Summer stroll as Weasels fail to bite

The sun returned for the Saturday of the first double-header (in the event upgraded to a triple-header by the quick thinking of the two Sunday captains) weekend of 2007 when the Weasels came to Kingston, their first visit to Fairfield RG (and possibly the last judging by the comments issued by Jez Owen, who got a parking ticket). The Gents cannot now be overhauled in the 2007 PALs League after proceeding to their highest margin of victory. Nabil Husain's unbeaten 143, only 15 south of Steve Jones's club record, lifted his Gent career average to over 50 and took him clear of Jim Wright with four tons to his name. In a strange game, both sides lost early wickets on a much-improved Kingston wicket, but whereas The Gents were nourished by one century and two fifty partnerships, Weasels collapsed, eventually only exceeding by 3 runs their club record low score, Snelling taking three wickets and Tony Buck his first Gent five-for and running out the unamused captain Gregg Dyer with a direct hit to seal the win.

Quadron Services, though not above sending Mr. Burman a scarcely literate threat of legal action for non-payment of rents, had clearly taken on board his letter about pitch preparation ("We've all seen it and had a laugh about it" said the groundsman), even though the heavy roller had been on loan to LB Lewisham. The wicket was rolled and flat and SP was pleased to take first use of it. Dyer had Buck lbw and bowled Gilkes to get the visitors off to a flier, but this only let in Husain and Chris Wright, one of three West XI guests with Messrs. Bignell (subject of an audacious £20m bid post-match to take the gloves from HP.Here!) and Bender. This was worrying from the logistical point of view so early into the season but at least, unlike the morrow, 11 men were got out. It is worth pointing out here that the late arrangement of a Sunday fixture did not weaken the Saturday team, as nobody swapped from Saturday to Sunday.

The story of a one-sided game is a hard one to write, whether as giver or receiver. Husain (18 fours and 4 sixes), Wright, SP and Young played wonderfully well, NBW bowled generally straight and persevered in the field, though they did adopt some novelty positional configurations. Their problem was that a succession of talented batsmen were all in good nick. After this monster total was posted, Snelling, bowling very fast, and Buck made short work of the second knock, Weasels batting for just 19.2 overs.

One had every sympathy for the Weasels, who in the main took what must have been a disheartening defeat well. Most of them came for a drink, fair play to them. The margin of victory may look great in the record books but left some with a feeling of unease. In 2007, Weasels, with the likes of Michaels and Bishop, have beaten some good sides but seem unable to persuade their chief batters to play against The Gents. Remember, these matches have been Saturday fixtures for many years at the insistence of The Weasels, who argued that they could not raise Sunday sides that would be fit for purpose. Whatever the future solution, tonkings of this margin are no fun for anyone outwith the S&M fraternity.

Here is the view of Weasel Mr. Hurley: "Re Saturday's mismatch, it appears that The Gents have outgrown the sides the Weasels have recently put out. Had NBW batted first, how many Gents would have got a bat? Yet The Weasels cruised to a ten-wicket victory a fortnight ago and beat a very talented Kings side earlier in June by 2 runs. We have in our ranks possibly the most talented squad I have known since my August '96 début and yet we were stuffed by probably a record margin, due to non-availability of batsmen. Despite the proliferation of limited-overs cricket, there is a better world out there."