Hampstead CC vs FCC U11s

June 10th 2022

The big one. Cup semi-final. Can’t wait, this is going to be epic. Most memorable semi-final? Liverpool – Barcelona, 2019 Champions League, is up there, 4-0 Liverpool after being 3-0 down at the Nou Camp. So is Australia – South Africa in the 1999 World Cup, with Allan Donald not moving out of his crease and running out the awesome Lance Klusener with some comedy cricket. But it has to be Manchester United – Arsenal, FA Cup, 1999. A United win of course, en route to the treble, and Ryan Giggs’ celebration. Timeless. And shirtless. But this is going to be better…I wonder who’s going to run shirtless round the ground after this one?

Lost the toss but no matter, we’re batting first and Nico and Rayaan to open. Last year we lost to Highgate after some controversial scoring and umpiring decisions, but this feels like our time now. Time to start booking the hotels and flights for the big final? Maybe best not to get ahead of ourselves, there’s a game to play. Beautiful evening in Hampstead though. Manicured pitch, beautifully laid out, tennis being played on the adjacent courts. Cold beers in the cool box and all set. Chair’s a bit uncomfortable though, left my last one at Alexandra Park CC last week so using a cheap service station replacement. Might leave this one behind too, not really Hampstead CC standard. And parking was a bit rubbish, had to walk miles with several bags to get here.

First over, Nico Ponzoni Kirkham to face. Block. Block. Miss. Block. Push. Block. Maiden. Steady start! I can see he’s determined to set a base. Rayaan Alibhai to face the second, a streaky single and he’s off the mark. Bowling is fast down the slope onto a green and unpredictable Hampstead wicket, tricky. Another streaky single to Nico, 2 for none off 2. Low scoring game ahead? I can feel the tension already. But no, Nico’s bowled to one that keeps low, he played across the line and it didn’t bounce. First wicket down and captain Rishi Mehta to the crease. Bowling attack looks sharp and this isn’t easy for the batters. 5 for 1 after 3. First pull to square from Rishi for 2 – the fielder touched the ropes! Four not given, might remember that later in the game if its tight, and its 10 for 1 after 4. A four from Rishi, beautiful chip to mid-on. Suddenly the boundary looks short. 14 for 1 after 5. Long way to go. Plenty of batting to come. Please insert a positive cliche of your choice here…

They’ve brought their leggie into the attack. Romil says he’s the best on the circuit. Looks good, but Ray’s keeping him out. Only 16 for one after 6 and nearly a sharp catch back to the bowler from Rayaan. Careful! But next one goes for 4, beautiful. A sharp push from Rayaan hits Rishi in the arm, ice pack needed. That hurt, time out needed. Ice from Sam’s coolbox, not good for the beers but when needs must a sacrifice is needed.

Back to the action and smacked through the offside for 4 by Reyaan, good over and it’s now 27 for 1 after 7. But the leggies back, need to keep him out and punish the poorer bowling. Rey lofts one to long off, but the fielder drops it, that’s helpful. Shouts of unlucky from our side not really coming from the heart, it was in his hands cleanly. 34 for 1 after 9. Need to start getting that run rate up I think if we’re to post a decent total.

Risky run on a misfield, Rey nearly runs himself out but dives over the line Tom Daley style and they take 2. Only 39 after 10 overs, I’m having second thoughts about my plans for the final. Have faith!

Change of ends and they’re bowling up the hill now, this might change the game a bit and right on cue Rey lifts one back over the bowler’s head for 4. Next one had boundary written all over it, but the bowler gets a hand to it, could have been an A&E job. Apparently, we have at least two doctors in attendance (this is Hampstead after all, there’s no doubt a smattering of lawyers too should any legalities ensue) but one’s a gynaecologist. No further comment…

Another 4. Rate is accelerating and its 49 for 1 off 11, this is more positive now. It’s the leggie’s last over I think…I hope…let’s see. Rishi’s got the measure of him though, stroking singles round the ground at will. 4 off the over and its 53 for 1 after 12. Lofted to the onside boundary by Rey, good effort at the catch but goes over the ropes for another 4. Breeze is getting up, a bit chilly now, and a swing and a miss from Rishi followed by an edge for 4. That’ll do nicely. 64 for 1 after 13. Different game bowling up the hill.

Another edge for 4 from Reyaan, good sign this when the mis-hits are clearing the field. And what a shot from Rey, cut to square, beautiful. Pulled to backward square (I’ve been learning the field positions…) for another 4 and the scoreboard is ticking, helped by 4 byes through the keeper. 82 for 1 after 14. Field has pushed right back now, no pressure on the batsmen but hard to hit a boundary. Single’s always on though, sharp running from these two keeps things moving. 93 for 1 off 15, so maybe 40 off the last 5? Rey’s on 47 now, a 50 would be well deserved. And I reckon we need 140 minimum. One keeps low, this uneven bounce is normal for a Hampstead wicket I’m reliably informed. Sharp return catch? He’s put it down, there have been a few dropped today. 100’s up! 101 for 1 after 16. All the fielders right on the boundary now, that’s like raising the white flag! 4 byes through the keeper helps. Another one keeps low and hits the pads but Amit’s umpiring so no LBW, naturally. And it's 50 for Reyaan, fantastic innings after a tough start. 109 for 1 off 17, three more to go. 130+ is on here.

4 more through the keeper and a straight four over the bowler’s head from Rishi, lovely, to bring up his own 50. What a partnership! 12 off the over and 121 for 1 with two overs to go. Back through the bowler’s hands, then extra runs on overthrows so three taken, sharp running. Appeal for a stumping but thankfully Amit’s at square leg now, that’s not being given. What a pull from Rishi for 4 to the leg side, this is exciting stuff. More overthrows, scrambled running, over finishes short a ball and they have to stop the next bowler whose starting his run up to get the previous one back. A run out! What more do you want, this is non-stop! Rishi’s out for a fantastic 57 and Sachin Tibarewala’s on strike, he needs to push a single and get Rey back on strike. 132 off 19. Well done Sach, good running and Reyaan is back on strike for the last few balls. Good bowling though and just a single, then another, 2 balls to go – and Rey hits a maximum and we cross 140 with one ball to go, amazing. A single from the last ball and we set a total of 142, that is truly amazing after a very slow start thatks to a 130 run partnership between Rey and Rishi. Half time. All to play for. Etc.

After a very short break Rishi to open the bowling, up the hill - our choice apparently but a tough call, will it ay off? First run is a bye. They apparently have a star batsman – the very same leggie! - we need to work him out. Hit on the pads then chance of a catch but falls short. Hit on the pads again and a good first over, 5 off it but no clean hitting. Jake to bowl the second, two dots and a wide. Good line outside off stump though. Full toss and a no ball and a scrambled run. 12 off two, I suspect we are going to need wickets here. Nice glance to third man brings the first boundary, and I’m getting worried. 4 byes through fine leg and 23 for 3 off three, out total looks in danger. But a tight over from Jake Schapkaitz and its 25 off 4, a few more overs like that would be just the ticket.

Dawud Ali to bowl and the first one nicked fine and beats the fielder for 4. A throw hits the stumps but the batsman’s home, they’re running well now. 32 off 5, just below the asking rate but no wickets down. 3 dots from Judah then a nice square cut for 4, they’ve started better than we did for sure. Nice recovery from Judah Ndukwe though and only 5 off the over, 37 after 6. Dawud’s keeping it tight, only singles and Aarav Patel throws and breaks the wicket, but a wide called and no run out given. Now Dawud’s got the big one! Clean bowled, just what was needed! 42 for 1 off 7. Rishi is unplayable this over, 5 dots so far and just one off the last ball, great over. 43 after 8. Putting the squeeze on now, this is possibly a match-winning spell. And 44 for 1 off 9, great over from Judah. Aman Raja to bowl, left arm over, fielding is sharp. Putting the press on now but one flips through the field for a 4. Fielder was too close in. Over and 51 for 1 off 10, they need 91 off the last 10 now that’s quite a big ask - even though we averaged 10 off the last 10, its different when you’re chasing! Even Stevens I reckon at this stage.

Aryan Bavishi to bowl now, a slice to third man for 2, nearly a run out next ball. This is tense stuff, it’s going down to the wire for sure. Stroked through cover for 4, that’s a great shot it has to be said. Good comeback from Aryan, 8 from the over and its 59 for 1 after 11. Rishi’s hurt himself again with a great stop at mid-wicket, but the general consensus round here is he’s not coming off the pitch unless he’s broken both legs, he’s needed! Aman gets a nick but just wide of the keeper, there’s a wicket coming methinks. Great over its 62 for 1 after 12. Straight fours of Aryan’s first two balls next over but he keeps his nerve and a dot ball next, just two singles to finish the over an it’s 72 for 1 after 13.

Good ball from Rishi but through the keeper and third man for 4 byes, undeserved. Then Dot. Dot. Dot. Dot. Single (bye). Great over, only 5 from it and 77 after 14. Brilliant catch from Rishi off Dawud but it hit the ground first, tough call. Cut for 4, lovely shot. Coach Rishi calls for fielders to go on the boundary, he’s getting anxious! A squeaky 2, great fielding on the boundary from Aryan and just a single, an eventful over and its 86 for 1 off 15. 57 off 5 is the equation now. And I’m having another beer to calm the nerves. A 4 through the keeper, two fielders couldn’t cut it off - come on boys we don’t need comedy cricket at this stage! Lovely cut for another 4 and we’re worried again, need to keep it tight. Finchley parents are o their feet and proffering advice of all kinds, they’re more tense than the players. 96 off 16, 47 off 4 required. Aman to bowl the 17th, single then a wide, the hundred’s up with another single, then another - and a wicket to take the pressure off! Just in time! Clean bowled, great ball. 104 off 17, and my battery is getting low to add to the stress. Jake to bowl the 18th, 39 needed off 3. That rate’s creeping up…Coach Rishi and Romil have gone behind third man to rearrange the field to stop any leakage. A tight over now wins the game…but a loose full toss goes for 6 and a no ball. Aargh! I can’t take this! Panic in the middle on an overthrow, one to come, Judah prevents a boundary and over. This is a repeat of last year. 28 needed off 2. Dawud to bowl the 19th. Man, this is exciting! Judah takes an amazing catch on the boundary but - he’s judged to have stepped over the rope, oh no, it’s a 6. Unbelievable. Remember that four for us earlier in the game that wasn’t given? Now two overthrows, what’s going on - 3 runs off that ball. Calm down is the call. Now Rayaan takes a catch and inside the ropes this time. Brilliant cricket. 19 off 8 balls required, 2 to come in this over. We can do this!

I’ve got 5% battery left. The crowd is on their feet on the boundary. New batsman to face. Run out!!!!

Jake to take the last over, 18 needed off 6. They take just a risky single, beautiful. 3% left on the battery. 4 byes through the keeper and past third man - what’s going on! 13 needed off 4. Another single, 12 needed off 3. And another single, 11 off 2. Jake’s got this now. Single and 10 needed off the last ball, surely we can’t lose this now? And it’s hit to Rishi for a catch off the last ball - WIN!!!! And what a game, what a finish, what a night! We’re in the final!

A few of us go back to the Finchley clubhouse to savour the success and share the stories, with a cake for Rishi’s birthday. Woody tells me that reading my reports is the highlight of his week. I’ll take the compliment but Woody, you need to take a close look at your life mate. Anyway, its on to the final and the next chapter. Great evening, thanks guys for the entertainment!

**Match Report by Paul Kirkham