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Sunday 01 June 2008

Match Report

Saracens: 185 - 7
The Lord's Taverners: 178 - 9

Result: Saracens won by 7 runs

The Lord's Taverners XI Innings Scorecard - click here

Saracens Innings Scorecard - click here

This was my first experience of being match manager and for the most part it was a fairly stress-free role - until I had to find twelve fit players! I thought I’d managed this until the Saturday night.  Then the phone rang; Lloyd Scott, who has put his body through hell in a good cause, said he couldn’t walk but would still turn out if only to support the team.  On arrival at the ground, the first person to greet me was J K Lever. “Sorry Smithy, don’t think I’ll last the day!” Panic set in at that moment – only ten players! Second to greet me was Clive Radley. “Sorry Smithy, the back’s not good today! How many have you got? I could do without it!” This was madness – only nine!

Over another excellent lunch, I realised that Charlie Dale wasn’t about so we didn’t have a keeper. It was getting worse! Charlie had got his dates wrong and was really sorry to have missed out on the day. However, with a glass or two of red inside the wounded, we took to the field with Lloyd Scott even managing to put on his whites and the untested John Feaver behind the stumps.

Ian Hutchinson, once of Middlesex, and the new Sarries Head Coach Eddie Jones opened up and Hutch was soon in full stride. Despite not scoring, Eddie showed that he’d played a bit in his time, though he did admit it had been a while! Marcus Buckland was the beneficiary of a rare LBW decision.

Hutchinson and O’Brien, 40 for the 3rd wicket until the guile of Frazer Hines did for Hutch by luring him into a false shot. Spin seemed to be the way forward on a drying wicket and JK bowled some teasing left-arm round. Spin seemed to be giving the LT’s the upper hand, that was until Taine Randell, who has proved to be a thorn in the Taverners side previously, came in and played some excellent shots reaching 50 off just 41 balls. This enabled the hosts to post a formidable 185 on a drying pitch.

LT got off to a solid start with the stylish left-handed Lloyd Scott and Warwickshire’s young batsman, Luke Parker, putting on 52, not too many quick singles, Lloyd fighting back the pain to lead the run chance.

On the ever drying pitch, Ian Hutchinson’s slow medium pace was proving to be very difficult to get away and he picked up two key wickets. From 80-5 we got ourselves in a strong position at 125-5. However, two quick wickets proved decisive, the second, N Smith, run out by Marcus Buckland, possibly being the crucial moment in the run chase. Thanks Marcus!

All looked lost until Kevin Sorrell was entrusted with the final over and he managed to tease Messrs Lever and Munton into thinking a win was still possible right until the penultimate ball.

Many thanks to all The Lord’s Taverners players and umpires for the efforts on the day and of course to Nigel Wray for his generosity in hosting yet another fabulous day!

Neil Smith

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