Vandals "mense horribilis" continues

After beating Old Hamptonians on 23 July, Vandals sat 3rd in Division 4 with an outside chance of a 3rd successive promotion if they finished the season strongly. 5 weeks later, we're 3rd bottom - and whilst relegation is out of the question - to say it's been a disappointing month or so would be an understatement.

Sanderstead came to town needing only 2 points to confirm their inevitable promotion to div 3. Unfortunately for the home team, those 2 points didn't take long to come. Losing the toss, we were predictably inserted and the initial signs were promising as Connor "Varicose" Baker and Sam Buckell "my shoe" moved serenely to 18 before Varicose somehow managed to get a leading edge to a big leg stump full toss and was on his way. Sambo followed next ball after receiving a good one from Allen, leaving him on a hat trick. There are many balls you don't want to receive when you're coming in on a hat trick, but another leg stump full toss is not one of them... it did for the self styled Luke "Boom Boom" Bentley though as he somehow recreated Connor's dismissal. A worse hat trick, you will struggle to see.

All of this left us at 18-3, but the hits kept coming: Garry walked past a 3rd full toss to be bowled by Allen, and Raj Kiran, Mike O'Neill and Anish "Chili" Kulkarni all fell to young Wilson at the other end. No collapse is complete without a farcical run out though, and the skipper duly obliged, all of which left us at 28-7. If that wasn't bad enough, the sight of Jonny Powell walking to the crease at number 9 did little to inspire confidence in a revival. Jonny though showed why everyone he thinks he's an allrounder by batting sensibly to see off the openers before attacking the change bowlers. His 23* added a touch of respectability to the scorecard, but 68 all out is a bit embarrassing, especially as very few batters could say they were "got out".

Woo "Grumpy" Powell sent the team out with a flea in their ear and instructions to make it difficult for Sanderstead, which is exactly what we did. The tried and trusted opening partnership of #Jentley kept it tight while removing openers Carter and Ward, before Azer who had already appeared to edge behind, was caught in the gully by Scotty Baker who hasn't moved as fast since "last orders" were called at the bar. Jonny and Luke had their tails up at this point and the scorecard went from 28-2 to 30-6 in a flash. Allen bowled shouldering arms, skipper Pettifor felt aggrieved to be given lbw before Bull was bowled first ball to leave Jonny with 5-23. Luke at the other end did not have as much luck - regularly passing the outside edge of Sanderstead (and Pakistan A's) Muzzamil in a terrific spell.

The skipper took a risk by bringing spin into the attack in the form of Raj Kiran and Sanderstead scented their chance, Muzzamil hit a 6 in Raj's first over before playing an awful shot to be bowled by Sam at the other end, but Josh Cox-Brooker, who survived a huge lbw appeal first ball, played aggressively throughout his innings to end with 26* - the highest score of the day - to get them over the line with 3 wickets to spare.

Good luck in div 3 to Sanderstead, largely a good bunch of fellas. For the Vandals, there is one last chance to redeem themselves at Woking & Horsell.