Hawley

Mon 29 August                                Hawley                                Won by 40 runs

    We    206/7 in 50 overs      (T.Keleher 111*, N.Nayar 32, Gore 16, Clacy 3/38)

  They 166/10 in 45.3 overs (Clacy 57*, Petto 31, Harris 24, Chaggar 4/31, K.Khan 2/19, T.Khan 2/34)

One of the finest hundreds was crafted in the most difficult conditions to give Kensington a comfortable victory in this annual 50-overs match in aid of Cancer Research.  The sign of the three stumps – 111 – is meant to put fear into a batsman. 

When the number appeared at Hawley, however, there were furrowed brows, but they belonged to the home side as opener Tim Keleher posted the score and carry his bat through the innings.

Win the toss and field first, is the imperative as early morning dampness in the pitch makes batting most hazardous.  So true to form San calls wrongly and KCC are inserted.  We start sluggishly losing two wickets within ten overs, those of Amit and Jai, with only 27 on the board.  But a watchful Tim has a stern defence and he kept the scoreboard ticking at every opportunity, helped by a very restrained Shahzeb and a disciplined Pammi.  Both were dismissed by Trevor Clacy who completed his 10 overs with figures of 3/38. 

At lunch we were just 87/4 after 30 overs, but with Tim still there just short of his fifty.  The acceleration began on full stomachs as Tim and Neeraj forced the pace in a 74 run partnership.  San stepped in after Neeraj departed, but it was truly a Tim Keleher show as he changed several gears and hoisted 4 effortless sixes over the sightscreen, the last of which, in the penultimate over, enabled him to get to his hundred.  206 was a worthy score on this pitch and the opposition knew it.

From the start Hawley were in trouble against the accurate in-swing of Khush Khan, who struck twice, and the spin of Neeraj and Gabriel.  Before long they were reduced to 46/4.  Only Clacy and Petto played any innings of substance.  But when Petto was out caught and bowled by the wily Pammi there was little else left as Pammi mopped up the tail.  Clacy, however, remained defiant to the end with a well struck fifty.

Thus did KCC win back the Barrie Parker trophy.  But the result was the least part of the day.  Tom Clay’s wonderfully authentic Indian cuisine, the many raffle prizes on offer, Pat Parker’s good-humoured fines, the warmth and camaraderie, all made for a great occasion.  I gather also a good sum of money was raised to aid a worthy cause.