Travel: arrived in Gatting Way after a signal failure free journey for once.

Overnight: The Middle in a spot of trouble at 4 for 2.

1st session: Billy G and Shah resumed: this however was not to be for long. As before, Van der Wath started from the Pav End and Lucas from the Gatting Way End. The 'C'mon The Middle Man' from the Moundstand took up his position at cover/midwicket.

Godleman cracked 4 off Lucas. These were testing opening overs and Van der Wath at last conceded a 4 to Billy G in the 4th over. A quick single then led to 4 overthrows. There were then several strong shouts for lbw against Godders by VDW. these were turned down. Still 4 behind, VDW had his revenge removing Billy G ct behind by O'Brien. Score 33 for 3. Time 11.35.

Shah on 12, was then bowled by the tasty Van der Wath. Midd-x 35 for 4 and in dire straights, with a replay of the 1st knock and still 2 runs behind. Time 11.45. Morgan joined Joyce and we finally moved into credit at 11.50 with the score on 38 for 4 which was effectively 1 for 4 in the overall match terms. Our 50 came up at 12.10. After listening to a few ritual moans from Lover Boy, I continued watching the match, where Joyce and Morgan were settling into a dogged stand. A 4 by Morgan took the score to 54 and a double change in the bowling by Boje, bringing on both himself and Monty. The 50 partnership came up at 12.57 with Midd-x lunching at 97 for 4 a precarious 60 ahead with 6 wickets left: Ed J 35no Morgs 21no.
 
Interval

Had a chat with Janet Davis who informed me of the news re Peploe and told me that Saker was on loan from the Brownhats. Fast forwarding from that: LoverBoy told me (Wed rainbreak where incidentally, he looked very relaxed in the Uxbridge Pav ) that legspinner Mark Lawson: Yorkshire: was on loan to season's end, as he was unable to maintain a place in their Second XI and once again our backup spin options are thinnish.

 
2nd session: 4th over after lunch Captain Ed Joyce departed for 38 ct behind by O'Brien off our nemesis Johan Van der Wath. This gave him 10 wickets in the match, with figures at that time of five for 13, reducing us to 98 for 5: in dire straights, 61 ahead with 5 wickets left. 

This soon became 105 for 6 when Malan after his great debut ton, left in an ' after the Lord Mayor's Show ' score of 1 ( this always seems to happen mate), ct at gully off our oldie Lance Klusener.

Ben Scott then joined Morgan. The next landmark was reached at 149 for 6 when Morgan reached his 50. Their 50 partnership following shortly after when Scotty nonchalantly square cut Kluse for 4.

After drinks at 3'o'clock, spin in the form of Boje, later Panesar was introduced from the Pav End. So for awhile we had pace from the Gatting Way End and spin at the opposite end. Scott pulled Louw for 4 to bring up the 100 partnership. He then cut the next two balls for 4 to bring up his own 50. (65 balls with 9 4's ) and a cheer from the Moundstander at midwicket. Morgan then hit Panesar for a massive 6 into the Pavilion. Scott punched another  offdrive for 4. On the stroke of tea, Morgan, now on 93, and with his many well wishers hoping he too, would reach the magic debut ton, edged fatally at a widish ball from another of our oldies Johan Louw to be caught behind. The stand being a very handy 128 which had restored a bit of hope to the Midd-x faithful. Middx 234 for 7.Tea. Scott 50no Murts 0no
 

 
3rd session: There were 13 overs to the new ball: so clearly we had to make the most of that: with the most impressive bowler on either side lurking: namely Van der Wath. Louw opened the bowling from GWE and Monty at Pav - he (Monty) was square cut attractively a couple of times, and generally was not having a great time. On 68, Scotty lofted Monty over midoff but Van der Wath was unable to take the-over-the-shoulder-catch. He (Scotty), then charged Panesar and was lucky to escape a stumping. A rush of blood! Scotty then danced down the wicket to Monty, with a drive to the main scorebox. ( PS for LoverBoy: Midd-x have recently invested 2 grand in updating the electronics in the Uxbridge box ).

After a spurious appeal for caught behind against Murts by Crooks, who happened to standing in the slips at the time, was ignored. Murts smashed the next ball for 4 through midwicket by way of a riposte. 4 overs to the new ball. Murts cracked another 4 to advance tthe score to 276. Another square cut for 4 by Scott, followed by another, brought up the fifty partnership to a chorus of ' Middle-Middle-Middle from the Eastcote man. 289 for 7. New ball taken. It needs to be mentioned at this point that Northants complained and had the ball changed twice during the afternoon.

The second occasion, was the new ball, which they said had gone out of shape after two overs. This may have had something to do with Van der Wath going for 12 off the 1st over. That over had brought up the 300 with Scott on 96, Murts 31. The old adage ' don't run on a misfield' led to the fall of the next wicket, when a misfield on the cover boundary, led to Scott and Murts at the same end: poor old Murts had to depart for 33. Score 307 for 8. Fortunately this reverse did not lessen our momentum, as Shaggy came in and carried on where Murts left off. Scott brought up his personal  ton ( 130 balls 1 six and 16 fours ) pulling VDW to the midwicket boundary of the Western Fortress. Followed by a repeat. A further repeat was made by Shaggy off the same bowler. Scotty then passed his previous best of 112 ( made at Bristol) with a cover drive. The new ball was then passed to Panesar who was then hammered by Shaggy for a massive six over the bushes into the practice ground. 351 for 8. Scott/Shaggy partnership reached 50 at 357. Northants rang the bowling changes without much joy. Van der Wath doing a bit of chuntering in the outfield which suspiciously sounded in Afrikaans. Close Middlesex 377 for 8. Scott 141no Shaggy 26no.
 

Summation: To get out of jail twice from 36 for 4 followed by 35 for 4 in the second knock. Speaks volumes for our middle/late middle order who have done this consistently since season's start. We now have something to work with and we intend to bat on tomorrow.

Van der Wath has been the best bowler on either side and according to one Northants punter: has recorded his career best figures. Generally, Northants bowlers have asked more questions (especially with the new ball) with the notable exception of Panesar. I would think that in this game both sides have proved to be evenly matched which suggests a tight end of season return match. For The Middle, a great debut century by Dawid who also purveyed his leggies and was great in the field. So a few brownie points to him. Morgan scored well in both innings and again just missed out on a maiden ton. Finally, well done Scotty, your carrer best innings contained shots all around the wicket, being especially strong on the cut and pull strokes.

PS: I attended the Uxbridge Party on Sunday taking an old work colleague. I would like to say that it was excellent value and would like to thank all concerned for the hard work that they put in. I would go again. SM

PPS: Sorry that this report is a day late but as I told Kev: the Mafia were staying behind in the evening sunshine outside the Uxbridge Pav for a drink after close of play: as a result predictably, I was too pie eyed to do the report before.  [Editor's note: don't worry, Seaxe Man, we won't tell anyone]