Match Report 1s vs Ealing Trailfinders 28/05/22
Highgate would come into the weekend's fixture relatively unscathed, seeing off the last three games with three wins. Playing away at Ealing Trailfinders, the side would be met by a ground fit for a post card, but a pitch lacking in what Maori describe as Mauri & Wairua (terms for Life force and Spirit). Nonetheless, winning the toss, skipper Callum Fraser would look to set a total for the hosts.
A fast start from openers Fraser and Potter saw Highgate through to 48 without loss, before Fraser was dismissed LBW, catching him flush on the box. Wickets would fall in quick succession, Bowley holing out to mid on and Potter getting trapped on the crease, LBW. 56-3, the ship would be steadied by Johan (takes) De Silva (not bronze) and Danny Blyghton (son of), 35 and 33 respectively. Highgate pride themselves on managing wickets as they fall, however much like Berlin 1989, these walls must come down. 131-5 turns to 138-8, however, heroes know when to pick their battles and when number 10, Max Lewis, strode out, he knew his time had come. Lewis would pump a run-a-ball 28, taking the opposition captain for 21 off the final over. 187 has been defended by ‘The Gate’ on more occasions than one, and having three spinners in the bank, the away side felt confident.
Uzair (Uzzie’s Cookies) Amjaid paired with Newell, looked to set the bowling innings alight, but openers Wells and Sachdeva had other plans, seeing them off well (pun intended) cantering to 38-0, off 8 overs. Experience was required to sneer the first wicket and Foster would be Highgate’s man to do the job. Partnerships would then build with each incoming batsman, but just when heads would slump, a wicket would drop, working to inch back the momentum. At 92-3, the ever imposing opposition captain, Meer, would stroll out to the crease. With the game so delicately poised, Meer would succumb to a low fully, skying it straight back to the bowler, Blyghton (son of), for naught. A collapse beckoned and ‘not all heroes wear capes’ Lewis came to the party, decimating the middle and lower order to come away with 3-22. He would be the pick of the bowlers, along side Blyghton, 3-29. The Ealing Trailfinders would stumble their way to 163 all out, with their final wicket falling to a blundering run out in the final over. A close win, but a win nonetheless.
Ka Kite Ano (Translated in Maori as ‘See you Tomorrow’)
Author: Benjamin Donkers