New season, same story

2018 and a gloriously sunny opening day of the season saw the 5s playing Dulwich in the time honoured way of round one- only this time it was at home (first time in years). Some reasons to celebrate one might think but any optimism was short lived. The Captain lost the toss and, given the state of the pitch (one rung up from quagmire), effectively the match was decided in that moment. That is not to say that it was a foregone conclusion but Dulwich are stiff opposition even in the best of conditions.

Suranjan and Mike ‘the Power’ Coxon opened the batting and navigated the opening overs with some adept big hitting. Before the match the umpire consulted the Captains to see how strictly they would like to apply the ‘first and final warning’ law change in the context of above-the-waist full bungers. The consensus seemed to be that it might only apply to fast bowlers on this occasion. However, this would prove to be disastrous for the Llamas as one of the Dulwich bowlers sent down two beamers in his first over, was allowed to continue and then took 5 fer. Nice guys finish last.

After launching a few deliveries over the fielder’s heads, Coxon started to play over the top of a few balls and the writing was on the wall. He nicked off to the keeper for about 8- this would end up being the highest score for Reigate sadly. The ball was digging in and losing pace on every delivery, not mention skidding precariously. Surajan went next, bowled through the gate as he was too far ahead of the ball. Gregson came and went after another catch to the keeper. De Mello and then Hudson and then Lester were all bowled in a similar fashion as the ball refused to come on and duped the batsmen into playing too early. Van Staden was fooled by the slope as the ball cut in about a foot and Morris skied a pull shot that the second slip took easily.

Massey started well but mishit one down leg side that the keeper did well to hang on to. That left Andy Hoad and Charlie ‘CC’ Chovil to mount a rear-guard action. After holding up their respective ends for a few good overs there was some hope of eking out another 20-30 runs from the innings it seemed. However, the umpire called wide ball on the [then four fer] bowler as the ball skidded under the arc. This had the effect of infuriating the Dulwich Captain (and most of the slip cordon) who did not know this law and [incorrectly] argued long and rather too hard that the decision was silly. A good reminder for umpires (like Hudson) that it is fruitless to try to explain decisions to people that haven’t got a grasp of the laws- at least on the field. Anyway, the ire having been evoked it was utilised to dispatch the last Llama wicket with some relish and both opening bowlers finished with five wickets.

Tea not having arrived by this time, it was straight back on to the field for the Llamas to defend the meagre total. There was a surprisingly good joie de vivre amongst the lads with a fair amount of banter and intra-squad sledging considering the circumstances. Ollie Massey dismissed one batsman lbw with an outswinger that pitched on leg, and then Dulwich contrived to run themselves out by not calling properly. However, even with a damp pitch the oppo were able to easily romp home after only about 12 overs. No honour in this one. At least the team didn’t have to drive an hour in each direction for the same experience.