England v Australia.
Cats v dogs.
Italian plumbers v turtles.
Boris Johnson v the truth.
Add Park Hill and Ewell to this list of Auld Enemies.
On a glorious bank holiday weekend, with half of Park Hill seemingly at The Oval, the ten of Park Hill took on Ewell in the battle for Ruxley Lane bragging rights. Ewell won the toss and elected to bat, but some sharp-eyed scouting from Park Hill noted a Ewell youth player in the nets not getting a game. Robin was quickly snapped up by Park Hill and made it XI v XI, while Park Hill are now developing a pathway for youth not seemingly offered by their opponents.
Ian Bawn and Barry Smith opened the bowling and some very tight bowling reaped its reward as their opener charged at Barry, missed the ball and was smartly stumped by Dale. More tight bowling increased the pressure and brought about the next wicket with a smart caught & bowled for Barry. After 12 excellent overs for just 32, first changes were Nick Blake and debutant Robin. Nick took a bit of tap, while Robin – a nippy left arm seamer – was on the wrong end of some harsh wide calls. Ian Jeavons was brought on and offered extra control, before Ewell’s dangerman hit Robin straight to KP at mid-on and set-off with the village-cricket call of ‘Go’. The non-striker, hearing ‘No’ stayed where he was, leaving our skipper all the time in the world to throw the ball to the keeper and run out their top scorer. All that was missing was the Benny Hill theme.
After drinks, the floodgates opened as Jeavons picked up three wickets in successive overs – one clean bowled and two smartly caught by keeper Dale and Robin. In between this, Robin picked up a richly deserved wicket – well held by President Dan. KP and Clare came on to try to remove the tail. Clare struck first ball and KP picked up another while extras took Ewell into three figures. Number 11 was a familiar face as youth player Guy who has played twice for the Saturday team, including the day previously, strode out to pantomime boos from a now ex-teammate decades his senior. The last wicket took the score to 113 before a no-ball was skied by Guy to mid-on, where the catch was taken, whilst the non-striker indulged in some classic ball watching. What should have been an easy single resulted in the second run-out of the innings and an above average fielding performance from Park Hill. Ewell finished all out for 114. Pick of the bowlers was Ian J with 3-2-5-3.
Following tea, Park Hill began their chase. Jake and Dale batted steadily for the opening overs against some controlled new ball bowling almost seeing both off before Dale fell lbw to one he was convinced he hit. That brought Phil to the crease, in the Tom Curran role of specialist batter, and the scoring rate started to rise until Jake was undone by a ball that didn’t bounce. Dan joined Phil and both played some nice shots before Dan fell trying to up the scoring rate. At drinks, Park Hill had some work to do needing 64 from just over 15 overs, but having seen Ewell’s 4 premier bowlers having bowled every ball so far.
Barry joined Phil and the two upped the aggression adding a brisk 17 runs before spinner Farooq took two in two with good, turning deliveries to account for Barry and Nick Blake. Robin survived the hattrick delivery and guided well by Phil the two added quick runs as Ewell bowled out their four frontline bowlers searching for the breakthrough. Farooq bowled Phil for an excellent 33 in his final over. Ian B added some quick runs before being caught looking for more leaving 21 needed from 5 overs with three wickets remaining. Ian J and Robin took advantage of some more generous second change bowling and fielding, but dealt with the pressure of the chase with aplomb and brought Park Hill home in the 33rd over.
Star batter was Phil with 33 with good contributions from Jake (15), Robin (12), Dale (10) and Ian J (8).
An excellent team performance with contributions from everyone leaves Ruxley Lane with a Park Hill inspired green tinge.
Reporter: Jake N
Park Hill Cricket Club 