Match Report

Middleton Stoney and The Law Society battled to an honourable draw on a rare grey showery day in an otherwise spectacularly hot and sunny summer.

This fixture is one of the oldest in our calendar and in the last ten years, the Law Society have held the balance of power so there was some trepidation when Matt lost the toss and Middleton were asked to bat. Rumours had abounded during the week of a Cambridge blue fast bowler ready to wreak havoc but this was quelled by our very own spy in the Law Society camp, Richard Lumb who dismissed the rumours and had volunteered to umpire on our behalf.

Anirudh Sharma and Mark Ford-Langstaff opened the batting. Both hit three fours and a single in a pugnacious opening few overs. Mark channelled his boyhood hero Robin Smith into a square cut hit with such ferocity towards the oak tree that it burst through the boundary fielder and disappeared into the bushes. Ani smashed one back over the bowler’s head. Both were relishing the extra pace of O’Donoghue but were more circumspect when facing the experienced wily long-time visitor to Middleton Park, Henderson. Mark managed to miss a straight one when trying to cart the latter over mid-wicket. Ani ran himself out. Middleton 28 for 2.

Matt Dipple promoted to the unusual height of No.3 lasted two balls. Sam Norley at four managed a single. Henderson got his second, O’Donoghue his first and Middleton were on the brink at 30 for 4.

Jay Mumtaz at number 5 looked in good form, surviving several comments from the watching Middleton players to that effect. Jamie Lumb joined him briefly before a muscle injury forced him to retire early and make his way home. Next in, Ahmed, the scorer of two hundreds this year and one of the previous week’s Friendly Cup winning team would surely provide the runs we have come to expect. Not today – out for 2 caught behind from the ever willing Henderson. Matt Carpenter, well used to insuring against sinking sinks would need to play a captain’s innings. Torpedoed for 2.

Jay was playing a different game to the rest of us as boundaries flowed and he moved towards a well-constructed 50. Tim House, batting down the order at No.9, rose to the occasion and was a willing partner. Not at his fluent best but digging in for the team and valuing his wicket more than his colleagues had managed. It was a surprise when he was out, but Shaan replaced him and continued the fine rearguard effort. Both made 19 valuable runs each and respectability was looking more likely. Talk of a century clearly undermined Jay as he fell for 88, miscuing as he strode to get there before tea. Hamid swung and missed to entertaining effect at No.11 finishing 2 not out and Middleton reached tea 183/9. Better than expected thanks mainly to Jay whose innings was his best of the season. Stats fans will enjoy the fact that c. 75% of his runs came from boundaries.

Jay had replaced the injured Matt Bazeley in the team, but Matt’s contribution was almost as valuable. His succulent tea included an enormous chocolate cake. Delicious, albeit poor preparation for the side next to field. Some of the more agile Law Society fielders were sporting muddy trousers following some persistent drizzle. Groundsman Paul Wordsworth, not playing today, had been asked earlier via text if there was any sawdust knocking around. There wasn’t but, he was kind enough to go out and find some. This earnt him instant selection and he came into the side to replace Jamie. Non-playing members helping out like this are always much appreciated so thank you to both and also to Richard for umpiring.

In fast deteriorating light, father and son combo Hamid and Ahmed opened the bowling. The Law Society made a watchful start but it was the bowlers who came out on top. Ahmed nicked off one opener, Matt Carpenter taking the chance behind the stumps. However, the moment of the day arrived minutes later when a rare poor ball from Hamid was smashed behind square at a pace reminiscent of an AI’s confidence outrunning its accuracy. Unfortunately for the batsman, Tim was in the way – dodgy finger and all. His cry of pain was quickly replaced with a smile as he realised the catch he had taken was not only outstanding but had removed a batsman of renown. 

Hamid and Ahmed took two more quick wickets and in a mirror image of Middleton’s innings, the Law Society were four down for not very many. Matt Adams, a classy player in a David Goweresque sun hat, and Dan Cartledge went about rebuilding the reply. Dan is great to watch but even better to listen to as he talks to himself constantly, castigating himself with an impressive lexicon and berating himself every time he misses the ball. We enjoyed it very much in the slips. Dan and Matt combined to build a partnership worth 50+, tilting the game back in their favour. Dan had survived an outstanding first three balls from Ahmed – a yorker and two seamers that somehow missed the edge..  Tight bowling like this ensured the required run rate remained above six an over and the pressure to score was starting to tell. 

Dan was undone by a change in the bowling, Shaan inducing a catch (well taken by Sam Norley) at mid-off. Matt Dipple had bowled well for little reward before Matt Adams drove at a wider delivery that found the edge and Matt Carpenter pouched it matter-of-factly. Tim continued his good day out taking two quick wickets and reducing the Law Society to 106 for 8.  At this point the shutters came down as skipper Rob Henderson and stalwart Richard O’Hagen survived 53 balls for the addition of just 8 runs to cling on to a well-fought draw. The Law Society closed on 114 for 8.

This was one of the most enjoyable days of cricket we’ve had this year, despite the weather. Both teams brought skill and sportsmanship. Jay provided the swagger.

Mark Ford-Langstaff