Tong v Garforth PC 'A' Match Report (by Karl Banks)

With the hot sun beating down and 22 guys waiting to fight it off in gladiatorial style for the points put on offer, the players took to the field with purposeful intent……meanwhile at Tong C C the day began with a playful paint fight between Nick and the returning Duncan (Scooby) Hawkins. This set the tone for what was going to be an excellent team performance. As the gloss was washed from our captain and the crufts 2008 winner, the opposing team arrived. They must have thought they were in for an easy day, two players covered in paint (resembling a children’s painting session) and Graeme and Karl scratching their heads at the complexity of the mower in the middle.

Nick (now clean but with an overpowering smells of turps) strode out and straight back with the news that Tong had won the toss and were going to bat first (continuing to prove he is Tong's best tosser). The intention was to give Garforth a hard time in the field on a sweltering day for 44 overs.

Without regular batsman Nad missing with a bad back (reasons not given by the afor mentioned player), the start was encouraging with the openers Nick and Khuram getting Tong of to the start that was only matched to the weather. BLISTERING. Nick began by slashing his 3rd ball for 4 but settled very quickly after that. Khuram took a rather more careful approach but very quickly and accurately got into his game.

With a friendly opening 10 over being bowled Tong had moved onto 81 for 0. In the pavilion Martin and Graeme were quietly seething over their decisions to drop down the batting order, when from nowhere Nick unfortunately played an upish cover drive and was caught. The bat could be heard from miles away being thrown to the ground in the dressing room as a 50 came just 6 runs short. With Khuram now into his stride and Graeme holding up the other end the pace of the game slowed a little but Tong kept up the high run rate with consistent boundaries being made.

Pictures Right to left to right: Nick drives into the covers, Martin cuts an imperious 4, the guys enjoy the weather.

After Graeme fell, Vice Captain Martin took to the crease with the intent of playing a steady consistent innings. This he did with a confident and well built (not just his figure) 41. Kuram had reached his half century with an imperious drive for 4 which was met with applause of approval from the Tong pavilion. When out after reaching 68(Khuram), Moazam walked to the crease with 21 overs to go, and the instruction to pace the innings. Lucky he decided to play his own way and caned another 50 for a tong player in the innings. His stroke play was fantastic and his running between the wickets intelligent, much to the dismay of Mr Sellars at the other end as temperatures soared on the outfield, the quick single is even less so his favorite term in cricket. After that players came in with 10 overs to go and gave it a real shot at making the score an impossible target. Adam (mad dog) played himself in and with his second ball smashed the bowler over his head for 6. Then again, and again. However came unstuck on 25 again. Haseeb came to the crease and exacted the same punishment on the bowler for six but was stumped by what is commonly known as a country mile. A great cameo though which enabled his one eyebrow to be raised with delight. With Scooby and John Dey taking the total to 311 for 8 the innings came to a close.

After a huddled chat from Captain Nick, Tong strode out to what they hoped would have been a short burst in the outfield. With Mad Dog bowling at full tilt and the outfield placed so an easy chase couldn’t be had Tong set about their job. Adam’s opening spell was near impossible to play and John Dey’s accuracy was encouraging some rash shots from the Garforth openers. After several unsuccessful LBW appeals (two of which were as dodgy decisions as Abraham Lincolns decision to go to the theatre on that fateful evening) Tong were begining to wonder where the first wicket was coming from.

Adam’s consistency was rewarded finally when he sent the openers middle stump rocking back. Now Tong were on their way. Chances came, Hasseb leapt like a salmon to try and take one at slip but unfortunately couldn’t hold on. It would have been a superb catch. Masood came on first change and the tight bowling continued. Duncan (who bounded in like an excited puppy) provided enough problems for the Garforth players not to get away and was rewarded by picking up 2 wickets the second of which was a beauty. With the players continually supporting each other Adam picked up his second wicket with the ball of the day. The feilding effort was fantastic. Karl, Moazam and the roadside kerb combined to try and stop one of the boundries, and special mention goes to Martins fantastic new 'knee drop' technique of fielding which caused Duncan to bark with delight everytime it was used. Nick was more than solid behind the stumps and the fielders chased down every ball as if they only had 100 runs to defend.

Moazam Chipped in with 2 wickets. One catch from Massoud at long on meant that he had to twist and contort his body in way a snake charmer would have been proud to hold on.

The game came to a steady conclusion with Garforth reaching 176 for 6 from the 44 overs. A post match huddle showed the team spirit that has engulfed the 11 players throughout the day, and the 28 points earned was a welcome end to a hard fought victory. Next week the cup against Caribbean……the same showing again will ensure a great game will follow (Tin hats on everybody)…….