An inspired performance from all-rounder James Pyemont helped Metropolitan Police demolish Old Mid-Whitgiftian by nine wickets in Saturday's Surrey Championship Division 2 opener at Lime Meadow.
The former Sussex and Derbyshire player took five wickets as Mids were bowled out for 132, and hit an unbeaten 51 in Met's reply of 135-1 to complete a dreadful week for Mids captain Mike Brugnoli and his side.
A week that began with the Cockspur Cup exit to Beddington became far worse for Mids when overseas player Jamal Babu was forced to return home to Bangladesh after an unexpected complication arose over his visa.
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The eleventh hour loss of Babu is particularly damaging to an OMW side which has already seen the departure of Gary Butcher and Paul Gardner during the close season. In their absence, the bowling attack looked bereft of threat and penetration enabling Pyemont and opener Matt Lincoln (47 not out) to help themselves to the runs required.
In view of the shortage of bowling resources, the OMW batsmen will need to play a big part this season which made their spineless showing in this match all the more alarming.
The tone for the day was set in the first over when Tony Brugnoli was clean bowled by Police captain Nigel Fretwell whose swing troubled the batsmen in the early stages.
Warne and Sales also departed cheaply but Richard Nowell grafted hard for 26 before being caught by Pyemont off the unorthodox Bhatti.
A solid partnership between Richard Piggin (22) and Matt Kember (28) looked capable of bringing Mids back into the game but both batsmen were guilty of throwing their wickets away when comfortable at the crease. James Howgate (14) began in typically effervescent fashion before being given out lbw on the back foot to Pyemont.
Pyemont cleaned up the tail to finish with 5-38 as Mids lost their last five wickets for just eighteen runs.
The result was never in doubt after Lincoln and Bhatti put on 67 for the first wicket as the slip cordon failed to take a series of half chances.
Pyemont made them pay, reaching his half-century off just 38 balls as the Police stormed to victory in less than 28 overs.
With their pre-season plans in ruins, Mids must now reassess their game plan if they are to avoid a struggle this season.
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