After stepping up at late notice to ensure Hill fielded an 11 rather than 10, the pre-match script already had Bawn penned as the hero. Would he go on to fit the billing?
After winning the toss, Chipperton elected to insert the opposition and the plan seemed to have been an inspired one in the early stages. Mackay struck in his second over after Rolfe snaffled the catch. Subramanium kept things tidy at the other end and bounced back positively from successive boundaries to claim Hill’s second wicket. A third wicket followed courtesy of a metronomic spell from Jeavons, with Mahendrarajah taking a sprawling catch in the covers. Chipperton then struck inside successive deliveries to leave the league leaders in a precarious position at 49-5. So far so good…
The final five wickets were all victims of Smith, who fell to his knees in a combination of shock and joy at his first ever five-for! Smith did little to dispel the rumours about his fielding abilities off his own bowling when grabbing a caught and bowling for his first.The following three saw him reap the rewards of sticking to the game plan and the safe hands of the captain and Mackay, who were stationed in the deep and ready to oblige. Smith brought about a premature end to the innings and secured his milestone wicket by getting one through the gate. 108 all out surpassed Chipperton’s expectations and was the product of some good bowling and fielding from Hill.
At the Headley National Trust burger van – the impromptu tea stop – the insightful proprietor ventured to ask who was winning; she was met with a wry smile and the famous last words: “we never do things the easy way.” However, in order to explain how Hill conspired to squander a strong position, noughties throwbacks The Kooks hit the nail on the head with their 2006 banger:
“I’m not saying it was your fault.
Although you could have done more.
Oh, you’re so naïve”
Newcomen – looking every bit the man in a hurry – attempted to get the innings off to a flying start but was sent packing LBW despite a healthy dose of bat being involved.
Mackay strode to the crease earlier than he would have liked and was eying up the short boundaries: the question on everyone’s lips was would he go over the clubhouse or onto the B2033? Just as he was getting a taste for it, he was on the wrong end of a grubber that he tried to deposit onto Headley Heath, but ended up careening into his shin – leading to an early dismissal. Mahendrarajah was the next cab on the rank and he immediately set about imposing himself on the situation – confidently finding the boundary and temporarily quieting the enlivened opposition. When he fell following an implausible catch, Hill had raced to 35-3 in next to no time, but they would need to stem the flow of wickets in order to navigate the run chase.
Srivastava was the next man at the crease and his conflab with the captain at the crease included a directive against quick singles – he claimed a tight hamstring was the reason, so it must not have had anything to do with the egg and bacon bap that was washed down with a Pepsi at the aforementioned burger van.
The new man brought a sense of calm and tranquillity, but this was at odds with the bowling at one end during a particularly bizarre over that featured a succession of wides/no balls and 5 penalty runs awarded for the helmet being struck by the hapless fielder at fine leg. Opening bowlers navigated, a change of bowling saw a change of plan for Chipperton, as he looked to prevent the spinner settling into his groove. Striding down the track to sweep, he was given LBW to leave Hill 58-4 and over half way there to the total. A third LBW decision given by a teammate led the wily Subramananium to bemoan Hill’s impregnable integrity or inexplicable propensity to give their teammates out.
Karunanithi and Rolfe came and went and Hill stuttered to 73-6; the nerves started creeping in. Srivastana’s patient knock of 7 from 48 demonstrates how Hill looked to arrest the slump and possibly adopted an overly negative approach to chasing the remaining runs, although credit must also go to the hosts.. Much of the remaining hope was entrusted to the experienced duo of Jeavons and Subramanium, who put on 11 between them in almost 70 deliveries before being dismissed.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man… Bawn entered the fray with Hill on 85-8. He batted with intent and clarity that helped spark fears in the opposition and reignite Hillian hopes. At 100 for 9 – 9 runs short of victory – Bawn sought to take matters into his own hands and get them over the line. In the end, 13 proved unlucky for some (or 4 Hillians to be precise) and Hill came up agonisingly short. A frustrating defeat after having the runaway leaders in such a compromised position left Hill ruing what should have been.
Player of the match – Sponsored by Nicholls Residential
Barry Smith
Park Hill Cricket Club 