20 August 2000

Claygate 248-6 declared (43overs)
Surrey Cryptics 253-5 (39.4 overs)
WON by 5 wickets

This was a truly remarkable win. Cryptic folklore will refer to 'Brooke-Webb's match' long after dear James has hung up his boots and settled by a Scottish river with his sons, his flat hat and his fishing rod. But what a tale he will bore the young B-Ws with!

The game was eventful from McLoughlin's first ball which the batsman contrived to knock onto the stumps. The eratic Briggs managed to terrify a man into treading on his own stumps and the B-W day began with a simple catch at mid on. Unfortunately 25-3 brought Claygate's best player to the crease and he carted the ball to all parts for 106. Only McLoughlin could control the free scoring so the old man had to bowl 17 overs straight off before getting his man and immediately retiring to the pasture.

More savage hitting up to the declaration left us a very stiff target on a pitch that had showed signs of devilish bounce at one end.

The Hogben / Seeckts opening partnership was wisely used again but with Hogben taking a nasty blow above the eye in the first over, and having to retire, a determined MacDonald strode in. He farmed his way to 53 of 80 until he, Wright and Ware fell in quick succession, leaving a long tailed Cryptic side reeling at 83-4 with one in hospital and requiring 166 from the last 20 overs. This reduced to 139 from 14 overs when the balding property guru sauntered to the wicket with the captain's wise recommendation to 'treat it as a net, we haven't got a hope now', ringing in his ears.

Brooke-Webb responded by setting about the Claygate bowlers with a brutal display. The footwork was all Thompson, the middling of ball after ball was not. Unworried by some attempted hostile bowling, and hugely assisted by PAJ Andrew who got the sniff of Claygate blood too, a close draw looked likely with 54 still needed from 4 overs. No problem if you take 24 off the first of those, PAJ carving two mammoth cowshots for 6 in succession. With only 30 needed from 18 balls, the crowd began to leave, realising that the home side were doomed. Aware that without victory the partnership would have been pointless, our men finished the task in style with a thundering heave onto the basketball court and 2 balls to spare.

Andrew finished with a fine 61* and Brooke-Webb a staggering 88* and the jubilation was perhaps understandable. This was what Sunday (and particularly Cryptic) cricket should be all about and it was an utter delight for all who were there to see a loyal, though far too occasional, Cryptic notch up his first 50 in 9 (or 10?) years with the club and bring off such a thrilling win.

For 5 successive years the Claygate fixture has registered around 500 runs in the day and and a good finish. Looking ahead we have Headley on 3/9. They haven't beaten us since the soft Atkinson years and now is not the time for them to start.

Selection (from 17) will take place in the next few days but I can tell you now it is a game for the old, senior, long serving type club men.

It has long been acknowledged that this club is not a democracy. It ain't a meritocracy either. Edge of your seats chaps....................