Overcast conditions greeted a Buccaneers team reduced to 10 due to the late withdrawal of a key player. Electing to field, Richard Manyon (increasingly resembling Angus Fraser) had the Reigate openers hopping with some steep bounce, resulting in the early wicket of Janardanan – gloved through to the keeper.
Fraser (Manyon) threatened repeatedly to take more wickets on a sporty deck, when disaster struck, and he had to limp off with a tweaked ‘hammie’ in his eighth over. Further hampered by less economical bowling from the returning Andrews, the Chakravarti Brothers (joint skippers on the day and not a Bollywood comedy act) were left searching for options. This came in the form of surprise package Navneet Kokri who captured two wickets with testing and accurate bowling. Combined with steady spells from the experienced pair of Jeremy Milne and the Richard Ul-Hack ensured that the Buccs retired pleasantly for lunch with the honours even at 89 for 3 off 29 overs.
Resuming after the break, the wily Simon Woolfries produced an impressive spell to wrest control of the game momentarily the Buccs’ way (with figures of 4-55). However with the Buccs in the ascendency at 130 for 5, enter Guy “The Gorilla or Flintoff” Mitchell. Aided by a couple of dropped catches, he produced some lusty blows – narrowly missing the trampoline in the neighbouring garden. His dismissal for a very quick 60 signalled the declaration.
Set a challenging 213 for victory on a still sporty wicket, the Buccs got off to a nerve-reducing start with James Stringer, 27, and Shane Andrews, 30, producing a solid opening stand of 65. However, they fell in quick succession and faced with a rising asking rate, Naveen who scored 5, quickly followed. When Jeremy departed for a stylish 23, Muktesh Ghatak joined Sujay “The Wall” Chakravarti in the middle with 111 still required off a reasonable 16 overs. However with only two “fit” batsman to follow, the pair decided to pull down the shutters, appropriately for Sunday trading. A dour (I think Subir must have written this – Ed.) 63 run unbeaten partnership – with Ghatak contributing the few bright spots when he lashed Mitchell several times over midwicket – followed, with the Buccs ending on a commendable but ultimately disappointing 162 for 5. Once again Mitchell was the difference between the sides. Any chance of a pedalo the night before next year?
Scorecard
Reigate Pilgrims
S Burgess c Sujay Chakravarti b N Kokri 25
R Janardanan c Sujay Chakravarti b R Manyon 4
P Sakia c Subir Chakravarti b S Woolfries 39
R Burnside c Subir Chakravarti b N Kokri 5
S Hawkins c Sujay Chakravarti b S Woolfries 42
D Kanagarajah lbw S Woolfries 1
G Mitchell c N Kokri b S Woolfries 60
M Nichols not out 13
Fall of Wickets
1-12, 2-62, 3-85, 4-122, 5-130, 6-162, 7-212.
Total 212-7 wickets off 55.1 overs
Bowling
R Manyon 7.2-0-24-1
S Andrews 5-0-23-0
R Gwynn 9-3-32-0
N Kokri 8.4-0-51-2
J Milne 13-4-26-0
S Woolfries 12.1-1-55-4
Buccaneers
J Stringer c Burgess b Arnold 27
S Andrews b P Sakia 30
J Milne c P Sakia b Janardanan 23
N Kokri c Janardanan b Burgess 5
Sujay Chakravarti not out 30
M Ghatak not out 30
Fall of Wickets
1-65, 2-67, 3-88, 4-102
Total 165-4 off 49 overs
Bowling
M Wood 8-2-24-0
P Periasogmy 5-0-18-0
G Mitchell 11-3-25-0
P Sakia 9-1-28-1
G Arnold 6-1-15-1
R Janardanan 4-0-15-1
S Hawkins 4-0-23-1
R Burnside 2-0-7-0