The Blackheath 1st XI bounced back from defeat at Canterbury with a superb all-round display away at Harvel.
As the Club's warm-up continued its decay in the Meopham drizzle and chill, Chris Willetts' return to form at the toss continued as he called correctly and inserted the home side on an untidy but firm wicket.
Despite the early loss of Stuart Fern, Blackheath made good early progress with Zobie Sharif and the returning Alex Senn ticking over nicely. Senn was the aggressor with some powerful mid-wicket flicks regularly, if not exclusively, finding the short boundary on the bottom side of the ground. Zobie, content in playing the supporting role, also utilised the short boundaries with some deft leg side turns, but both batsman's stroke play accelerated with impeccable timing and they had put on 171 for the 2nd wicket when Senn picked out the deep mid-wicket four agonising runs short of his maiden league hundred.
With great support from Dipayan Paul (23) and Jahid Ahmed (32), Zobie went on to complete his first century for the Club before also picking out deep mid-wicket for a well compiled 101. The Blackheath innings closed shortly after on an intimidating 288-7.
Blackheath took the field in plummeting temperatures having donned plenty of layers, some in colours and styles not sanctioned by the captain. The style of cricket the Club subsequently produced was certainly more pleasing however, as the now familiar new-ball pairing of Jahid Ahmed and Ruel Brathwaite set about securing a 20 point win that had thus far eluded the Blackheath 1st XI.
Jahid opened the Blackheath account by taking out the Harvel opener's off stump for 0 but Ruel went not one, but several better there after as he rattled up a breathtaking 8 for 4 from 5 overs. His pace, movement and accuracy all clicked into place and as he honed in to the Harvel batsman's stumps (5 batsmen were bowled), they had no answers. He also unearthed a willing ally at 2nd slip where Jahid Ahmed took 2 high-class diving catches to raise the level of the Blackheath performance a few notches higher.
When Jahid claimed the last wicket off the 4th ball of the 11th over, the Harvel innings was wrapped up for 21 with Jahid and Ruel being the only contributors (7 bowled, 1 LBW and 2 caught by Jahid) - surely worthy of a letter to Wisden?
So, a 20 point win finally but more importantly this was an eye catching all-round performance and the very best of reactions to a reverse at Canterbury the previous week (no report on that game has been posted on this website in a North Korean stylee).
Harder tests undoubtedly await, and clearly the Club's goals will be achieved or not on how they react and perform under those circumstances.
For now though, we give praise to the great leader.
