The Gentlemen of West London

Runs

Sunderland SC

Runs

I’m 62 years old you know

The strongest Sunderland side to play The Gents since 2001 chased down a below-par score on a patchy wicket, the individual highlight of the day being six wickets for the wily medium-pace of veteran Len Baker, who in bowling at the stumps adopted tactics beyond all Gent bowlers bar the captain. It was a curious, unsatisfying game, not helped by an infestation by the pavilion of Surbiton’s finest, electronic tags and all, but one deservedly won by the visitors.

Len shows off his jug next to Steve Bignell's miniature twin brother

“Has there ever been an older Gents team?” mused Mr. Buck in the days preceding the game, mindful of himself, Naish, Hill and Bender being over forty and Bignell and Burman over fifty. Quite possibly not but The Gents revere their veterans and Mr. Bignell was sent in to open with Chairman Gilkes, a tidy stand of 31, the innings’ highest, resulting. The early overs featured Mr. Bignell’s 1,000 club runs, achieved with a super lofted drive shortly before holing out to Trow, the first of Baker’s six wickets. A Hemin duck, the first of four in the innings, came off a full toss but old Baker was well away by now. Neepam had a blast while, in their contrasting ways, Hill and Bender batted sensibly and the overs were used up, 141 for 8, top score going to Sanjay, who batted with great maturity and elan. It was thirty runs below par on a wicket described by Mr. Gilkes as the worst he had ever played on, but with the usual lightning outfield, so there was no respite for the fielders once the ball was past them. Sunderland were reinforced by new recruit Jones, a former professional goalkeeper with Amazulu in RSA, behind the timbers. He took three sensational catches, including the likely looking Neepam.

In draining heat, Sunderland did what they had to do in their reply. There were steady knocks from Stewart, Howie and Hardy and an unflattering number of extras, mostly byes concealed by Colin Naish off wayward leg-side bowling about which he could do very little. Sunderland may, according to the myth and legend on the circuit, never give lbw’s but they were certainly generous with the wides here. Most of the bowling, SP apart, was ordinary though Hemin got the odd one to rip and he deserved Stewart’s wicket. The fielding was fair but only one catch stuck, a rebound off Mr. Buck into the safe hands of Mr. Gilkes.

Sunderland had five overs in hand when they strode to victory with two good batsmen to come. Credit them for overcoming recent logistical difficulties and, unlike 12AM, taking this fixture seriously enough to put out a side. Thanks to the guests who helped out, including four Beggars and former members Dimond and Naish, both on top form during and after the game.

Meanwhile, this was probably the day The Gents waved goodbye to VRG after a relationship that has lasted for 16 years. At first passionate and loving, it became increasingly platonic and now, sadly, bitter. All day the Surbiton untermensch inflicted themselves on the cricketers, attempting a deranged, obscene parody of a barbecue, strewing good food about and insulting passers by. The Roman military punishment of decimation, taking one in ten of these scrotes out and executing them as a tough but fair lesson to others, would have been bang on but it was just too hot. Instead, let us celebrate the best oppo bowling returns against us: