Washington Cricket Club - 40th Anniversary Year

Regent’s Park is named after the future King, George IV:  last Saturday, Washington had another George to thank for their victory over UCS Old Boys. A blistering ton from the prince of Australian batsmen, George Hope (131), set up a target the Old Boys could not match, and Wash emerged as victors by an impressive 67 runs.  

The margin of victory flattered Washington, however, and Hope’s brilliance disguised a brittle batting performance that saw only one other player pass 20.

All this was in the future when skipper Peter Kloss lost the toss and the UCS captain elected to bowl on this dry looking strip.  In the first 15 overs, Washington were rampant, and George Hope, together with Tony Harris (38) were scoring at six an over.  Hope did not allow Harris’s dismissal with the score at 109 to interrupt his afternoon, and he and Graham Lillwall (17) added another 93 for the second wicket in just 8 overs before the latter perished.

In all Hope hit eleven 6s, clearing the park fence on more than one occaision, a considerable feat from the location of this pitch.

However, from this point on, Washington’s batting simply crumbled.  Aff Naseem was run out for 10 and John Roche bowled for a similar score;  only Marty Bock (18 not out) was able to offer any late order resistance as Wash lost their last five wickets for just 15 runs!

The pitch turned out to be not at all easy with variable bounce and pace. Some balls kept low, others popped up towards the batsmen's head. This was some excuse for Washington's collapse, but equally illustrated how well Hope and Harris had played. In addition to the poor state of the pitch, the outfield had not been mown for a couple of weeks and this added to Washington's general feelings of disappointment with the facilities provided at Regent's Park.

At the break both sides enjoyed a sumptuous tea, laid on by Russell Pendry, setting a high standard for future such outings.

A total of 250 was eminently defensible, and Washington’s opening bowlers strangled the UCS reply from the outset.  Domininc Butcher (1-32) chipped in and claimed an early scalp, Peter Kloss (1-18) bowled 7 miserly overs and Bock took 2-18 in an equally impressive display of controlled fast medium bowling. Graham Lillwall (0-29) bowled his first overs for the Washington and although he did not take a wicket his tight spell of off spin against batsmen who were well set promised much for the future.

The Old Boys’ problems became even worse when their star batter, Diamond, was forced to retire hurt with 70 runs to his credit. Diamond was hit on the temple from one which rose from just short of a length, although he was going for an extravagent pull shot. There was blood and the Wash's first aid kit was called into action after which Diamond departed to the hospital as a precaution.

After this, some stout resistance from the admirable John Baglivi (24 not out) aside, the Washington bowlers had it all pretty much their own way. Gary Malcolm (2-50) took  two wickets, but was expensive and the irrepressible Hope (1-13) also bagged a late victim.

So, ultimately it was a reasonable day in the Park for Washington, but they owed much to George Hope’s regal display.

Man of the match: George Hope

Packing the kit: Paul Irons, who was gracious enough to field for Dominic Butcher when he went off injured with a hamstring strain, but then continually pestered the skipper for a bowl when he knew as 12^th man this was impossible.

Washington: Tony Harris, George Hope, Graham Lillwall, Aff Naseem, David Gluckman, John Roche (+), Russell Pendry, Marty Bock, Dominic Butcher, Peter Kloss (c), Gary Malcolm