Figures seldom lie and the fact before the game was, that for every wicket we had lost this season, the opposition had scored double - Fact.

When we posted a very healthy 225 on Sunday, one could be forgiven for thinking that that particular statistic would remain no longer.  Unfortunately, Carshalton passed the total with ease, and, as one could have predicted, they did so for less wickets.  (As I am not in possession of the scorebook I can only go by my memory of the scores so apologies for any wrong stats).

Put in to bat on a blisteringly hot day, the Wanderers innings began in a dreadful way with Graham running himself out without facing a ball and finding himself added to the Dressing Room Ducks League that had been posted up by Monty!  A statistic he will be looking to erase very swiftly I am sure.  After this early loss the entry of David Groves to the fray saw the runs flowing in an ominous way for the visitors.  Sam started slowly but soon picked up the pace, before falling to a catch when nearing his maiden home half century.  Rosie gave solid support as David approached that elusive, but in my mind, inevitable maiden century before a rather lazy heat induced stroke! saw him hole out in the seventies.  Paul Smith, making a welcome appearance, showed he had lost none of his qualities and quickly amassed 30 plus runs.  A blistering cameo from Jamie, including a rocket like six, saw the side to 225.

At tea it was said that if we could not defend 225 we needed shooting! Auditions for the firing squad will begin later this week.  Carshalton were soon in their stride and, despite good line and length bowling from Jamie, they were well up with the required rate: as has been all too familiar this season, it was a case of trying to contain them with spin and medium pace.  This worked for a few overs, pulling them back to just over four an over, but a mid innings spell saw boundaries hit with ever increasing regularity and, quite simply, we were taken to the cleaners.

Despite the increasingly inevitable conclusion to the game it must be said that a number of performances in the field deserved mention.  Patrick had an outstanding game, Sam was solid despite heat sickness causing him to leave the field early and Ian, Graham and Jamie also sweated buckets for the cause.


When doing these match reports it is easy to start throwing in personal opinions that don't always help, so I do try to avoid that.  This time, however, I feel I'd like to add a few personal observations…

This is not the first game where we have seemed to run into an invisible wall when in the field, when we all seem unable to up our game.  Whether it's because we sense defeat and become resigned to it, or are very affected as a unit by the conditions I don't know, but its something we need to look at I'm sure.  I do believe that nowhere near enough fluid was taken on by players during the game.  Luckily I was on the boundary and sunk a load of water and, despite my having the finesse of an ageing rhino, it did help.  We must consider this at Bristol; if the weather is similar, we will suffer if we don't.  Also I would be keen on a net sometime before the game, as I know I need one, and others have said they too would benefit.

Monty