CRICKET – THE Almoayyed Ford Awali Camels capped their 31st annual summer tour in Kent, England with a fine victory over Mote Cricket Club.
Needing 20 runs to win the match with just two overs remaining, the Camels were staring an honourable and close defeat in the face, with the much younger home team being in the driver’s seat for most of the contest. But they delivered in the end for a stunning triumph.
Mote opted to bat first on their historic ex-county cricket ground – the same where legend Colin Cowdrey had scored his 100th first-class century.
They methodically built a daunting total with skipper Craig Avery (39*) and C ‘Crasher’ Hodgson chancelessly amassing a century partnership.
The Camels’ first trio of bowlers, Dave Starkie, Steve Turner, and Guy Parker – with a combined age of 220 years – toiled bravely in the 30-degree-plus heat, but it was the introduction of Mumtaz, the batting hero of the famous victory over Addington the previous day, that eventually broke the stranglehold.
With his first ball, he induced Hodgson into a drive. Wicket keeper Charles Forward was the grateful recipient of the snicked offering.
The Camels sniffed a chance to restore some control, and debutant Camel George McNemeny delivered some impressive and unique bowling action.
Only 20 runs came from his four overs as he claimed the wicket of Harris (16), giving Forward his second catch of the match.
Mote needed to pick up momentum again, and it came splendidly in the shape of Ravan Patel (51), who unleashed a series of eight boundaries in quick succession before holing out at deep mid-wicket to Tom Wooding’s sprinting catch of the day off Martin Saunders.
The Camels’ challenging target was 203 to win, but gettable. Steve Parker, another Camel debutant, strode out with Guy Parker to start the reply, but the opening bowling pair of Attharagama and Schofield controlled the scoring, aided by some stunning fielding. A mere 40 runs came from the first 12 overs.
Now, the required run-rate climbed to more than eight an over, and, rising to the call, both Parkers came out of their shells, crashing boundaries all around the ground, with at least three from Guy Parker’s trademark reverse slog.
The touring ‘Fordies’ were now back in control.
With both openers retiring on 50, the scene was almost set for the final act. But first came a cameo golden duck for Martin Saunders and the dismissal of Mumtaz (24).
Mote sniffed a chance, but Wooding and Fergus Shaw retrieved the situation somewhat, although there were still 20 runs needed off just 12 balls.
Patting, or even banging his bat down as the bowler ran up, Wooding looked determined. Dot ball, two, four, two, four, and a single – now nine to win.
A single off the first ball of the final over brought Shaw to face eight required off five deliveries. He guided a good Hodgson ball into a gap for another single.
Seven off four needed, and then Wooding hosted the biggest six of the day over mid-wicket, but had to retire on reaching his 50.
It was left to skipper Forward to find the single needed to win, but he didn’t need the last ball as he nonchalantly stroked the ball to the cover boundary, sealing their fine result. Both teams were cheered on by the appreciative crowd who were kept on the edges of their seats right to the end as the Almoayyed Ford Awali Camels completed their 31st annual international tour in grand style.
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