The Rain in Spain Falls Mainly at Alleyn

The first XI were looking to bounce back after the opening-day loss to Kempton. Saturday 12th May saw Vandals make the long journey to Dulwich to face Alleyn. Having crawled through the sprawling conurbation that is modern London, most (if not all) Vandals found themselves arriving at the wrong address for the fixture. Eventually – and having acquired a large bill from the fines committee for being late – the Vandals arrived at the correct ground and found themselves batting, having lost the toss.

Vs lost Sam (1) early on, trying a cute, angled shot to a disgusting half-tracker, although Connor and Ali soon settled-in and played positively in bowler-friendly conditions. Just as he looked to be in control, Connor (8) was out bowled with the score “two for twenty-two”, bringing Garry Foreman to the crease for his first dig this season. In true “Gaz” fashion, he got into the swing of things straight away and continued the positive play with “Pup” looking assured at the other end. Pup (13) was soon gone, bowled by a beauty from Arnold, with the score having an England-test-match-first-innings look about it; 30/3.

That didn’t bother Tom “Nashville” Neville though, who looked fresh despite it being his first hit and having not so long ago returned home from his stateside “vacation”. He and Garry took advantage of Alleyn’s bowling attack; Tom toying with the field with his cutting and Garry carving through the off-side with his driving. Their partnership drew to a close at 55 – Garry nicking-behind for 18 - with the score 85/4. It took a long time for Vandals to rack up a 50 partnership last season, so to see such a solid partnership so soon was both encouraging and vitally important; sending a message to everyone about how important partnerships are in this game.

Haseeb Rahman came in and accompanied Tom until he was bowled for 1, chopping-on the legspinner to his stumps. As soon as Dan Fenton had accompanied Tom at the wicket, with the score 91/5 off 18.4 overs, the rain had turned heavier and the umpire, Jon Good brought the players off. Despite some lengthy mathematics and time-related discussions between the captains, umpire and naturally, Ali Booth, as well as an already-erected gazebo taking the place of covers on the wicket (until the covers were found) the players were never to get back on to the field and the captains shook hands. Match abandoned.

Weybridge Vandals should be pleased with the positivity and skill of their batsmen and with additional application and patience will come ever-growing confidence. The Vs will go into next week’s match hungry for all twenty points against Old Pauline.

SB