1st XI vs North Middlesex
Saturday, 28th June 2003 - League
NLCC
278-7 50overs (Mills 82, Askew 62*)
NMCC
206-6 50overs (Wakeford 4-80)
North
London will not be the only side in Middlesex hoping for a little rain over the
coming weeks. For the fourth week in five their batsmen scored in excess of 200,
but the flat pitches and sunny weather are making life increasingly difficult
for the bowlers. Their opponents on Saturday, North Middlesex certainly found it
hard going in the field before regaining some pride later with the bat.
NLCC’s
daunting total of 278-7 was built around a dominant innings from Pat Mills who
made 82 in even time. Shots all round the wicket were supplemented by
particularly good driving down the ground. Local derbies are generally chirpy
affairs, and the North Middlesex players were fairly vocal at the start of the
North London innings. After the generally mouthy Gareth Davies had picked up a
couple of early wickets, Mills was targeted with some inflamatory remarks.
Quickly enough it was Mills who was being told to calm down as he abused the
bowlers in kind before and after smashing them to the boundary repeatedly.
When
Mills departed Askew took over to boss the final overs. Askew has taken to the
new role of middle order finisher with such aplomb that he has only been
dismissed twice this season. It was another red-inker on Saturday for a very
well organised player. Tom Wakeford played a blinder hitting a rapid 35 to put
North London out of sight.
To
their credit North Middlesex played positively in response. Though always behind
the required rate they continued to play their shots, making life difficult for
the NLCC bowlers. Tom Amedee bowled an exemplary opening spell on the lifeless
pitch, and Ben Wakeford bent his back to extract some life. A rapid fifty from
one of the NMCC middle order damaged Wakeford’s figures but it was an
excellent if erratic display from NLCC’s leading wicket taker.
With
or without that rain over the next few weeks Wakeford looks a contender for
League leading wicket taker and is well on course for 50 wickets.
On
Sunday North London held a hugely successful club day. A colts 7-a-side
tournament was held in the morning, and the men played out a six-a-side festival
in the afternoon. George Thomson won the player of the day award (a pair of
Police sunglasses) for a couple of towering sixes in the final, and much fun was
had by all. 1XI captain Alistair Hart had his first bowl in many years having
‘retired’ after being hit for 34 off his last full over. His heart must have
been in his mouth as his first two deliveries back disappeared over the
boundary, but the break has clearly been good and he has come back twice the
bowler conceding a mere 18.
Report by: I Johns