Warm at times - just ask Morgs.
Revenge, they say, is a dish best served cold.
But - in a clear weather paradox - Village CC chose a warm April day to kick off 2017 with a three-wicket win over the only team to beat them in 2016, Bengal Troopers (who we believe were using this fixture as a warm up for the league season).
VCC skipper, Nick ‘70%’ Thompson, lost the toss but got what he wanted – namely to bowl first on a green looking deck, with a touch of the sweats underneath. More on sweat later.
This threatened to backfire, when the Met Police refused to let father-to-be (again) Bilal Husain out of his house in time for the start of play. Up stepped the youngster, TdM, to fill the void with the new ball and partnered with Thompson to remove three of a talented Bengal top four.
Bilal arrived 60 mins late, but strode onto the Southbank turf to take up the cherry, bowl tight, and give control to one end - whilst Troja bowled at the other. Leg spin is a difficult art, and it can sometimes take artists a bit of time to settle – but boy when they do… zipp, dipp and fizz. Troj and Bilal saw through the middle overs, taking four between them on the way.
Debutant Anupam, CPitch and EK finished off proceedings. Oppo removed for a below par 185. Just the five dropped catches this week. Solid.
In reply, devolved nation love dragon led the canter to 186 for victory with a precise 63, ducking and diving to earn his team as many wides as possible whilst mopping up the bad ball (and around four litres of sweat) as he went. He was ably supported by Bosh, Ali (on debut), and TdM, an all run four with the latter a particular highlight for the beer swilling umpires. Klav and Pitcher then went on to knock off the winning runs in style as VCC eased home with overs to spare.
Morgs, who currently only has half a liver, was then rewarded for his efforts by being left alone at the ground by his teammates who had left for the pub. Much booze and discussion about love followed before Villagers went home one by one to prepare for tour.
