Twenty Years Ago Part Two

Thank-ee Lancy

At the start of August we traveled to Old Trafford and gained our next victory at last. Lancs were dismissed for 235 Fraser taking 4-37, thanks to a superb 120 from Paul Downton meant we relied with 305. Mike Atherton taking his best ever bowling figures (3-32) with his leg spin. Norman Cowans then ripped through the home team taking 5-48, and Embers 4-26 as the home team were all out for just 142 leaving Middx needing 73 to win, Slack and Carr knocking them off to win by 10 wkts.

Another victory was to follow in the next games at Lord’s v Gloucs. The visitors total of 268 was dominated by Kevin Curran’s thrilling 142, our reply was badly affected by the weather, Slack (56), Gatting (51) set up a good score and then a bright and breezy 82 from Emburey allowed us to declare at 261- 8 from just 64 overs. Once again our bowlers, in particular Embers with 6-24 from 21 overs held sway and the visitors were dismissed for 161. Slack was out early but Carr and Gatting put on 164 for the second wkt and we were home by 9 wickets.

Taking Uxbridge

Next up the Uxbridge festival. Somerset were the first opponents. They made 275 (Felton 98, 4 wickets for Tufnell and three for Embers). Solid batting formed the basis of our reply with Keith Brown making 73 to allow Middx to declare at 255-8. This was achieved without Paul Downton who had to retire hurt.

In the Somerset second innings the run rate was nothing special so part time bowlers were used to hurry up a declaration which came at 232-4( Steve Waugh 112*). Set 253 from approx. 38 overs we set about trying to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory ( or at least a draw) crashing to 45-5 before Gatting and Ramprakash saw us safetly to a draw at 149-6.

Warwick were next, they made 212, in reply we were at one stage 85-5 but Embers again came to the rescue with a superb 102 to give us a first inns lead of 62. Warwick then collapsed to 106-8 and only a stubborn 26 from Tim Munton got them up to 158 leaving just 97 to win which we achieved with three wickets down.

Headingly For a Draw, Fretting At Hove

The batsman dominated the next game at Headingly. Yorks made a massive 463-3d. with Ashley Metcalfe scoring 216no. Middx replied with 315-6d, Wilf Slack (75), Yorks 185-0d in their second innings, Metcalfe 78no. which left us to 333 to win from 81 overs. In a cracking last days play the pendulum swung one way then the next, Slack (83), Needham (53) put us on track then wickets fell but we came again thanks to Ramps’ 49 and when time ran out we were 322-9.

The penultimate game of the season took us to Hove. Here it was our turn to be amongst the runs making 471-9d (Carr 92) Thanks to Embers 3-48 and a rare wicket for Mike Roseberry we gained a lead of 151. With just two overs left at end of day three we opened with Fraser and Hughes and at the close were 8-1. What could have been an interesting last day was wiped out due to rain.

Kent Quite Force a Win

Kent came to Lord’s top of the table, leading Worcestershire by 16 points. Middx made 290 (Carr 92) and the Kent batsmen showed why they were top by scoring 412 in their first innings, Graham Cowdrey top scoring with 86. We made a better fist of it second time round, Slack making 80 but rain returned during the morning session on the last day.

While we waited for the players to return, news filtered through that Worcs had beaten Glous and picked up 24 pts. When play resumed Kent were desperate to bowl us out, but were held up by old boy Paul Downton who made a stubborn 59no. Some of the Kent’s fans where asking why we didn’t declare, why should we I said, it’s up to you to bowl us out. Finally we were dismissed for 351 leaving an unlikely target of 229 from 30 overs.

Of course they had to go for it so those that had remained witnessed a thrilling climax with runs and wickets through he evening session. Kent finally called off the chase when they were 8 down but we almost won thanks to Gus taking 5-27 but they held out at 129-9.

County Championship Summary

Final facts and figures, our record was P22, W7, D12, L3, finishing 7^th.

Mike Gatting scored 1431 runs @ 53, John Carr 1194.

Angus Fraser took 77 wickets (at 19.27) and Norman Cowans 71 at 18.61

By the way that draw cost Kent the title, Worcestershire finally winning by just one point.

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