By Ankit Raj Mathur Date: 21/05/06 Played at: Isle de Noé

After the last close contest between the two sides, Toulouse was invited at Isle de Noe for a second match. Toulouse was victorious by 1 wicket in a nail biting encounter the first time around.  This time though the story was different.

Pete won the toss and decided to bat first, a brave decision, I would say on green wicket, but it was his home pitch and who would have known better. Arun and Gil opened the innings for NGCC while Nash and Fermanel started the proceedings for the Toulouse CC. Fermanel started well, putting the ball in the right areas, and allowing the ball to do the rest. Nash put down a tough caught and bowled chance off Arun in his first over. Arun and Gil played cautiously and saw off the new ball, concentrating more on singles and waiting for the occasional loose ball to score off. The first 10 overs yielded just 34 runs. A change in bowling did the trick for TCC, and Gil threw away his wicket, after he had done all the hard work. Hughes bowled well and continued the good work of Nash and Fermanel. David and Arun played beautifully and their running between the wickets was commendable. Arun was back to his fluent self, continuing his form from the previous match. David, who missed out in the last match, was determined to leave a mark this time round. They increased the run rate and were putting the pressure on the fielding side with their quick singles. They were lucky a few times, when the shy at the stumps was missing by a whisker. The score was 89 in the 20th over when the second drinks interval was taken. Soon after the break, Arun played a text book cover drive to reach his half century for the second time in 2 matches. David held anchor and allowed Arun to do the hitting. They maintained the run rate without losing any wickets. The score read 140 in the 30th over. With wickets in hand, and the final slog overs in sight, the score could explode. Arun got out trying to increase the pace on a well made 81 while David reached his 50. Clive was retired hurt when he tried a quick single and collided with the wicket keeper.  Pete walked into the middle, and played a few lovely shots to increase the scoring rate. David and Pete played well together. It was in the last over that Pete got out to Nash. With 3 balls left in the over, Mujtaba was also out hooking one straight to mid on. In walked Peter at the non strikers end. David drove the last ball straight to cover and set off for a non existent run and was unfortunately run out after playing an excellent innings and stayed right till the very end. The final score of 210 was a pretty good one on this wicket. Arun and Gil started well, David played beautifully in the middle overs and Pete finished off in style.

Riley and Hughes opened for the Toulouse team, while Pete and Prem shared the new ball for NGCC. Toulouse team found it difficult to handle the pace of Prem and the excellent line and length from Pete. They both shared 2 wickets each in their first spell and had Toulouse reeling at 36 for 4 after 10 overs. Cross and Warren played well and steadied the innings. Warren was looking dangerous in the middle. He scored 3 boundaries in the 7th over from Prem and was looking to take the attack to NGCC. Cross gave him good company. They played well against the spin of Jack, sweeping him regularly to the fine leg fence. Pete had to push a fielder back to the fine leg boundary. When all looked to be going well for Toulouse, Cross was tempted into lofting Mujtaba out of the ground; he stepped out, played a huge heave and missed the ball only to see his stumps rearranged. A rash stroke from Cross and there was no need for that as Toulouse were going along nicely. This proved to be the turning point in the match. The other players came and went quickly. Warren could not do much about it. He played a captains knock and was bowled by David after a well made 63. Pete came back to finish his spell and picked up 3 more wickets of Bristow, Fermanel and Reddel, to finish off with 5 for 30. Toulouse cricket club was bowled out for 141 in 24.2 overs with only Cross and Warren reaching double figures. For NGCC, Pete finished off the match with a well made 21 and his first 5 wicket haul.

The contest between the two sides is now even at 1-1 and all of us are looking forward for the third match. This contest is not over yet ….. It has just begun !!!

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