THE HEADLINES FROM ITN: BONG - WEEKENDERS MAKE 174 – BONG - IT’S NOT ENOUGH – BONG – THEN THEY HAVE A MARE WITH THE BALL AND LOSE BY NINE WICKETS...

WCC 174 - 7 declared from 40 overs

WCC 176 - 1 from 30 overs

Match lost with no hope of recovery

From our reporter Christopher Johnstone.

Fresh from a startling run of success, the Weekenders journeyed to Harpenden as firm favourites despite the absence of at least half the regular line up but with more than ninety percent of the talent.

The Weekenders quiet confidence was running high with a timely gathering at the boozer of nine of the team (the father and son Harvey combination apparently receiving no assistance from the locals as to the location of pub or ground).

With the toss 2 minutes overdue, and half his toasted baguette riding north by north west from his navel, d'Inverno rallied the troops to the supermarket parking lot where Johnstone generously donated £2 to the Harpenden Flower Fund, the result of a profound and dextrous dummy in the e-mail from ITN in inducing payment by him for parking which was all but unnecessary on a Sunday.

ITN was a picture of poise and grace, the results of a long and tough off-season training regime were obvious even from a distance. With the pitch in mint condition Lyons declared (following the predictable victory at the toss), "there's got to be a few out here today". Naturally expectations were high. Mike Harvey commenced at one end, pushing, prodding, poking and fiddling, before both openers took the field.

Mike Harvey fell early, Lyons smacked a 6 before smacking himself all the way to the pavilion having fallen the next delivery, blinded somewhat by his halo. Emmett and Brockis then constructed a stylish partnership, rattling the pickets at all points. Johnstone was a joke, Freeman showed courage under fire whilst Phil Harvey and John Harvey did what they could whilst exchanging harsh words with each other in the centre, the umpires doing their respective best to get involved. Mike "Mr Consistency" Painter, as always played his part.

174 was never going to be enough, Phil Harvey bowled well, d'Inverno, back from an injury so severe Dennis Lillee in a get well card had mused "and I thought my back was bad" did what he could, Desmeules on debut showed promise and had some chances, but as was the case with all, took a pounding. Whilst by the time Freeman and Lyons had a tweak, only a miracle could save them. Whilst Johnstone did take the one and only late one, it had been obvious for some time that nothing miraculous would come from him.

ITN cantered home with a few to spare and a few more in hand.

STATS:

WCC 174 –7 declared from 40 overs

M. Harvey 3, Lyons 7, Emmett, 65, Brockis 55, Johnstone 5, Freeman 7, J. Harvey 3, Paynter 1*, PJ Harvey 13*

Desmeules & d’Inverno dnb

ITN 176-1 off 30 overs

PJ Harvey 6-1-26-0, Desmeules 7-1-39-0, d’Inverno 4-1-29-0, Freeman 5-0-36-0, Lyons 5-0-27-0, Johnstone 3-1-11-1.

Debut: Desmeules