News
Sunday 25 July 2010
The Quidnuncs chased down a target of 236 in the last over to defeat the Free Foresters in a close game at City of London Freemen's School.
The 'Nuncs began the day in a professional fashion; with the comparatively senior captain/match manager partnership of Timms/Heywood in charge, an early '90s lap, static stretch and 3 point close in fielding drill began the day. Timms lost the toss on a worn and dry deck much to the disgust of the troops. The disgust truned to rage as news filtered through that the FF had packed their side full of spinners (though whether this is more of a reflection of the FF membership base as opposed to cunning strategy could be debated).
The woes continued for the Quidnuncs as keeper Heywood rejected an offering in the form of an outside edge from the bowling of Noble. Shortly afterwards however, the FF were in serious trouble at 14-2, with Thomas Probert taking the wickets. Throughout the day, the combination of very attacking fields (at times 3 short covers, 2 slips and 2 catching mid wickets to the left arm spin of Frankie Brown) allowed plenty of scoring opportunites for the FF. Meanwhile, the 'Nuncs kept chipping away and after 56.5 overs, the FF declared on 239-9. Probert was the pick of the seamers with 3-22 and Richard Timms came on at the very end to snatch (or steal, burgal, pilfer etc etc) 2-20.
In a throwback to late 2000's Blues' Varsity matches, keeper Heywood was given the opportunity to open the batting in an attempt to protect him from the FF spin battery. Alas, the plan failed as a waft outside of stump off the first ball of the innings was grateful accepted at slip. Whilst it was the worst possible start, it perhaps only accelerated the inevitable by 6 deliveries as the FF were to bring on a slow bolwer from the other end. New 'Nunc Phil Hughes batted promisingly for 18 but the highlight of the pre-tea session surely came from James Greenwood. Promoted to 3, he bludgeoned 4 fours on his way to 22 before succumbing to the 6'7" seamer Buckland.
After tea (which incidentally was a very high standard), Timms (31) and Carson (47) put on 74 in a partership containing both nouse and aggression in equal measure. A quick flurry of wickets brought the great Lunar explorer Anand Ashok (60*), last year's FF destroyer to the crease. He along with Archie Reynolds (41* - brother of George, for whom the Nunc's are incredibly grateful for bringing his brother along to help win us the match) put on an unbeaten partnership of 102 to win the match with 5 balls to spare.
A most gratifying end to the Nunc's fixture list for 2010, particularly as it followed two crushing defeats at the hands of the Harelquins and CUCC.
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