Following another strong performance in the league, the 1st XI played host to Harrow St Mary’s in the 3rd round of the Middlesex Cup. With some notable absences due to Cricketer Cup commitments, this was a good opportunity for some to make a move on a 1st team place as well as an opportunity for some stalwarts to dust off their whites!
On winning the toss, Fear opted to bat first and in doing so unleashed a brutal opening partnership of Page and Armstrong who got Teddington off to a flyer. Page (26) in particular proved that time away from the game can be helpful in forgetting any technical flaws or bad runs of form that can hamper your ability, by carving the HSM attack to all parts with some blistering strokes and clean hitting. Meanwhile Armstrong (105), not wanting to be outdone, joined the party with some lusty blows of his own and Teddington raced to 50 off the first 6 overs. Sadly, Page’s cameo was brought to an abrupt end by his first piece of mistiming, as he was caught at mid-off. Wade then replaced Fear and normality was restored as a traditional partnership was built as Teddington made their way to 139 before Wade was caught for 37. Unfortunately, a collapse then followed and whilst Armstrong did his best to keep the scoreboard moving (and in doing so reached another well-deserved hundred) Teddington could only muster 206 all out. Certainly a defendable total, but it felt at least 40 runs light after such a promising start.
HSM started well and reached 45 before the fall of the first wicket as Teddington openers leaked boundaries in the first 10 overs. The introduction of Munday stemmed the flow to some extent as he dismissed both openers but HSM kept up with the rate which made it hard for Teddington to maintain any scoreboard pressure. Soni (49) and Al Kazmi (74*) in particular rotated the strike well and were quick to punish any width or discrepancy in length. David Keightley, on his return to the 1st XI, replaced Munday into the wind and picked up a wicket but it wasn’t enough to stop the flow of runs. HSM in the end made reasonably light work of the Teddington attack and reached the target with an over and a half to spare and 6 wickets in hand.
A disappointing loss in a cup where we have had recent success. You can’t win ‘em all perhaps, but it’s much more fun when you do!
Author: James Fear