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Datchet - 29th June 2003

London New Zealand posted an impressive six-wicket win over Berkshire league side Datchet on Sunday, but it wasn't all plain sailing for the Kiwis as the late withdrawal of match manger & captain Stephen Lester brought the club's leadership issue sharply into focus once again.

Michael Singleton took over the reins and immediately showed he had put 'The Reigate Affair' behind him by successfully negotiating the terms of the 40-over contest, which included the lifting of the restrictions on the number of overs permissible for each bowler.

Singleton immediately exploited the upper hand he'd gained in the pre-match negotiations by asking Chris Glackin (2-59) and Andy Templer (2-30) to bowl unchanged until drinks. The pair chipped away at the Datchet top order and securing a few wickets,  Templar was especially impressive in conceding only 30 runs from his marathon 14-over spell.

The introduction of Steve Deane (2-39) shortly after drinks gave Datchet some hope of posting a competitive total and with Deane struggling for form, fitness and mental well-being in the blazing sun, Singleton could be seen vainly scouring the outfield for further bowling options. But it was the introduction of club chairman Mike Stead that proved decisive as he quickly removed Datchet's most threatening pair, including a Kiwi
professional, whose appearance and technique suggested many years spent in the league competitions of Raglan, according to LNZ keeper Shaun Perkinson.

Datchet's Kiwi smashed a frozen-rope drive straight to Deane at cover and Stead then removed their top scorer, caught on the long-off boundary by Glackin. Deane then picked up two wickets in two balls - the first a sharp stumping from Perkinson - to leave Datchet floundering. Tidy work from Pete Tippen and Perkinson accounted for the ninth Datchet scalp after a mixup and a modest total for the hosts looked likely. But Stead then allowed a glimpse of the generous spirit that lies beneath his competitive Southern veneer by allowing the Datchet number 11 to smash 21 from the last over the innings, thus ensuring a more competitive afternoon at the expense of his own figures (2-34 from six overs).

Opening the innings for the Kiwis, Andrew Swann (29) and Singleton looked completely at ease until Swann, having turned the ball behind square, responded to what he said later was "a silent acknowledgement" from Singleton that a run was available, by setting off for mid-wicket and crashing straight into the on-rushing, afore-mentioned Singleton. Singleton recovered his poise, but sadly not his ground, and was duly run
out for nine. Swann attributed the dismissal firstly to an honourable attempt to avoid running on the pitch, and secondly to Singleton "having lost a yard or two" of pace in recent years.
Singleton, for his part, having audibly labeled Swann "a person of sub-normal intelligence engaged in sexual intercourse", marched stoically from the pitch to continue his tantrum in the sanctity of the changing room.

Having regained his composure, and indeed his perspective, Singleton told the club's reporter the run out was "the worst piece of cricket I've ever been involved in". Given Singleton's own description of his dropped catch against Reigate, this was a damning assessment indeed.

Sam Foley (58) continued his impeccable form to combine with Swann in a 97-run second-wicket stand that effectively sealed the match for the Kiwis. But as the pair took the total beyond the 100 mark, Singleton, seemingly disgruntled by the sight of Swann prospering on a feather-bed track against a somewhat mediocre attack, ordered a disbelieving team-mate to post Nelson - 111/1 - on the scoreboard. The signal from the captain was clear and Swann, accepting his sentence, attempted a suicidal swipe and was immediately bowled. Foley also fell, caught hooking tamely to fine-leg,

Before the Nelson was withdrawn, leaving Perkinson (31), Gordon Harcourt (16*) and Peter Tippen 19* to complete the honours.

Scoreboard     Datchet 179-9 (40 Overs)    LNZCC 182-4 (29 Overs - Match Won by 6 Wickets

Batting

                    Runs    Catches    Stumpings

Mike Singleton (c)     9

Andy Swann            29

Sam Foley             58        2

Gordon Harcourt       16*

Shaun Perkinson (w)   31

Peter Tippen          19*

Chris Glacken         DNB

Steve Deane           DNB       1

Mike Stead            DNB

Andrew Templer        DNB       1

Sammy                 DNB

Bowling

                    O    M    R    W

Chris Glackin      11    1   59    2

Andrew Templer     14    3   30    2

Steve Deane         9    0   39    2

Mike Stead          6    0   34    2