WHO was smiling at the end of this encounter? It was NOT Not the MCC – that’s for sure.
King’s Road sealed a stunning victory thanks to yet another Barnes-storming fifty from stand-in skipper Tom Barnes and a brilliant bowling performance from Man-of-the-Match Matt Glover.
The Yorkshireman’s figures of 5 for 26 were only the second five-wicket haul in The Road’s history and followed his historic hat-trick earlier this season.
Faced with a daunting target of 193, mainly due to Tom’s 56, Not the MCC were blown away for 96 in just 24 overs.
Then, in a devastating spell, Glover despatched Not the MCC’s top five batsmen – four of them clean bowled.
Only opener Standage looked comfortable on the Tooting Bec pitch, scoring 25 before attempting to pull a lifting ball from Matt straight down the throat of David Hughes on the square leg boundary.
The Welshman eventually caught the ball on his third attempt after a display of impromptu juggling which tested the Orange Caps’ nerves.
Skipper Barnes had an embarrassment of bowling riches to choose from with an array of quicks to toss the ball to.
His line-up included Kevin Pittaway who returned figures of 0 for 24 with the new ball, Adam Majeed and birthday boy James Couldrey, who was celebrating turning 29 for the fifth time.
The left armer was handed the perfect present by erstwhile Orange Cap teammate Michael “Judas” Rossi who ended his innings for Not the MCC by edging to Tom.
James also clean bowled tailender Critchley to finish with 2 for 20.
Magic Adam Majeed finished with 3 for 20, with Kiwi Jeremy Smith taking a stunning diving catch off the Pakistani pace ace to wrap up the victory.
Earlier, all-rounder Adam had hit a massive six during an innings of 12 before being run out as the team tried to pick up runs late in their 40 overs.
The solid platform built by Tom, supported by Mark Isham and Dave at the top of the order, meant the team had wickets in hand for a late flurry of big hitting.
Jeremy hit a useful 17 and Jamie Keating biffed his way to 20.
Dan Sherman got off the mark with a boundary on his way to 6 and Matt showed his talent with the bat as well as the ball, giving Not the MCC bowler Boot a kicking with two fours in an over.
But the Boot was on the other foot at the end of their duel, with Matt chipping a return catch to the grateful bowler.
King’s Road speedster Matt Small, who was not able to show off his bowling talents because his fellow seamers wrapped up the win in such a ruthless manner, was able to see some action with the bat, hitting five not out at the death.
The total of 193 gave the Orange Caps’ bowlers the freedom to attack, an opportunity they took with relish. Of the 10 wickets, seven of them were clean bowled.
The bowlers were supported by an excellent performance from the team in the field, with excellent commitment shown by all.
The victory extends the Road’s unbeaten run to four – with arch rivals Battersea Badgers next to face the in-form Orange Caps.