2024-09-15_Gents_of_West_London
Match Data vs Gents of West London
on 2024-09-15 at Dundonald Road RG (Season 2024)
- Result: WIN
- Salix: 247 for 7 wickets from 35 overs
- Chelsea Arts Club: 133 all out from 21 overs
- Game Type: 35 Overs Game (Salix Batted First)
Report: Rory
The Final Sunday of the Season
In this season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, cricketers everywhere are struck by a sobering thought: it’ll be a good six months before we slip into our well-worn whites again. The promises we made to ourselves back in May, those grand ambitions and lofty goals, are now laid bare under the autumn sky. “I won’t swing across the line on a slow loopy one” (guilty), “I’ll really work on my fielding,” and “I’ll make sure to turn up on time and without a hangover,” all sound so resolute at the start of summer. Yet, come September, the numbers we’d set our sights on, be it runs, wickets, or catches, remain stubbornly out of reach.
Standing on our pitch in Southwest London, it’s hard not to reflect on what might have been. Those innings that didn’t convert, the dropped catches, the miss-fields, they all flash through my mind. In another world, another sport, or perhaps on another team, that familiar pang of disappointment might creep in. But instead, there’s a wry smile on my face. Because, ultimately, it’s the other moments that stand out: Sai’s match-winning five-for, Ollie nabbing Adam, and Irwin’s unlikely return to bowling.
As the days shorten, think of Keats, “Where are the songs of spring?”, take solace in the memory of that cold pint at the Red Lion, the perpetual confusion over where Skipper wants you to field, and the unmistakable crack of leather on willow.
But here’s the best part.
We get to do it all again next year. Come May, with perhaps a bit more weight, a few more wrinkles, and slightly less hair, you’ll make new promises, whether public or private, and convince yourself that this year will be your year.
So, grab that new bat, head to the winter nets, squeeze in a few jobs, and work on that trigger movement. Who knows? Maybe, just maybe, it’ll be your year after all.
On to the match report.
Playing the Gents has become a bit of a Salix tradition. We meet early in the season, often getting soundly beaten, but as the season progresses, club loyalties softens, and we face the Gents again, with our side bolstered by something rarest of things, talent.
Unlike last year’s gloom, Dundonald Road was blessed with September sunshine. Raj, itching for some time at the crease, won the toss and opted to bat. Skipper, in his final appearance of the season, took to the middle alongside Harjot. From the very first ball, Harjot looked in fine form, playing each delivery on its merits, a novel idea for Salix! His older cousin, however, was less fortunate, departing for just a single run, caught at backward point. Chetan followed with some stylish cuts before falling victim to a familiar Gents bowling attack.
What followed was a classic Salix collapse, as Rory, William, and Krutik mustered only one run between them. At 66-5, it seemed another season-ending capitulation was on the cards. But Harjot’s brother, Munjot, had other ideas.
From the brink of disaster, the brothers orchestrated a stunning recovery. Together, they lifted the score to 164-6, with both racing to half-centuries. Harjot finished on an impressive 85, while Munjot continued to pile on the runs. After a brief contribution from Sai, Munjot was joined by Hadi, and what happened next was extraordinary.
With just 7 overs remaining, Hadi launched a blistering assault, smashing an unbeaten 53, including sixes that grew bigger with each strike. Each time he cleared the ropes, he moaned and complained that he hadn’t quite got hold of it! While the regular Salix lineup managed only three runs between five batsmen, these four players put on an impressive 244.
After tea, complete with four pints of milk for Raj’s mother, we took to the field brimming with confidence. Syed and Moiz bowled superbly up front, but the Gents’ openers were untroubled, racing to 50 without loss and ahead of the run rate. Then, Munjot was introduced. With pace and accuracy, he broke the partnership, dismissing the Gents’ opener and sparking the collapse.
Enter Hadi.
In a display of bowling brilliance, Hadi tore through the Gents’ batting lineup, taking five wickets for just 12 runs. He removed two in his first over, one in his second, and two more in his fourth and fifth overs. The Gents, once cruising, were left reeling at 86-5. Munjot chipped in with two wickets of his own, including the second opener, while Sai added another with a bizarre delivery that crashed into middle stump despite being left alone by the batsman.
With the Gents’ innings in tatters, Skipper set an aggressive field, crowding the bat. Syed returned to seal the final wicket, capping off a resounding 114-run victory.
We celebrated with the vanquished but jovial Gents at a local pub, rehashing the usual topics, including the possibility of a third Salix-Gents match next season. The weather held, the light stayed, and we were treated to performances from Hadi, Munjot, and Harjot. Not a bad way to end the season.
Now, on to Zagreb!