The league season started for the seconds with the visit of Hendon Edgware to Gunnersbury Park. Captain Marvel won the toss and elected to field. Coxy opened from the “Flyover end” and as usual bowled his traditional good line and length. It wasn’t long before the Hendon Edgware opener decided to take a cheeky single, however he hadn’t counted on the fact that Yorkshire, alias the “black panther”, who had been dreaming of knocking the stumps out of the ground all winter pounced! No sooner had the batsmen cried Yes! No! Oh dear! Or words to that effect the stumps at the bowlers end were shattered! The Black Panther had struck from square leg, what Joy! 0-1 Ploughmans were Ploughing!

Bush man Kevin McEvoy, a late replacement joined the field as did the “Flashing Blade” Lal Patel, who hadn’t realised that the first FA Cup at Wembley for 25 years was being played! And that it takes more than 30 minutes travel time from Stanmore to reach the beautiful picturesque ground of Gunnersbury! (had to say that)

Anyway, Hendon recovered from their early loss and soon a partnership of 66 was established with some sensible  batting. We were fielding well although it was a bit frustrating that the majority of the chances were going over fielder’s heads or just out of reach, but everyone kept their heads up.

Pitching the ball slightly short of a length, leaving the batsman to play forward Coxy’s away swingers were certainly doing the trick as he beat the outside edge with regularity. With the score on 67 Robert took the first of his two wickets with the webmaster Leon Parks catching Ahmed for 41. High fives all round! The Black Panther was still prowling in circles at square leg when Tim Pring, having replaced Coxy ( for a short while) stunned us all by bowling an effective off spin and soon had Shahid extremely well caught at slip by that man from Shepherds Bush McEvoy, who fell gracefully to the ground holding the ball close to his chest. Very smart reflexes Kevin!

The ever improving Will Barros was doing his bit from the other end and bowled well without success. Then Yorkshire handed the umpire his cap and soon had the batsmen thinking with some useful off-spin. Drawing the batsmen into false shots Yorkshire’s experience not only kepted the run rate down but he was unlucky not to claim a few wickets to add to his collection. Yorkshire finished with figures of 13overs 2 maidens 0-52.

The plan of having two spinners on at the same time meant that the batsmen had to have a go at Tim. This resulted in Shahid being bowled by Pring for 26.

At this point Robert came back on and went on to bowl 15 consecutive overs. For a man of his age and disposition this has to be commended (only kidding COXY !)  His experience enabled him to mix his deliveries up a bit and using the slow ball to good effect he bowled Safwan for 16. In celebration Robert was heard to describe this delivery as his best ever slow ball for the club. Oh! The stories he must have told over the years!

The Black Panther was still circling.

Hendon were still batting well and the score moved on to 180 when Sha Hussain with (flowing dark hair that was combed back by the wind)  struck with the first of his two wickets both stumped by Gledhill. Sha finished with 2-15- Pring 3-46. and Barros 2-45.

The oppos innings finished on 215 all out with Man of the Match Captain Marvel Coxy finishing with figures of 17overs, 2 maidens 2-48. Honour! 

After a very nice tea, held in the “multicoloured” Pavilion the innings of the Plough began with a new opening partnership Gledhill & Houchin. We soon had the bowlers worried ------but it didn’t last. Houchin tried to cut a good length delivery and it only went to cover. Lal Patel joined Gledhill and together they put on 24 before Gledhill played back to a good length ball which he played down the wrong line to, off stump removed. The Hendon Edgware bowling was tight, the opening bowler from the “Mansion House End” was a left armer who pitched it short and moved it away well. (next time we will bat a ft outside the crease to compensate) and his opposite number mixed his medium pace up with an off spinner as a slower ball. 

Patel was batting well, with purpose and patience he compiled a very decent innings, driving and cutting and taking nicely timed singles, unfortunately though Lal departed for 29, which as it turned out, was to be the top score of the Ploughmans Innings.

I can only say that the pretty boys from South of the River didn’t shine with the bat as both Parks and Pring returned to the hutch far too easily, as did McEvoy and Barros.

However, as in all the best films and with what appeared certain defeat looming in walked the “Hussain Twins”. Brothers in arms they were not going to be beaten and they and they alone brought the Plough Home. Batting with commendable courage and concentration despite the eagerness of the oppo they played out the remaining 20overs! For a very honourable draw. I commend both these players to the club, Fassel making 15 and Sha 11. Top Knocks!  

103 for 7 at the close.

PG