JUBILANT King’s Road skip Raju Mazumder bagged his first runs this season – but the rampant Thespians still stole his thunder.
Brave Raju, batting at number 11, managed to hit five not out after a miserable run of ducks that shattered his confidence.
It was all his team had to celebrate though as they bombed yet again in a performance worse than any dodgy actor could put on.
Storm clouds are now gathering above The Road who are STILL desperately seeking their first win of the season.
Tuesday’s Twenty20 match started in the worse possible way for the Orange Caps who put their big-hitters in early in a bid to force victory.
Opener Andy Saker was bowled for a duck in the first over having faced just five balls. Simon Biffen followed soon after for one, having faced just two balls.
John Gledhill and Matt Cocken managed to stick around briefly on the lumpy pitch to put on 23 before Matt was bowled for 14. John went straight after holing out for six.
Big Tony Swann could only manage three off four and James Pritchard followed three runs later for one. That crippling flurry of wickets left King’s Road in crisis on 38 for six and scratching around for runs.
All-rounder Leon Watson offered some resistance – stroking 13 off eight balls – and Jamie Smith hung on for 23 balls to nurdle five.
But it was not enough. When Leon was run out on 13, Dan Howard was caught at backward square leg off his second ball and Jamie got bowled the game was well and truly up.
To see the match scorecard click HERE.
The only thing The Road could hope for was a run for Raju and some time out in the middle for cricket rookie Chris Beckett.
Raju dusted off the cobwebs to hit a boundary and Chris batted well for his six before another mix-up in the middle did for him.
King’s Road held their heads in shame, having suffered yet another fatal batting collapse to post a meagre total of 74.
And in response, the Thesps had no trouble bringing the curtain down on the Orange Caps at Tooting Bec Common.
It was all too easy as Sandys-Clarke carried his bat to score 21 and wickie PJ Luard hit a dazzling 44 – including three sixes off three balls – to scoop the Man of the Match award.
The only glimmer of hope for The Road was when speedster Tony uprooted opener Lawrence Power’s stumps second ball.
After that it was plain-sailing for the Thesps who only lost Luard on the boundary to a great catch from Pritch off Andy.
By then it was too late – the Orange Caps had been out-classed for the second time this season by the Thespian Thunderers.