Sunday August 29th 1999

H.A.C

Armoury House, City

Edward Beckwith (The Chief)
Alex Paterson
Mick Bond
Mike Smith-Osborne
Tim Glover
Nick Shangher
Charlie Jenkins
Saul Shanagher
Paul Flemming
Guy Burnard

Complete and utter war between two ferocious camel warlords (Dec. 20 overs after 6)

The Tuaregs embarked on there most competitive fixture of the season with an unusually strong side. We had almost managed 11 players. The H.A.C, known for their spirited approach, had offered us the fixture on a Bank Holiday Sunday, presumably hoping our stars would be away.

The net effect was that the only player unavailable was the Chief Mong. This brought obvious advantages.

The Tuaregs won the toss and elected to bat. We started well and began to ply on the runs, at one point we were 96-2. Unlike most games, this momentum continued and the Tuarges were finally able declare on 182 for 7, our highest score of the season, with Ed Beckwith making 62 and Charlie Jenkins a lusty 39.

This is the first time the Tuaregs have been able to declare in nearly 3 years.

After tea our bowlers began the task of trying to bowl them out. Some excellent catches and hearty banter kept the pressure on. The 6 o¹clock deadline passed and the 20 overs began.

With four overs to go the H.A.C were 147 for 8, 35 runs adrift and 2 wickets left. The Tuaregs sniffed victory or at the least an honourable draw.

Two overs later, following some disdainful blows form the H.A.C captain (Richard Webster) the score was 168 for 8, the tide had turned and the Tuaregs were faced with familiar mediocrity.

But a miracle occurred, within one over they were all dismissed for 169 leaving the Tuaregs as stunned victors.

The hero of the day was Alex Paterson who bowled non-stop for 18 overs, taking 6 wickets for 71 runs.

Rest assured that this sort of flash in the pan will not happen again and we will do our utmost to uphold our reputation as the worst cricket team in the Sahara.

The most complete and satisfying victory ever known in Tuareg history.