Shark attack

By Barmy Kev
August 8 2014

Kev reports on a rare unexpected item. A Middlesex win

This was a game I was tempted to leave alone. 6 months ago I had used my pre planned annual leave for this fixture. At time didn't realise was a day-nighter , there's a dodgy forecast and in case you didn't know our form in all forms of late has been dreadful.

I arrive at Hove with Beefy in glorious sunshine. A visit to Tescos delayed us due to "unexpected item" in self service area as poor old dear was just trying to quickly pay for 3 bananas . I told her as leaving she'd get a mention in my match report which was met with a reaction that indicated it was no consolation  for her suffering.

Also, unexpected item in programme the scorers are Mike Charman and Roger Marshall. Where's our Donny gone?  Unexpected item in our team too Tom Helm for Higgins presumably to bolster our bowling. 

On to game. Our nemesis Luke Wright scores 3 successive boundaries followed by a single to pinch strike. Cleaned bowled next ball. Joyce in at 3 we've been here before with ex player destroying us (wasn't it yesterday?) batting with consummate ease. Not a wicket in sight. Fast forward this report one leads two the " Toothless" Ollie Rayner gets 2 wickets in an over, 122 3 looks better than 122 1. Given the extra bowler picked I was verbally surprised to say the least to see Mala bowling.  His  bowling was tight and led to next wicket and I was glad to be proved wrong. Our 300 plus prediction seemed way off as there was collapse with runs drying up. Ironic cheer for 1st boundary in ages. 43 overs score 210 -6 . Next ball 210 7 as Ollie catches one that looked over his head. Beer and Liddle out cheaply off successive balls off of TRJ  potential hat-trick and headlines galore. No hat trick and some missed chances that stopped as finishing off innings before 50 overs up. I am still very satisfied restricting score to 248 under circumstances. 

Unxepected item . A TRJ wicket

 What's the score?

Our reply when 42 0 after 10 overs ahead of the Vera when it is effective I chanted on my own " let's all do a rain dance". Mala was caught behind. There was light drizzle and umpires took view to take players off. Our score 81 D & L 63. There was still drizzle the umpires could have kept game going especially if players on pitch. They didn't I wasn't in mood to complain, who knows how those extra overs would have panned out? So let's celebrate the victory in the rain.   We did at The Cricketers bar next door and started to believe in silverware again.

 Its all over now