, namely to make scoring very difficult on this tricky track. Nashy eventually perished, having made a patient 24. Wardy got the umpires finger, Willy got the other umpires finger and Charlie “Isaac” Newton didn’t stick around long enough to get anyone’s finger. While all this was going on Pricey (29) was picking off the one’s and two’s and when Kiddo (21) joined him Egham enjoyed the best period of their innings. After Kiddo was bowled, Amod came to the wicket. Built like a tank, and with the same turning circle, running wasn’t easy for the big man on this wet surface. When Pricey called him for a quick single, the Tank failed to find forward gear and stalled in his crease, leaving Pricey in no mans land as the bails were whipped off. Egham batted their full 55 overs, eventually finishing on 138 for 8.

Despite the relatively low score, Egham felt they were still in with a chance. Wayno decided to carry on with the old ball (a good suggestion from Willy) and to open the bowling with Kiddo and Wardy. The Egham plan was to build pressure on the Banstead batters by keeping the runs down in the first 15-20 overs and to take some quick wickets. The plan worked a treat and overcame Banstead’s third and final part of their own masterplan. Kiddo took early wickets, whilst Wardy tied them up at the other end. It was only when big hitting Thorley (32) came to the crease that Banstead started to threaten Egham’s dominance. At this point, Wayno took the brave decision to remove Wardy from the attack and bring on Garung with the overdue new ball. It didn’t take long for Garung to bowl Thorley; Egham were back in the ascendency and wickets continued to fall. Dismissal of the day came when Banstead attempted a quick single to Isaac Newton at square leg. Isaac instantly calculated the pull of gravity and the pendular motion in a resisting medium, before throwing down the only stump visible. With just one wicket required but with overs running out, Pricey replaced the tiring Kiddo, who had bowled 21 overs unchanged, taking wickets throughout. Facing the fifth ball of Pricey’s over and looking to retain the strike, Taylor slashed to the Tank at second slip. After a little bit of juggling, the Tank held onto it and Egham had secured a great victory. Kiddo got the Man of the Match award finishing with 6 for 43, whilst Garung took 2 for 7.

As the Egham players enjoyed a lemonade in the bar after the game, it was rumoured that Simon Cowell had flown his private jet to Banstead to check out an unusual juggling tank act for the next series of “Britain’s got Talent”.      

Nashey.