In a rain-affected match, cut down to 24 overs a side when bad weather interrupted our innings, we had the most breath-taking finish you could imagine. Chiswick Sports Ground is very nicely laid out. The pitch was good, although a long way from the scorers, but we entered the match with confidence. We also had another new player for us. Alan Shiel, who had come along to a net or two, joined us for the first time, and was made welcome by all.
Our captain Bielby was playing for the opposition, so into his shoes stepped debut skipper Stockinger. Batting first, poor Stockinger continued his run of bad luck by skying a shot into the air in the second over. It did not appear as if the man at mid-off had positioned himself right, but in the end held a magnificent catch to send Stockinger back on 4. Whitmore joined Camberwell at the crease, and between them they moved the score along well, putting on a partnership of 85. Whitmore took just 45 minutes, and 42 deliveries to reach his 50, which contained eight fours. However, he was caught at square-leg on 53 by Bielby. Hardisty entered the fray, but it was Camberwell who perished next. He had also hit eight fours and looked on for a fifty himself, before he skied a shot into the air, and their wicket-keeper came round to take the catch. Out for 44, but nice to get some decent runs on the board. By now the rain had started to drizzle constantly. Mendis (5 not out) and Hardisty (8 not out) eventually had no choice but to come in for shelter. An early tea was taken and there was much discussion about what would happen. The clouds did clear however, and after a captains' huddle, Bielby announced that he had declared on 138-3 off 24 overs, and the opposition would get the same number of overs to see if we could get a match result.
We had entered the game with a stronger batting line-up. However, once again our bowlers performed magnificently. Curtis and Fawaz opened up. It was not easy at all, especially without sawdust, but both were controlled, and Curtis was very unlucky to end up with 0-20 from his five overs. Fawaz too bowled tightly and the run rate was quickly rising. It took a good bowling change from captain Stockinger to change the game. On came Mendis and he bowled their opener for 25 with the score on 49. Fawaz (2-32) then also broke the stumps of their number three batsman when he had reached 5. Newton-Sawyerr (1-20) came on for three overs. Their number four had a waft, getting a hard edge that flew to Mendis at fly-slip. Their other opener had batted well reaching 38 before he was sent back to the pavilion with his stumps broken by Mendis. IT was 92-4.
Bielby and Brooks then brought the F&C Office close to victory. Poor Pullens took the main brunt from his two overs, going for 24 runs. It came to the last over. Fawaz to bowl. Three runs needed. F&C with only four wickets down. Then came the miracle.
First ball - Fawaz bowled their number 5 on 20. Second ball - dot. Third ball, their number 7 run out for 0. Fourth ball, Bielby (18) run out going for a second run. Fifth ball, their number eight run out. Yes - a hat-trick of run outs in the last over. The last ball was a dot. We had won. You had to be there to believe it. It was a great bit of bowling by Fawaz - his best over for Grace’s.