Denham V Chalfont St Giles

League Cup Second Round, 6 June 2005

The beast   

Beauty

Beauty and the Beast

The second round of the cup was far more exciting than the first round win over Cookham. This time, Harish was there, as were many other supporters for both sides, who would have paid to have watched if Bill Nicholas had thought about charging an entrance fee.

His son, James, again won the toss and inserted the opposition, Chalfont St Giles, into bat, after the tactic had worked so well in the first round.

The Denham bowling and fielding was altogether good and all 10 St.Giles wickets were taken, for a score of 143 (off their 15 8-ball overs). All four bowlers performed admirably, but all met their match against the St.Giles opener, who was big and tall and smashed 92 not out. The other 10 batsmen were far too iconoclastic, and all succumbed to hitting out when in actual fact a more measured approach was required. This lesson was well learnt by the Denham batsmen in reply. Dave Hales mocked the tail enders by finishing the innings off with a superb hat-trick. Well done Dave.

The light was fading but Denham were eager to reply. After the unfortunate early losses of in-form Hazell and skipper Nicholas, Russell “The Ferret” Bowry nurdled and Jo “The Body” O’Hara blasted an 89 run-partnership that took Denham to within an inch of victory. It was like watching Beauty and the Beast. With the Beast succumbing to a slower ball, after some of the most enormous hitting seen at Cheapside Lane, Beauty, amongst others, also fell before the final runs were scored. It looked as if Denham had bottled it.

But then, with 7 runs needed of 5 balls for victory with 4 wickets remaining, Bobby Dix delivered the telling blow. A absolute belter of a six over mid-off’s disbelieving head was struck and the Bugel was sounded for victory! The scores were tied and Denham could not lose. Ken Knowlson should have ended proceedings but instead Dix was allowed to wallop one more four to secure a place in the next round.

Thanks to those who supported and umpired on a memorable occasion.