Washington Cricket Club - 40th Anniversary Year

There was a first for the Washington Cricket Club on Sunday when two players scored centuries in the same innings. Paul Irons (117) and Tony Burt (106) both dominated the bowling in emphatic style, piling on the runs against opposition bowling with no answer to their power and might. Irons and Burt shared a 169 run partnership for the fourth wicket, by far the highest so far this season for the club.

Irons is a well established Washington player, this being his second hundred of the summer. Burt's performance was particularly pleasing as this is his first season. The partnership certainly looked as though it could deliver many more runs in the future.

Archway scored well in reply but could never match the almost 8 runs per over required. They also lost wickets regularly to fall well short with 9 overs remaining. Top scorer for Archway was Siraj with 47. Spinner Gary Malcolm took 3 wickets for the Wash as they won by 123 runs.

The pitch at Archway's Potters Bar ground was a belter, dry and flat, and giving the bowlers little assistance. Washington's captain, Justin Gurney won the toss and chose to bat without hesitation in warm and sunny but slightly hazy weather.

Washington lost two quick wickets, Campbell falling from the very first ball, and Grattan McCoach (1) soon afterwards, both caught behind. The Archway opening bowlers, Khalid and Siyan, were fast and accurate and causing the batsmen problems. Irons then came in and steadied the side with Pete Demitri (34). They weathered the storm well to get Washington to 31-2 from 8 overs. From there they began to score more freely, and once Burt had played himself in Irons really let loose. Burt was quick to join in. For the last 8 overs or so Archway had all their fielders on the boundary as the batsmen smashed the ball to all parts. Even when Irons was out Shawn Hill came in and clubbed 27 runs from only 9 balls faced. It was not a day for the bowlers and Archway fielders certainly were fed up with collecting the ball from beyond the boundary. Burt was bowled in the last over and Gluckman (1*) faced a single ball.

After an excellent tea and the satisfaction of seeing England complete a 1-0 victory over Ecuador  to go through to the World Cup quarter finals, Archway started their reply. After 5 overs they had scored only 13 for no wicket, but then they accelerated and scored well. However they could never match the 8 runs per over required. They also lost wickets regularly to fall well short of the target with 9 overs remaining. Top scorer for Archway was Siraj with 47. Spinner Gary Malcolm (3-55) took 3 wickets for the Wash.

There were also wickets for Justin Gurney (2-36), Dominic Butcher (1-24) and Tony Burt (1-8). Peter Kloss (0-33) and Grattan McCoach (0-27) also bowled. However the pitch did not give much assistance and most wickets fell to outfield catches from miss-cued shots, or bowled as the batsmen tried to hit out. Washington caught most of their catches but a couple did go down to the frustration of the unfortunate bowlers.

After the game skipper Gurney commented “A good game against well established and valued opposition. We won today, but they will have their day again as they have against us in the past. A couple of great knocks from Irons and Burt who both played magnificently. I'm really pleased, particularly for new boy Burt”

Man of the match: Paul Irons, for steadying things at 1 run for 2 wickets and then going on to build a century and a strong partnership with Burt

Packing the kit: Don Campbell for a first ball of the innings duck.

Washington: Don Campbell (+), Pete Demitri, Grattan McCoach, Paul Irons, Tony Burt, Shawn Hill, David Gluckman, Justin Gurney (c), Peter Kloss, Dominic Butcher, Gary Malcolm