Mad Dogs Bettered by Brute Force

A wicket maiden in the first over of the last match of the season led us to think our initial doom and gloom was perhaps premature and that we'd finish the season on a high note - but it turned out that it was our optimism that was misplaced.

As I walked from the car park with part time Dog Ed "Watto" Watson - assuming he was today playing for us - I mentioned to him that the Northern Force were usually quite a useful side. I double-took when he agreed, "yes we've stacked the side quite heavy this year." I already knew Mad Dog stalwart Tim "TC" Carol was captaining the other side and so now I felt with Watto batting for them too it would certainly be a long day. Then Watto told me that the chap who looked like a cross between WC Grace and Ned Kelly used to play for Kent! Oh good, I thought.

This Mad Dogs side was a bit of a scratch side, to such an extent that there was need for a brief introduction session before the game, where usually there's a small reunion. But just as there were turn-coat Mad Dogs on the other side, we were privileged by a rare appearance by Chan Arambewela, who's devious spin bowling and solid batting we are usually on the wrong side of in Ashes contests. He did bring a much needed touch of class to the day's Dogs' effort.

The Force run rate in the first innings was kept under control for the first few overs following our cracking start, and even WC Grace was dispatched relatively cheaply. But the Force had a healthy middle order and cut loose around the 8th over just as Watto - in his typical Denis Compton style outfit - occupied the crease and as expected hit an aggressive 25.

But after much rain in recent weeks, the outfield was sluggish (and still somewhat damaged after the Dogs' last visit) and our opposition's runs remained limited mainly to singles and twos. Boundaries were a challenge without putting the ball in the air. But some dropped catches by a couple of Gareths (including your's truly, amid some shame and pain) and despite a debut wicket keeper (the late James Riley - in that he was half an hour late I mean!), the Dogs kept the Force to a very manageable 100 after the first 20 overs.

In spite of this advantage, some lethargic Dogs running, not to mention some at times unnerving pace bowling, the Force were soon back on the front foot. The Dogs run rate only kept pace at best - we were only 42 after 10 overs. Fortunately a Pritchard/Garvey partnership followed by Garvey and newcomer Craig Dean took the game to even Stevens at the half way point, the Dogs 4 runs up on 104 in fact. "Game on" the two teams said to each other as they scoffed the lunchtime sausage sizzle.

After lunch, though, the Force raised the stakes significantly. Some early and furious running from the top end (now reversed) put 40 runs on in just 5 overs! The Dogs managed to slow the pace somewhat with excellent bowling from Mssrs Garvey, Craig and Pritchard and a couple of good catches, and were also aided by the retirement of Force majeure Marti. But from early on the damage was done, and done very quickly. By the end of their second innings they were 125 ahead.

Based on the slowness of the wicket we knew we were up against it, but we weren't prepared for what happened next: a classic English batting collapse in the style of Gower et al. After 9 overs dominated by frankly blistering bowling from Mssrs WC Grace and Marti, we were still 80 behind with only 4 wickets left and requiring a run rate of about 9 an over. From then on it was a slow and inevitable humbling. Valiant batting from Chan, in particular, could not stop the rot and Dogs batsmen fell like skittles. I can't even remember what we finished on, but it was no longer relevant. Kudos to the Force, it was a comprehensive thumping.

Photos here, look out for the amusing photo-bomb.

It was a slightly sad ending to an otherwise very successful season which despite a brutal education from the Nondescripts and a mugging at the hands of the Newington Fathers, had seen some brilliant performances and some great results. Regular nets sessions thanks to Keith Saunders and a number of very welcome new recruits (Brendan, Pete, Ant, Luke, Gareth and Craig) mean the Mad Dogs can look forward to a very enjoyable 2014/5 season. Every Dog's focus after the match quickly turned to the always messy Annual Dinner in May. Until next season, Cheers!