RED-HOT Jamie Williams warmed up a chilly first day of Matt Small’s reign by picking up where he left off last season to power The Road to victory.
The flame-haired Orange Cap smashed 44 not out off 38 balls before sending down six vicious overs against a nine-man Kensington & Chelsea Cricket Club.
Jamie’s sizzling man of the match performance at Battersea Park followed his debut ton, a not out 111, against Corridor CC in the last match of last season.
There were also runs for opener Raju Mazumder who overcame a tricky start to hit 24, and debutant Chris Brown who smashed 25 off 13 balls to boost the total at the end.
In between, there was not much to write home about as early season rustiness and a classic Battersea green-top made it tough going for the batsmen.
Lomas Persad went for a duck early on, bowled by the dangerous Bhaskaran, Leon Watson lasted 40 balls before departing for 5.
James Couldrey was left cursing his bad fortune after being dismissed for 6 by Selliah’s ripper of a catch at point off Sashi.
Thirteen was the unlucky number for Dan Sherman and Rizby Mazumder, while Jamie Keating gloves one second ball to start 2015 with a duck.
It was turgid stuff until Jamie and Brown managed to turn around The Road’s run-rate with some late fireworks.
One monster hit by Brown flew to cow corner before hitting the back side of a bunker just inches from the boundary and, incredibly, bounced back towards the batsman.
Never mind, he hit 25 very important runs – including the game’s only 6 – before holing out off Bhaskaran. The Road finished on a healthy 167 for 8 off 35 overs.
Newboy Sam Lavender was left at the non-striker’s end not out having not faced a ball, and new skip Matt Small did not bat.
In response, Kensington & Chelsea looked up for it but suffered an early setback engineered by The Road’s two debutants.
Brown, who was in with a shout for man of the match, grabbed his first for The Road having the keeper Chandaran caught by Sam for 2.
The skip then got in on the act, trapping Hosamni for 1 before Brown got his brace when the dangerous-looking Selliah was snaffled by Lomas.
The Road then ran through Kensington & Chelsea’s middle order.
Williams, who was causing all sorts of problems, bowled Kang, Sam picked up two with his spin and Lomas removed Rodrigo, who had threatened to launch a fightback, for 23.
The final act was left to Williams, who had also taken a catch off Sam, to run out last man Callum as KCCC battled hard for the runs but ended 36 short.
So Smally’s reign starts with a win in a good-natured match against new opposition.
First match as @KRCSC captain, First win. I'm a happy lad 😊
— Smally (@Matt_Smally) May 2, 2015
It wasn’t all champagne cricket however, King’s Road managed to make a mockery of themselves with an embarrassing overthrow incident and Raju didn’t cover himself in glory when he clasped at a high ball and it bounced off his belly.
But overall it was an encouraging display that promises much for the season ahead.
Next up The Road take on the Bloody Lads and Tilbury CC in a double-header weekend.
Man of the Match: Jamie Williams
Teasmaker of the Match: Raju Mazumder
Champagne Moment: Chris Brown’s 6
Most Embarrasing Moment: The overthrows incident
Pitch report live from #batterseapark. Green top "interesting" outfield left arm bowlers to deliver from #ferriswheel pic.twitter.com/kIaLRaIgEP
— King's Road Cricket & Social Club (@KRCSC) May 2, 2015
Textbook from @LeonWatson #KRCSCvsKCCC pic.twitter.com/DWdsq8AnBH
— King's Road Cricket & Social Club (@KRCSC) May 2, 2015
Celebrating our win in style at King's Cross @KRCSC pic.twitter.com/XrVB4pNcmH
— Jamie Williams (@jwilliams128) May 2, 2015