September 7th 2024: OC’s 1st XI (h) vs Southgate Compton 1st XI
Congratulations to the Old Cholmeleians 1st XI who have been promoted to DIVISION SEVEN EAST OF THE SARACENS HERTFORDSHIRE PREMIER CRICKET LEAGUE. Yes, you read that right. Promotion. A novel concept for any OCs under the age of 50. And a relief for the staff of Kipling’s, with booking for a celebration dinner secured well ahead of any victory.
Before describing how things unfurled in the 10th unbeaten game on the trot, in what has been described by some as “the miracle at Hendon Wood Lane”, let’s travel back not that far in time to 29th June where, sitting comfortably at the bottom of the table, the 1s had won just one of their first 8 games going into the first Little Berkhamstead fixture. We need no reminding of what happened there, in what retrospectively was the turning point you have to say.
Fast-forward to yesterday then, and underneath a blanket of grey, contender for player of the season Joe McCormick got things underway with Pranav, signalling their intent early on by each playing expansive edges over a packed slip cordon, the ball hooping around in the early overs. Joe looked to have Alex Thomas’s (WG 2010) 103* in his sights before nicking off for 17, setting up a quick start with Pranav, who batted with composure for his 35, as they got the OCs to 64-3 off 15. The middle order toiled, fighting against a turgid outfield, with contributions from Eddie Tse (10), Magnus Pierre (14) and Jamie Sperling (12) building a concrete foundation of 95-5 off 31. Cement turned to jelly though as the score wobbled to 98-8 off 34. However, with some quick running between the wickets between the Taylor Twins and Hector Boyce (39), the three of them managed to get the team up to 142 all out.
Something to bowl at but not over yet. Someone be ready to call Kiplings.
Sam Khalique (4-3-2-0) and Eddie Tse bowled with customary attrition, with Southgate Compton to 7-1 off of 8. If the batsmen had planned to see them off and push on after the first change, this proved futile as a fired-up Qandeel came on to take 2 wickets for 7 runs in 4 overs in his first spell (finishing on 5-2-14-2), and the Power Taylor (6-1-15-1) clean bowling their no.4 to put Southgate Compton on 13-4 from 14. With 4 wickets down and bobbing along at a run rate to make John Zani look like a T20 player, it would’ve been easy to take things for granted. With so much on the line though, not one man did, with an exceptionally high-octane fielding display all round. Messrs McCaskill and McCormick could be seen diving and running to all corners, with Sperling taking two sharp catches behind the sticks.
Feeling a few drops and perhaps sensing biblical rains, Sperlo called on Noah. With his old man at the other end, the Taylors ran in two-by-two, and a lovely flighted spell from the younger meant he finished on 6-1-15-1. Now, at 76-8, some might think it was safely in the bag. Eddie decided not to take any risks though as he proceeded to bounce their un-helmeted no.10, who responded by hooking it for 4. Two fielders were promptly sent out. The trap was set as the next ball cannoned into the back pad in front of leg stump, and up the finger went. Eddie’s third of the day, finishing on a blistering 8-3-17-3.
At the other end, the 8th wide of his spell seemed to be the sighter Boyce had been looking for all along as he snaffled the final wicket, finishing on 4.2-0-19-3 and finishing off Southgate Compton for 88. For the statisticians out there, those 8 wides contributed 9.1% of Southgate’s final score.
Hugs and poppadom all-round then for a deserved victory, and an end to a fabulous season with swashbuckling performances aplenty.
Division seven east here we come, and with momentum as the finest 12th man in the industry, your author’s money is humbly on back-to-back promotions. And of course, there will be some doubters out there who will say it’s one thing smashing little Berkhamsted home and away, but how will you fare on a soggy Saturday up at Shenley Village? To those doubters, I would like to quote the late, great Sir Roger Cholmeley, who famously said “nolite praecogitare quid. nos vincere”, which loosely translates as “relax, we got this”.