Match Reports

Salix travelled to Dundonald Recreation Ground expecting a familiar recipe of questionable tactics, late arrivals and enthusiastic cricket. What we got was all of that, plus rain, fading light, a treacherous pitch, 19 wides, a McDonald’s delivery to the boundary and an opposition batsman in Julius De Watteville who seemed determined to ruin everyone’s afternoon. The Gents posted 265-6 from their 35 overs, with Julius making 85 and Bobby Gulati smashing an unbeaten 59 from 34 balls. Salix fought hard in difficult conditions, with CK top-scoring with 59, Fezaan making 38 and Hardik finishing unbeaten on 31, but ultimately fell 81 runs short. At least the day raised money for a worthwhile cause, with both clubs joining forces for a fines-based fundraiser in memory of Raj Patel’s late father.

Salix CC produced something of a rarity at The Recreation Ground: an emphatic win. After restricting Jordans Taverners to 143, thanks to excellent bowling, outstanding wicketkeeping from Fezaan and a remarkable run-out from Raj, Salix made light work of the chase. Fezaan smashed an unbeaten 69 and Hasaan added 31 not out as the brothers guided Salix home by 8 wickets with more than 20 overs to spare. With the final game of the season still to come, could Salix actually be finding some form?

Salix CC’s difficult run continued against Chelsea Arts Cricket Club, as a strong Chelsea Arts batting performance was followed by a thoroughly unhelpful Salix reply. There were flashes of brilliance — including some excellent bowling, four catches and a heroic one-armed cameo from an injured Richie — but ultimately Salix were bowled out for 85, losing by 147 runs. On the plus side, Rory Dodd was clean bowled for 4. Every cloud…

Salix's fielding proved costly as Quokkas claimed a 163-run victory at Barnes Elms. Despite an outstanding debut from Thirumegan "Mega" Yogarajah (3-40) and a spirited 22 from fellow newcomer Shelvin Chand, eight dropped catches allowed Quokkas to post 262-7 before Salix were dismissed for 99. The afternoon may not have gone to plan, but there were plenty of encouraging signs from the club's newest recruits and enough optimism to look ahead to next Sunday.

As Dickie headed to the wrong ground before a ball was bowled, setting the tone for an eventful afternoon at Winchmore Hill. Despite an excellent innings from Raj and early breakthroughs with the ball, Salix ultimately came up short as Heteroi chased down 214 with four overs to spare in a competitive, good-spirited contest.

Three weeks after chasing 241 against the Whalers with remarkable ease, Salix returned to Barn Elms hoping to repeat the trick. Instead, with a makeshift XI featuring two debutants, an emergency wicketkeeper, and several players still finding their feet, they found a Whalers side that had learned from the first encounter. Despite a spirited century stand from Adam Darling and debutant Iftkhar Jalil that briefly revived hopes of another famous chase, Salix ultimately fell 30 runs short in a contest that proved, much like a finely tuned piano, that every part has to work in harmony.

Reduced to just nine players, Salix CC overcame a ten-man Not the MCC side in sweltering heat to secure a deserved victory. It was a true team effort, with valuable contributions throughout the side, while Andy Spurr produced a match-winning all-round display, starring with both bat and ball to help Salix return to winning ways.

Salix fell just four runs short in a thrilling contest against the Gents at Barnes, despite an excellent unbeaten 99 from the opposition and a valiant chase of 181. Vijay's maiden Salix fifty and CK's classy 49 kept the hosts in contention throughout, with the game going down to the final over. Although the result didn't go Salix's way, seven debutants helped make the fixture possible and contributed to an enjoyable match played in great spirit.

Savour these Salix days, for a week after comfortably defeating one traditional opponent, the Demijohns, we went one better in despatching another, the Whalers, by eight wickets and plenty of overs to spare. This when chasing what appeared to be a daunting 241 in 35 overs, against a team we hadn’t beaten in some years, in Sai’s first game as skipper.