4th 'Academy' XI vs Highgate

Saturday, 12th July 2003 - League

Conroy Antics In Vain As Always

The North London derby against Highgate had taken us over to Winchmore Hill to play the game on neutral grounds to avoid supporters not missing out and give the game some atmosphere.

Victory last week over Polytechnic had given some confidence to certain players and the notion was that we could carry this form into the game against Highgate even though they were going to provide better opposition. But, being 4^th eleven cricket and all meant that the certain players in question were not available for one way or another – knowing that we had a weak bowling attack, ideally, batting second would have given us a better chance for victory, but it was a sweltering hot day and the wicket was a bit too much of a belter to turn down.

Therefore, it was a good toss to lose, which I duly did and Highgate decided to invite us to bat.

The general ethics in cricket is to send your strongest batsman out to bat first. You cannot do this in 4^th XI cricket, as all will be explained. It was no surprise then that North found themselves 64 – 4 halfway through the 52 overs maximum. Reno Hintzen was out second ball of the innings (no surprise there), Andy Bennett (hope all is being explained) fell soon after cheaply and Mike Lamin did his usual huffing and puffing – connecting with a couple and not connecting with a couple, eventually falling for 13. The only person who had shown any resistance was Waddy Gedroyce. Opening up, he did all the simple things well and brought about a bit of impetus along with the centurion to be, Lorson Conroy. They gradually dug us out of an ever growing hole we were slipping into – unfortunately Waddy fell to a ball that leaped up to him and just tickled his bat when he attempted a pull short.

Things were looking grim as the Chairman entered the playing arena. But with some caution and careful accumulation North London began to get themselves back into the game, bringing about ‘ratty’ and irritable responses from the aging Highgate team which was highly amusing as always. When both batsman were seeing the ball well the Highgate old boys were made to chase all over the park as boundaries were not as easy to come by, despite the fast outfield. Eventually, the Chairman fell for 38 – it was a case of ‘I can’t run anymore, please get me out’.

Lorson carried on his great work and reached his ton – getting out in then end for 107 after skiing one to mid on. That was Lorson’s third century in about a year. Though his work is always appreciated, every time he gets a ton we lose.

North finished on 213-8 off their 52 overs. After the poor start this recovery gave us something to bowl with, but it was never going to be enough considering how we could have got after them throughout.

In response, though their opener fell early to a leading edge, skiing a dolly to Reno which he nearly dropped – making a rare appearance behind the stumps, Highgate were always in control getting hold of our bowlers from the start, hitting boundaries but also picking up necessary singles along the way. They eventually came out worthy winners by 7 wickets with 5 overs to spare.

Though we had lost we had gained a very useful 11 points and could have been more had Mike Lamin held on to two catches toward the end. There was also time for Dick Holly to go sit under a tree and sulk because he didn’t get to open the innings – Lorson got very chatty towards him which was quite worrying, maybe they were discussing the night Lorson pulled Scants at the Ballrooms.

Report by: Chairman (The)