And finally…

The season has now ended, whites and PWCC pyjamas tucked away for winter, bats carefully stored (horizontally, not vertically, remember, chaps), club kit left to fester in a dark hole somewhere and the covers laid over the strip once again.  Among the various novelties brought to us by the formation of the league and the formation of PWCC, a late October finish brought its own challenges.  No doubt in the balmy south, where it never rains and gentle sun smiles benevolently upon the cricket grounds late into each and every day, teams were able to train and play without juggling weather and declining light but for us in Porto keeping sharp and ready to play in the final weekend was not so easy.  It might have also helped the southerners that they somehow managed not to complete their league games until just before, but that’s another story.

Nonetheless, we were able to trek to Cartaxo in good shape and with plenty of confidence.  I say ‘we’, but I wasn’t one, being like Neil, back in the UK for the Half-Term break.  Therefore my account will obviously lack most of the colour and detail that those actually present will want to remember, but I shall do what I can.  Thanks to CricHeroes, Sarah and I were able to follow the score as it progressed whilst on a nice, long downland walk in the pleasant autumn sun of southern Croydon.  Thanks to following on CricHeroes, my mobile’s battery ran out half way round the walk leaving us in the middle of a field without access to the trail on Wikilocs, but at least by then we knew that we had defeated Oeiras in what was clearly an excellent performance.  I have subsequently heard about the opposition’s marvellous melt-downs in the field, but the real damage was done by Sabha (30 from 31 balls), Junaid (36 from 21) and Anthony with 67 from 48.  From the running score it appeared that we bowled and fielded calmly, not getting flustered when one of their batters appeared to be settling and keeping wickets ticking over to win by an impressive 37 runs without Oeiras completing their overs.  Wickets were spread out and figures were pretty good for T20 (I can only presume that Anthony’s lack of a wicket and economy rate of 21 was a cunning attempt to give the opposition a bit of encouragement), but Raghu’s three wickets for twenty-two off four overs stands out on the scoresheet. 

As Sarah and I guessed our way round the lanes and footpaths we speculated on how much time there would be before the final against Malo (who had beaten Coimbra Knights at a canter the day before).  We couldn’t use her phone for a map because we would need all her battery to track the final, but we managed to steer ourselves to a nice old pub for a pint and to discover that the match had already begun.  Anthony stood out again with the bat, making 36 from 32 and there were various valuable cameos, notably John with 21 from 16 and Mubeen 21 from 14, however we finished a bit short of the total we would have hoped for against a team like Malo at 138 for 7.  After the effort in the semi it was obviously tough to turn around so quickly and face a team that was completely fresh but we made them work for their win, John and Junaid taking two wickets apiece and putting pressure on until the fifth wicket pairing made a combined 104 from 63 balls to lead them to a six-wicket win.  

Runners-up, then.  I’m sure we would have taken that in our first white-ball season, even though those who played the final and came so close will no doubt feel that on another day we could have gone all the way.

Looking back, everyone involved can be proud of the way that PWCC has been created and developed so swiftly into a force within Portugal.  Full credit to Inês, Nuno and Premal for their efforts to get it up and running, the sponsors for their vital financial and physical support, and, of course everyone who has played throughout the season, in league games and friendlies.  Premal’s tactical acuity as captain was also a highlight throughout the campaign. There has been a distinct buzz this year that has not just been caused by the crackle of polyester clothing in close proximity and the league has certainly helped enliven a cricket season stripped of almost all the usual OCLTC fixtures.  All being well, next season we will be welcoming all the scheduled visiting sides whilst maintaining our standards as PWCC in the league.  It will be busy, but what’s not to like about that?  Bring on April.