14 July 2007 St Lukes A v E Allen & Honor Oak (League) – Home
St Lukes:
James Somers (Capt)
Jo Durnall
Richard Somers
Mitsi Patel (W/k part)
Dieter Grutzner
Shoukat Rahman
Wasif Zamir
Jon Breaden
Evan Huyerman
Gopi Desai
Hemant Joneja (W/k part)
E Allen won the toss and decided to bat on what looked a good pitch. However, the batsmen then struggled against some very tight bowling from both Evan (8-2 off 7 overs) and Hemant (17-2 off 10 overs). The skipper was able to maintain attacking fields and this was rewarded by some excellent catches, both by Dieter and Richard – one-handed, running backwards, with the ball coming over his left shoulder out of the sun (what sun – Scorer?). The opposition attempted to consolidate and a good stand between the Chapman brothers took the score over 100. However, wickets continued to fall with James (37-2) and Mitsi (38-1) having some success. Dieter (14-2) bowled the high scoring P Chapman (59) with his slower delivery (well it looked slow from where I was sitting) and this together with an unnecessary run-out took E Allen to a total score of 148 all out in the 44th over. As some E Allen players pointed out, however, last year they had turned over St Lukes for only 96 (counting chickens springs to mind!!).
In reply, St Lukes also started slowly with the skipper departing (the ball kept low – honest) with only 2 on the board. Jo batted with his usually style and patience before miscueing an attempted pull and Richard looked comfortable before also being caught (for 17). Dieter came and went and so at 48-4 St Lukes looked in trouble. However, Mitsi (37) and Shoukat steadied the ship with a stand of 47. Mitsi decided that ‘over the top’ was best while Shoukat was determined to stand by his advice of keeping everything on the ground. When Mitsi perished, Wasif came in and played carefully for his 22 (applying Shoukat’s advice) and taking the score to 134. With victory in sight and Shoukat close to his half century, tension was high. With the scores level, another boundary would give Shoukat his 50 and victory. But not to be – Jon took a streaky leg bye (‘but it came of the bat’ was the cry) to leave Shoukat not out on 46. Victory (and revenge) to St Lukes by 4 wickets.
Man of the match – Shoukat, a patient and well constructed innings.