Useful innings

By Kimmy and Spillage
May 14 2014

Kimmy and Spillage report on a day describing their arduous travel to ground, confusion with kick off time, with a footie announcement and a good day for the Middle. Any report by Kimmy has some entertaining value and this is no exception. Read on

Journey

Firstly, must say a big thank you to the staff at Lords for allowing us to drive to the ground and park inside near to the East Gate. The journey was going great and at the rate we were going, getting to Lords for a coffee before kick-off was looking increasingly good. Then we reach Cricklewood and hit traffic! Took us nearly an hour to travel 4 miles to the other end of Kilburn High Street eventually arriving at the East Gate just after 11. On parking up we were quite happy to find that kick-off had been delayed due to rain. However on hearing the announcer state that play was not due to start until 15:30hrs we weren’t so happy! The announcement went something like this “The umpires have carried out an inspection and play is due to start at 3:30 if there is no more rain.” Then “That doesn’t sound correct, I’ll have to check this and inform you all when I know” To “I have been informed that play will start at 11:30” Although with plenty of dark clouds and rain in the air I was sceptical that would play would start then!

Morning 

We made our way to the top of the Pavilion where we joined Phil, Paul and Alan just before kick-off. Moggy faced the first over of the day and quickly picked up a couple of runs before leaving 2 balls that appeared to pass closely to his off stump. The morning session belonged to Moggy & Dex, both looked composed & in control at the crease and both played some shots as they put on 27 runs before the rains came again around half 12. Dex reached a well-deserved 50 during this passage of play. Moggy settled in and there weren’t many of his one day shots on display. With the rain coming down we made our way to the Bowlers Bar where we joined Keith Mein , we had a very interesting chat about all things Middlesex, Lords and supporting Middlesex. This chat was stopped when we saw the breaking news on Sky that Spurs had sacked another manager, with 3 Spurs fans at the table, the chat turned to football!

Afternoon

Lunch was taken at the Tavern where it has to be said, the food was excellent although a bit pricey. After dining we returned to the ground to see that Middle had had a mini collapse – yet another one- and we had missed 3 wickets for 17 runs. Dex reached 51 before Hogg bowled him.307-4 Moggy reached 3 figures, I’m told this was his first championship century in 5 years? He fell not long after for 103, caught off of Smiths bowling. 317-5. Denley followed 6 balls later for 8, caught off of Hoggs bowling. 317-6 Ollie joined Simo in the middle and at this point Kimmy took over the reporting as the aussie brew was starting to take affect!!!! Listen.... I have no idea what happened next.... Too much tea drank by me! All I know is we declared after Rayner's excellent innings. We are well ahead and we got one wicket by the close of play.... The rain seemed to affect the ball and the pitch went a little flat which was GREAT for us as we just kept getting the runs... Rayner's and Simmo's partnership was brilliant to watch and they showed what great batsmen they are! Of course the rain came down again and it became very dark, however these umpires want a game and as the rain ceased out they came for an inspection at 5.30.... The mop up was going well and they came back out at 5.55 to say play would start at 6.10 with a further 10 overs... The sun was out by this time and all you could see was blue sky.... A lovely afternoon for cricket. Spillage and I left before the end as his old war wound was playing up and he was finding it increasingly uncomfortable..... As I walked to the car I heard a cheer and I knew it was for us!! Spillage confirmed this that Dial M had the first wicket! The drive home was far swifter than the trip down... Kimmy and Spillage were happy bunnies chatting about just how good the Middle were today!!