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Played at Woodford Green
Report by Hassan Khan

This was the second fixture against Woodford, who had a particularly strong side packed with Essex League 2nd and 3rd XI players due to a cancelled fixture.

Woodford won the toss and put us in on a bone dry spinner's paradise. Openers Vishnu and Mohit took advantage of the dead surface, cracking 50 inside seven overs before Vishnu was brilliantly caught at mid off.

Once veteran Dalip was taken off, Woodford skipper and off spinner Hussein bowled a superb spell and took a couple of quick wickets, including Mohit for a classy 55.

Daryl Christie held the innings together and we looked vulnerable until new star Waseem Furqan exploded. His sixes flew over the boundary into Woodford High Road. It was clean striking which sounded like gunshots. Eventually he was bowled and, although wickets tumbled regularly, we posted a competitive 226-8 from 35 overs, thanks to a pugnacious 47 from the burly Mujahid.

Woodford's reply was belligerent, as Waseem took some hammer from Hussein, who was threatening to take the game away from us inside 10 overs. However, the highly skilful Syed pitched the ball up and one shot too many killed off the Woodford danger man for a quickfire 31.

The game was now deadlocked but I remained confident due to our extraordinary combination of two leg spinners: orthodox and 'Chinaman'. I don't think I have ever seen such a unique combination at international, first class or club levels.

Woodford were cruising and perhaps overconfident. Six dropped catches from us, 90 from 18 overs and nine wickets intact. No wonder they saw victory as a formality.

Enter Mohit, orthodox leggie, and mystery Chinaman Vishal. Suffice to say the pair were unplayable. Artistry personified as googlies, leg breaks and subtle changes of pace. Bewildered and bamboozled, Woodford were at a loss. Aided by two spectacular catches from live wire Waseem, we were now on top.

The game was now on a knife edge. Steve Hamilton, suffering from a shoulder injury, arrived and introduced Vishal's proud father to the English drinking culture! 28 from 4 overs became 21 off 3. The brave Woodford batsmen scampered singles at every opportunity and eight was required from the last over.

A debate now ensued. The irrepressible Waseem, who had appointed himself captain, insisted on pace for the finale. Even Ebrahim thought Waseem was the new captain.

However, I felt left arm leg spin was so rare and backed debutant Vishal. He was completely unplayable. OFCC won by four runs.

A famous victory over a top side. Well played Fallopians.

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