Gaieties v Hampstead 8 May 2022
Blue skies over Hampstead on Sunday afternoon, sunlight reflecting off the gleaming surfaces of the SUVs that packed the car park, a steady procession of the well off and well heeled heading to the tennis courts, and an ominously young and fit looking Hampstead XI doing the ubiquitous shorts and football routine on the outfield. Gaieties won the toss and elected to field first in a 40 overs per side game. For the first twenty the visitors were competitive, Hampstead restricted to 91-2 on a very good wicket. Robbie Martin made a very encouraging debut, bowling full and fast and sending leg stump flying to break the opening stand. He also had a hand in the second wicket to fall, taking a smart catch at square leg, just reward for Som who started in miserly fashion, teasing the Hampstead left handers (three in a row) on his way to the very creditable figures of 8-1-32-1.
Sadly, that was as good as it got for Gaieties, whose out cricket disintegrated as the home team plundered 193 from the next 20 overs to post an imposing score of 284-8, with numbers 4, 5 and 6, somewhat humiliatingly, retiring after meteing out varying degrees of punishment to the wilting Gaieties. In amongst the litany of wides, 6s, dropped catches and misfields, honourable mentions must go to Waddington and Martin for sterling efforts in the field.
In reply, Gaieties were never really in the chase, despite solid contributions from Finlay and Rufus. Jonny Dickens provided some light relief, seemingly attempting to slog away his hangover, connecting and missing in equally spectacular fashion. The brightest knock was a very easy on the eye 49* from Ellis, who timed the ball sweetly. That he was denied a first half century for Gaieties will hopefully be more than compensated for by the memory of some sumptuous boundaries, particularly a punch wide of mid on, a series of cuts and forcing shots and an effortless lofted drive.
Gaieties finished on 168-5. Despite the margin of defeat, the mood remained upbeat and, aided by excellent hospitality from Hampstead, a jolly day was had by all.
by Hugo Thurston
