A narrow defeat at the hands of London Fields CC is the unfortunate answer to that tagline. Although some patrons were hit by a ball here and there, the thing that was hurting the most, was our hearts.

I was joined by a top notch bunch of guys (most who had had a full night sleep) on Sunday morning in a picturesque London fields.
There were people absolutely everywhere, scattered all over the ground too - It was great being the away opposition, knowing we would not have to deal with that. Anyway, onto the game..

I was fortunate enough to be Captaining this wonderfully good looking and capable team and also fortunate enough to win the toss and, much to the dismay of the opposition captain, select to bat.

The traditionalists from the club (i.e. Liam Gray) had been in my ear in the lead up encouraging (or forcing) me to open the batting and bowling as it would likely be the last time I take the field for this great club in a Friendly XI, to which I was very much against but ended up doing so anyway. That meant at 12.30pm, I was walking out to the middle with club legend and close friend, Steve Britto. Unfortunately I was watching Steve from the sidelines at approximately 12.34pm after skying one to mid off. Live and learn.

That brought Andrew Cosgrove to the crease and both him and Steve set out to establish our innings. These two were looking in fine touch, both timing the ball very well and receiving the full value for their shots on the lightning quick outfield. Steve raced to 28 before being run out returning for a second, which was also the second time he'd been run out that weekend - Ouch!

Was anyone wondering who I was referring to when I earlier mentioned that 'most who had had a full night sleep'?. Well I was referring to the next batsman in, Sean McGurn, who may have seemed a little worse for wear on the surface, but this didn't impact him from doing what he does best, scoring bulk runs!
Cozzie unfortunately departed LBW, for a well compiled 20 which allowed Freddie Mills to stride the crease. A very worrying prospect for the onlookers who weren't exactly looking at the game. Freddie would go on to smash 45 off 24 including 5 maximums which caused the anxiety of all of us to reach peak levels when we were constantly having to scream "HEADS" and hoping that no one was sconned - Thankfully the bowlers ego's were the only things negatively impacted from this.

But look, the batting innings was all about one man. He required 55 runs at the start of the day to reach the incredible figure of 1000 runs for the season. Sean McGurn would do this with ease, hitting the ball to all parts and reaching that milestone (duly celebrating too) on his way to 79 (off 70 balls). Congratulations Seany boy, what a flipping achievement!!!

Our batting innings would conclude after the agreed upon 35 overs, 249/9 - A very defendable target, but also a very gettable target on a track like that. We knew we had our work cut out for us after tea.

It couldn't have started better, a wicket to myself on the 3rd ball due to a fine catch by Cozzie in gully.
Damon Greeney opened up from the other end, bowling in the metronomic style we all know and love, however wickets were avoiding us. At our first drinks break (12 overs), LF were approx. 85/1. We knew we had to take our chances and we knew if we were patient, then things could change.
This is exactly what occurred when Tom Elmslie and Hari Vignesh were introduced into the attack. The former bowled exceptionally well and definitely the best I have seen him bowl, returning figures of 2/32 off his 7 overs, which was incredible for a spinner given the dimensions of the ground. He also removed set bastman. Well bowled Elmo.
Viki came to the party also, bowling consistently well and was able to get 2 wickets (1 bowled and 1 caught behind) in an over which really had LF on the back foot. 5 down at this stage and still with plenty to get.

Mo Khan and Carlos Viberg were introduced in the attack and both bowled well. Mo would pick up a wicket, well taken at mid wicket by Sean and Carlos received reward for effort, having the opportunity to bowl for a hattrick after picking up 2 scalps on the trot. Unfortunately the hattrick would not occur, but I am sure he will have plenty more of those opportunities if he keeps bowling the way he is bowling, it's a pleasure to watch.

Unfortunately LF would go on to have a crucial 9th wicket partnership, seemingly hitting the ball to all parts and finding the boundary more often than not.
I'll now set the scene - There were 2 overs to go. London Fields required 5 runs to win with 1 wicket in hand. The Great Damon Greeney was reintroduced into the attack and what an over he produced! Not only did he go for a miserly 3 runs from it, he also removed the well in batsman with a dead plumb LBW. Were we going to snatch this one back? Damon finished his superb over, a real clutch moment leaving myself with 2 runs to play with and 1 wicket in hand.
It was not to be however. Skipper Drew bowled a waist high full toss (was below the waist) first ball and then conceded a run not long after, meaning London Fields had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Well done to them.. %$#*ks

All in all, a great day out was had and it was a bloody good effort to get as close as we did.

Love you all.

Match report produced by Drew Withers