Genty Takes Centre Stage

No longer able to retain the title the Llama 2nd XI, in their last home game of the season, still had their eye on 2nd place (unable to catch new Champions Spencer); while opponents Ashtead had much to play for as they started the day in the relegation places.
Only 3 of the Llamas in today’s team from the reverse fixture earlier in the season when the Llamas 147-7 defeated Ashtead’s 144 all out; and with 4 of last week’s bowlers not playing today (Will Brewis, Tommy Bates, George McLoughlin & Hutch) the reinforcements arrived from the 3’s (Crossy, Callum and Srikanth) as well as a fit again Will Hodgson.

Ashtead won the toss and chose to bat with Callum Gurbutt bowling economically (10-2-31-0) but it was his opening partner Will Hodgson who had the early success with 3 identical dismissal (10-1-37-3) all caught behind by Ashwin Bhat as Ashtead found themselves 38-3 by the 11th over with Stags skipper Tom Laudy’s 23 (20 in boundaries) being the main contribution.

It was almost another 20 overs before the 4th wicket fell as U14 Nathan Farmer and Patrick Murray put on a 100 partnership when Patrick (55) pulled a full toss from Srikanth to deep square leg where it found the safe hands of Alvin.

U14 Nathan, who started patiently, then having reached his own 50 he called for a 2nd run and was run out by Alvin and Ashtead were 5 down for 168 after 36 overs. Sri then got his 2nd wicket (10-1-42-2) when Alex Culhane (31) hit the ball straight to Seth McDowall at mid wicket.

Alvin took the next two wickets (8-0-42-2), both bowled. Firstly Connor Caprano-Wint (9) and then Rob Hendry (16) with a full toss into the top of the stumps that was close to being over waist high; having previously been warned for an over waist high beamer.

From 38-3, recovering to 138-3 and now 218-8 Ashtead lost their 9th wicket on 237 when U15 Jack Martin (8) was Alvin’s 2nd run out victim (with a catch, 2 wickets and 2 run outs, Alvin was having a good day in the field). Ashtead finished their 50 overs on 241-9.

Captain David Gent and Seth McDowall got the Llama reply off to a fast start. Seth was dropped at point when he was on 21 but he put that to one side as he reached his 50 in just the 13th over and their opening partnership reached 100 in the 15th over when Seth was out for 58 (44 in boundaries) at his usual above a run a ball scoring rate, when he smashed a ball from Rob Hendry (9-0-51-1) to mid off as the 1st Llama wicket went down at 100-1. This was the 2nd 100 opening partnership of the season with Seth also involved in the 1st one at Sunbury (89 for Seth and Tommy Bates 20 in 118-0 in 18.5 overs)

With some Llamas watching the Artic Monkeys taking centre stage at the reading Festival; it was Genty who took centre stage at Park Lane as he reached his 50 in the 20th over. He was having very few problems with the Ashtead bowling attack although there was a case of the unmoveable force meeting the unstoppable object (I’ll let you decide which was which) as Genty and Luke Sheridan collided while running for a third run as they both took the same route to avoid hitting each other but ended up doing exactly that. With them both on the ground the Ashtead fielders sportingly made no real attempt to run them out.

Fortunately no harm done and clearly not showing any effects from the collision, Genty then scored 24 from the next 10 balls with 4 fours as Genty and Luke took the Llamas past 150 by the halfway 25 over drinks break. The team 200 and the 2nd 100 partnership of the innings (& 3rd of the game) came up in an eventful 34th over bowled by U15 Jack Martin. Jack was trying bouncers and overstepped with Genty belting the free hit for 6. Another no ball (which Genty hit to be caught by the keeper) was followed by another free hit which Genty also hit for 6. The Llamas were 211-1 after 34 overs with Genty nearing his ton which came 2 overs later; much deserved and to the delight of his teammates.

Having been starved of the strike Luke Sheridan reached his 50 at the start of the 40th over which was to be the last over as Genty hit 2 more fours to take his own score to 122 not out at almost a run a ball, and the team to victory at 245-1 after 40 overs to claim the 20 points and stay in 3rd place. Just one game left away at Sutton next week where a win could give the Llamas 2nd spot IF Champions Spencer beat 2nd place East Molesey; and after losing the 1st 3 games this would be a fine achievement.