There can be no greater thrill than experiencing a cricket game so close that the outcome is unclear until the last couple of deliveries. To win in such circumstances must be an additional delight. We’ll have to ask the oppo about that on this occasion.
After a bit of jiggery-pokery, the VI-Kings managed to gain the use of the Red Lion for this match as the normal home venue at Mynthurst has become unavailable for the remainder of the season. As this was (more or less) the first match played there this season it was in terrific nick and rather unusually the track was like a road. Hudson, recognising the unprecedented demand for playing spots (something to do with lockdown?) decided to leave himself out of this one to accommodate others. The stand-in skipper was David Littlemore. Having won the toss, Littlemore decided (eventually) to bat. The openers were Nat Kenyon and Aaron (A-dog) DeMello who had to navigate some probing stuff from Graveney’s left hand seamer. Despite wearing off the shine on the ball, both were back in shed with only a start having been made. That brought in the resident Kiwi (Jason Irwin) who certainly threw his hands at the ball, but wasn’t always able to transcend the ‘fend-off’. He was curiously bemused at his lbw dismissal despite playing right back on his stumps and being somewhat undertall to begin with. His later feedback to the umpire took the form of pictures of the bruise on his inner thigh which he thought was all the argument needed, but really asked more questions than it answered. At 3-27 things were not great in the VI-King camp but fortunately the mighty Snowman (Andrew Snow) had decided to dust off his bat- well, Hudson’s bat- and join the fray. He would eventually reach 53 and survive most of the variation that the Graveney attack had to offer. At the other end the temporary leader (Littlemore) was getting settled in and opened his account with a slogged 6. It would seeming take some individual brilliance to dismiss him and so it was produced as within the next over an equally pasted ball was grabbed by the bowler an inch from the ground at full lunge. Hard to complain about that. Next in was the Yorkshireman (very diverse us VI-Kings) Jamie Taylor. The twice-a-year player sometimes struggles to find form quickly but today was going to be different. With Snow, he established a partnership worth 42 runs and completely steadied the ship, earning a personal best (as a VI-King anyway) 35 runs before chipping one to point. Enter the 6s latest weapon- one Kesava Reddy, freshly arrived from Norfolk to work in Redhill and become the latest in a long line of promising new players for the side. Mr. Reddy (nickname pending, sponsorship opportunity available) is an all-rounder with one hell of an arm and he has decided he loves us. His batting style is one that observers of the 1980’s Indian Test side would find familiar- lots of flourish, not always with the desired effect. However, the shots he did hit were good ones and his 49* was arguably the most pivotal contribution to the Reigate cause. He compelled the field to play further back than they might have and allowed the tail to all chip in with their own contributions. After 40 overs, the 6th team had reached an unusually good score (for them).
Special mention to young Reigate Priory bowler (playing for Graveney on this occasion) Advaith Bali who was extremely challenging and finished on 7-1-11-2.
Graveney’s innings, instigated by their marvellous keeper Rob Davies started well and despite the slow scoring rate it was difficult to see where the wickets may come from. Toiling away without joy were openers Ned Littlemore and Charlie Chovil. At 0-38 the breakthroughs arrived with Reddy bossing his way past the number three and Littlemore Jr. removing another batsman, trying to steal a second run, with a brilliantly fielded ball from backward point. This led to some doubt in the Graveney order and the ‘Harare Slinger’ (Takunda Mpedzisi) exploited this beautifully. He was very unlucky not to have a hat trick with three wickets in four balls- at 6s level this is normally regarded as jug avoidance but the team were delighted for his success and (more to the point) for the scoreboard to finally reflect their efforts. The fast field and the lack of line discipline were partially responsible for a Graveney stabilisation exercise, but at 5-104 at the 20 over mark the VI-Kings were still quietly confident. That was before their hidden slogger arrived. Graveney’s number 8 was no shrinking violet and he unleashed his potential on the now tiring VI-Kings attack with a quick fire 33, only one these runs not being a boundary. He may have done even more damage had he not got greedy and underestimated the arm of our new ‘franchise’ player Kesava Reddy. Run out by third man is actually no bad way to go as it always requires some skill and athleticism to occur. At the sharp end there was much consternation as the Graveney tail were left to drag their team over the line. In the last over five runs were required to win and after four further balls two still needed. With relative flourish, the Graveney number 10 dispatched one for four and was chaired off the field by his jubilant team mates. It was difficult not to appreciate their grit, determination and effort. However, losing a match this close sticks in the memory bank for all the wrong reasons.
Hudson, who convened the side in a post-match debrief, tried to tell his men that the capital earned from such an event in terms of experience and [cricket] wisdom was worth almost as much as the short-term joy of winning. The boys were not entirely receptive, but such grist for the mill is important.
Man of the match Kesava Reddy.

Ultra posse nemo obligatur