Southgate welcomed local rivals Enfield to the beautiful Walker ground on Sunday, resplendent in the glorious sunshine, with both Fernando brothers welcomed into the side to make their 1st XI debuts.
Relief was the word round camp when Enfield won the toss and asked us to have a stick in the baking heat, with Hugh - powered by a double Twix and Coke combo - and Bevan - buoyed by the prospect of Arsenal's impending silver medal - striding out to face the music. The boys started well with Hugh offering some glorious biffing while Bevan was solid and compact in the face of an impressive spell by Enfield's opening bowlers. Unfortunately - this was as good as it got.
Things started to go wrong around five overs in as Enfield's overseas, steaming in from the top-end, took a smart C&B to get the key wicket of Hugh, with Christian falling shortly thereafter to stall the home side's momentum. Bevan was then dismissed immediately post-drinks attempting to take a more positive option against the impressive Enfield attack, before Southgate's middle order - Chips, JD, Rory and Stefaan all had a go at getting themselves in, looking good, then getting themselves out - leaving the boys at a precarious 112-7.
As a result, it was left to messrs Daz, Coxy, Binty and Will to graft - all of whom put in a shift in an effort to drag us to something competitive. Unfortunately, 153 felt a fair way short at halftime.
Thankfully, Enfield kindly decided to make a game of it, proceeding to offer their best Southgate impression, as their batting lineup exhibited frailties which perhaps helped explain their decision to field at the toss. Will nicked their opener off with a beauty that rose off a length before Jim settled into a miserly spell, snaring the away side's first-drop with a cunning, wide half volley and then trapping the next LBW with one that nipped back.
Although Enfield's overseas remained, SCC had a sniff at 64-3 and continued to turn the screw, with encouragement provided by some unconvincing strokeplay at the other end. The parsimous Coxy soon came on and bagged another - ECC's captain - courtesy of a smart grab by Hugh in the covers. Hugh then turned creator - with the seismic wicket of Enfield's opener, Chips pouching smartly at first grabber. Now 104-5, when ECC's new man missed his first three deliveries, all of which were perilously close to cleaning him up, the door felt ajar.
Unfortunately, ECC's other bat had different ideas, sensibly stewarding the tail towards the total with a mature, circumspect knock. Daz returned to knock over his more fortuitous mate a few overs later but by that stage, it was too little too late, with Enfield running out deserved winners on the day.
This one felt like one that got away, despite ECC's strong bowling line-up, and the boys will be looking to bounceback strongly with another massive North London clash away at Winchmore Hill on Saturday. The lads commiserated in the evening sunshine with a few refreshments before watching Arsenal come second later on - either funny or miserable depending on your allegiance.
We go again on this weekend, UTG