Tong v Notton Match Report (by James Mullaney)

A glorious week of rain and low temperatures preceded this encounter with Notton (sponsored by Kestral for a Knave Studios). This set up what initially looked to be a track which appeared to have less life in it than a tramps vest. Your typical pace bowlers paradise then at Tong’s postage stamp stadium! At the time of this match report going to press due to a late entry into the media centre of the stadium I am unaware of the result of the toss and therefore whether the skipper had decided to make first use of concrete like track. Coincidently Mullaney looked to be short of warm up as well with a 1:58pm arrival………… thankfully the rest of the Tong side had arrived early enough to be out on the pitch at that time.

Minnett started proceedings from the car park end and did his best to extract what he could from the pitch in a 6 over spell; bowling with decent pace on what was yes you guessed it a slow and lifeless pitch. Mullaney did his best to provide control from the hedge end and Irish jigged his way in with gusto, but failed to make early inroads into the Notton batting line up as opening batsman Lawson used up a few of his customary nine lives with a few miss timed shots that went aerial. At this moment the journalists in the media centre wondered whether this was going to be another long day in the field for Tong against this Notton outfit. That question was answered by his Lordship AKA Blandford Hawkins who started a spell of accurate bowling from the car park end at the 13 th over point in the innings and began to restrict Notton’s run rate and ask one or two questions of the two opening batsmen.

At this point with Tong still without a breakthrough the skipper played a masterstroke with a textbook word in the ear to Mullaney along the lines of have one more over and if nothing happens your coming off which worked to great effect by producing 2 edges in his next over, the 2 nd of which was well taken by the Tong keeper. Initially this wicket appeared to have exposed the tail in Notton’s long batting line up which Blandford wasted no time in cashing in on with 2 quick wickets thanks to some nice bowling and a catch off Mullaney’s bowling to leave Notton with 4 back in the hutch. Unfortunately for Tong at this point a stray batsmen came in at number 7 for Notton hitting a few timely boundaries for their cause and in the process halting the proceedings for the Tongans bowling attack. A few overs later Mullaney appeared to have struck producing an edge from Lawson that was taken by Sowerby behind the stumps and reportedly heard in Lancashire. Lawson disagreed though and claimed not to have noticed or heard it and the umpire apparently believed him…… OK then!

Notton's recovery which appeared to be gaining momentum was crucially cut short by DBH who struck the edge of Lawson’s bat and was taken by the skipper who was having a tidy game behind the stumps. This wicket was to prove to be the breakthrough for Hawkin’s and Day who had come on at the hedge end as Tong dismissed the Notton batting line up for a total of 177 with Notton’s number 7 stranded on 47 after getting away with swinging the bat like a visually impaired lumber jack throughout the course of his innings.

So a decent bowling performance from Tong on a pitch which typically offered nothing to the bowlers. Mabye Notton had rode their luck somewhat and got 30 or 40 more than they should have but nonetheless 177 was an achievable target on this wicket.

After a delightful array of sandwiches provided by Lord Blandfords kitchen staff were devoured during the interval Tong set about chasing down the 177 runs that stood between them and victory. Masood going in at the top of the order showed some aggressive intent and raced to 10 not out before the big man was dismissed early in the piece. The skipper who had also raced to 16 looking comfortable in the process fell to a pitched up delivery by playing round a ‘straight un’. Enter ‘Mad Dog’ Minnett. Typically the usual advice was given as he strode to the crease, ‘plenty of overs left’, ‘Take your time’, ‘Wait for the bad ball’ etc. Adam had obviously listened as he crashed 3 fours in not many deliveries but that was not to last long as he fell for only 14 runs. This left Tong a fair distance away from the 177 required.

Cue a repeat of the double act from the battle of Roundhay Park that is a complete contrast in batting styles. Of course this could only be Martin and Moazam. Martin, watchful at on end and always looking for the quick single worked his way to 33 including 5 fours and a six providing good support for Moazam who was his typically aggressive self with the bat (He always seems to be in a rush to get matches finished!) crashing the ball to the boundary on numerous occasions to make a quick fire 42. After Moazam departed Graham came and went for 2 and Tong still had work to do to reach their target.

Enter Hassib ‘I thrive on the pressure blood innit’ who played a timely nock of 36 as Tong raced towards Notton’s total. With James and Duncan about to get changed and depart to the Greyhound wickets tumbled and the teams two undefeated batsmen strode out to finish the job with Blandford finishing on 8 and James on 1 who played a stylish leave to a wide delivery to seal a good victory and another good team performance.

So another 28 points were added to Tongs league total thanks to a team performance in which valuable contributions from many. A special mention should go to Duncan for his spell of accurate bowling that was to bring 6 wickets with it and surely take him a step closer to the title of seasons top wicket taker. We shall see as Netherton A await Tong in the next game with only 7 games left to go give or take the odd postponement.