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Sunday September 26, v SW London Camra, Abbey Rec, South Wimbledon DRAWN
South-West London Camra 209-3 (30 overs, Mike Ottley 2-26, Danny Lombardo 1-45); match abandoned due to rain.

The first match of this season was supposed to be against Camra – it was rained off. Now the last match has gone the same way, though at least we got half a game in. And inbetween we had beaten them en route to winning the Putney Cup – which means we’re undefeated against these great rivals two seasons running. And the draw left us in credit for the season – Played 33, Won 16, Lost 15, Drawn 2.

With showers forecast, the skippers agreed to cut the game to 30 overs apiece. Fred won the toss and disregarded all words of sanity by putting us in the field. Geoff Brunner took the first over into the wind on a slow, green pitch – not his best conditions. Sure enough Scott biffed balls two and three to the boundary as anything short sat up and begged to be hit, a pattern that was set for the day. Scott then attempted to run out his partner without facing, but the chance went as Chris Locke missed the stumps from Geoff’s wide throw. With the wind Danny fared better, getting some great swing, but Camra still posted 38 off the first five overs and it took the early replacement of Geoff  by Mike Ottley to get the breakthrough. Scott, never so comfortable against spin, edged to Fraser Wright at slip for 35 out of the opening stand of 48. Danny then got the thoroughly deserved reward of the other opener’s wicket, a fizzing catch at backward point by Al Carlson, and 62-2 should have been 62-3 next ball for what looked a plumb lbw. Danny did eventually get his man, taking the catch at extra cover that gave Mike Ottley his second wicket at 83.

Mike bowled his spell beautifully, 6-0-26-2 being great figures against dangermen Scott and  Shaun, who had come in first wicket down, and Fred Shiels and Alvin Spencercontinued to apply the brake. After 38 off the first five overs, overs 5-10 yielded 28, 11-15 went for 25 and 16-20 just 23, so with 10 overs left Camra were 113-3. But there were to be no more wickets as the rain started – Shaun started to cut loose, Geoff dropped a couple of catches off his partner, and for the closing overs the ball was so soggy no bowler could get any control. Shaun took full advantage as 60 came off the final five overs, with every bowler suffering. Fred, who twice saw the ball bounce straight over middle stump with the batsman (“You just have to kiss the pitch and thank it,” Shaun advised his fortunate partner) finished 6-0-45-0, Alvin 6-0-38-0, Danny an unfortunate 6-0-45-0 and Geoff a desperate 6-0-54-0. Shaun had made a chanceless 95 not out, we had been set 210 at exactly seven an over, and it was now raining cats and dogs.

So what was it to be – stand in the wet for an hour in the hope of a meteorological miracle or tuck into Franklyn’s jerk chicken in the warmth of the Sultan? So by 4pm we were enjoying Camra’s excellent hospitality in their pub, then back to the Brick for a quiet pint, followed by umpteen noisy ones.

A splendidly degenerate night followed which I’m sure will live long in the memory of everyone who heard our songs, speeches or to whom Fred wanted to show his magic trick, no matter how hard they try to blot it out. A great end to a great season.

Sunday Sept 19  v Roehampton CC, Raynes Park Sports Club LOST by 6 wickets

Bricklayers Arms 119-9 (35 overs, Dominic Ewer 25, Riz 21) Roehampton 121-4 (23 overs, Riz 2-26)

Roehampton’s pitch is being relaid, hence the switch to an overcast Raynes Park rather than Putney Heath. Dominic lost the toss, we were put in to bat and were almost immediately in trouble – Geoff Brunner playing down the wrong line to be bowled for 2 at the start of the second over (5-1), then three balls later Ed Marland, having cut his first delivery sumptuosly for four, chasing a wide one to be caught second attempt in the slips. At 10-2 Fraser Wright came out to join Dom and begin the repair job against some very tight bowling. After 10 overs we’d reached 21, after 15 we had 36. Then Dom finally ended a sequence of 24 dot balls to hit a 3 and a few boundaries, only to be run out by the bowler on 25. That was 55-3 in the 18th over, soon to be 55-4 a couple of balls later as Fraser’s long stay for 13 was ended lbw. With Ollie Gargrave then caught at slip for 3 and Dave Winpenny bowled for a 12-ball duck, this became 59-6 after 21 overs.

Alvi and Riz decided attack was the best policy and posted a rapid stand of 46, Riz hitting our only six and two fours in 21, before first Alvi was bowled for 9 and then Riz went the same way for 21, both on 105. With Alvin Spencer lbw for 1 on 106 it was left to Mike Ottley and Chris Locke to eke out a few last runs – an unbeaten partnership of 13 off the final five overs seeing Mike not out 11 and Chris not out 3. At least we’d set a target of 120 – a lot better than it could have been but probably 30 runs short, given the conditions.

Riz’s first over offered hope as Chris took a good low catch diving forward to remove Roehampton’s skipper – 8-1. However this was the last catch to go to hand for some time as Geoff (4-0-34-0) and Ollie (4-1-15-0) gained no reward, while Alvi (6-1-12-1) suffered particularly from lucky edges and drops in the outfield. On 82 he at last found deserved reward, trapping No 3 swinging yet again across the line, but with Mike Ottley also luckless (3-0-14-0) the only other wickets fell as Roehampton closed in the target – Chris taking a legside dolly off Alvin Spencer  (1-0-7-1) on 102, Riz taking No 5′s off stump out of the ground on 113 to end with 5-0-26-2. In all it was too lacklustre a fielding display to defend an already small target.

However it was good to see Riz back from burning his hand, and his two wickets took him to 31 for the season. Not bad for someone whose debut was in July.

Sunday Sept 12 v Trafalgar Arms, Dundonald Rec, WON by 6 wickets

Trafalgar Arms 160-7 (30 overs, Zahid Alvi 3-5, Lewis Caley 2-24)

Last time out in June, history was reversed as the Traf slaughtered us thanks to 16-year-old Lawrence, the skipper’s son who hit 150-plus before retiring inside 25 overs. So the first thing, once a wrong team had been cleared off our pitch, was to see if he was playing this time. Despite the Traf fielding four Lawrences (!), he wasn’t among them – skipper Chris confirmed that, offered the choice between a day home alone with his girlfriend and “turning out for a bunch of old has-beens”, he’d unsurprising gone for the former.

Just as well, as we’d lost Riz to an accident the night before which badly burned his left hand – we’ve sent best wishes and await progress reports. Ian Watson nobly filled in at the very last minute. Chris Locke lost the toss and gave the first over to Geoff Brunner, who produced prodigious swing downhill with the new ball but no luck whatever – 6-1-24-0 off the reel. At the other end Martin Frost was also getting a lot of inswing but no wicket until at 35 Mike Otlley took a dolly at short backward square to spare the blushes of Al Carlson , who had just dropped the same batsman at deep midwicket. Despite a smack in the teeth when he slipped trying to gather a low return, Martin also bowled straight through for 6-0-32-1, and it was only when Charlie, the Traf’s young number three, started to open up against Mike Ottley and Danny Lombardo that the rate topped five an over. Danny also bowled well with no luck – 6-0-27-0 – while Mike finally picked the surviving opener for 38, stumped by Chris at 115, to finish 6-0-41-1.

At a delayed drinks break on 24 overs, with the number three still there and hitting, the Traf were looking menacing at 130-2. Chris set a target of keeping them to no more than 160, and new bowler Alvi obliged. First he induced number four to dolly up to Danny at cover point, then bowled number five and finally removed number three for 57 with a beautiful outswinger, held back and coming in from outside leg to take middle and leg, With Lewis Caley getting number six by Mike at mid-on and then having landlord Dave Nelson stumped by Chris (his second of the day tripling his haul for the season), sure enough we had reined the Traf in, taking five wickets for just 30 runs in the final six overs. Alvi finished 3-0-5-3, Lewis 3-0-24-2 and we had 161 to chase at just above five an over.

Danny Lombardo and Ian Watson opened but on 24 Ian holed out to midwicket. Worse, the normally dependable Al Carlson looked thoroughly out of sorts before being bowled by the Traf’s speedy first change, and we were 28-2 in the sixth over. Fraser Wright and Danny Lombardo have batted together before with some success, however, and this became their fourth successive partnership to top 40 as we reached 75 at the halfway point. Both had looked in little danger of getting out until, one run later, Fraser decided on a suicidal single. All the way up the pitch he ran, three-quarters back he went but no way could he beat a direct hit – the two had yet again, with 48, just failed to post a half-century partnership. Fraser’s departure for 18 was swiftly followed by Alvi bowled for 1 – 84-4, with Danny well set and Lewis joining him with quick runs in mind.

Sure enough Lewis blazed the ball to all parts, particularly favouring the savage pull behind square despite nearly killing a little girl on the boundary with it. (Instead of crying, she proudly showed fellow toddlers and then Mummy where the speeding ball had glanced off her upper arm. Luckily Mummy had not seen the incident and appeared just to murmur “yes, dear, that’s nice” rather than go into hysterics.) Danny was content to play the gentler role, posting his fifty and eventually amassing an unbeaten 57 in 60 balls with six fours – doing the opener’s job of seeing us through. With 108 at 20 overs we were ahead of the asking rate, by 151 on 25 it was just a question of whether Lewis, on 38, could contrive to notch his fifty before we got to the 161 target. We shouldn’t have doubted him – four, two and a straight six off the third ball of the next over saw him and us home. Lewis’s 50 not out had taken 26 balls, with three sixes and five fours – and no children were really harmed in the making of it.

Tea and ale was eagerly taken back at the Traf, who in addition to being a fine bunch of blokes are now becoming a team to reckon with. Let’s just hope the skipper’s son keeps up his amorous interests.

Sunday September 5 v Rotten Livers, Haydons Road LOST by 54 runs

Rotten Livers 229-5 (35 overs, Shah 95 not out, Riz 3-48) Bricklayers Arms 175 all out (27.1 overs, Lewis Caley 43, Fred Shiels 37, Danny Lombardo 25)

Last year the Livers were the only side to interrupt our unbeaten sequence from July onwards, and sure enough they did us again, though in a match, as their skipper admitted, that was much closer than would appear from the scores. Returning skipper Fred Shiels decided to field having won the toss in murky conditions, and gave the initial overs to Danny Lombardo and Alvin Spencer. Though neither took a wicket, Riz and Danny combined well for a run-out at 8-1 before Riz himself took a hand, bowling the opener with a vicious leg-cutter which pitched middle and hit the top of off stump, then beating number four for pace first ball to uproot his centre stump.

However that brought in Shah to face the hat-trick ball. He hit it for four, then did the same to the next two deliveries he faced. 40-3 rapidly became 58 after 10 overs, 126 after 18 when the next wicket fell, deservedly to Fred Shiels who was the only bowler by then to have found the right, full length. But Riz, who had no luck with edges against Shah’s partners, could take only one more wicket, again bowled, in his second spell. But at least he, Fred and at the last Mike Ottley applied a bit of a brake – from 177-4 at 25 overs and 206-5 at 30 overs the damage could have been much worse than a target of 230, just over six an over. Danny finished with 7-0-40-0, Alvin with 5-0-37-0, Riz 7-0-48-3, Mike with 6-0-42-0, Fred with 7-1-32-1 and Lewis with 3-0-22-0.

As Fraser Wright and Danny Lombardo racked up 42 in the first three overs (aided by a plethora of no-balls and wides), it looked as if we could chase with ease. But Danny tried one swipe to leg too many on 44, his 25 coming from 11 balls with five fours, and Fraser the spliced a catch to mid-on for 7. At 52-2 Daren Salmon joined Fred Shiels to add a further 42, with Daren hitting some powerful boundaries in his 17 before being bowled, then Manny departed to a run-out mix-up on 101. With Fred still there and going well and Lewis Caley laying waste around him from the start all still seemed possible as the required rate never exceeded seven an over. On 125, however, Fred edged to the keeper for a well-made 37, then six runs later Riz top-edged to leg gully. Dave Winpenny now joined Lewis in a stand of 32, mainly giving him the strike but also managing a cracking on-drive for four through midwicket, wildly celebrated by both partners. On 163 however Dave went stumped on a wide. Mike Ottley then contributed a further 7 of his own, but when Lewis was acrobatically caught at slip for 43 that was that – Alvin lasted two balls, Chris three but with both bowled for ducks the game was over. We’d never fallen behind the rate but too many batsmen had got out when set.

Mind you, the last time Fred played was the last match we lost on a Sunday, way back on July 11. But I did promise him I wouldn’t make the connection…

Sunday August 29 v Woodlawn CC, Carlisle Park, Hampton DRAWN

Bricklayers Arms 188-5 dec (38 overs, Danny Lombardo 101, Dominic Ewer 47) Woodlawn 157-8 (35 overs, Riz 4-44, Mike Ottley 3-31)

This was our first draw for two years – apart from matches abandoned, our only previous experience was of defying the Mynthurst bowlers to hang on with nine wickets down. Now we know how they felt, as we couldn’t quite cap some great performances with a win on a lovely ground new to us and on which our opponents were unbeaten this season.

Against his old club Fraser Wright skippered, won the toss and batted. The format was two-and-a-half hours to bat, declare at tea and then give the oppo an hour plus 20 overs to chase. Ian Watson fell early caught and bowled for 4 to bring Danny Lombardo out to join Dominic Ewer at 6-1 in the fourth over. That was at 10 past two. By five to three, when a heavy shower forced a 25-minute stoppage, Danny had 50, Dom 9 and we were 74-1 in the 19th over. A swift renegotiation gave us until 4.40 to bat and lopped 10 minutes off their reply.

On and on went the partnership, Danny striking fours all round the wicket, Dom blocking and nurdling, then finally coming out of his shell with five fours before he spooned to midwicket on 47. By then, 4.10, the pair had added154 to put us on 160-2. Fraser Wright contributed 6 to a stand of 20 before being bowled, then Danny brought up his first century (94 balls, 19 fours) and next ball holed out to cow corner for 101. With Riz (2) falling to a skier the following delivery, Dave Winpenny was left to see off the hat-trick ball and Rich O’Donnell to take 4 off the last over to make us a challenging 188-5.

After an excellent tea Riz and Danny began the bowling against Woodlawn’s dogged openers. However with Danny (3-0-13-0) understandably exhausted and Riz needing to change ends it wasn’t until Mike Ottley came on that we broke through – thanks to a superb backward-diving catch by Ian Watson at slip. Mike then took the next two wicketys through catches by Danny and Dom, giving him figures of 8-0-31-3, and at the start of the final 20 overs Woodlawn were 69-3 and the match was even stevens – they needed a run a ball, we required seven more wickets.

Riz then came into his own, a great spell restricting the run rate and reaping four wickets. Two were bowled, two caught – one to Ian, well judged at deep midwicket, the other sliced to Alvin Spencer at point. Riz had also pouched a catch at silly mid-off off Alvin, and at 119-8 with plenty of overs to go and a 13-year-old coming to the wicket it looked as if the match would be ours. But neither Riz, in his final spell after Daren Salmon had bowled two wicketless overs for 21, nor Alvin could make further headway. Riz finished with figures of 14-2-44-3, Alvin with 7-0-34-1 as catches failed to go to hand, run-outs were missed and a stumping not given. In the end a ragged performance at the death cost us the chance of victory, the draw a fair result.

Sunday August 22 v Putney CC Sunday 2nd XI, Putney Common WON by 4 wickets
Putney 177-8 (40 overs, Riz 2-16, Ollie Gargrave 2-28, Alvin Spencer 2-52) Bricklayers 180-5 (38 overs, Riz 55 not out, Danny Lombardo 54, Ollie Gargrave 24, Extras 52)

The day started badly, with John Busby dropping out and Rahul Khanna failing to show at all – we still don’t know why. However Ian Watson nobly stepped in at the shortest of notice, and with the aid of substitute fielders (kindly lent throughout by Putney) we were able to take the field having put Putney in to bat. Opening bowlers Riz and Ollie got the ball to swing prodigiously, keeping the run rate down and Ollie finally getting one opener caught by a sub at square leg, while in Danny Lombardo’s first over he clean bowled the other. Thus Putney were 36-2 after 12 overs, when Mike Ottley’s spin replaced Riz’s pace. He too tied the batsman down, while at the other end Alvin Spencer bowled number three with a shooter, so at drinks on 20 overs Putney were 68-3. Skipper Ash tried to break the shackles but he fell to an excellent low slip catch by Rich O’Donnell off Mike Ottley to make them 99-4, which became 99-5 as Alvin bowled their number four. With Mike bowling his overs straight through for a commendable 8-1-25-1 Alvin brought back Riz and Ollie to break Putney’s resistance. It worked a treat as Riz took two in two balls, both bowled by superb inswingers, and Ollie induced Number 8 to slice to Ian Watson, running in from deep point – all three wickets falling on 109. Riz finished with 8-3-16-2, Ollie with 8-1-28-2. However this left Danny and Alvin to bowl the remaining eight overs at tailenders determined to hit out, which they did very successfully to take Putney’s score up to 177 with further loss of wickets. With 66 hit off the last 10 overs, Danny ended on 8-1-48-1 and Alvin 8-1-52-2.

At tea 178 was agreed to be pretty much a par target. Fraser Wright and Ian Watson went out to face a tricky but erratic attack: our first seven runs were all wides or no-balls. At 14 Fraser was bowled for 2, at 16 Ian fell to a shooter for the same score, while Rich O’Donnell being bowled for a duck left us 25-3 (Extras 21). Danny Lombardo meanwhile was taking 13 balls to get off the mark – with a boundary he swiftly followed with a six – while at the other end Ollie Gargrave gave him steady support. The two carefully rebuilt the innings, mixing watchful defence with selective aggression. At drinks we had 78-3, leaving exactly five an over to get in the last 20. Just once did Danny err, snicking to the keeper who dropped him in the 30s. Ollie’s 46-ball 24 (including three fours) finished only after we had reached 100, his skier to the bowler ending a vital partnership of 75. Riz then launched a blaze of boundaries in quickfire stand of 51 before Danny snicked to Putney’s second keeper of the day (the first was also the number 5 bowler). His 54 had taken 69 balls, with eight fours and a six, but his departure gave Putney renewed hope of taking the last four wickets as Dave Winpenny came out to face the last five balls of their opening bowler’s spell. To cheers from the boundary he defended them resolutely, while at the other end Riz continued to biff the bowling around, farming the strike when possible but otherwise happy to leave Dave to block. Dave eventually saw out 15 balls for 1 not out, while Riz ended with an unbeaten 55 (36 balls, 10×4, 1×6) to see us home with two overs to spare – in their contrasting styles, both match-winning innings to cap a fine team effort.

We found out in the clubhouse bar later that this was only Putney’s second home defeat this season for the Sunday 2s. Not bad at all – and we’re now 15-13 for the season and 10 wins to five losses on Sundays.

Sunday August 15 v Mynthurst, nr Leigh, Surrey WON by 93 runs
Bricklayers Arms 190-7 (30 overs, Lewis Caley 68 not out, Geoff Brunner 31, Danny Lombardo 23, Fraser Wright 21), Mynthurst 97-5 (30 overs, Daren Salmon 2-14)

Mynthurst is a lovely fixture – a pitch in a field on the Surrey-Sussex borders with barely a house in sight, and hospitable opposition providing a superb tea and supper back at the excellent pub on the local village green. All that has been missing in previous years was the right result. Three times we’ve hung grimly on for a draw with nine wickets down.

Alvin Spencer was determined to break that pattern and so leapt at the option of an overs game instead. Though he lost the toss we were put into bat anyway, with 30 overs agreed given the overcast conditions. Fraser Wright went out to open with Danny Lombardo. The day had not begun well for Danny, being beaten up at three in the morning in Clapham High Street and then woken and summoned by Alvin only an hour after he’d got to sleep having returned from hospital. But none of this showed in his batting, as he and Fraser went at five an over in a stand of 49. Fraser, having hit one six and two fours through square leg, finally top-edged one to the fielder there for 21. Danny followed soon after at 56, bowled by a quicker one from Mynthurst’s main spinner for 23 (two fours). This brought Geoff Brunner in to join Rich O’Donnell, whom he instantly overtook with six off his first two balls. Rich, dropped twice, was eventually bowled for 7, leaving us 78-3 in the 16th over.

The next 10 overs were something of a blur, as Lewis Caley joined Geoff for some fearsome bludgeoning of Mynthurst’s fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh bowlers.From 75 on 15 overs we had 110 from 20 as the rate rose to seven an over, then 165 from 25 as it soared to 11. Geoff Brunner’s innings only contained four dot balls before he fell to a great catch at long-off for 31 (four fours, plus endless ones and twos deep into the slow, lush outfield) after a partnership of 74 in ine overs which ended on 152. Only the return of the main pace bowlers applied a brake as they accounted for Dave Winpenny (bowled for 0 at 169, having seen Lewis to his fifty), Daren Salmon (caught at mid-off for 4 at 183) and Mike Ottley (caught at silly mid-off one run later for a duck). But Lewis posted a glorious unbeaten 68 from 46 balls, including two sixes and seven fours, Alvin top-edged his sweep for 1 not out and we posted a daunting target of 191 which included 35 extras, mainly wides.

Pressure was now the order of the day, and Geoff Brunner supplied it with a great if luckless spell of 5-1-13-0. As so often, this brought wickets at the other end as first one opener and then the number three inside-edged onto their stumps, giving Daren Salmon a double-wicket maiden in his 4-1-14-2. After 10 overs Mynthurst were 28-2, already needing eight an over, and this had climbed above nine by drinks after 15 overs. Danny Lombardo and Mike Ottley had both opened their spells with a maiden, and as Mynthurst’s skipper Ben and the surviving opener struggled to accelerate they took a vital wicket each to finish their spells – lbw in both cases as Mike trapped the opener at 77 and Danny pinned the skipper to make them 79-4. Mike ended with 6-1-31-1, Danny with 6-1-19-1. Alvin (2-1-1-1) quickly had number five caught at mid-on by Geoff and the contest was over. Numbers six and seven were content to bat out the overs, both offering catches that just failed to go to hand, meaning no wickets for Martin Frost (5-2-4-0) and Dave Winpenny (2-0-13-0).

Keeping Mynthurst to 97 meant our biggest victory of the season, our first against these opponents and the first time this season we are in credit – 14 wins against 13 defeats. Well done all for a great team effort, congratulations to Lewis for his highest score and special thanks to Danny for playing while wounded and sleep-deprived – no wonder the oppo had his name as “Zombardo” in their book.

Wed August 11 v Wandsworth Planners, Wandsworth Common, WON by 5 runs
Bricklayers Arms 116-5 (20 overs, Al Carlson 41, Ed Marland 37), Wandsworth Planners 111-5 (Rahul Khanna 2-21)

This was the game your ever-efficient organiser thought was on Tuesday: it was only when Chris Locke rang the oppo to confirm it was rained off that he realised his mistake. Mercifully most of the team could still play and Alvin’s late drop-out was covered by an Aussie who’d only turned up to watch the Planners. With the sun shining after the previous day’s damp, we were invited to bat as players were still finding the ground.

Planners are one of our stronger midweek opponents and sure enough their bowling opened as tightly as ever – maidens from the first two overs as Dominic Ewer and Lewis Caley got to grips with the new pink ball they had supplied. Both went for 5, Lewis top-edging to square leg at 10, Dom spooning to midwicket at 22. After five overs we’d only reached 11-1, after 10 we had 34-2. However Ed Marland and Al Carlson upped the rate significantly against the Planners’ change bowlers, and when Ed was bowled for 37 (five 4s) at 61 Ollie Gargrave then carried on the good work with a brisk 14. Al finally went bowled in fourth ball of the last over for 41 (seven 4s), and Aussie pick-up Greg Martin then ran out Ollie (14) going for a second run off Greg’s first ball. Luckily Rahul Khanna had kept his pads on – he off-drove the last ball for what was to prove a vital boundary.

Now it was our turn to bowl tight. Ollie Gargrave obliged beautifully with 4-0-8-0, while Greg Martin (“Yeah, I bowl a bit, mate”) posted 4-0-20-0 with some sharp inswing. Both had no luck with catches but kept the runs down very nicely, backed by some great ground fielding which continued throughout the innings. Mike Ottley and Rahul Khanna then took over, Rahul bowling one opener at 34 while had the other caught on the midwicket boundary by Ed Marland at 38. Planners, by now needing eight an over, started running quick singles until a shorter one from Rahul brought a swirling top edge which Greg took superbly at long leg – 63-3. More sharp running followed until the inevitable meeting of both batsmen at one end while Rahul took the off at the other – 84-4. Mike ended with 4-0-22-1 while Rahul took 4-0-21-2. Next to bowl was Lewis Caley with his spin, while Mike turned to Al Carlson at the other end.

Al immediately took a wicket with a rare catch behind by Chris (first since June 22) but at  89-5 this brought big-hitting skipper Paul to the wicket – a man who’d hit 150 in a 20-over game earlier in the season. He thumped 17 off Lewis’s next over, leaving him 2-0-25-0 and the Planners only 10 away from victory as the last over began. Yet with Al spearing the ball into the batsmen’s pads Planners could only manage leg byes and extras. Paul had to hit a six off the last ball to tie. He managed just one, and we’d finished the midweek season with a thrilling 5-run victory.

This puts us at 13 wins and 13 losses overall – not bad after a bad start to the season. Thanks and well done to all.

Sunday Aug 1 v Captains Select XI A WON BY 4 WICKETS

Capt Select XI 170-9 off 30 overs (Geoff Brunner4-26, Martin Frost 2-27); Bricklayers Arms 171-6 off 27 overs (Riz 38, Danny Lombardo 27, Ollie Gargrave 25 n o)

With Chris attending another birthday bash and Fred off camping, a few changes to personnel had to be arranged in order to ensure smooth progress was made through our next match against our wonderful friends and foes, the Capt Select XI – this time at their place at Hampstead Heath. No worries here, as Alvin was assigned captaincy and kit bag duties earlier in the week while Chris and Alvin emailed each other as who was going to be keeper and talking tactics – tactics?! And with five Brick players already on the Heath 30 minutes before the scheduled start of 2pm, sipping beer and chatting in the midday sun, what could be simpler. Alas, the Brick doesn’t do simple. Admittedly, five soon grew to eight, but with no Alvin, no kit and no fast bowlers Riz and Alvi (who appeared to have mistaken Purley for Putney), that was as far as it got, as the oppo, fully assembled and practicing in the nets, were raring to go. We held out for extra time, but with the clock rapidly approaching 2.30, it was time to go. There was talk of a contrived toss and putting us into bat, but when Dom heard that one of our missing players was Riz, suddenly a normal toss was resorted to with a promise of a lavish supply of sub fielders if they won it and batted first. Mike, taking on the captaincy, spotted the tactical switch, but still managed to full into the trap by calling the toss wrong. So, a chuckling Stevie elected to bat while we took to the field with eight plus two subs.

Meanwhile, of course, we had no keeper nor kit. This was starting to get embarrassing. Again, the lovely trio of Manny, Dom and Stevie allowed us to borrow their keeper’s pads and gloves, only for Mike to realise he had taken to the field without a keeper. Now, since we arrived, Geoff had been very keen to take up the mantle, but given he was our opening bowler and hadn’t impressed Mike when keeping to a much bigger ball two years ago, this was looking awkward until divine intervention duly arrived in the form of very own Adonis, Danny, looking healthy, bronzed and replete with washboard stomach – the perfect athlete (sorry Geoff) for the occasion. (The idea being that Dan would keep first and swap gloves later). This wasn’t however the simple solution as it might first appear, as Dan promptly told us (and also reminding us) that he had a dickie tummy on account of eating something in Ibizaor the night before.

And so, finally, the match began, with Dom duly opening the Capt Select innings. Geoff, of course, opened the bowling and, no doubt spurred on by the earlier rejection over the gloves, delivered a beaut of an over which included three edges, a no ball of Test Match variety and a bouncer off Dom’s glove high up to Danny behind the stumps – and that was 0-1. A great start for a team of eight, but better was to come as Geoff (6-2-26-4) then clean bowled Bats 2, 3 and 4. Yep, we had the Cap Select reeling at 26-4 off 5. Meanwhile, Ollie (6-1-30-1), without much luck, was moving the ball prodigiously from off to leg at the other end and eventually clean bowled Bat 6 and coolly running out Bat 5 at the non-striker’s end. And, so, after 10 overs we had them at 46-6! In the midst of this, Alvin duly arrived with the long awaited kit (we were now up to 9) and immediately donned a pair of keeper’s pads, which then led to the rather bizarre sight of the Brick having two keepers and two skippers on the field at the same time. Normality was soon restored with Alvin assuming the captaincy and relieving ‘no-byes’ Danny of keeping duties in order to free him up to bowl. (Apparently, in case you’re wondering, the email between Alvin and Chris was for Mike to keep – on account he had done it once before!). As all this was taking place, mutterings of a beer match were already being heard from the boundary, but Bat 8 of the Capt Select had other ideas and, ably supported by the lower order (including 10 off the last over by Manny), managed to smash his way to an excellent 64 and his side to an excellent 170-9 off their allotted 30. (In the pub afterwards, they admitted that they would have been pleased to have posted a ton!). So, an amazing recovery, slightly to our annoyance, but one at least that ensured that the dreaded beer match was to be avoided. As for the other bowlers, Mike took 1-22 off 6 (which included 3 dropped catches) and Martin a creditable 2-27 off 4 including an excellent diving caught and bowl (his second catch of the match) to finally get rid of Bat 8. Syed (4-0-27-0) and Danny (4-0-23-0) were the other contributors.

And so, after a splendid tea provided by Philly, including fruit cake and real tea from a flask, it was down to us to knock off the required 171 to win. And what start the opening pair of Danny and Fraser made – putting on 44 for the first wkt off only 6 overs. This high run rate was going to prove crucial if, as the game wore on, wickets were to fall. Fraser was first to depart for 18 (four 4s), soon followed by Alvi for 5 (ah yes, by now, Alvi and Riz had eventually arrived in time for tea to make us a team of eleven at last) and Danny for 27. This made us 74-3 but more importantly it was only the 11th over. In strode Wimps to partner the impressive Riz who marked his innings with a four off each of his first four balls (Riz, that is). However, with Wimps (a cameo 4) pinching the strike, in order to protect Riz (!), the run rate started to go down, so that by the time they had both departed, it was now 114-6 off 17. Indeed, it was Riz’s departure for 38 to a deep catch to fine leg off a top edge that sparked a revival for the Capt Select and a sense that victory could be theirs. The field was now suitably set. But Ollie (25*), well supported by Alvin (17) and Mike (15*) soon had other ideas and they knocked off the required, remaining runs with some ease and three overs to spare. So, victory to us and both teams soon toasting an excellent match played in terrific spirit in the nearby Bull and Bush. Not for long, however, was the game discussed by us, as it soon became apparent that the dark menace of the kit bag was upon us once more – somehow it had to make its way back to Mr Locke, so the next sixty minutes were duly spent discussing the various ways this could be achieved.

Why is it when Lockie is away that the trials and tribulations of the kit bag take up more columns of print than the game itself?

Any amusing moments? Too many to recall I’m afraid, but perhaps the best was Alvin’s impression of a sea lion in trying to catch a dolly behind the stumps off Manny’s bat, the last ball of the Capt Select innings, and wicketless Danny lurching to the ground in utter despair. As for the rest, involving much merriment for those of us sitting on the boundary waiting to go in, I shall leave these to Wimps to share with you over a pint in the Brick.

Tuesday July 27 v Chelsea Cobblers, Barn Elms WON by 45 runs

Bricklayers Arms 141-5 (20 overs, Al Carlson 38, Dominic Ewer 37, Ed Marland 29), Chelsea Cobblers 96-7 (20 overs, Alvin Spencer 2-11, Fraser Wright 2-16)

It was forecast to be a dark and rainy night but in the end all turned out nicely with a good win against extremely hospitable opposition. Dominic won the toss and did the right thing. He and Ed Marland then took the score to 55 by the ninth over, when Ed was bowled for an elegant 29. This brought in Al Carlson and the rate accelerated, even inspiring Dominic into successive fours before he was caught at mid-off for a finely nurdled 37, leaving us 110-2. In came Rich Tibbett for his final Bricklayers innings (until he returns from Norway) but there was to be no repeat of Sunday’s fireworks as he was bowled for one. Instead the pyrotechnics came from Jason Reid – dot, 4, dot, 6,4, caught – to take us to 136, with a rapid 4 not out from Fraser Wright lifting that to 141 before Al was caught off the last ball of the innings for a well-struck 38.

In the gloom Cobblers had no answer to Riz’s pace – 4-0-7-1 – and Alvin Spencer’s return to bowling form. Both should have more wickets bar woeful keeping by Chris Locke, who dropped one each, but Riz took out one opener’s off stump and spared Chris further blushes by taking a skier off Alvin, and an Ed Marland catch at cover gave Alvin excellent figures of 4-1-11-2. Lewis Caley then bowled Cobblers’ biggest hitter with a lovely off-break, while Fraser Wright induced one batsman to play on and another to hit to mid-off where Alvin took an overhead catch falling backwards. Lewis ended with 4-0-19-1, Fraser 4-0-16-2 and with six wickets down and 70-odd to get in four overs that was that for the Cobblers, though they did mange to bat their overs against the bowling of Rich and Dave Winpenny.

Walking into a beautiful sunset, both sides repaired to the Red Lion where the Cobblers’ John Shearman had organised a splendid spread to round off a fine evening.

Sunday July 25 v Oasby, Dundonald Recreation Ground SW19, WON by 69 runs

Bricklayers 186 all out (33.5 overs, Rahul Khanna 74, Rich Tibbett 42), Oasby 117 all out (17.3 overs, Rahul Khanna 4-16, Ben Okopu 2-18, Syed Adnan Ali 2-24).

This was the battle of the Caley family: Lewis versus his dad’s team all the way from Lincolnshire, bringing his mother,sister and the sort of Wag numbers only rivalled by us on one of Alvin’s good days. Lewis however declined to captain, leaving it to Dominic Ewer to lose the toss. Oasby put us in on a good batting track, so naturally we were soon 44-5. Dominic went first, scooping to midwicket for a rapid 11 with the score on 16, then fellow opener Dave Winpenny was bowled for an extended duck on 18. Lewis hit two fours before being bowled for 12 by one that kept low – 35-3. Worse followed as Fraser Wright repeated his trick of the previous week by mowing a new bowler straight to long-off, then Syed Adnan Ali went lbw for a second-ball zero.

Happily Rich Tibbett, off to Norway next week, was determined to mark his first Sunday game (and second-last for us for a while) by punishing his former Oasby team-mates. Some brutal hitting followed as he and Daren Salmon rebuilt with a partnership of 38 before Daren was bowled for 10 – 82-6. Rich continued undaunted, adding two huge sixes to his four fours before being bowled on 42, his highest Bricklayers score and taking us to 104-7. Rich O’Donnell was caught at mid-off for 9 on 111, and 10 runs later Ben Okopu, like Syed a debutant, was bowled for 1.

Thus at 121-9 in the 27th over Chris Locke strode out to join Rahul Khanna, who was then on 12 not out. Rahul’s instructions were simple. “It’s the last ball of the over. Block it.” Chris did so and the pair agreed that his place was now at the non-striker’s end. No singles were to be run unless off the last ball of the over; all else would be twos and boundaries. Only once did this plan fail, and then Chris glided the spinner’s first delivery to fine leg for a single. Otherwise it was a superb succession of shots all round the wicket from Rahul – 15 fours in all including three reverse sweeps to the third man boundary, only ended when the spinner bowled him with seven balls to go. The last-wicket partnership put on 65 from 42 balls: two extras, 1 not out from the two balls Chris faced, and 62 from Rahul’s bat to take him to a magnificent 74 and us to an unexpected 186.

It seemed only fitting to give Rahul the first over, and sure enough he yorked Lewis’s dad with the first ball of the innings. The other opener survived rather longer when Chris and Lewis called him back after an lbw off Syed that was going well down leg side. However Rahul had number three well caught round the corner by Syed, then had the opener plumb and bowled their most dangerous batsman. Just in case there was any doubt as to man of the match, Rahul then took a diving low catch at cover to give Syed a deserved first wicket. Syed then bowled a beautiful cutter to clip off stump to finish with 5-0-24-2, while Rahul had figures of 5-0-16-4. With Daren Salmon bowling the last top-order batsman Oasby were on 53-7.

Time to share the bowling. Off went Lewis after three wicketless overs for 12 and Daren after 2-0-28-1 (which included successively the first, second and third fours of number nine’s career), and on came Dave Winpenny (10-0-7-0). Then Ben Okopu bowled his first over since school. This included one five-wides, one five no-balls and an extraordinary two wickets both bowled on the second bounce (it has to bounce three times to be called no ball), giving him 1-0-18-2. Rich O’Donnell then served up more no balls and wides before a surprised batsman popped a straightish one to Dom at mid-on – 0.3-0-10-1 were his figures, and we had won by 69 runs.

Oasby brought their minibus back to the Brick before heading back to Lincolnshire, which we agreed we’d be very happy to come up to for a return game next year.

Tuesday July 20 v Fawe Park, Wandsworth Park, LOST by 27 runs

Fawe Park 106 all out (14 overs, Riz 5-9, Lewis Caley 3-11, Danny Lombardo 2-28), Bricklayers 79 all out (17.3 overs, Lewis Caley 20)

Fawe Park came back with a vengeance after their defeat in the Putney Cup final, as they dismissed what should have been a strong batting line-up for our lowest total of the season. It was doubly disappointing as this followed probably our best display of bowling and outfielding this season.

The match began with a blast – 24 off Rich Tibbett’s opening over as we awaited the late arrival of Riz – and their openers put on 49 in no time before Lewis held a skier from the big-hitting Paddy at mid-off from Danny Lombardo’s bowling. Al Carlson then got in the act to take Pat Held at long on to give Danny 4-0-28-2. Rahul Khanna at the other end bowled well without luck for 4-0-26-0. Then Riz stepped up. Despite seeing opener Sean Held dropped twice behind the wicket by Chris Locke, Riz got number four Sanjay through a brilliant catch diving backwards by Al, which was followed by an even better catch by Rich O’Donnell at midwicket, one-handed off a screaming pull by Richie from Lewis’s spin. Riz then bowled Rob Held and finally snared Sean, caught at long-on yet again by Al Carlson, then had the next two batsmen clean bowled to finish with 3-0-5-9 (“If you’d turned up on time you could have had six,” he was reminded). Lewis meanwhile (2-0-11-3) had a clean-bowled and a first ball sweep by Chaz straight to Danny to set up a hat-trick ball for his first delivery on Sunday to his dad’s team.

107 did not look too challenging a target, particularly once Lewis had blasted a quick 20. But Fawe Park’s bowlers had other ideas. Lewis was bowled and Al Carlson mishit to mid-on for 7 to put us 29-2. Then came the game’s defining moment as Rich Tibbett called Ed Marland through for a rash single, a direct hit from point running him out for 10. Dave Winpenny was bowled second ball, then Rich Tibbett was caught behind for 3. From 46-5 Rich O’Donnell and Danny Lombardo took us to 61 before Rich was caught at cover for six and one run later Danny drilled to mid-off for 13. With Dominic Ewer caught behind for 3, Rahul Khanna lbw for 2 and Chris Locke caught behind for a duck, that was that – Fawe Park had had their revenge, well deserved and duly celebrated back at the Brick.

But we still won the Putney Cup …

Sunday July 18 v Plums, River Park Winchester, WON by 4 runs

Bricklayers 136-6 (35 overs, Dominic Ewer 35, Ed Marland 32), Plums 132 all out (33 overs, Geoff Brunner 3-18, Riz 3-20, Lewis Caley 3-20)

When someone as laid back as Geoff Brunner confesses he would have had nightmares for a week had we lost, you know you’ve been in a tight game.

Somehow all 11 Bricklayers managed to find their way out of London and to this pleasant park, though Alvin Spencer being delayed in bed – don’t ask – meant that he and Danny Lombardo were 20 minutes late. Chris Locke meanwhile had won the toss and elected to bat on a council pitch but not as we know it. Though it was dry as a bone, the ball stayed low rather than rearing up, and the outfield was still lush and green.

Plums’ bowlers began as they went on all day, pinging it in with considerable accuracy. Geoff Brunner was too easily frustrated and swung wildly to be bowled for 5 – 11-1. Ed Marland pushed the rate above four an over for the only time with a nicely compiled 32 before he too had a rush of blood and yorked himself charging the left-arm spinner – 52-2. Plums’ two spinners then tied down Dominic and to a lesser extent Fraser Wright, who hit three good fours before swiping the first ball of a new bowler down long-off’s throat. That was 76-3 after 22 overs, and Dominic had thus far garnered 16.

Definitely time to get a move on, and Lewis Caley showed how for a merry 17 before holing out to long-on, while Dom positively sprinted (in relative terms) to 35 before hitting to mid-off, both departing with the score on 113. But the Plums’ bowling showed few weaknesses and they caught and fielded well – even Danny Lombardo could only muster 17 in partnership with Dave Winpenny, who like Daren Salmon was left on 1 not out.

Clearly the only way to defend 136 would be to get the Plums out, as Alvin stressed in his motivational leader’s speech before handing the captaincy in the field to Dominic. Dom gave the new ball to Riz, who sooned bowled one opener and then had number three lbw at 38-2. However it was the introduction of Lewis that really started the wickets tumbling. At 56-3 he had the other opener lbw, then at the same score Ed took a spectacular catch off Geoff with one hand behind him. Number six then mowed Lewis straight to a diving Riz at midwicket, while next ball Geoff bowled their skipper with a swirling full toss to make it 60-6. Another Lewis lbw made it 69-7, then Geoff and Riz both picked up clean-bowleds to put the Plums 78-9.

That was when the nightmare started. The Plums’ last pair set out, like Brett Lee and Mike Kasprowicz in the 2005 Ashes, to bring off an impossible win. As at Edgbaston, they so nearly succeeded. Appeals went ungiven, extras mounted and Geoff Brunner dropped a caught-and-bowled – hence his personal terror we might lose. Alvin and Fraser were unable to break through, but in the nick of time Danny found bowling form in his sixth over. With 54 so far added for the last wicket and just five left to win, number 11 spooned back a caught and bowled. The team engulfed Danny in celebration while Chris did the Freddie Flintoff impression by comforting the distraught batsman. Then both teams repaired to the pub to drown sorrows/gulp in relief.

Thursday July 15 v CityWest, Wandsworth Park, WON by three wickets.

CityWest 126 all out (19 overs, Dave Packham 3-9, George Duckett 3-11, Lewis Caley 1-8, Dave Winpenny 1-12, Riz 1-12) Bricklayers 130-7 (16.5 overs, Danny Lombardo 29 not out, Ed Marland retd 29, Lewis Caley retd 25)

CityWest play Twenty20 a different way. Every outfield player bowls two overs, batsmen retire on reaching 25 (but can return at the end of the innings) and all no-balls/wides count two but there is no extra ball. This was the second time we’ve played them – yet the result, them posting 126, us passing it, was exactly the same.

Chris Locke, thrust into captaincy by order of the holidaying Mike Ottley, promptly lost the toss and immediately had to figure out how to handle the broad spectrum of bowling talent at his disposal. Since Ed Marland had already bagsied an end he got the new ball, partnered by Rich Tibbett coming into the wind. Ed’s two overs went for 22, Rich’s for a commendable 6 as one opener hit out and the other scratched around.

Time to try some new talent – George Duckett, who after a couple of wides reaped the benefit of bowling straight as Jason Reid took a swirling top-edge at point. Getting the idea, George in his second over had number three caught by Riz and bowled number four first ball. The field closed in for the hat-trick, number five drilled the ball straight to Rich Tibbett at cover … who dropped it and was sent to the naughty step at fine leg. Nonetheless George’s 3-11 had put us firmly in the match.

Nigeal Andell’s two overs had meanwhile cost 21, but this meant the retirement of the big-hitting opener. Time for another combination – the pace of Danny Lombardo out of the setting sun and the slow loop of Dave Winpenny at the other end. It worked a treat – Danny conceded just four, while Dave’s extra-less 12 ended with clean-bowling number six as he swung across the line.Wickets continued to fall – Ed dropped number five but managed the perfect throw to Chris to run him out, Riz’s pace had no luck with edges but took number eight off-stump out, and finally Dave Packham took three wickets – a catch to Riz, one bowled and the last man caught in the deep despite the low sun by Danny – and Lewis one bowled to finish CityWest despite the retired opener’s reappearance.

Our turn to bat, and not the best start as Dave Packham swished his first ball to mid-on (“I’m more of a bowler now”) and Jason top-edged a full toss to fine-leg for 1. But from 10-2 Danny, Ed and Lewis rattled along with boundaries and quick running to their 25s, and the next wicket did not fall until 109 (Riz bowled for 6). In the fading light Dave Winpenny was yorked first ball and Nigeal trod on his stumps for our third golden duck, while George (1) and Chris (0 second ball) failed to see what bowled them. But Rich Tibbett, rejoined by Danny, redeemed himself clubbing 10 not out, including the winning four with 23 balls to spare.

Back to the Brick withn our convivial opposition, who laid on pizzas, and for the ceremonial mounting of the newly-engraved Putney Cup, featuring a speech by Becky atop a bar stool and, less unusually, a toast by the bar from Chris to “this happy and winning team”.

Sunday July 11 v The Limers, Joseph Hood Recreation Ground, LOST by 4 wickets.

Bricklayers Arms 101 all out (20.3 overs, Fred Shiels 22), Limers 102-5 (19.3 overs, Riz 2-9, Mike Ottley 2-33)

The timing of this game had been altered to suit seeing all of the World Cup Final. Unfortunately, so it seemed had our batting.

With the Limers two men short, Alvin Spencer was loaned to the opposition in the hope that Riz would soon arrive to bolster our side. Unfortunately it turned out he was only intending to come late to support, having not made the original XI, and so was just setting out from Hayes to get to us. Still, Fred Shiels had won the toss, and surely we could bat until Riz arrived for the end of our 30 overs.

All seemed well as Fraser Wright steered a couple of fours past point in the first over, but then on 9 he prodded a slower one to cover. 9-1 swiftly became 20-2 as Geoff Brunner hit to mid-on for 8, then 25-3 as Dave Winpenny was bowled for 0. Lewis Caley and Fred started a fightback, but on 53 Lewis gloved one legside to the keeper for 12 to give John Nabo four wickets. Rahul Khanna then joined as the score mounted to 67 – then disaster struck. Fred, by his own confession “bored” having not had the strike for three overs, went haring down the wicket as non-striker only to find Rahul unmoved. As the two stood in the same crease Alvin lobbed the ball back to the bowler and Fred had to go for 22. Understandably unnerved, Rahul then played back next ball to a straight one that had him plumb lbw for 5. Rich O’Donnell then hit two fours before being bowled for 8, and despite a jolly stand of 22 between Mike Ottley and Chris Locke (one of whose two boundaries before being bowled for 9 was an uppercut straight over the head of tall keeper Junior) and some classical forward defensives from Martin Frost (1 not out), when Mike was bowled by Tony Nabo for 7 we had only scraped to 101-9. Riz had still not arrived, so that was innings closed.

Geoff Brunner and Mike Ottley opened our attempt to defend this small total. Geoff had no luck in his 3-0-13-0, nor did Fraser with 3-0-19-0, but Mike at least had the reward of bowling opener Jason and number three Junior in his 5-0-33-2. However Tony Nabo’s usual combination of sharp running and clean hitting, plus too many overthrows and extras, had already put the Limers well in sight of their target before Riz joined our attack. Nonetheless he showed what might have been by hitting middle stump so hard that one bail almost reached the boundary, and finally removing Tony to a fine catch diving forward at mid-on by Rich O’Donnell. Fred also had one bowled in his spell of 4.3-0-11-1, but number six and seven played sensibly to ease home by 5.15.

Another 30 runs could have made things very interesting, but as it was there was time for an excellent tea back at the Prince of Wales and then to get home to the Brick for a much less friendly game on TV.

Thursday July 8 v Westminster CC, Wandsworth Park, LOST by two wickets.

Bricklayers Arms 82 all out (16.1 overs, Rich Tibbett 32), Westminster 83-8 (15.5 overs, Riz 3-12, Olli Gargrave 2-17)

Westminster beat us with some ease two weeks ago, and last night it initially looked as if they would repeat the drubbing. After three overs we were 8 for 4 – skipper Dominic Ewer bowled for 1, Zulfi Ahmed hitting his wicket for a duck, George Duckett edging behind for 3 and Dave Winpenny bowled for 0, and lots of anxious recall of how far we were from our record low score of 32. Thankfully Fraser Wright started the repair work with three fours in 15 before being bowled at 25, and Dave Packham swished his way to 4 before missing a straight one on 37. Meanwhile Riz, star of Sunday’s Cup triumph, was hitting nicely and was joined by Rich Tibbett, who took on the bowlers superbly to post his highest score of 32, including two big sixes and three fours. Riz went at 67-7 for 13 and once Rich was also bowled at 81 the innings subsided quickly, Chris Locke done by a shooter for 1 and Bert Schoewenburg run out 0, leaving debutant Ollie Gargrave on 3 not out.

82 would take some defending, but with Riz and Ollie opening the attack nothing was comfortable for Westminster’s batsmen – especially their opener, whose helmet Riz knocked off his head onto the stumps third ball. Luckless with edges just short of or clearing slip, Riz added two more clean bowled to finish with 4-1-12-3, while catches for Fraser and Rich gave Ollie 4-1-17-2 to leave them 34-5. This became 45-6 as Zulfi bowled Mason (who hit 50 off us last time) for 1, 49-7 as Dom at fly slip held a top edge from Bert and 57-8 as Ollie took a marvellous low catch at long-on into the setting sun.

At this point we felt we were winning it, but well judged biffs and nurdles saw Westminster home without further loss, Zulfi ending with 4-1-24-2 and Bert 3.5-0-26-1. Nonetheless to conjure such a tight finish from such a dire start reflected well on all concerned – and we had the reward of extra drinking time in the Brick.

Sunday July 4, Raynes Park Sports Ground

Semi-final v SW London Camra WON by 6 wickets

Camra 80-7 (20 overs, Riz 4-9, Geoff Brunner 1-11, Danny Lombardo 1-12, Mike Ottley 1-16), Bricklayers 81-4 (18 overs, Dominic Ewer 24)

Final v Fawe Park WON by 3 wickets

Fawe Park 115-8 (Norman Shiels 3-11, Mike Ottley 2-12, Zahid Alvi 2-23), Bricklayers 119-7 (15.4 overs, Norman 40 not out, Riz 20)

A great day. In its 13 years we had won the Putney Cup twice before, once when it was still a tea cup with “Putney Cup” written in felt pen on its side, the other in our last season as the Queen Adelaide CC in 2007, but not as the Bricklayers Arms. Now this handsome tankard, once engraved, will replace the wonky, tatty trophy we’ve had for the past year after coming third in 2009.

The draw paired us with Camra, while Fawe Park took on the Plums in a repeat of last year’s final. On a pitch new to us, Fred Shiels decided to bowl first to “see what the track does”. The answer was a lot. From the start Geoff (4-0-11-1) and Alvi (4-0-13-0) kept Camra’s openers pinned down, Geoff removing one caught and bowled. But this brought Shaun to the wicket to join Scott – Camra’s main dangermen united. Fred changed the bowling after six overs to bring on Alvi’s mate Riz, making his debut. From his first ball it was obvious that here was some serious pace. He yorked Scott, had number four bowled off his pads and then clipped Shaun’s off stump with a beauty that had pitched middle and swung the other way. After 10 overs Camra were 32-4 and in trouble. Fred then took catches at cover to give Danny (4-0-12-1) and Mike (3-0-16-1) their wickets, while another clean bowled saw Riz end with 4-1-9-4.

So four an over was the target on a pitch occasionally keeping low. Dominic and Danny opened, and after Danny fell lbw for 8, Geoff biffed three fours before being bowled for 12. Ed Marland and Dominic moved the score on steadily before Dom (24) was caught at square leg by Shaun, who also held an on-drive from Fred (9). But that was the last of the alarms as we got home with two overs to spare, Ed nurdling his way to 10 not out.

This meant facing our oldest opponents in the final. Fawe Park won the toss and batted. Originally Alvi and Riz were only to play the first game, but it was generally realised it would be an idea to keep them in the side. Alvin, due to play the second game, nobly stepped down and Dave Winpenny, having continued his run of good fielding, was already slated to drop out in Fred’s brother Norman’s favour.

Norman, returning after a year, eased straight back into a nice rhythm, soon having Robin Held caught by Fraser Wright at point and then Sean Held brilliantly taken by a diving Fred at slip. He then had number four plumb lbw while Riz (just 1-21 this time) had Fred again to thank for a wide slip catch. With Danny also bowling tightly Fawe Park were 55-4 after 12 overs. Enter Harry Tilbury determined to get on with it, hitting Danny especially for some big sixes as the hundred was rapidly brought up. But, after one drop in the same position, Fred finally snaffled Harry at a very deep long-on for his fifth catch of the day. Mike Ottley followed that wicket by completely bamboozling Harry’s partner, almost stumped twice in successive balls before being clean bowled. Only a streaky single off the last ball ruined a double-wicket maiden, and with Alvi (2-23) also chipping in with two wickets, both bowled, the brake had been well applied at the end.

Fred took the six-an-over target a bit literally – six off his second ball, caught off his third. Geoff likewise just hit the one four before being caught and bowled, while Ed Marland was bowled after hitting three boundaries in a quick 17. So fast, in fact, that we were 35-3 after four overs. This became 37-4 after five when Danny edged behind, then 40-5 after seven when Fraser was adjudged lbw. This was getting a bit fraught.

Norman then took charge with ferocious hitting, matched in time by Riz whose 20 included a six and two fours in 15 balls. Their partnership put on 46 before Riz and then Alvi were caught, leaving us 94-7. The asking rate was no longer an issue – survival was. Dom applied himself to just that task, hitting 9 not out, while Norman survived one huge scare with seven still needed, skying to mid-on who dropped it (and the Putney Cup). Two boundaries later he had won the game, his 24-ball unbeaten 40 including three sixes and three fours.

Thanks to all 12 players and Alvin for his stalwart umpiring.

Thursday July 1 v Fleet Street Strollers, Wandsworth Park, LOST by 7 wickets

Bricklayers’ Arms 106-6 (20 overs, Jason Reid 42), Pimlico Strollers 110-3 (18 overs)

Alan Petrides, Stan Catherine, Bert Schoewenburg, Tony Nabo, Dave Winpenny, Chris Locke … with six players over 50, this was probably the most mature Bricklayers team ever to creak into action. As Dominic Ewer (47) observed: “Thank God for Danny Lombardo, otherwise we’d have an average age of 70.”

All this against a Fleet Street side for the main part distressingly young and fit. Undaunted, Jason Reid and Dominic Ewer strode to the crease after we had been put in to bat. Greeted with some spot-on fast bowling they lasted well, Jason punishing the spinner at the other end until he was removed for another keen pacer. This proved too much for Dom, bowled for 6 by a jaffa which landed middle-and-leg and took middle-and-off via a faint edge – 31-1. In came Danny Lombardo to join an on-song Jason, who had started early to hit the ball long. The two moved the score on to 76, keeping above five an over against still remorseless pace, before Jason was finally bowled for 42. Danny followed soon after for 18, but Tony Nabo (11 not out) ran quick runs (even getting Alan Petrides to sprint three), Alan hit 3 himself, Dave Winpenny was run out (again – ground your bat, Dave) for a duck, Richard Evans hit his first ball for four and 7 in all and Alvin’s shot brought him 7 not out to mean we reached 106 in our 20 overs.

A good effort but unlikely to be enough, we thought, and so it proved – all that experience couldn’t muster five front-line bowlers between us. Bert Schowenburg (4-0-14-1) did well between wides, but injuries, infirmity and rustiness meant that for three of our bowlers it was the first time they had turned their arm all season. Stan Catherine was first to suffer – 4-0-28-0 – and while Bert bowled one opener for 7 and Jason (2-0-26-1) removed number three with a grubber, Jason got the yips second over and was carted for 22. Tony, replacing Jason, brought much-needed control and turn to post 3-1-6-0, and with Danny having number four well caught by Bert at fly slip and deserving more from his 4-0-14-1 we briefly applied a brake on the Strollers’ progress. However once number five started hitting and Alvin (1-0-11-0) replaced Danny for his first attempt at bowling since a dislocated shoulder, that was that.

Back to the Brick for a barbecue and unavailing attempts to work out the team’s combined age. My money’s on 536.

Sunday June 27 v Pimlico Strollers, North London Cricket Ground, Crouch End WON by 63 runs

Bricklayers’ Arms 199-9 (30 overs, Geoff Brunner 57, Ed Marland 37, Danny Lombardo 30), Pimlico Strollers 136 all out (26 overs, Fred Shiels 3-16, Geoff Brunner 3-24)

Within 10 minutes of England only beating Slovenia 1-0 we’d arranged an earlier start for this fixture to accommodate a lengthy tea watching the Germany game. Thus this was a vital toss to win if we didn’t want to roast in the midday sun. Fred Shiels called it right and batted, sending mad dog Geoff Brunner out to open with Danny Lombardo. It proved a wise decision – Fred later promoted Fraser Wright vice-captain on the spot for deferring to Geoff for the Number 2 slot. Geoff hammered the Strollers’ attack, only taking his first single for his 27th run and hitting nine fours and two sixes, and with Danny supporting well – five fours in 30 – we posted 88 for the first wicket before Danny fell bowled to their demon spinner. Geoff went the same way to put us 100-2 starting the 15th over: a great second fifty for the club (and ever for Geoff) which even contained a solitary forward defensive stroke.

Drinks were gratefully taken, then Fred hit two sixes and a four before holing out to backward square for 16 at 119. Ed Marland and Lewis Caley then added 50 in rapid time before Ed went caught and bowled for a cultured 37 which included seven fours. Suddenly wickets fell – 169-3 became 172-7 and then 181-8 as Lewis was bowled for 19 (inc just the two sixes) and Fraser Wright, Dave Winpenny and Daren Salmon were bowled for ducks. However Alvin Spencer (13), Mike Ottley with 8 not out and Chris Locke with 2 off the final ball ensured we batted all our overs and set a target of exactly 200 at three minutes to three. Cue a mass run to the bar for “tea” and World Cup elimination.

The Strollers are a fine batting side well capable of hitting the required rate of just under seven an over but Geoff was determined that this was his day of days. A beautiful spell of 6-1-24-3 saw him remove big-hitting Gav bowled round his legs with one that came back up the slope, then star batsman Spenser and skipper George bowled by vicious off-cutters – numbers 1,2,3 in the order gone were gone with only 46 scored, which soon became 53-4 as Mike (6-0-28-1) induced their number five to sky to Alvin running to mid-off. However by drinks at 15 overs the Strollers had recovered to 80 and still looked capable of hitting the eight an over now needed. All this changed next over as Mike, off his own bowling, ran out their well-set number four, called for a suicidal single by his partner. Mike first outpaced the non-striker and then underarmed the ball onto middle stump to run him out by feet – 80-5.

This brought the game’s champagne moment as the constant music from the boundary greeted Dickie Betts’ arrival at the crease by playing the Benny Hill theme. Dickie duly did the staccato speeded up run round the square leg umpire and back, even daring to leap the wicket and earn a round of applause from all sides. However he then slashed to point for Lewis’s fine running catch to give Daren his first Bricklayers’ wicket (3-0-15-1, having replaced the out-of sorts Fraser, 2-0-21-0). Danny Lombardo was then brought back to end a mini-stand by trapping number 8 plumb lbw with a slower ball, giving him figures of 6-0-28-1. Fred then potted a couple of rabbits bowled for ducks to leave the Strollers 125-9, and when he answered a six from number 4 by yorking him next ball for 40, he had 3-0-16-1 and we had the victory.

All that remained was to enjoy the setting, bar, music, barbecue and good company (male and female) before heading back to Brick to toast Geoff as the obvious man of the match.

Tuesday June 22 v Westminster CC, Wandsworth Common LOST by 8 wickets

Bricklayers’ Arms 88-8 (20 overs, John Low 34), Westminster CC 91-2 (13.4 overs)

This was a valiant performance by ten men, one of them injured, but ultimately unavailing against a Westminster side who used the conditions superbly when bowling and came good at the end with their batting.

We won the toss and batted, only to find that, in addition to the usual terrible Wandsworth pitch, the ball was swinging all over the place in the sunshine. The first two overs were maidens, with Ian Watson and Danny Lombardo just intent on defending, while the third over saw both Ian and Lewis Caley, first ball, bowled by balls that moved prodigiously. Geoff Brunner swatted the hat-trick ball contemptuously away for four and moved swiftly to 12 before he too was bowled, and when Danny Lombardo gloved one that reared up to the keeper we were 28-4 and facing humilaition.

That we recovered was down to John Low, who despite pulling a tendon behind his knee early on hit a fine 34 (5 x4, 1 x 6 to spare Alvin Spencer’s running duties) and Dave Winpenny, whose tenacious 4 enabled a stand of 39 before he got a shooter. John was the caught, as was Rich Tibbett on the boundary after hitting 7. Alvin was bowled for 2 and Bert hit the last ball for a single to make us 88 at close.

Tight bowling would needed to defend that, and it came from Bert Schoewenburg and Danny Lombardo. Bert bowled a maiden first over and one opener second, Danny got one to lift and flick number 3′s gloves for Chris Locke’s first catch of the season (“See what happens when you get your gloves in front of your face?” was the question) and Westminster were 11-2. Bert ended with 4-1-16-1 and Danny with 4-0-13-1 and the pressure was still on. Unfortunately Chris’s was the only catch. Alvin failed to cling on to a fine diving effort, then Lewis floored a sitter, and the lucky batsman celebrated by taking 20 off the next over. There was nothing Rich Tibbett, Lewis or Ian could do after that and the target was reached easily.

Champagne moment: the team voting Dave Winpenny man of the match for his beautifully timed four to the cover boundary and inspired ground fielding – not a thing went past him and he even sprinted to cut off various boundaries. It was like watching England arise and smite the mighty Slovenes.

Sunday June 20 v Trafalgar Arms, Nursery Road LOST by 112 runs

Trafalgar Arms 284-7 (35 overs, Laurence Brown 153, Lewis Caley 3-47) Bricklayers Arms 172-9 (Daren Salmon 45, Lewis Caley 35)

Over the years we’ve always wondered what would transform the Trafalgar’s team. An influx of Southern Hemisphere lager drinkers into this frequent winner of Camra’s SW London Pub of the Year? (Stranger things have happened, to us and Camra itself.) Little did we realise that it would be a veteran of our previous tonkings of the Traf who would return as our nemesis.

Mind you, this veteran is all of 16. Laurence Brown was 10 when we first let him bat again to avoid tears after a dismissal. Now this son of Traf skipper Chris stands well over six feet and plays for Twickenham CC, for whom he scored 150 aged 14.

On Sunday he repeated that feat, retiring on 153 having hit us to all corners of the ground.

We should have known something was up when the Traf won the toss and elected to bat – in previous years they always stuck us in. Fraser Wright and Ian Watson opened the bowling as Geoff Brunner was late, and the score steadily mounted whenever Laurence had the strike: 70 off the first ten overs, 160-odd at drinks. Geoff, Lewis Caley and debutant Daren Salmon all had equally little success, though Daren was unlucky to see a skier spilled when Laurence had 140-odd. Other than that, his innings was chanceless. Relief came only in the 23rd over as he walked off to deserved applause.

Suddenly it was a different game – normal service resumed, albeit 200 runs too late. Manny Vardavas had the other dogged opener caught by Lewis for 41 at short cover for our first breakthrough – 204-1. Geoff bowled number four, Lewis took a caught and bowled followed by a clean-bowled next ball for a double wicket maiden, Steve Neville chipped in with a clean bowled and a catch by Fraser, who also took a catch to give Lewis figures of 6-1-47-3.

This could arguably have been four wickets had Chris Locke managed to hold on to a top edge with his front teeth. However the snick was far too hard and fast and merely knocked him backwards. A quickly convened amateur medical conference pronounced no damage done once Chris confirmed this would not affect his drinking, and he resumed behind the stumps “looking like Adolf Hitler with a red moustache”, in the kind words of one observer.

The Traf eventually set a target of 285. The bowling figures aren’t pretty but credit to all for sticking with it – after Lewis, Steve Neville had most success with 3-0-18-2, then Manny 3-0-38-1 and Geoff 7-0-40-1. Ian had 4-0-30-0, Fraser 6-0-50-0 and Daren bowled a lot better than 7-0-58-0 might suggest.

Chasing eight an over, Ian Watson hit straight to cover for 5, but from 7-1 Steve and Lewis steadily upped the rate in a rapid partnership of 62, with Lewis’s new bat showing the same appetite for sixes as the one he broke on Wednesday. But he fell at long on for 35, Fraser holed out to deep midwicket for one and when Steve Neville’s unusually controlled knock ended with him bowled for 20 we were 85-4 in the 16th over. Geoff Brunner then hit 10, including some unexpected shots, before spooning an easy catch to the keeper for 100-5. Enter Dave Winpenny to join the rapidly tiring Daren Salmon, who having not played for 16 years had bowled his seven overs off the reel and then run endless singles after getting off the mark with a four. These paragons of fitness proceeded to put on 22, mainly still in the singles they had intended to forswear, before Dave, with a creditable 7 including a four carved majestically to third man, attempted one run too many and failed to ground his bat in time.Rich O’Donnell then heaved to square leg for a second-ball duck before Daren finally succumbed at 149-8 – having at last started to find his touch with a series of boundaries, he then missed one which dribbled onto his stumps. Nobody from the Traf appealed but neither umpire called no ball; it was Daren who settled things by trudging off exhausted. His 45 was hardly chanceless – he had already been bowled by another no-ball and seen a sitter dropped – but was nonetheless a fine return to the game.

Alvin meanwhile cheerfully latched onto bowling that fed his shot, making 22 not out almost entirely through square leg, and supported by Manny (harshly given lbw for 1) and Chris’s 1 not out as we finally reached 172-9, at least succeeding in not being all out.

Congratulations to the Trafalgar, to whom we’d only ever lost once before, to Laurence for his ton and particularly to the 13-year-old younger Copeman brother (also called Lawrence, I believe), who not only saw off Lewis’s hat-trick ball with confidence and clubbed one four in his 7 but also bowled seven overs of beautifully flighted leg-spin to take 1-21. What’s the betting he too comes back to haunt us in three years’ time?

Wednesday June 16 v Phase Forward, Wandsworth Park LOST by 28 runs

Phase Forward 130-7 (20 overs, Geoff Brunner 3-22) Bricklayers Arms 102 all out (17.3 overs, Lewis Caley 30)

Another glorious evening, another inglorious defeat. With only six of the opposition there at the start it was agreed they would bat. Not certain how their batting order would work as latecomers arrived, Alvin Spencer gave the opening overs to Bert Schoewenburg and David Dobbs. Both took wickets in among some less demon deliveries. Jason Reid held a fierce cover drive nochalantly with one hand to give first blood, then Dave D bowled the other opener. But a stream of extras and boundaries kept the rate up until Geoff removed their skipper with a trademark Wandsworth Park grubber, which he followed with two more legitimate clean-bowleds. Lewis also got one through the batsman’s gate and Dave Dobbs’ direct hit ran out their bloke who’d never batted before, but Rich Tibbett had no luck, and the arrival late in the day and the order of two more batsmen saw Phase Forward get up to 130, albeit possibly off more than 20 overs (bowling from one end only because of the sun caused a few scoring hiccups, hence the lack of detailed bowling figures).

Six-and-a-half an over was a par score – achievable if our big hitters stayed around, challenging if not. Unfortunately the latter resulted. After Rich O’Donnell had been given out caught behind down the leg side, Jason Reid’s quick 10 was ended when he played down the wrong line. Lewis Caley then decided to take Jason’s mantle, hitting three sixes into Putney Bridge Road and breaking his bat before also being bowled for 30, and 57-2 in the ninth over rapidly declined to 60-6 and 73-7 as Geoff swung and missed for a second-ball duck, opener Alan Petrides went caught and bowled for 7 and Dave Winpenny and Rich Tibbett were both bowled for 1. At the other end Alvon was merrily carting balls to leg until the inevitable lbw cut him off for 18. Dave Dobbs and Chris Locke added a partnership of 20 to at least see us past the hundred, but Dave was then bowled for 6 and when Bert skied for 0 to the bowler Chris had run out of partners for what would have an improbable assault on the now distant target.

Back to the Brick for soup, beer and discussion of the game’s champagne moment – Alan Petrides blissfully unaware of the ball hurtling toward him at fine leg as his gaze seemed somehow fixated on the young lady passing by. Alan of course claimed his attention was only caught by the fact she had strayed over the boundary line. And pigs can fly, and Santa Claus does exist.

Sunday June 13 v Railway Sidings, Nursery Road WON by 85 runs

Bricklayers Arms 223-3 (35 overs, Ed Marland 114 not out, Fraser Wright 54 not out), Railway Sidings 138 all out (25.4 overs, Danny Lombardo 3-10, Fred Shiels 2-19)

Last season Ed Marland was denied his first ever century by a bowler spearing five wides down the legside to concede the match, leaving Ed stranded on 99 not out. On Sunday he made up for it in fine style, ably supported by Fraser Wright who contributed his first fifty for the Brick in an unbeaten stand of 204, which set up an emphatic victory.

Not that it looked that way after five overs. Though Ian Watson (12) and Danny Lombardo (5) both hit their first balls for four, both then contrived to york themselves. Worse followed as Dominic Ewer was mesmerised by the sight of the ball he had just blocked trickle towards the stumps. Would it dislodge a bail? Of course it would – a duck for Dom meant 19-3.

In came Fraser to partner Ed. Mercifully the Sidings’ catching could not match the keenness of their ground fielding – Fraser was put down four times before reaching 20. But then the batsmen started to dominate. By drinks at 18 overs we had recovered to 96-3, with Fraser, having just hit three successive fours, on 35 to Ed’s 34. Now Ed took charge, racing to his first century with some beautifully timed strokeplay and eventually posting 114 not out off 97 balls including 21 fours. Fraser meanwhile was happy to give Ed the strike, so much so that worries started on the boundary that he might not reach a well-deserved fifty. But in the last over a glide past gully notched that landmark and he ended 54 not out from 73 balls with 7 fours. Wides with 28 contributed most of the remaining runs; extraordinarily in such a large total, we hadn’t hit a single six.

Sidings went for the chase, keeping well up with the rate of six-and-a-half an over.Geoff Brunner (5-0-34-1) took one opener’s middle stump, Dave Marland (5-0-26-1) bowled the other with a fine outswinger, Lewis (4-0-30-1) also span one through another dangerous batsman’s guard, Fred (6-0-19-2) claimed one plumb lbw and took a second wicket thanks an excellent running catch by Lewis at long on. Danny then took a caught and bowled from one screaming back at him. Yet at drinks Sidings were ahead of the rate at 114, with their dangerous skipper Lee starting to hit sixes. Then Danny (3-0-10-3) produced a beauty, held back and moving late, to uproot Lee’s off stump and end Sidings’ chances. Fred took another catch off Danny, Dave Marland one off Dominic (1-0-3-1 in a rare cameo) and Chris stumped their last man off Dave Winpenny (1.4-0-8-1) to finally register a first dismissal of the season.

Commiserations to Ian, cut under the eye and badly bruised by a ball which just landed short of his fine effort at a diving catch. And congratulations to all on a great win – but particularly of course to Fraser and Ed.

Tuesday June 8 v Archery Tavern, Wandsworth Park LOST by 9 wickets

Bricklayers Arms 102-5 (20 overs, Ian Watson 27 not out, Charlie Billington 27), Archery 106-1 (14.3 overs)

The rain had passed, the sun was out and it was Chris Locke’s birthday – what could possibly go wrong?

How about Danny Lombardo being given out first ball caught behind? Danny thought it had hit his pad – umpire Dave Winpenny disagreed. Alas, with Danny gone and Jason Reid not playing, we didn’t have the explosive firepower of previous midweeks. Lewis Caley mustered 12 before falling to a top edge, Dave Packham was bowled second ball for a duck the same over and we were 22-3 after five overs. Enter debutant Charlie Billington, who hit a brisk 27 off 24 balls with a six and three fours, he and surviving opener Ian Watson adding 57 before Charlie was bowled. The rate then dwindled again as Dave Winpenny was run out for a single and Rich O’Donnell posted 12 not out – just 22 off the last five overs saw us reach102-5, with Ian carrying his bat for 27 in 20 overs.

So Archery’s target was only just above five an over. Still, on a dodgy wicket and with their batting two short, we thought we could be in with a shout. It was not to be. Archery’s openers hit out from the start, disdaining the dot balls that had slowed our innings. Only one catch came our way, Ian judging a skier well at deep extra cover to give Danny our only wicket. All their other miscues fell safe. The other opener retired at 50, which allowed some respite and an opportunity for Dave Winpenny and Charlie to get through an over apiece, Charlie showing some prodigious inswing. Nonetheless we lost with five and a half overs to spare.

Oh well, at least it left more time in the Brick to toast Chris’s advancing years – my thanks to all who did so most convivially.

Sunday June 6 v Capt Select. WON by 4 wickets

Capt Select 137 all out off 29.5 overs; Bricklayers Arms 138 for 6 wkts off 28 overs. Bricklayers won by 4 wkts.

With Chief Cricket Correspondent, Chris, off celebrating Gaye’s birthday, the Editor duly summoned junior hack, Mike, to assume the role of reporting on the Bricklayers’ latest outing. Not exactly ‘hold the front page’ news, but perhaps not far off, as the Brick were finally able to shout about that they could successfully chase a low total at last. As usual between these old friendly foes, the game was played in terrific spirit – the Brick in fact lending Alvin and Big Al’s mate, Shane, so enabling an even contest of 11 a side.

Freddie volunteered to step into Chris’ gloves behind the stumps – minus of course Chris’ ‘vintage’ pads – while other casual vacancies were filled by Mike, teas maker and chair provider, Martin, scorer, and Fred and Mike, both sets of kit (presumably Chris taking the view that if neither Fred or Mike knew the other was bringing the kit, a kit bag of some description would arrive – indeed it did – both. Clever thinking).

First in to bat was Capt Select with openers Dom and Manny. Danny and Mike (6-0-13-1), renewing their new ball partnership, soon had the openers on the back foot, conceding a miserly 26 runs off the first 10 overs. However, that did include a mighty four from Manny off Mike, who promptly swore to seek revenge, some time in the future, Roy Keane style. He didn’t have to wait that long as he got Manny plumb lbw the following over. In came Clough, who, with Dom, took the score to a respectable 100 before Fred brought on Martin (2-0-10-1) to break the partnership, by having Dom caught at point by a tumbling Fraser just short of his fifty. Thereafter, Crouch finally departed for a well earned fifty, to Danny (6-1-20-1) coming back to finish his spell, and Rich O repeating his feat of last year in getting a wicket with his very first ball. Only this time, Rich was not finished and he got a further two in the same over – off very high full tosses, both bats holding out to good catches by Ian at mid-wicket and both bats shaking their heads disbelievingly on departing. These deliveries it has to be noted were in direct contrast with other deliveries of ‘the too many bounces’ variety in the same over. A slightly surreal over indeed, but it’s in the record book as 1-0-3-3 – excellent. Ian (3-0-20-1) accounted for Alvin and Al (0.5-0-1-2) finished off the tail with successive balls, only to exclaim alarm when told that he couldn’t have a chance of a hat trick as there were no more bats.

And so with 138 to chase, new opening partnership of Ian and Fraser were sent in but soon found themselves pinned down by some accurate bowling by the Capt Select opening pair. Fraser went in the fifth over, only for Al to move things along nicely with a controlled, hard hitting 31. Lewis entered and got off the mark, Viv Richards style, with a six off Stevie. But that was that – Lewis ran out for ten by a direct hit two overs later. Dave W and Rich O came and went, leaving Fred muttering that we can’t possibly lose this one. So, in went Fred and out went Fred – Shane’s third good catch of the innings. Now the nerves were jangling. But in strode Danny, moved down the order for scoring too many 50s!, who promptly put the Brick’s worries to bed with a quick fire ten to see us home with Ian still there with a majestic 64 not out.

So a win at last for the Brick chasing a low total and both teams returned to the Prince of Wales for a game of light hearted killer on the pub’s pool table, before departing to the Bricklayers Arms to finish the evening off.

Thursday June 3 v Parry’s Whippets, Chiswick House LOST by 6 wickets

Bricklayers Arms 149-4 (20 overs, Jason Reid 39, Fred Shiels 35, Dominic Ewer 34), Whippets 150-4 (17.4 overs, Lewis Caley 2-17)

It was a beautiful evening at Chiswick House once most of the side found the ground, and when Fred persuaded the opposition to put us in all looked set fair on a fine batting wicket. Just one problem, however – we only had 10 men. Mike Ottley had been detained at the last minute fixing a broken kiln oven for his wife (as you do) and couldn’t make it – as he penitently explained afterwards, it was “either cricket or divorce”. Crucially, we were a bowler short.

Undaunted, Dominic and Fred set about building an opening stand of 63 against a tight opening attack, starting to accelerate once the bowling changed. And when Fred was bowled for a feisty 35, Jason took just two singles before launching into another blaze of hitting, which eventually included four sixes and two fours in a 20-ball 39. With Dominic advancing to 34, Danny Lombardo cut short by a fine slip catch for 3 and Lewis posting a quick 15 not out, we set the Whippets 150 to win at exactly seven-and-a -half an over.

Things still looked optimistic as Bert got one opener to spoon a catch to Fred, but thereafter numbers two and three started hitting with purpose, the only interruption, as when Jason was batting, being for endless lost balls. These two got 44 and 45 respectively before Lewis removed both opener and number four with excellent off-breaks in his first over, each inside-edging onto middle stump. Fred had number three caught by Jason but by then the target was easily achievable against our assorted bowlers. The figures tell the story – Danny 4-0-18-0, Bert 4-0-40-1, Rich Tibbett 3-0-26-0, Fred 1-0-1-1, Rich O’Donnell 2-0-13-0 and Dave Dobbs 1.4-0-19-0. I blame the kiln oven.

Sun May 30, Andrew Pimm Memorial 6-a-side THIRD PLACE
Once again we came third in this jolly little tournament -four teams in a round-robin, five overs per innings -winning against the Hop Pole but losing narrowly against Fawe Park and comprehensively against winners Burbage. Some good batting by Ed Marland, Zahid Alvi and Fred Shiels, valiant bowling, particularly by Alvi leading a depleted attack, and a great tumbling catch in the deep by Rich O’Donnell were our highlights. The Helds then laid on an excellent barbecue post-match and the day raised £320 -£120 up on last year -for Trinity Hospice, so thanks to all who took part and contributed.

Wed May 26 v Chelsesa Cobblers, Wandsworth Park WON by 56 runs

Bricklayers Arms 168-7 (20 overs, Jason Reid 77, Danny Lombardo 35), Chelsea Cobblers 112-9 (Lewis Caley 3-10)

We lost two wickets in the first over, suffered a second hat trick against us in successive games – yet cruised to our most commanding victory yet this season.

After Mike won the toss, Danny hit a four and a single off the first two deliveries, then Ian Watson was bowled by Nish first ball and Lewis Caley second. Enter Dave Packham for his first innings of the season, a breezy 12 including two fours. But when he was caught at the wicket we were 20-3. Time for a little circumspection from new bat Jason Reid – just three singles to start off. Then he got bored with all that running around and began to deal in boundaries leg, off and centre.With Danny happy for once to play second fiddle the pair put on 124 in rapid time. Only the return of opening bowler Nish stemmed the flow. Danny went for a 35 which had looked slow by comparison but was in fact at a run a ball with six fours. Enter Alan Petrides. Exit Alan Petrides, bowled first ball by a grubber. Then Dave Dobbs was so plumb that Dave Packham gave his first lbw for another golden duck and hat trick, Nish finishing his spell with 5-17. Rich O’Donnell prevented four in four but then retired hurt hit on the ear missing a pull shot, leaving Mike Ottley (16 not out) and Jason, finally caught for 77 (44 balls, six fours, five sixes) in the last over, to ensure a huge total.

The Cobblers had overhauled a comparable total of ours last season but there was to be repeat. Danny (4-0-12-1) had one opener caught in the gully by Jason (to a chorus of “Good to see you getting involved in the game, mate”), Ian (4-0-21-1) bowled the other, Dave Packham took a gully catch off Mike (4-0-13-1), Lewis ran out one batsman with a direct hit and another with a great return to Chris Locke, Mike and Dave Dobbs took catches for Lewis (2-0-10-3), Chris dropped one for the luckless Rich Tibbett (4-0-21-0), Dave Dobbs registered a caught and bowled in his 2-0-19-1 and Lewis took his third wicket bowled as we eased home.

Thanks to Becky for toad in the hole enjoyed by both sides and much of the rest of the pub back at the Brick

Sun May 23 v Rotten Livers, Raynes Park LOST by 3 wickets

Bricklayers Arms 157 all out (34.1 overs, Danny Lombardo 71, Al Carlson 44), Rotten Livers 160-7 (34.4overs, Geoff Brunner 2-16, Danny Lombardo 2-20, Ian Watson 2-22).

Our first game in blazing sunshine and our first tight finish – the match decided with just two balls to spare, though alas not in our favour after a contest full of twists and turns.

Fred began well by winning the toss and batting. Ian and Danny saw off the opening bowlers and started to accumulate, a process accelerated when at 38 Danny was joined by Al Carlson after Ian was caught for 7. Seventy-five rapid runs followed before Al holed out to long on for 44 and a total above 200 looked well in sight, even when at 136-2 Fred whacked a full toss straight to deep backward square. Alas, Danny’s fine innings then ended as he sliced to point. Chris Locke (stumped) and Fraser Wright (lbw) then went first ball to give spinner Gill a hat-trick, and with Geoff Brunner, Dave Winpenny and Martin Frost also ducks we were grateful to Dave Dobbs (8 not out) and Mike Ottley (5) to scramble to 157 – a good 40 runs short of a safe total, after the last eight wickets had fallen for 21 runs.

But Mike Ottley (7-1-18-1) and Danny Lombardo (7-0-20-2) tied down the Livers’ top order, with Danny dismissing their main hitters bowled and very well caught and bowled while Fraser took a fine spinning skier off Mike to make them 37-3. At drinks on 18 overs this had only crept up to 59-3, pushing the asking rate up to just under six an over. The Livers matched this until past 100, nudging, nurdling and running quick singles while wayward bowling (Fraser’s five overs went for 48, Martin’s three cost 24) and tired fielding crept into our side. But a quick brace of wickets from Geoff (7-1-16-2, one caught by Fred) plus a clean-bowled from Ian swung the game back our way at 109-6. Yet Livers’ opener Davies was still there, now joined by left-hander Lynn, and together, aided by a couple of catches going down and more wides and byes, they got within touching distance of victory before Ian (4.4-0-22-2) bowled Davies for 44. Back on went the brake but just too late, Number 9 Gill sweeping the winning four off the fourth ball of the last over.

Tue May 18 v Wandsworth Planners, Wandsworth Park LOST by 19 runs
Planners 123-8 (20 overs, Fraser Wright 2-23) Bricklayers 104-6 (Dominic Ewer retd hurt 38)

Well, it didn’t rain, and this game was an altogether more pleasant experience than Sunday. But this was still a defeat, albeit a narrow one against a strong Planners side we seldom beat.

Planners won a crucial toss and batted in good light, setting off at eight an over in a blizzard of boundaries. However, on a night when every bowler took a wicket, Martin Frost (3-0-24-1) removed their most explosive opener, Danny Lombardo (4-0-23-1) bowled the other and a grubber from Geoff Brunner (4-0-18-1)  took care of big-hitting number 3. Fraser Wright (4-0-23-2) then took out 4 and 5 with the aid of catches by Danny Lombardo and (finely judged at long-off) Rich O’Donnell, and the brakes were further applied by Mike Ottley (3-0-11-1, who took a neat caught-and-bowled), two sharp run-outs and a clean-bowled by Lewis Caley (2-0-17-1).

This left a total just under what we chased successfully last week, The difference, however, was that we were facing not 10 assorted bowlers but five pretty consistent ones. The departures of Danny (bowled for 5) and Lewis (well caught in the deep for 2) left us 32-2 but good support from Rich Tibbett (run out 7) and Rich O’Donnell (bowled for 7 after batting most of his innings with a runner), enabled Dominic to build nicely to a well-struck 38 before a back injury forced his retirement. However we were always behind the asking rate and despite some lusty hitting from Geoff (run out for 17) and Fraser (caught for 7 after one beautiful six over wide long-on) we fell short in the dark by 19 runs.

Soup and ales followed in the Brick, for which much thanks to Becky.

Sunday May 16 v Tuskers, Oberon Recreation Ground, LOST by 16 runs.
Tuskers 134-8 (Ian Watson 3-26, Mike Ottley 2-25, Fraser 1-19), Bricklayers 118 all out (Ian Watson retired 36, Dominic Ewer 28)

We’d bowled and fielded superbly, run up an unbeaten partnership of 86 in pursuit of a modest target – then rain and rancour ruined what should have been our first Sunday victory as we collapsed to a soggy 118 all out.

It was all so promising at the start. Mike Ottley reeled off an excellent spell of 7-1-25-2, removing their hard-hitting opener, caught round the corner by Geoff Brunner, and trapping number 3 lbw. Geoff also bowled tightly for 7-0-30-0, and a stranglehold was applied by these two and Fraser Wright, whose 7-0-19-1 contained 30 dot balls, so much so that at drinks the previous eight overs had yielded only 17 runs. Wickets fell steadily as Fred (3-1-9-1), Ian (7-0-26-3) and Lewis Caley (4-0-21-1) took over, well supported by tight fielding with further catches to Fred and sub fielder Alvin (Mike having had to depart to tend to a sick daughter). A target of less than four an over looked gettable, weather permitting.

Ian and Dominic Ewer opened our reply, slowly accumulating against some very tight bowling, particularly the spin of Govind (7-3-10-0). They had reached 86 just past 20 overs when the weather seriously started to close in, yet opted to bat on. However, Tuskers had not realised Govind’s spell was up. Only shouts from the scorer halted his run-up, at which point fast bowler Raki was recalled, who immediately let slip a beamer with the wet ball. This was too much for Ian – having narrowly evaded injury in the rain and murk, he decided to retire after a battling 36. The scorebook reads “retired angry”.

Unfortunately he was soon followed by Geoff (2), Dom (28) and Lewis (duck). George and Fred brought up the ton before George fell. Joined by Fraser, Fred still looked to good to win it until his attempted sweep over midwicket ended with his bat hurtling towards cow corner while the ball proceeded undisturbed onto his stumps. Rich (0) was bowled off what looked like a too-high no-ball, Fraser bowled for 5 and Dave for 2, and that was that – Ian, having retired “out” rather than “hurt” could not return to join Chris Locke.

Having played on to produce a result, we’d got one – just not what we’d hoped. Ian was very contrite but he should not shoulder the blame for our eight other wickets. As a team, we must bat better.

Thursday May 13 Bricklayers Arms v CityWest WON by 6 wickets
CityWest 126-2 (20 overs) Bricklayers Arms 127-4 (16.5 overs)

It’s cricket, Jim, but not as we know it. New opposition CityWest turned up with their own version of how to play Twenty20 – batsmen retire at 25, all outfield players bowl two overs and,  to speed the game, no-balls and wides count 2 but with no extra ball.

Ever the accommodating hosts, we agreed and promptly lost the toss. This thrust some surprised bowlers into action as Chris Locke hid behind the stumps. Credit first then to seriously occasional spinners (?) David Dobbs and Rich O’Donnell, who went for just 11 and 7 respectively for their 12 deliveries each. Indeed, though we couldn’t get their openers out, nor were the batsmen’s 25s super-fast before they had to retire – just 55-0 at halfway, with debutant Rahul Khana even producing a maiden.

It was only when Lewis Caley took a wicket with his first ball of the season – bowling number 3 with a fine off-break – that we came in for some serious biffing from opposing captain Henry. But once he retired our final bowling pair of Geoff (2-0-7-1) and Mike Ottley (2-0-9-0 but deserving better with two dropped catches) conceded just 16 from the final four overs. This left 127 to get at just above six an over – if England could do it so could we.

And so we did. Shrugging off the early blow of Danny Lombardo’s runout for 7, first Rahul Khana and then Lewis Caley rattled up to 25 with good support from Fraser Wright and wides, which eventually numbered 23 out of a total of 40 extras (ours were 28). Halfway through we already had 81-1 – enough to withstand CityWest’s main bowlers, though Rich Tibbett (4) did hole out to cover and skipper Henry bowled Fraser and Geoff Brunner (both 8) in the gathering gloom. Rich O’Donnell kept out Henry’s final three balls, and he (3 not out) and Mike Ottley (5 not out) scampered well to post the remaining runs with 19 balls to spare.

Our first win of the season was liquidly celebrated with the aid of much-appreciated food from Becky back at the Brick, greatly enjoyed by both sides.

Sunday May 9 v Highgate Taverners, Nursery Road. LOST by 31 runs.
Highgate Taverners 150-7 in 30 overs (Fraser Wright 3-23, Mike Ottley 2-26) Bricklayers Arms 119 all out.

After rain washed out our opening fixture, a new season finally dawned on Sunday – grey, cold and windy, but at least we were out there, having gently evicted Camra who had turned up at the wrong pitch but went graciously.

Fred Shiels won the toss and fielded, which looked a good call as tight if luckless opening spells from Danny Lombardo and debutant Surya Prerapa tied the Taverners down to 28 off the first 10 overs. It looked even better as Fraser Wright broke through thanks to an edge behind to lively keeper Rich O’Donnell and Danny Lombardo took a fine catch at long-off off Mike Ottley who promptly added a clean-bowled.

A fighting stand of 49 was then ended as Fred turned to partnership breaker Dave Winpenny, whose devastating lack of pace bambozzled the Taverners’ free-scoring keeper – bowled second bounce looking for successive sixes – while next over another long-off catch, this time by Fred off Ian Watson, made the score 105-5. With Fraser Wright adding two more wickets to contain the Taverners’ late charge to 150 after 30 overs, five an over looked a gettable target even on a pitch where every run had to be worked for.

We started well, Ian Watson looking solid and Danny Lombardo riding his luck as they put on 24. Ian then fell to an excellent catch by slip running back, but by now Danny was into his stride and Ed Marland, according to Fred, “starting to look solid”. Ed immedately swung over a straight one to depart lbw. No worries, Fred, said Ed, was “starting to play sensibly”. Cue dreadful attempted cut by Fred straight into the keeper’s gloves.

With our numbers three and four having hexed themselves and each other out of the match, the onus fell increasingly on Danny Lombardo. He was equal to it, compiling a fine fifty despite losing further partners in David Dobbs (6), Dave Winpenny (who ran himself out first ball) and Fraser Wright, whose 10 in a partnership of 32 took us to 100 with the asking rate still one a ball. But batting with the tail took its toll as Danny was finally bowled for 53 seeking yet another boundary, and our innings subsided 31 runs short.

The Highgate Taverners, new to us this year, proved good opposition with the right attitude, particularly in all coming back to the Brick where they conducted a series of fines on each other for offences (from dropped catches through vanity, lateness and  ”conduct unbecoming a gentleman”) that would have bankrupted our team in minutes. We look forward to seeing – and this time beating – them next year.