49ers lose, cricket wins

Midi CC came with one hell of a reputation. According to moonlighting 49er and Scottish migrant John “Todger” McBurnie, they were the second best team in France. For the local press, their dismantling of a rival team was worthy of substantial coverage. For the 49ers it was a new challenge, and their first outside of the British Isles.

Midi’s southern French ground, complete with plastic green, stunning views and hilltop town hall, was the scene for a successful Gordon Cherrington toss. “Stumpy” elected to bat first, but the 49ers openers struggled against the feisty bowling of Rogers and Allison, McBurnie departing for a duck and Ian “Banter” Tonkinson (8) finding some rhythm before Rob had him LBW. Cherrington (9) looked good but fell quickly. Hamilton (9), watched by doting wife Francis and appreciative toddler Mylo, made history by scoring more singles than boundaries, but could not turn a tide that was remorselessly heading Midi’s way.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Cherrington had controversially placed Brockwell virgin Tom “Flick Knife” Young at number five, but on a roasting September afternoon the ever-courteous Aberdonian’s flashing blade fully validated his captain’s bold decision-making. Young’s glorious 48 combined careful husbandry with boundary-busting flair, and found foils in a fine knock from Tom “The Northern Fist” Partridge (12) and a neat, if concise cameo from Nick “The Chief” Heath, before Graeme Elliott produced perhaps the most destructive innings in 49ers history, powering three sixes past the disbelieving Midi fielders on his way to a vital 42.

The middle order had put the 49ers right back in it, and a quickfire 15 from James “Playa” Smart and dabbed single from Phil “White Chocolate” Evans brought the Londoners to a solid 178. Young carried his bat, and no one could begrudge him the honour, except perhaps Adam “Prancing Pony” Brichto, who was cruelly run out by the star, his luxuriant quiff skidding as he leapt for safety on the dusty ground.

The 49ers knew they had a job to do in the field. Hamilton began uncertainly, but soon he and fellow speed merchant Elliott had Midi openers Rogers and Allison on the back foot. But the expats did what Brockwell have always struggled to do: defend. The Brockwell quicks eventually got their breakthrough, McBurnie’s pace opening the door for Hamilton, who eventually took an impressive three wickets. But Midi were looking strong, Allison top-scoring for them with 41, despite struggling with the niggly slow-to-medium pace of Smart.

He eventually fell to Cherrington, whose drama-packed over included the game’s best wide, four boundaries and an inch-perfect humdinger of a slower ball. Stumpy had delivered a fine motivational speech before his over, recalling Churchill, Gandhi and Ant & Dec, but despite some great swing from Elliot and some tricky balls from the Prancing Pony, the 49ers could not hold Midi back, Bowyer and Simon in particular deserving credit for some stubborn batting. A fine two overs from Tonkinson – perhaps a case of too-little-too-late, made the finish a tense one, but Midi eventually won with two wickets to spare.

The 49ers could rue some missed opportunities – there were a few fumbles in the hard outfield, some lucky edges for Midi and a few talented bowlers who did not get the opportunity to impress – and they know they can do better tomorrow. But today, at least, belonged to Midi. A fine team lost, a good team won, and the winner – the art of arse-slapping aside – was cricket.

Man of the match: Allison

49ers man of the match: Young

Scorecard: Not getting put up yet as I have to eat some food