Report by Dave Williams:
The crisp sunlight may have encouraged captain Andy Owen to bat first, supposing the lumps of heavy porridge-grey stratocumulus congestus - prodded by a brisk northerly - would make it difficult to see later on. Whatever the reason, Grant Kennedy and David Williams (that's me LOL) took strike to the IPH opener, apparently bowling leg breaks with the shiny new cherry. The amount of turn was difficult to gauge from the two successive wides pitching halfway down both sides of the track. The other opening bowler, nominally offspin, served up four successive full tosses to Grant - for a boundary off each - and an apology to his teammates at the end of the over. Grant is undeniably a class act: excellent balance, still head, quick feet, he stands tall to punch crisp drives to square leg off his pads, like a left-handed Mark Waugh. A particularly elegant cover drive cleared the boundary with the elevation and distance of a seven iron.
The cloud cover was heavy by this time, but the Grant-aided rate was 15 per (eight-ball) over: at the 60 mark I was on about 8, although (n.b. sickeningly smug and heavy-handed motivational message coming up here, folks) I was pleased I could help push for those quick singles that make such a big difference. The return of the sunshine, and the arrival of an IPH bowler (Cotton) who was bowling straight yorkers, slowed Grant down to a mere run a ball, then three dot balls, then bowled him out (for 54 off 32 balls). I managed to get some away at this point for my 30 (off 33 balls), including a satisfyingly well-timed check drive through cover point, finally perishing LBW to Cotton. At this point, carnage: Andrew Granville, first ball LBW; Dave Green, second ball bowled. Debutant Adeel Khursheed at the other end was finding his timing, though, for some powerful strikes in his impressive 26 (off 22 balls). On his departure Adam Long (11* off 9 balls) was busy and a paragon of rapidity between the stumps - albeit he did call his captain for a suicidal single straight to the bowler. Some calling from the fielders to shy at the umpire's end would have seen run Andy out by several yards. Andy didn't quite manage his usual acceleration from andante to prestissimo, but nonetheless his 22* (off 20 balls) was important and valuable. With a strong Remnants bowling attack, 156 was definitely looking good [And also kept up our incredible run of first innings scores this year: 144/1 (off 112 balls); 129/1 (off 188 balls); 163/4 (off 112 balls); 144/4 (off 112 balls); 151/5 (off 120 balls); and 156/5 (off 120 balls) today. - ed.].
Joe White (0/24) opened from the Huntingdon Road end, maybe losing some pace into the wind. Certainly the IPH number one looked comfortable enough, straight driving (with heavy bottom hand) a couple of fours off the first over. At the other end Shoaib Shahid's leggies found good length and line but still went for 15. Joe's second was tighter, and Adam Long was admirably accurate and pressure-inducing for his three overs (0/19). Remnants fielding was creaking under the big hitting and intelligent running, although Adam, Shoaib, Andrew and and Joe were all getting the ball back quickly. Faruk Kara came in for some hammer (0/39 off his three) as we found it difficult to staunch the flow of runs.
Rhetorical question: at over number ten, with the IPH rate better than the asking, would the canny Paul Jordan out-think two dangerous well-set batsmen? Rhetorical answer: by jingo, yes! The Remnants' very own Gandalf of seam found subtle variations of pace, in good areas, to create pressure (just 2 off the over) and induce a fine catch behind from Grant Kennedy (who kept well throughout). The change in team body language was marked: we felt confident as the IPH number three looked nervous in the face of sensible single-saving fields. The lofted shots didn't quite go to hand, in spite of Dave Green’s valiant efforts, and some nurdles through third-man got 15 off Paul's second. Andy couldn't rein them back enough, and the wheels fell off in Paul's last (over 14) as his defensive wider ones were called wides and his slower ones came out full tosses or contentiously-called no balls. Paul had at least showed intelligence and cunning in bowling to a plan (for his 2/37). Two runs needed off the last over, bowled by Andy (1.3 overs for 0/16), not really a climax but certainly an end.
Well played, IPH; and good try, youse Remnants.