SPORTS NEWS

Cricket
One-day friendly – 18 overs
Barnes Cricket Club

Mortgage Select XI bt Incisive Risk XI by 72 runs

Mortgage Select
122-5

Incisive Risk
50 all out

Disappointment for the Incisive Risk XI in this intra-company grudge match. Risk won the toss and elected to field first, hoping that the near-torrential rain would make it impossible for the batsmen to hold their ground, and that the 4pm bar opening time would result in drunk Mortgage fielders during the Risk innings. However, the poor conditions hurt both sides equally, with poor visibility slowing the fielders and a sticky wicket preventing the fast bowlers from running in with confidence. Risk took a few early wickets, but with bowlers limited to two overs apiece, the Mortgage middle order then slogged Risk’s weaker bowlers all over the park.

Still, 122 looked like an achievable, if challenging target going into tea. Tea in fact consisted of beer, and Risk expected to face a sluggish outfield and tired, unfocused bowling arms. Furthermore, the weather had cleared, and the late afternoon sun was drying the crease.

The Mortgage team thrive on beer, however, and took to the field more aggressive and emboldened than before. The drink had relaxed them and loosened their tongues; compared to the genteel “bowled, Warney” approach of the Risk fielders, the Mortgage outfield subjected opposing batsmen to a torrent of sledging. Risk were depending heavily on their first three batsmen to do the lion’s share; when these fell for only twenty-odd runs, it seemed unlikely that the middle order would be able to keep up the required run rate of six-and-a-half per over. Batting fourth, TUPNews set the tone somewhat by ekeing out three runs over four overs before losing my off stump in a rash attempt to spoil a leg-spinner’s maiden. Apres moi, le deluge: a full-on batting collapse followed, with the final Risk wicket falling with seven overs still left to play. This did, at least, get us back into the bar quicker.

TUPNews:
Bowling: 1-7 from 2 overs – clean bowled with full toss to middle stump
Batting: 3 runs
Fielded at first slip, dropped sitter early on