Pirates sunk by Caribbeans

Balham & Tooting 229-9 beat Reigate Priory Pirates 143 (a.o.) by 86 runs.

Despite winning the their first match of the season, the Pirates have so far not gained a foothold in this season and the third round saw them travel to Fishponds Rd. in Tooting for yet another character-building adventure. Captain Gurbutt won the toss and asked the largely Caribbean-Heritage oppo to start things off with the bat.
Reigate couldn’t have asked for a better first ball as young Will Brewis enticed Tooting’s opener to nick off the first delivery. A diamond duck! However the early enthusiasm gradually dissipated as the numbers 2 and 3 managed to steady the ship with a 50 run partnership before Sumair Qasim elegantly leaped to take a catch at mid-wicket. Joining Brewis (2-29) in the attack was Brickers (3-45) and between them these two would account for more than half of the wickets, but they were not found cheaply; the leg side wide rule and the short boundary on one side made for hard labour and mounting runs.

First change saw the introduction of Qasim and Srikanth Vuppalla whose figures (1-48 & 1-49 respectively) were not indicative of the quality of their bowling. The notorious Balham big hitter Wayne Walters (67) was ensconced in the crease and was not only hitting big shots but inspiring his array of partners to do the same. The spirit of cricket was not always carefully guarded by the big man as he took some liberties to keep his concentration up and his opponents down. The entire time his noisy cheer squad on the side lines ensured that no misfield or poor delivery went unnoticed. When Tyler Shoare (2-28) finally induced a loose Walters drive to Brijesh Bharatiya at mid-off there was a collective sigh of relief. Unfortunately, the tail had some wagging to do and another 50 runs were shed in the pursuit of the final wicket.

A couple of dropped catches made matters worse although no one could blame Brewis or Mallows for the stiff chances in their directions that went begging. Hudson had less excuse for misjudging a very high catching opportunity but by that late stage it was relatively academic. High praise should be bestowed upon Bharatiya, who took two difficult chances, and Shoare who never stopped running and saved boundaries all day. Finally, some recognition (for he gets so little) for Mr. Bramhall who rather tweaked his hamstring attempting a catch in gully and played on like a good soldier. Cheese rolls and Jerk Chicken for tea. Had worse.

The total of 229 was not an insignificant chase, but it was fair to say that Reigate had the batting to do it. However, Balham & Tooting turned out to be even more a bowling team with consistent wicket to wicket offside deliveries and a 7-2 field. Frequently, the fielders were surplus to requirements as five of the Pirates went for ducks after being bowled cleanly and another two were caught behind (one rather spectacularly) for not many. By the fifth over the result was clear and the main ambition for Reigate was pride. Some of the team actually managed it.

Bharatiya recorded a hard fought 20 and not only frustrated the bowlers but stuck around to annoy them after his innings as JB’s runner. Sumair Qasim, the eventual man of the match and a frustrated top order bat in his own mind, made it look much easier than it was by slapping several boundaries and noodling a few singles to leg side for an impressive 40 (at number 8!) . Behind him was the in-form Will Brewis who had recently hit 32 not out and this day went one better with 33*. Perhaps reversing the order might have yielded a different outcome?

At stumps all were tired and spent, but despite the loss some respect had been restored by a few individual efforts. Well done boys and better hunting back at SAR next week.