2011
SEASON
|
Date |
Oppostion |
Result (* batted first) |
|
30 Apr
|
Willoughby (A) |
W 160 all out / 106 all out ¥ |
|
07 May
|
Castlethorpe (H) |
D No Play Rain ¥ |
|
15 May
|
Dunchurch (A) |
W 243/2 / 205/3 ¥ |
|
22 May
|
Fenny Compton (A) |
W 95-8 / 92 all out ¥ |
|
29 May
|
Middleton (H) |
L 61 all out / 62-7 ¥ |
|
05 Jun
|
Grange Pk (A) |
W 183-9 / 71 all out ¥ |
|
12 Jun
|
Stoneleigh
(H) |
W 182-8 / 134 all out ¥ |
|
19 Jun
|
Preston
Capes (H) |
A 144-6^ / dnb
(^P Capes) ¥ |
|
26 Jun
|
Afro
Caribbean (A) |
L 182-9* / 183-8 ¥ |
|
30 Jun
|
Preston
Capes (A) Cup |
L 91-7 / 155-5 ¥ |
|
03 Jul
|
Willoughby
(H) |
L 167-9* / 168-4 ¥ |
|
10 Jul
|
Castlethorpe (A) |
L 160-8* / 161-4 ¥ |
|
17 Jul
|
Dunchurch (H) |
D No Play Rain ¥
|
|
24 Jul
|
Fenny
Compton (H) |
W 139-8 / 133 all out* ¥ |
|
31 Jul
|
Middleton (A) |
L 187-8 / 209 all out ¥ |
|
07 Aug
|
Grange Pk (H) |
W 260-6 / 108 all out ¥ |
|
14 Aug
|
Stoneleigh (A) |
W 189-8* / 191-5 ¥ |
|
21 Aug
|
Preston
Capes (A) |
L 136-7 / 120 all out ¥ |
|
28 Aug
|
Afro
Caribbean (H) |
W 138 all out* / 139-7 ¥ |
BODICOTE 139-7 (20 pts) beat AFRO CARIBBEAN 138 all out (5 pts) by 3
wickets
So the season ended on a high with a
good win over Afro Caribbean who went into the game with a chance of promotion
if they had won but to be fair from their body language were probably not too
disappointed not to have achieved that.
Symo and his apprentices Luke and Craig had
done a good job to prepare a strip despite the heavy rain. With more forecast
it would be a good toss to win. Matt however lost it to one of the two Afro
players present at 1.55 and he decided it would be safer to bat not knowing
when teammates would arrive.
Afro Caribbean did not get off to a
typical Afro start with Ali and Sanya taking a
cautious watchful approach to the bowling of Dan and Bucks. Dan made a
breakthrough on 17 when he bowled Sanya for 7 in the
seventh over and two overs later had Miller D caught
by Craig to make it 27-2. Miller C joined Ali to steady the ship. Dan came off
after 9 overs 2-39 to be replaced by Barlow. Bucks
was bowling a miserly spell from the other end and would probably preferred
Afro to go for their shots to buy a few wickets as he was unable to add to his
3 wicket advantage over Barlow in the BCC SNCL wickets challenge, Between them
5 maidens were bowled on the trot but no wickets for Bucks after bowling
through, 0-28 off 12, and he could only watch with horror with what unfurled.
The second ball of Barlow’s first over
saw a ball turn from outside leg to outside off
and Symo effected a smart stumping (OK both
facts fairly unbelievable but true) to remove Miller C for 25, 64-3. Barlow then had Ali caught off a leading edge
by Dave for 25 to make it 74-4. If Afro’s style had been more restrained than
usual up till now, No 6 Weeks was determined to get the scoreboard moving. He
hit his first ball for six and followed up with another maximum two balls
later. Adam had joined the attack and Weeks
blasted him for a 6 and followed up with two more off Barlow. Barlow had moaned
before the game about “Toytown” small boundaries but
to be fair it would be hard to get the line marker three quarters the way up
the village hall roof over the changing room doors, which is where the second 6
landed. The village hall roof wasn’t the only thing taking a battering as the
howling gale that had whipped up removed one of the shed doors off its hinges
luckily injuring no one in the process. The score had raced along from 74 to
115 in the space of five overs and Weeks looked in
dangerous form. However attempting another big hit off Barlow he mistimed an
enormous skier which Dan raced in from long to take a tremendous diving catch
to remove him for 34 (five 6s), 115-6 in the 28th and in the sub-plot Barlow
joined Bucks on 34 wickets with the latter grumbling that no-one takes any
catches off his bowling. An over later and Bucks sub plot misery was complete –
McCourtie caught at point by Darren off Barlow for
10, 125-6. Adam who up till now had struggled with his radar then got in on the
act having Miller S caught in the gully by Jigger for 11 and bowling John for
0, 133-8 in the 34th. Wallace and Robinson were an experienced (ie old) last wicket pair for 10-man Afro and they looked to
see out the overs but the former was bowled by Barlow
to see the total 138 all out, Barlow 5-45 and Adam 2-21. Bodicote’s mopping
up of the Afro tail was only disturbed by umpire Jerry’s mobile phone ringing –
good job Andy W was the league umpire not Syd as he
might have banished Jerry from the field under SNCL Regulation 4.2.3.vi.c
Inappropriate mobile phone ringing!
So the last 40 overs of the league season. Would it see a
good win against a higher ranked oppo who only two
weeks ago had lowered Castlethorpe’s colours or a quiet whimpering end of campaign?
Unfortunately Luke was to play little part in the proceedings falling for 0,
5-1 inside the third over and Dave joined Matt (who with Barlow & Allen
back in the side this week had not tried to sneak down the order like last week
despite expressed instructions from the Senior Pros he should not do this).
With some niggly tight bowling and the wicket not
doing much Dave was not his usual fluent self but still easily outscored the
Skip scoring 39 of their 50 partnership before holing out at long off, 55-2 off
at the drinks break - which were not required as it was so cold. Darren then
fell for 1 and Craig for 9, 75-4 in 25 and the prospects for the win seemingly
resting on the Skip’s shoulders. Unfortunately he was bowled by namesake Cedric
for 27 on 94. This brought Adam out to join Jigger. Whereas Jig was happy to
accumulate singles Adam went for some big shots …. and
unfortunately some stupid ones – LBW trying his reverse slog to the well
protected third man area. Umpire Wilkins usually doesn’t give LBWs but probably
gave this one because of the daftness of the shot, however his quickfire 12 had helped the score up to 117 in the 33rd.
Dan S also hit a quick 10 before falling caught behind. His alma mater Bloxham would be proud that despite umpire Wilkins not
giving it, Dan walked. Afro applauded him off …. Skipper Miller told him never
to do it again. Sadly as his family are moving to Shrewsbury and his job
prospects in the area slim, unless Panther Composites (who are to BCC
employment what the coalmines were to South Wales) come up trumps, it could
well be his last game anyway. 133-7 and five overs to
go but unlike the recent Fenny wobble old school (borstal?)
chums Baker (9 no) and Symo (4 no) saw us home with
2.5 overs to spare.
It had been a
good sporting encounter and Afro ensured there was a relaxed atmosphere wafting
around the ground after the game. This all compares favourably
to the positively zoo-like appealing / celebrating noises that were emanating
from over the hedge at Bodicote’s other ground during
the afternoon. Special thanks also go to Gillian T-A who got over the
disappointment of not making her 2nd team debut by scoring, making lots of jugs
of squash as they kept blowing over, sorting out the scoreboard and having to
sit next to Afro’s umpire/scorer for a half a game.
Afro then
joined us for a couple of drinks before they moved on to more exciting
pastures. Meanwhile the seconds had returned from their epic victory plus other
assorted ex-players arrived and an epic old style BCC night ensued around the
famous table until 2 am with more jugs than in Balti’s
magazine collection; hundreds of 100 Club draws; much banter over the legality
of Barlow’s SNCL wicket haul claims (I liked JPs note that a. anything that was
not to count should be agreed before the start of the season and b. football’s
golden boot includes goals from all competitions); Symo
regularly licking Bucks who had the misfortune to be sat next to him all night;
Mr & Mrs Baker enjoying their first night out with the team; and general
good natured banter and mickey taking. A shame one or
two long time late night regulars like DC, Phil, Porge,
Inzy couldn’t be there but all in all good fun and a
reminder that despite the different background and ages of our players there is
a great spirit and camaraderie in the club. You read it here first – the 2012
last Saturday of the season party will be celebrating promotion.
Saturday 20 August
BODICOTE
120 all out (4 pts) lost to PRESTON CAPES 136-7 (20 pts) by 16 runs
Due
to summer holidays and a (supposed) ‘needle’ match for the 2s against Gawcott, a slightly unfamiliar looking team met at a breezy
Preston Capes, which included The Lynes, The Symingtons (back from terrorising Corfu) and The Smiths,
meaning 1st XI season debuts for Dan, Inzy,
Cutler and Nigel. The Skipper lost the toss and we were asked to field, at
which point Craig discovered he had only brought one cricket shoe.
Dan
opened from the top end, with the wind and without the sightscreen, so Bucks,
playing up to his role as the miserable slightly psychopathic opening bowler,
took the other end under protest. Both bowled very well. Bucks removed the two
openers, Daynes (4) with a horrible shooter and
Holmes (9) played on (as confidently predicted by Symo).
Dan then hit back to account for Strong (10), bowled the ball after being
dropped by Symo, and Tarry (18). But number 3 Bull,
after being put down badly by Lyno (junior) at square
leg, was playing a watchful anchor role on a wicket that was doing a bit. After
a short rain break, reducing the match to 37 overs
each, the Skipper took over from Bucks and picked up Pogozelski
(“he’s not from round these parts”
decided Cutler), but useful partnerships between the ever patient Bull and the
more direct Tarry (18) and Stanton (25) took Preston Capes past 100. Helped by
some big blows from Franks, and a loose last over from the Skipper, Preston
Capes finished on 136 for 7 from their 37 overs, with
Bull 39* - an invaluable knock.
On
his belated return to the 1st XI, Dan bowled with pace and accuracy
(12/1/38/2), Bucks was typically miserly (12/3/24/2) and the Skipper was a bit
expensive in the end (11/0/55/3). Dazzler also bowled 2 very tight overs at the death, which suggested he should be bowling
much more than he does. Blame the Skipper. All in all, we bowled well and
fielded ok, and we were confident of knocking off the runs – possibly too
confident.
After
a cracking tea, Jigger, Luke and Craig were all back in the hutch with only 19
runs on the board. Dazzler and Cutler played sensibly to rebuild the innings
with a partnership of 43, and when Dazzler was out for a good 21, we needed 75
to win off 17 overs. A typically entertaining cameo
from Inzy, including a reverse sweep first ball
(predicted again by Symo), kept the scoreboard
ticking over, and when the Skipper joined Cutler, the target was 60 off 13. But
Wilson and Holmes were bowling well in tandem, and once Cutler (33) was well
taken at deep mid off, Symo
followed soon after, and the required run rate had crept up to 7 an over. We
were still in with a shout with 4 overs to go, but
when Dan (10) and the Skipper (22) holed out in quick succession, it was
effectively game over, and Nigel’s run out ended the chase with Bucks on 2* and
Bodicote 120 all out.
So
good contributions from Dazzler, the Skipper and especially Cutler, but the
added pressure of the run chase and some tight bowling meant we came up just
short - Bull’s 39* was ultimately the match-winning innings. A good game played
in the right spirit, and we look forward to avenging the defeat next season.
BODICOTE
191-5 (20 pts) beat STONELEIGH 189-8 (6 pts) by 5 wickets
Ex-SNCL Chair Derek Laud’s Lebensraum policy of the late 20th Century
saw some less than lovely far-away club/grounds incorporated into the league
but there can be no complaints that the long to trip to Stoneleigh wasn’t
worthwhile with a lovely tree, hedge and fence lined ground under the shadow of
a magnificent country house. It was like playing on the set of Downton Abbey. After
last week’s unavailability issues a reasonably strong team was assembled and
after flirting with a youthful Under 30 average age last week the inclusion of
Woody, Baker and Allen took the average back up to an experienced 35+. It was
also good to see the new Mrs Taylor-Allen present and keen to score, but having
lost the toss Bodicote were in the field so it was going to be a couple of
hours at least before we could see if the new marital status would have any
effect on Dave (still Allen, definitely not Taylor-Allen).
Matt entrusted the new ball to Adam and Scott much to the chagrin of the
(self proclaimed) new ball specialist Bucks.
Stoneleigh opened with Lazenby and Beale, the latter
already having taken a hundred off Bodicote playing for his previous club Dunchurch & Bilton. He was
the dominant partner in the opening stand although Adam and Scott both bowled
well any decent shots raced over the fast outfield to the short boundaries.
Adam took the wicket of Lazenby (15) with the score
69-1 in the 17th, caught by brother Shaun, keeping
wicket. It could not be described as caught behind though as Lazenby got a leading edge and sent a skier up to Scott at
square leg, Shaun called for it but had misjudged the distance and ended up
sprinting to take a very good diving catch. After an expensive 9th over Scott
came off with figures of 0-49 which didn’t do justice to how well he bowled and
was replaced by Barlow.
Skipper Miller set strategic fields to nullify Beale’s strokeplay and was backed up by good bowling from Adam and
a no flight / no spin policy from Barlow, described by the frustrated batsman
as a “Wily F****r”. Adam finished his 12 over stint with good figures of 1-39
and Bucks came on and he too initially applied good pressure. The frustrated Beale
tried to hit Bucks over the top and was caught at deep mid on by the Skip for
72 to leave Stoneleigh 114-2 off 29, well short of a par score on a free
scoring ground. Baines and Iqbal set about improving
the run rate and it Bucks who came in for some stick seeing his figures of 4 overs 1-10 turned to 6 overs 2-42
which after some big hitting from Iqbal finally saw
him bowled for 32. Baines soon followed for 30 when an attempted quick single
fell foul of a great underarm throw from Darren at
cover. In his last over Bucks had Chapman well caught by Craig in the deep to
finish with 3-56 off his 8. Meanwhile Barlow had been keeping one end quiet
with 0-39 off 11 and with the last over to be bowled the home side were on 186-5. Here it is worth mentioning the
interesting side issue being played out between Barlow & Buckingham for the
honour of being leading wicket taker. With DC’s
progress to this accolade sadly truncated the aged two have been undergoing a
personal challenge with Bucks initial large lead whittled away by some recent
big hauls from Barlow. Going into Saturday Bucks lead 29-28, so by the time the
last over was to be bowled he was now 32-28 with his lead helped by buying
wickets and underhand tactics such as interrupting Barlow’s run up to pop off
for a drink. His mood was darkened however as Barlow took three wickets in six
balls - another Shaun catch at square leg, a stumping and a good catch at deep
long on by Jigger to end with 3-42 and keep the race wide open. Bucks was
overheard by umpire Harvey to mutter unsportingly “it
makes me puke” during this carnage as Stoneleigh finished on 189-8.
Tea was taken with ex-BCC player Jared very much to the fore. Injury has
curtailed his season but he looked a dab hand with the teapot. Bodicote were
also joined by a portly, grey haired distinguished gentleman who had been
spotted around the boundary. First thoughts were that this was an Abbot or the
like from the Abbey but it turned out to be the long lost Inzy.
Skipper Matt opened with himself and Craig. He had complained the match
reports are too “bowler centric” with not enough about the batting but hardly
gave any scope for flowing prose being out caught at slip off the gentle
bowling of Baines for 2, 4-1 off in the 3rd. Baines opening partner Edgington was also less than hostile and Craig went for his
shots quickly reaching 18 before holing out at deep long on to the
embarrassment of Woody who had called out “great shot” as the ball flew through
the air. 26 for 2 after 6. The newly-wed Dave came to
the crease and found the bowling and outfield much to his liking and was soon
in his stride. Sadly Darren, who looks like big runs are going come at any
moment but not having any luck, edged Edgington to
slip to fall for 1, 51-3 in the 11th well up with the run rate but wickets
falling too quickly. Jigger joined Dave and they set about what was ultimately
the match winning partnership. Both found the boundary with increasing
regularity and Dave brought up his 50 in 77 balls including a big 6 relegated
to a 4 due to a local rule about hitting a tree outside of the boundary. Jigger
supported him well and it was a surprise when Jigger fell caught by Beale to
give the cheerfully loquacious ex-Dunchurch man his
third catch and something else to talk about. He scored 31 and the total had
reached 142 with 11 overs to go. Dave set about
getting the win very quickly and hit two sixes to make up for the one not given
but with another century in sight was caught behind of Lazenby
for a fabulous 93 (76 in boundaries - 16 fours and 2 sixes). 160-5
and 9 overs to get 30. Shaun and Woody played
cautiously to start with but any thoughts Stoneleigh had of clinching an
unlikely win were dispelled by Shaun who smashed a very quick 28 including a
six to win the game, Woody ending on 7 no and 191-5 reached with 4.2 overs to spare.
So the
perfect day, a good win in a friendly game on a beautiful ground even if Scott
thought the outfield was bit bumpy – there is no pleasing the disaffected youth
of today, no wonder they feel the need to riot. Click here
for a team photo in front of the Abbey kindly taken by J-Rod, Tin-Man
Photography Services. Good to see the
new Mrs & Mrs (Taylor) Allen inseparable but where is Gillian’s other hand
and what on earth is Lyno doing?
BODICOTE
260-6 (20 pts) beat NORTHAMPTON GRANGE PARK 108 all out (4 pts) by 152 runs
Having almost slipped up against one relegation candidate a fortnight
ago Bodicote made no such error on this occasion to thrash Grange Park.
With mass unavailabilities due to holidays and
weddings (including Dave Allen & Gillian’s - congratulations) it was a much
changed side that was selected. With a
number of younger players turning out there was a chance that for the first
time in years the average age of the side would be less than 30 ….. not quite as with Slogger (52)
recalled and Bucks (5?) playing the average was 30.05. With a belter of a
wicket produced by the combined team efforts of El Ex-Chair, Skip, Shaun &
Scott, on winning the toss Matt had no hesitation in batting and went out to
face the Grange Park attack with Lyno. And it proved
to be a highly successful partnership. Matt took the back seat whilst Craig
went for his shots and apart from a few that fell handily between the inner and
outer ring of fielders he was generally on fine form. The scoreboard was soon
ticking over nicely – 24 off 5, 45 off 10, 83 off 15 and 117 off 20, By now Craig had powered his way past 50 hitting 18 off the
21st over. Having survived a dolly drop at cover he finally fell for
87 with the score on 145-1 in 25 overs. Darren joined
Matt who reached his half century soon afterwards. Darren was looking in good
form too but drilled one to mid on to fall for 14, 181-2 off 29. Shaun (8), Wasim (5) and Max (1) fell in quick succession to leave
Bodicote 208-5 in the 34th but Adam proved a good foil for Matt even
rolling out a reverse sweep. With one
over left Matt was on 94, and then three balls later 99 after .41. Adam dropped the bat on the next
one for a quick single and then Matt hit a 2 to bring up his 100. He fell
caught of a miscued pull off the last ball for 101, how Grange Park must be
sick of the site of him having batted 79.1 overs
against them and scoring 113 and 101.
Adam ended on 21 no and Bodicote’s total was a
daunting 260-6.
With Scott injured Matt opened the attack with Adam and Bucks and the
latter got an early breakthrough when Butler edged one and keeper Slogger took a good low catch, 10-1 off 5. Kilsby and Everitt batted solidly
and although Adam beat the bat with pace and Bucks got very very
close to more edges it took a run out to break the partnership. Grange Park
went for a quick single to Wasim at mid on and to be fair Wasim,
suffering from not eating during the daytime in Ramadan, had not looked
electric in the field. However with one stump to aim for Wasim’s
aim was true and Kilsby went for 14, 41-2 off 15.
Barlow replaced Adam (0-26 off 8) and in his second over saw Everitt hit all round a straight one to be bowled for 18.
Bucks was himself stung into action (as he could see his lead in the veterans’
wicket challenge being whittled away) and picked up two wickets in the next
over, Young playing on for 6 and Holmes falling LBW to the last ball before the
drinks interval, 60-5 after 20 and the threat of a no result from the encircling dark
clouds banished Bodicote could relax. And they could relax to a flurry of
wickets from Barlow who surprised the oppo and his
team mates with a series of straight balls that sent the stumps cartwheeling across Kingsfield
(OK he did uproot the one with the short pointy bit), He finished on 5-19 off 8
overs, (all bowled) and Was, who came on for Bucks
(12 overs 3-28), took the last wicket to see Grange
Park all out for 108. .
BODICOTE
187-8 (9 pts) lost to MIDDLETON CHENEY 209 all out (20 pts) by 22 runs
So the luxury
of away trip within the traditional boundaries of the SNCL to Middleton Cheney
rather than the far flung places of most of the Division. And being Middleton
allowed for older players to reminisce about the last we played a 1st XI game
there. Older players include Barlow, Buckingham and Woody, who was making a sensational return after his replacement hip op for only his second 1st XI game in seven seasons. All
three of them played in said last game, the first game of the 1987 season.
Barlow could remember minute detail including it being rain affected and a
diving catch in the gully to remove Pete Hawkes;
Woody couldn’t remember much; Bucks is still seething as he didn’t get a bat or
bowl (he fancied himself as an all rounder in those days) at all and he had
brought a friend to watch him play.
Psychologists often look at something that happened in our past to
explain why we behave
as we do – perhaps the years of resentment Bucks has bottled up about this
incident has shaped his persona?
OK back to
the 21st century. Matt lost the toss and Middleton decided to bat and they made
rather a god job of it. Scott who had bowled well alt
week, struggled to find any rhythm and his six over spell, which included a
maiden, went for 50. Bucks was less expensive but not much was beating the bat
and as the ball raced to the boundary on a sweltering day the fielding went a
bit limp and a long afternoon beckoned at the first drinks break after 15 with
Middleton on 81. Barlow replaced Scott and Matt came on for Bucks to take the
pace off the ball (fair enough for the first change, not much difference in the
second) and the run rate slowed down a bit. Barlow finally made the
breakthrough in the 23rd over when Markham (49) got a leading edge, so it must
have spun, and it dollied up for Symo to take the
catch, 118-1. Markham’s partner Cross had by now had moved quickly past fifty
with very good shot selection and apart
from a hard chance standing up and two possible stumpings
did not really offer any chances .
No 3 Ramsdale came in looking to increase the run rate but after
a couple of fours he was bowled by Barlow for 12, 142-2 off 29. 11 off Matt’s
next over and at the second drinks break, Middleton were 153-2 with 10 overs
left and Bodicote staring down the barrel of a big score. However credit to the
team as they stuck at the task and apart from one horror over produced their
best spell in the field with some good catching, and ground fielding backing up
some tight bowling. Miller bowled
Stevens for 2 then Barlow took two wickets in two balls having Twynham J stumped off a cunning slower ball for 2 followed
up by Twynham S LBW first ball. Unfortunately he was
unable to replicate Stuart Broad’s feat (or his own at Badby
in 1981) but the score was up to 168-5 off 33. Matt decided to take himself off
and bring back Bucks to bowl through. Unfortunately initially this proved very
much to Cross’s liking as he hit 19 off the over to
bring up a very good ton and some. Barlow ended up with a creditable 4-41 off
his 12 overs and left Matt two more to bowl of the last five and these were a
mini triumph for the fielding side as Bucks removed Wright (5) well caught at
deep long off by Luke, then bowled Farmer for a duck, 189-7 off 36. Matt ended
with tidy figures of 1-51 off 10 and the last over arrived bowled by Bucks
which saw Cross caught at deep long off by Jigger for 125, Merry run out 8
after a great throw from the deep by Lyno and then a
wicket on the last ball when the brothers Nadin went
for a suicidal run as the ball went through to Symo. Symo threw down the stumps with both out of their ground.
Bucks of course wanted the wicket and Symo likewise
the stumping but the rest of the team were insistent it was a run out.
Unfortunately as the day and evening wore and more people were asked the
reality sunk home that it was st Symo b Bucks who ended with 4-60. A
final total to chase of 209.
Matt opened
with himself and Jigger and they made a confident start reaching 28 when Jigger
was out, caught at the second attempt at deep long off for 15, 28-1 off 9.
Unfortunately worse to follow soon after when Darren (4) and Shaun (0) were out
the space of six balls to leave the score 40-3 in the 12th. His brought Lyno to the crease and went on the attack hitting a couple
of big sixes along the way in a rapid 29, 72-4 off 18. Unfortunately after that
Matt and Luke got tied down and only 29 runs came off the next 11 overs when
Luke was out for 6,
Matt soon followed for a patient 42 and Symo a blob
to see Bodicote 103-7 in the 30th. This brought together the Barlow/Woodruff
combo to bat together for the first time since heaven knows when – 98 years of
experience and 40 years of bats. With quick singles not on the agenda they
opted for attack and Middleton found this quite unsettling as the ball
repeatedly found the boundary. In one spell 46 runs came off 4 overs. When
Barlow was finally out for 25 the total had got up to 180-8 and 77 added in 9
overs. Bucks was unable to get Woody the strike to see him denied his half
century but he ended on a creditable 46 no and Bodicote on 187-8.
BODICOTE 139-8 (20 pts) beat FENNY COMPTON 133 all out
(6 pts) by two wickets
Our earlier
meeting with Fenny saw us turn what should have been a straightforward victory
into a tense win and history repeated itself in the return leg.
Matt won the
toss and despite a batting heavy line-up (on paper) decided to bowl. This was
because the wicket was the consistency of brown plastacine.
Earlier in the morning Symo, Luke, Barl, and Matt had prepared the strip which was sodden
after Friday’s heavy downpour. This involved the gentlest of rolling and Symo finishing it off using a tamper, from Arthur’s
collection of 19th century ground maintenance implements, looking like an extra
from Lark Rise to Candleford.
With Cronin
and Buckingham away Adam and Scott took the new ball. Fenny’s
own Buckingham opened
and the difference between theirs and ours could not be more
marked. Even on a difficult wicket he pugnaciously sent the ball flying to the
boundary whilst his colleague Welsby couldn’t connect
with anything. Scott fared better than Adam but there were worried looks as the
score mounted to 73 off 15 and Buckingham passed 50. There were more worried
looks from Skipper Miller when Buckingham then drilled a big one to him at long
on of Scott. The responsibility of captaincy was highlighted as his teammates watched .... and he safely pouched
it, a crucial breakthrough. Adam then removed the No 3 Green first ball, c&b to bring Fenny skipper Smyth to the crease and he
hit a big six to show his intent. Barlow replaced Scott (8 ov
1-24) and kept the runs down and Adam took his second wicket when Smyth was
well caught by Matt running from long off to long on, 92-3 off 22. Adam ended
with 2-62 off his 12 and was replaced by Miller and in tandem with Barlow they
saw off the rather long Fenny tail. Bedding went for 9
caught in the gully by Jigger off Barlow and Maries D
was run out after a good throw from Porge. Opener Welsby’s vigil finally ended after he had amassed 13 in 31
overs to take the “Guy Jones Memorial Award” for slow
batting. Barlow had opted for a policy of keeping him in (and less believeably Symo claimed likewise and he wasn’t taking stumping
chances) by bowling the ball into his pads which the left handed Welsby could/would do nothing with, unfortunately he
strayed to middle stump line and uprooted said stump, 111-6 off 31. He then
bowled Bradley for 4 and had Tonka Maries caught at
slip for 1 but the five wicket haul proved elusive (which at his age is a worry
as he might never get another one) as the ball dropped between fielders or was
dropped in varying degrees of hardness by Porge (2)
and Scott. Miller cleaned up the tail bowling Smart and Moore to end with 2-17,
Barlow 4-27 and Fenny 133 all out.
After a good tea Matt sent Luke and Craig out to
open (and later was told by the senior pro’s to stop
messing with the order he should always open even if he has bowled!) Luke went
early for 1 and Dave joined Craig with both playing freely. Craig hit one
enormous six into the tree by the scout hut but was undone by Smyth (Snr) who had replaced Tonka Maries from the heavy end. He
fell for 19, the score on 49 in the ninth over. Dave was going like a train and
it was a big surprise when he played over a delivery from Smyth (Snr) to be bowled for 43, 66-3. Darren and Jigger kept up
the run rate until Darren was well caught by Smart at square leg for 22,
unfortunately Porge followed in the same fashion a
ball later, and followed this up with some unnecessary drain pipe removal,
100-5 off 23. Jigger and Matt looked like they were steering the team home
until Jigger was adjudged LBW off Maries D for 25, 125-6. Then things got
really daft as Symo went for 2 and Adam for a golden
to leave us 132-8. The flurry of wickets meant No 10 Barlow had to rush into
his pads and helmet and opted to bat in his grey trainers (so bagging the “Tony Instone Memorial Award”) as
umpire Sid watched with eager anticipation at the chance for a timed out to add
to his collection of dismissals and decisions. 30 seconds were left on the 3
minute clock when he made it to the crease. He blocked grumpily as Matt brought
the scores level before hitting a six to win the game, ending on 25 no.
So six wins achieved and that means the Woodruff
target to avoid relegation has been met. For Fenny things look more grim though with a thin squad (Buckingham, Tonka and
Smyth (Snr) excepted) and Darren Deeley still
recovering from the snapped Achilles he suffered in our first meeting – it was
good to see him supporting his team. We wish them well in their battle to stay
up.
The older team members then enjoyed Dave Allen’s
impromptu stag evening in The Plough with missing players Phil and Slogger joining the ranks and both (was it the lager?)
talking about playing again. So much fun was being had that Symo
forgot they had people round for supper so the doghouse beckoned for him!
Guy Memorial
Jones Award – named after Guy scored a 17 over duck vs
Charlton in 1994.
Tony Instone Memorial Award – named after Inners who commented disparagingly
about the oppo’s cricket etiquette in a Sunday
friendly whilst himself playing in black trainers
BODICOTE (10 pts) drew with DUNCHURCH
& BILTON (10 pts) – no play rain
Sadly the BodFest
showpiece event was called off due to the rain.
Saturday 9 July
BODICOTE 160-8 (5 pts) lost to CASTLETHORPE 161-4 (20
pts) by six wickets
Hmmm the results column shows more Ls than in the BSM car fleet
but there were some positives to come from a loss against the league leaders Castlethorpe.
With skipper Matt on leave Symo took up
the captaincy reins again. Dave Allen
and Jigger were also not available and when the 2s game was called off Symo drafted in the Harris brothers. George MacDowell also
made his debut. (Porge found it most disconcerting
having a second George playing so for ease of reporting the new George is
called GMk2) and for once there were only 3 over 40s, in fact only three over
30’s – guessing at DC’s age here and the average age the lowest for the 1st
XI for a number of seasons. With showers about it looked a good toss to win and
stick the oppo in – unfortunately Symo
lost it so we had first go. Symo
sent Adam and Luke out together and Adam took a positive approach whilst Luke
defended stoutly against the canny Bell. The two of them took the score up to
22 before Adam fell for 19 which included some good cover drives and pull shots
but the latter was his downfall lobbing one up to backward square. The next few
overs proved disastrous with Darren (1), Craig (5) and Porge
(golden) all bowled by Bell and the scoreboard looking a sickly 32-4 off 13.
This became 42-5 in the 19th when Luke was caught at mid off for 5
and the prospect of an early finish on the cards. However Shaun and Symo set about repairing the innings with Shaun in
particular looking in good form with some meaty pull shots and powerful drives.
The 50 partnership came up in the 29th over and Bodicote reached 100
in the 31st as Castlethorpe shuffled
bowlers and became increasingly irritated by the 6th wicket stand.
Shaun passed 50 with another 4 but Symmo’s mow shot
was not connecting as often as he (or we) would like so he kept Shaun off the
strike on occasions. He finally fell for 20 in the 35th over DC (1)
and George Mk2 (4) fell in quick succession but Shaun motored on ending with a
chanceless boundary studded 94 no, Barlow was 3 no and 160-8 at least gave
something to bowl at. .
DC got some early lift and caused opener Elliot considerable
discomfort smacking him on the elbow. However stung into action he then started
going for his shots with some success albeit by an aerial route. He had scored
22 out of 24 when his partner Walding was well caught
by Shaun at second slip off Bucks. Elliot called for the freeze spray and
perhaps that caused him to stand in disbelief as he was given out caught behind
gloving a rising DC delivery which even his partner thought he had hit, 24-2.
DC was again looking dangerous but had no luck, Bucks
had even less luck when a hamstring injury forced him out of the attack in his
fifth over. Barlow picked up the reins and had Findon
caught by George Mk2 at mid on to make it 47-3 off 10. The next ten overs were
fairly cagey with Barlow turning the odd one and DC beating the bat and
inducing nicks and lobs that all frustratingly fell between fielders. At drinks
Castlethorpe were just off the run rate 79-3 off 20
but unfortunately the dark clouds had moved on and so no rain affected result. Spinelli and Eason kept the scoreboard ticking over until
Barlow made a breakthrough with another catch for his go-to fielder GMk2 to
removed Eason for 35, 107-4 off 32. The brought Bell to bat and when he wasn’t whingeing
about where Symo was taking the ball he moved the
score quickly towards the target. Adam replaced DC (who again bowled better
than his figured of 1-51 looked) and he bowled a tidy spell but Castelthorpe eased home with Spinelli
ending on 53 no and Bell a quickfire 40 no – why he
can’t just let his bat do the talking.
.
BODICOTE 167-9 (5 pts) lost to WILLOUGHBY 168-4 (20
pts) by six wickets
So the second half of the season saw Willoughby visit Kingsfield and Bodicote slipped to a disappointing defeat
at the hands of Willoughby.
The demands of midweek fixtures had put pressure on wicket
preparation and it was a real team effort to prepare the strip with Craig, Luke
in particular , Barlow & Matt to a lesser extent
all doing their bit and Symmo sorting out the mess
the office based boys had left on the machinery with his engine stripping and
bleeding (that is a technical term not his language, although it might as well
be) skills to the fore. He then turned his skills to finding an 11th player and
turned up Max Vazey, not much was known of him but El
Ex Chair thought he had a good name for Scrabble.
Winning the toss on a sunny afternoon Matt had no hesitation in
batting first with only Bucks the lone dissenting voice as he craves the new
conker. The team looked to have a strong
batting line-up and perversely psychologists might think perhaps was our
downfall as there was always someone else could get the runs.
Openers Matt (3) and Luke (9) fell within an over of each other.
Matt had already mistimed a number of pull shots against some rather short
bowling and finally managed to get an edge to one which the keeper caught which
as the match progressed proved to be a surprise. Luke had looked more confident
before mistiming a drive and lobbing it up to mid off, 15-2 off 7. Dave was looking
in imperious form and took 15 off the first four balls of Barnwell’s next over
but Craig unfortunately learnt one of the earliest SNCL rule of engagement –
never, ever, ever pad up – LBW for 0 and 33-3 off 10. Jigger looked in good
form and helped see off Barnwell replaced by off spinner Gregson.
Jigger had made 16 when he was adjudged LBW sweeping Gregson
and just when the innings seemed to be getting back on track it was 57-4 off
16. Debutant Max joined the fray whilst his on-looking father will have been
wondering about the wiseness of letting his 16 year
old son hang about with such people as Bucks gave graphic details of a “semi”
which didn’t refer to adjoined houses or the last four in a cup competition.
Max struggled against the canny Gregson apart from
hitting a nice four through the covers and went for 6, 75-5 off 21. Dean joined Dave and finally Bodicote put
together a decent partnership. They both found the tree which was hit more
often than usual, Dean hit one maximum whilst Dave brought up a good 5. Things
were looking a lot better at 116-6 in 29 th with a
last 10 over assault on the card from the much vaunted lower order. Sadly this
was not the case Dave hit round a straight one from the returning Barnwell to
go for 51 and Dean soon followed in similar fashion to Johnson for 23. Whist DC
hit some good shots, Symmo (4) and Barlow (1)
departed, the latter to start a massive misery based
diatribe on the team’s inadequacies on the day to earn the moniker Happy
Gilmore from the Skip. Bodicote were 135-9 off 35 but luckily DC and Bucks
proved why they are probably the best No 9 and No 11 in the Division and they
eked out a valuable 32 runs. Bucks ht a couple of good 4s in his 9no and DC a
boundary studded 32 no including a 6 that hit the tree by the scout hut a long
way up. 167-9 against a fairly friendly attack gave something to defend but
well short of what should have been achieved.
After a less than sumptuous tea – and Willoughby took the “home”
table leaving us to fend with the pub drunk,
Bodicote made and an early breakthrough when Jigger took a fantastic
catch of a genuine cut from Ali in the gully. Bucks also accounted for Solanki and Johnson both bowled and Hallam was caught by
Craig at cover off DC and the oppo 32-4 off 9. Things were looking good at this stage and
even Jigger dropping opener Nichols from an easier chance in the gully off DC
didn’t seem over concerning. Matt made a
double change bringing on Barlow and Dean and No 6 Hall initially looked
uncertain against the former edging one to Dave at slip but unfortunately the
instinctive reactions of Symmo saw him palm it away
first. The game then turned on Hall getting angry after a warning for running
down the wicket from Jerry. He then turned aggressive hitting Barlow for two 6s
and out of the attack. Dean’s next over saw a five for hitting Symmo’s grounded helmet plus a misfield
for four and the scored had suddenly soared to 94-4 at drinks. DC returned to
the attack in place of Barlow and despite much playing and missing couldn’t make
the breakthrough in his last 5 overs. Hall continued to take the game to
Bodicote whilst Nichols continued to play a good supporting role, in the end
the pair of them took Willoughby to victory with six overs to spare. Looking
into the whites of the eyes of the Willoughby batsman to come and you felt that
if we could have got one of them out other wickets would have followed but Hall
ended on 80 and Nichols on 50 and fair play both batted very well on a pitch
that got better and better.
.
So a harsh lesson in not expecting teams to roll over and no doubt
a tough test next week at front runners Castlethorpe.
KO CUP SEMI - BODICOTE 91-7 lost to PRESTON CAPES 155-5 by 64 runs.
A long time ago Preston Capes was a happy hunting ground in the
search for silverware with Bodicote’s first ever midweek trophy triumph, The
Jim Coles Cup win of 1990, followed up a year later by the Division One KO
trophy when the legendary PZ Kovacs took a hat trick, both achieved there.
Thursday game, a semi final against the hosts was a chance to look for more siiverware.
Bodicote fielded an “experimental“ side
featuring five players who weren’t even born in 1990 including debutant George McDowell. There
were also uniquely the statisticians think, two father & son combos in the
team – Symmos and Lynes and
it could have been three had Porge not been off to
meet the parents of window dresser Claire as Bob L bravely played through
twanging hamstrings.
The home team batted first and were soon in trouble at 35-4 off 7.
DC picked up one wicket bowling opener Strong for 23, the other 3 went to the
less explosive opener Barlow who picked up a bowled,
LBW and... wait for it ... a Symmo
stumping! This was as good as it got though as Bull and Franks saw off the
remaining overs from the 1st XI duo with Barlow ending with 3-21 off
his 5 overs (will have to wear those lucky underpants again) and DC, 1-30 off
his. Franks, in particular, then tucked into the change
bowling. Nigel L
went for 17 off his 2 overs, Hasan
37 off 5 which didn’t do justice to how well he bowled and George a baptism of
fire 1-39 off 3. He did pick up the wicket of Franks, also stumped by Symmo but this was in the last over when the batsman had
amassed 77 including 3 maximums that over – it was shame “office hands” (quote
“Iron gloves” Symmo) Wigger
put him down when he had barely reached double figures. Preston added 99 in the
last 10 overs.
Preston opened the bowling with the unusual sight of a bowler
tearing in and bowling quick – even quicker than DC. Too many of the younger
generation (to the older pro’s) do not seem to want to
bend their back in the style of say a Neil Brough and
really go flat out. Strong certainly put his all into his spell and helped by a
wearing pitch got some bounce too, clipping Darren on the helmet at one stage.
Typically of course it was the slower partner who got the early wickets (that’s
why Bucks likes to bowl when DC is on). Craig went for 0, Luke for 1 and then
DC run out without facing a ball. 12-3. Wigger knows
the Strong family (from the SNCL cheese and wine circuit) and hoped he would go
easy on him – well umpire Wilkins helped judging an exocet
that ripped out his off stump a no ball, but he only managed another two balls
before falling for 4 . Hasan became the 2nd
run out victim for 2 and at 21-5 things looked grisly. However Darren enabled
Bodicote to reach respectability with some quality driving and hopefully
playing himself back into form in the process. He
added 36 with Symmo (9) and 27 with Barlow (8),
carrying his bat for 53 no. George made a nice cameo 5 no at the end and
Bodicote finished on 91-7 and can concentrate on the league for another
season.
Saturday 25 June
BODICOTE 182-9 (8 pts) lost to AFRO
CARIBBEAN 183-8 (20 pts) by two wickets
New territory for the 1sts – a
trip to Milton Keynes to play Afro Caribbean, a match described as “a top of
the table clash” by the SNCL Umpire Sec in persuading umpire Beckett to
officiate his first game of the season. The thought of a culturally different
experience was obviously preying on Craig’s mind as he had got his Mum to make
him a packed tea in case he didn’t like the food.
Heavy overnight rain left a wet
wicket and as this is a Council facility if anyone from said organisation had
been working on Saturday morning perhaps the game would not have gone ahead.
Despite only having seven players assembled at 2.00 pm the home team opted to
field. Bodicote were fully quorate and the Bucks
sweepstake that had been so entertaining at Grange Park was a damp squib here
as he rolled up at 1.40.
Skipper Symo
democratically asked who wanted to open and Jigger and Craig took up the offer.
Despite the sparse field they got off to a steady start only accelerating when
the home team were up to a full complement of fielders. Jigger was the dominant
partner hitting two big sixes and things looked good as the 50 partnership was
brought up in the 11th over before a disastrous six balls followed. Firstly Craig was bowled for a patient 10
then No 3 Dave and Jigger got in a mix up and Dave was run out for a 0 without
facing a ball and then Jigger was bowled for 37, 52-0 became 52-3. Darren and
Luke set about restoring the innings and added 28 in 10 overs before Darren
went for 18. George followed for a typically quickfire
12 and after 28 overs the scoreboard read 100-5. Well to say read was pushing
it a bit as the numbers varied from the small to the Subbuteo
scoreboard size and also were so flimsy they kept blowing off the board, El
Ex-Chair did not fancy his chances of keeping up with the score from the
middle. The welcomed returning Dean
joined the fray and was involving in an over of mayhem smashing Sanya for an unbelieveably huge
six, then a smaller one plus 4 wides and then getting
bowled off a full toss for 14, 122-6 off 30 and Symos
P & L at the wicket. Luke had made a carefully constructed 16 before
falling LBW which brought Barlow to the crease. He played the junior role as
skipper Symo smashed the ball all round the wicket
incredibly all from the same mowing shot. Barlow went for 7, DC made 9 and
Bucks 6 no as the tail wagged with Symo 34 no and a
useful total of 182-8 achieved with everyone bar Dave Allen chipping in. Tea or
was it supper was very welcome after a protracted innings with the Afro
Caribbean languid approach to field placing and changing round between overs
meaning that 40 overs took 2 hour 40 minutes .
DC and Bucks opened up for
Bodicote and the anticipated Afro Caribbean turbo charge
did not materialise against some tight bowling.
DC had Penna LBW off a well pitched up
delivery to make the breakthrough, 24-1 off 7. Ali and Bodgjen
joined forces and moved the score onto 47-1 off 14 when Symo
made a double switch with Barlow and Dean coming on. Runs came more freely
although Dean found a better rhythm after a rusty start and Barlow was getting
some turn. Drinks came, after much bellowing requesting them, after 22 overs
and the score 91-1. After the break Barlow got the much needed wicket with Bodgjen caught at short midwicket by Dean for 34. DC came
back on for Dean and bowled without any luck but Barlow took the wicket of
Weeks, bowling him for 12, 110-3 off 27. A couple of overs later it was even
better news as Barlow had Ali well caught by Symmo
for 45 and then McCourtie caught at cover by Luke for
a duck, 123-5 off 31 overs – game on. DC finished his spell, 1-41 which do not
do justice to how well he bowled and Bucks rejoined the attack. The key wicket
now was Miller C who, in between considerable playing and missing, was
bludgeoning Caribbean towards the target. Barlow however bowled No 7 Sanya to leave Caribbean 148-6 with 5 overs to go. Things hotted up in Bucks next which went for 13 but included a
run out which saw both batsman at the non striker’s end whilst the bails were
removed by Symmo. It looked like Miller C had crossed
but the umpires (and fair enough) weren’t sure and Miller S departed. 163-7 off 36.
Barlow’s last over unfortunately saw Miller hit a big 6 and more runs to leave
the score 174-7 with three overs to go. Barlow ended with 5-58, not a bad
effort defending a shortish legside
boundary, and his first 5 wicket haul since ... I’ll have to come back to you
on this one as even our Bodicote encyclopaedia can’t remember. Bucks bowled a
great 38th despite the incessant encouragement as he was coming into bowl from
the boundary with only three runs coming from it but more excitement came when
there was a big shout for a caught behind off Miller but the umpire ruled not out.
Dean then had the pressure of bowling the 39th and saw Symmo
take a great one handed catch to his right to remove Miller for 45. Even more
excitement ensued as whilst the No 10 batsman showed no sign of appearing
Bodicote, hoping to get home before midnight enquired about the two minute rule
which incensed No 9 John and saw diplomatic initiatives from senior pros to
keep everything relatively calm. John then hit the last ball of the over for
four to secure a two wicket victory for the home side with six balls remaining.
The team were disappointed but
able to reflect on a good game and afterwards any bad feeling on the pitch was
put to one side as the teams congratulated each other on a good game. Special
mention to the umpires both Afro’s regular guy Jason and the league appointed
Dennis who both had good games and coped with a high pressure finish very well
and didn’t let odd heat of the moment comments get to them.
Saturday 18 June
BODICOTE DNB (13 pts) drew with PRESTON CAPES 144-6
(12 pts) – no result
The frustration of a rained off match.
The forecast had not looked good for Saturday, the
wicket prepared on Friday to avoid any problems and the weather forecast
studied eagerly to see what prospects were. A sharp downpour at around 1315 hrs
failed however to make any impression on the rock hard wicket and so umpires
Jerry and newcomer Phil Douthwaite, who had nobly
volunteered for duty with Radway not having a game,
took the teams out for a 2 pm start (nb that is two
week’s running we haven’t had Syd umpiring at home
which must be some sort of record). With DC & Scott away, Dean not
available and the 2s struggling for availability skipper Miller had gone for a
batting heavy side but the weather meant that on winning the toss the visitors
had to be inserted. That left Capes facing surely the oldest opening attack in
the SNCL with a combined age over 100, Barlow (49) and Bucks (50+some). It was
Bucks who made an early breakthrough when Strong played across the line to him
and was adjudged LBW to make it 12-1 off 5. After this the visitors progressed
watchfully with Bucks first eight overs going for 7. Barlow was a bit more
expensive with Preston Capes taking occasional advantage of what Barlow felt
was too short a boundary marked out behind him (but you can’t paint the
boundary on the scout hut roof). However Daynes Mk 1
fell trying to hit another big one against the spin and the ball fell into the
corridor of uncertainty between Darren and mid off and the Skip at cover. After
a bit of “after you, no after you” the Skip pouched it to leave the visitors
38-2 off 16. No 4 Garwood did not look comfortable against Barlow and he soon
hit another into the corridor of uncertainty. This time Darren now at silly mid
off and Miller hesitated but Jigger swooped from gully to take the catch, 50-3
off 20. No 5 Daynes Mk II was dropped first ball by Porge off Bucks - a good diving effort at second slip but
then went on to take the game to Bodicote. Opener Holmes had played a patient
game for 31 but fell in an eventful last over from Barlow. Daynes
hit a six, narrowly miss being bowled twice and then Holmes was well pouched at
short leg by Darren, strategically placed for a bat pad chance off the left
hander, Bucks and Barlow had bowled through their 12 overs ending with 1-25 and
3-49 respectively and Miller and Darren took up the bowling with the score
76-4. Daynes was pretty severe on Darren in
particular and the leg side boundary was reinforced more than once with the
off-side almost redundant. Parsons provided doughty support and received a life when the Skip put
him down from what can only be described as a sitter at cover. However it was
not long before Jigger showed him the way with an easy catch at backward point.
As the weather got worse Daynes brought up his 50
before skying one off Darren to short mid-wicket
where worryingly only Barlow was near it, however to the surprise of his
teammates and the watching Gillian (who obviously has him down as a rubbish
fielder) he pouched the catch despite the swirling rain. This was the last ball
of Darren’s over and the umpires then took the teams off, Preston Capes having
progressed swiftly in the last 10 overs from 76-4 to 140-6. The rain then stopped and the teams went out
almost immediately but before another ball had been bowled it started bucketing
down. However having made the decision to go out umpire Jerry insisted on the
over being completed which it was with another four added. As the rain continued the teams trooped down
to The Plough and the target 145 off 35 agreed. Matt’s figures 0-28 off 6,
Darren 2-34 off 5.
However Bodicote were never able to set off on the
chase as the wicket was too wet to play on. A drying wind and sunshine helped
but with the SNCL regs bizarrely requiring a 7.00 pm
finish if there is rain another rain shower put paid to any more cricket.
However as Banbury also did not finish, despite their
covers, there could be no complaints.
So Bodicote remain well clear in fourth but will face
a stiff test against early pacesetters Afro Caribbean with skipper Miller
unable to play due to him having a bath.
BODICOTE 182-8 (20 pts) beat STONELEIGH 134 all out (6
pts) by 48 runs
A gloriously sunny day greeted the Kingsfield Massive for their first ever game against
Stoneleigh. Stoneleigh of course boast that that rare being, an ex-Bodicote
player in their ranks, J-Rod, J Cloth, Tin Man
Jared Davies, who joins Guy Wilby and Chris
Bateman as the only former Bodicote players we have played against in the past
30 years. Normally when players stop playing for Bodicote they stop for good.
Anyway with the sun on his back and a hard
track and on the back of last week’s win skipper Miller had no hesitation in
batting when he won the toss. He opened with himself and Luke and the latter
fell to a catch by oppo keeper Widgoose
in his Hannibal Lecter mask for 2, 12-1 after 3. Wildgoose, the Stoneleigh scorer advised, is 61 and this sent Symmo into raptures of delight in the thought he could be
keeping for the firsts for another 6 years until he reached that age. Lyno joined Matt and the skipper looked in good form,
carrying on where he left off at Grange Park with fours all round the wicket.
Craig looked a bit airy-fairy to start with but once he got in his stride he started
outscoring the skip. The pair brought up 50 inside 15 overs and when Matt was
out stumped by Wildgoose for 39 the score was 92 in
the 24th. By now the warm sunny day had turned into a very windy and inceasingly wet and miserable one. The scorers retreated under umbrellas then
into the shed, players into Symmo’s van (aka George’s
loveshack) and finally we came off for an over only
to go straight back out. By now Dave was batting with Craig and the conditions
certainly didn’t favour the bowling side as anyone
who played in the infamous Radway game last year will
testify. Craig brought up his maiden 1st
XI 50 with a demolition of off spinner Chapman’s only over going for 18, The
rain was getting worse now and Stoneleigh were no doubt relieved when we came
off again, 131 at the end of 26 overs – 33 coming off 3.3 overs. As the rain
continued to fall, non-batting bowling and fine-leg fielder El Ex-Chair showed
why he is picked by suggesting an early tea which was duly taken to minimize
the non-playing time. Everyone recuperated in the warmth of The Plough and a
return to the field with the rain having abated saw the wicket rock hard, ready
for play and only 3 overs lost. Craig soon fell for a great 67, 140-3 but Dave
Allen looked in good form before he and Darren both fell on 162 for 24 and 4
respectively. Stoneleigh had stuck to their task and the target 200 became
unobtainable when the score only progressed from 162 to 167 between the 32nd
and 35th over. Jigger (1), Porge (7) and Symmo (4) all went looking for quick runs and DC (6*),
Barlow (2*) ended proceedings with Bodicote having reached 183-8.
Unfortunately whilst batting out super
spearhead DC had aggravated an old back injury. It was touch and go if he would
be able to bowl but after a good handful of Matt’s painkillers and some bizarre
stretches like a performing seal he manfully opened the attack, admittedly
bowling a lot slower than last week. Mention of last week and the Grange Park
match report which said “The two opening bowlers tightly
and with pace” Bucks enjoyed the report, DC less so and this
week there was probably less of a distinction in pace between the two! See http://www.grangeparkcc.co.uk/blogs/latest.pdf for the full report.
However even on 3/4 pace DC was quick
enough to account for oppo skipper Lazenby who thick edged the third ball of the innings and
Dave A took a blinding one handed catch high to his right to leave Stoneleigh
0-1. After the next over bowled of course by Bucks Stoneleigh were 2-2 with
Bucks bowling Chapman P via his pads.
Chapman J and McKensey set about repairing the
innings and both were quick to pick up anything DC pitched up and deposited it
towards long on and mainly at supporter Bob Lawrence’s car which found itself
in bomb alley. Chapman J did mishit a drive back towards umpire Harvey which
provided the day’s comedy moment. In usual circumstances DC would have gone for
the c&b but his immobility meant he couldn’t.
Instead Barlow zoomed in from mid on, started going for a diving catch, realised he would impale himself on the stumps to do so,
pulled out of the manouevre and instead demolished
all three. The score was up to 36 in the 8th when Chapman J was
caught off Bucks in the slips by Dave Allen for 17, the ball travelling
considerably slower than his earlier effort. Bucks then had Stoneleigh No 5 Iqbal LBW for 4 and DC saw McKensey
well caught by a well positioned Luke at deep long on for 22, 58-6.
By now the crowd had swelled with Balti, Bob L joined by assorted wags – Gillian who shared
scoring and photography duties (and congratulations on the engagement) , Maxine and the latest (in a long line of them) female to
fall for Porge’s charms, Claire. Also in attendance
it was good to see Inzy who performed 12th
man duties such as getting drinks and carrying unwanted sweaters. When
suggested he could field for the immobile DC, skipper Miller thought he was
better off not swapping though, a harsh riposte on the gazelle like Smith. Whilst Barlow swung his arms round forlornly
Miller kept DC and Bucks on to the end of their spells. DC bowled Young for 4,
had Ayes caught behind by Symmo for 15 (and well
walked sir) and brought up his third 5 wicket haul in as many weeks by
uprooting Jared’s off stump for 1. Bucks had Bates caught for 2 by Darren but
just missed on a five-for himself. Bucks ended on 4-22
and DC 5-54, we will miss him next week. The Stoneleigh innings had subsided to
79-9 when Barlow got his chance and the No 11 faceguard-less keeper Wildgoose showed himself to be a (for older readers) David
Steele lookalike and bat alike (and age alike) treating Barlow’s bowling with a
rarely seen defensive respect. However it was carnage at the
other end where No 10 Bains tucked into the
occasional bowling of Porge (1 ov
0-15) and Craig (3 ov 0-34) to push Stoneleigh into
bonus point territory. Nerves were getting a bit frayed, not helped by
comments from the returned 2nds and thankfully finally Barlow ended proceedings
having Wildgoose caught at short square leg by Porge for 7, Bains had hit a very
quick 43 no, Barlow ended on 4.3 ov 1-5, Stoneleigh
134 all out in 32.3 overs.
BODICOTE 183-9 (20 pts) beat NORTHAMPTON GRANGE PARK 71 all out (4 pts)
by 112 runs
So the long trip to Grange Park. El Sec
Jerry had instructed the team to travel to the delights of Wootton’s old ground
– so lovely even Wootton after waiting 10 years for it to come to fruition
upped sticks and left. On arrival no pitch, Grange Park had moved since last
season. The convoy then followed the SymmoNav and ended up in Siren-esque
fashion at Grange Park Community Hall where a group of young lovelies were
singing. More calls and muttering from the older pros about how the league went
to the dogs when it was opened up to non-village sides (legendary long time
league sec John Blower would be turning in his grave) and this would never have
happened looking for Badby or Eydon’s
ground. Finally after negotiating the Byzantium road system of Grange Park the
pitch was found – well by 10 of the team. Bucks was on his bike and had decided
to make his own way there and this turned out to be a way in which every inch
of road in Grange Park was driven down, driven down again and then driven down
in the other direction. He finally arrived at 1500 hrs after being in Wootton at 1410 hrs. Luckily he was not needed to bowl as
Bodicote were inserted and the pressure was on El Skip with key batsmen Dave
Allen (50) away on a stag do in Ibiza and Darren Wyatt (22) away camping –
somehow seems the activities and persona were the wrong way round
Anyway Luke
clipped the first ball of the innings off his legs for four and we were away.
With Matt he took the total up to 21 until he was bowled for 6. Jigger then
joined Matt and after a slow start these two produced the key partnership of
the innings. Matt secured a fine half century and Jigger a useful 25 until he
was well caught at deep long off to make the score 92-2 off 25. Craig soon
followed for 0 but George hung around whilst Matt motored on. They added 50 of
which George had scored a cameo 14 to take the score up to 148-4 in the 35th.
DC was sent in for some big hitting only to return a ball later for a golden.
The tail was not able to really accelerate proceedings but Matt, who had only given one
chance, completed his ton to well deserved applause. Stuey
(1) and Symmo (0) came and went as did El Ex-Chair
who did manage to get on the 6-hitting table with a typical hoick
over cow with the trusty Duncan Fearnley in it’s 26th season
showing it’s worth. Matt was bowled in the last over for a great skipper’s
knock of 113 and our Spanish import Dave Alvarez brought a touch of Barcelona magic to proceedings
with 1 no, Bucks 2 no – 183-9.
With a howling
gale blowing down the ground there was no doubt which end DC would bowl from as
the team hoped he would carry on from where he left off last week – they were
not to be disappointed. The slips and Symmo were
stood well back as he came steaming in. The first over saw edging, playing and
missing but in his second Rowe got a nick and Miller pouched a rocket at first
slip. No 3 Rust got off the mark with a two but could only bat a straight full
toss back to the big man for an easy c&b, 9-2. By
now the team were egging Bucks to get through his
overs up the hill into the wind quickly so we could marvel at the Fridge in
full flow. He bowled opener Roberts for 12 and followed this up with No 5 Berry
(0) to leave Grange Park 33-4 off 9. No 4 Pinnington
looked the dangerman going for his shots and playing
and missing against both bowlers – but no-one could stay with him. DC
even got in on the act when Bucks picked up No 6 Roberts, caught by the big man
at first slip, 49-5 off 12. Two overs later Bucks struck again and again with
his low arm action perfectly suited to the increasingly low bounce, Everitt and
Holmes both saw the ball cannon into the foot of their stumps, 57-7 although
Bucks will no doubt claim it was lateral movement that did it. There was a danger now that DC would not pick
up a deserved five wicket haul as he somehow went three overs without further
success. Another low scudder from Bucks accounted for No 10 Rust, 65 for 8 and
four wickets each. Luckily justice was down as DC bowled Pinnington
for a valiant 44 and No 11 Day for 0 to end with 6-30 with Grange Park 71 all
out.
So great
batting from the captain but even his ton was overshadowed by the magnificent
spell from DC with the ball regularly slamming into Symmo’s
gloves (and sometimes staying there) some 22 paces back. Figures of 6-30 don’t
really do justice to how well he bowled. It seems that he has re-found his best
bowling weight – the critical mass, having put on a few pounds in a sympathetic
and supportive way to pregnant girlfriend Tracey. Bucks played a good supporting role and ended
with 4-39, Barlow left twiddling his spinning finger with everything wrapped up
inside 17 overs.
Saturday 28 May
BODICOTE
61 all out (3 pts) lost to MIDDLETON CHENEY 62-7 (20 pts) by three wickets
A less than impressive entry into the annals of BCC history with only a
superb spell of bowling from DC giving a whiff of respectability to the
outcome.
The team arrived at the ground to be greeted by a hard wicket and
blustery wind. The general opinion was to bowl first as their looked like rain
in the air however as sage old weather guru El Ex-Chair predicted (correctly)
there would be no time lost to the weather and we had chased so badly at Fenny
last week when skipper Miller won the toss he decided to bat.
Unfortunately the skipper was unable to trouble the scorers and when the
ball hit his pad from King in the second over the inevitable happened – it is rumoured umpire Syd has asked him
to change his name by deed poll to Miller LBW to save him the trouble. That was
3-1 and King, son of ex SNCL legend Ty (but a quarter of his size) then removed
the rest of the top four – Symington L (5), Wyatt (1) and Baker (0) to leave us
16-4. When Stevens removed Lawrence (2) and last week’s hero Symington P (0)
with his gentle outswing Bodicote were 22-6 off 13.
Craig and DC gave the innings a bit of a lift and took the score up to 50
before they too both fell to Stevens for 19 and 8 respectively. Barlow scored 8
no mainly off inside edges down to fine leg but Bucks and Scott were in no mood
to hang around with him with Bucks bowled with two feet in the air playing a
wild calypso shot , 61 all out in 24 overs – miserable. Middleton were keen in
the field and bowled tidily but this was an all round s**t batting performance.
With the lure of tea, an early finish and the Champions League Middleton
sent in King and Markham to smash them to a quick victory. They had reached 26
inside 15 balls when King followed three successive boundaries off DC with a
mistimed drive well caught by Craig at mid off. Scott came off after 2 overs
for 19 but DC bowled other opener Markham, 42-2. DC really was steaming in now
and produced a double wicket maiden in his next over, one bowled one well
caught by Symmo to leave Middleton 50-4. Bucks then
got in on the act – firing himself up with some
indiscriminate shouting at all and sundry - then bowling No 6 Wright for 0. DC
was too quick for Stevens bowling him for 3 to complete a jug haul inside five
overs and the visitors looking a little nervous at 54-6. Cross had batted well
for Middleton and they needed just 3 to win went for a big shot to win the game
off Bucks only to edge it to man of the moment DC in the slips – good catch
58-7. No 8 Gentry failed to get near DC’s next four rapid balls but the fun
ended when he sliced the fifth away for a four to give a relieved Middleton the
win. DC ended up with 5-25, Bucks with 2-14 and the Bodicote batsmen ruing
their part in the proceedings and needing to do much much
better next week.
BODICOTE
95-8 (20 pts) beat FENNY COMPTON 92 all out (4 pts) by two wickets
A bizarre game on a dodgy wicket with a broken leg and a wobbly run
chase!
Off to Fenny, not a happy hunting ground in recent years. With selection
a bit of an issue numberswise Symmo
had pulled a rabbit out of the hat – Jigger aka Anthony Baker from the sadly
defunct Culworth - and for older readers a Wardington player in their heyday. El Ex Chair also made his seasonal debut
despite suffering from a nasty skin infection on the shin that had seen him hospitalised in the week and warning he might not be as
mobile as usual.
Fenny batted first on a dry bouncy track. Sadly the usually metronomic
DC was not able to make the most of the erratic bounce as he initially failed
to land it on the cut stuff at all. This gave Symmo a
tough time stopping balls from all angles and gav
umpire Syd the chance for a new signal – two warnings
to DC for beamers. DC hadn’t had a warning since that incident …… (oh perhaps we won’t go into that). The Fenny openers Smith
and Hartwell went for their shots and skipper Miller was looking worried when
they had reached 59 off 12. Then the breakthrough came when Smith was caught
off a mini skier at mid off by Barlow off DC for 23. DC followed this up when
he had No 3 Welsby well caught by Dave Allen at first
slip as the ball fizzed through the blur of keeper Symmo’s
gloves in front of him. Bucks then bowled other opener Hartwell for 23 and then
with the ball lifting off the wicket dramatically he surprised (Uncle) Craig
Harris with a shooter for an LBW. 59-0 had become 64-4. Old stagers Maries the
Slim and Darren Deeley set about repairing the
innings before the latter suffered a freak injury hitting DC to the cover
boundary for 4. Nobody quite knows what happened but Dee was left prostrate and
in agony on the wicket and had to be helped from the field. A trip to the
Horton followed and the later news was he had broken his leg – of course we
wish him all the best for a speedy recovery. After this the Fenny innings collapsed with Bucks picking up two more wickets to end
on 4-37, DC another to finish with 3-43, Barlow and Lyno
one each. There was some good catching to back up the bowlers with Symmo taking two, Dave another sharp slip chance and the
skipper also bagging one. 59-0 had become 92 all out in 26.3 overs and an early
tea.
92 should not have presented a problem with one of Fenny’s
best bowlers in hospital and another Harris taking on the Woody ambulance man
role. However Derek Maries has always been a dangerous operator and soon had
Craig out for 8 and Dave Allen following up last week’s 123 no with a bump down
to earth 0 – hero to zero. Luke and Jigger moved the score up to 29 before Luke
became Maries third victim for 10 and then Jigger his fourth for 8, 40-4 off 9.
Porge had tried to hit his way out of trouble and
reached a quick 12 but then fell to Waller for 12 and when Maries completed his
five-for by bowling Miller for 0 Bodicote were struggling on 50-6. DC and Symmo set about repairing the innings and looked to be
doing so moving the score up to 77 when DC became Maries 6th
victim for 12 and the new El Chair (Balti) soon
followed for 0. This brought Barlow to the crease with 11 needed for victory and he edged his way to 3 before Symmo hut two consecutive fours of Maries to end with a
match winning 36 no to help Bodicote scrape home by two wickets. Not pretty and
some poor wafty batting on a track that demanded head
down.
BODICOTE
243 for 2 (20 pts) beat DUNCHURCH & BILTON 205 for 3 (6 pts) by 2 runs
After the previous week’s cancellation, the 1s were keen for some
cricket - so much so that most of the team made it to Dunchurch an hour early.
Badger stayed in his car for some more kip, the rest warmed up with some
keepy-uppy (average) and table football (much better), and the skipper lost the
toss (again).
Swiller and Luke opened the batting against a mixture of lively pace
from one end, and looping leg-spin from the other. Both looked fairly
comfortable, and the scoreboard was ticking over nicely, until Luke pulled a
muscle in his leg and Swiller lost his off-stump to Parsons. Dave entered the
fray, and Swiller was quickly recalled as a runner for Luke (cue various
comments from his more “athletic” team-mates, as they ironically rolled up
another ciggie) but another good partnership followed, with Dave timing the
ball well and Luke batting nicely on one leg until he was bowled for a gutsy
26.
Darren then joined Dave at the crease and, in short, they both batted
like we all know they can. Darren played himself in then took the attack to
Dunchurch in the last 10 overs – one straight drive smashed back past Parsons
sticks in the memory – to finish on 56*. His first
half-century for the 1st XI and a really good innings. Meanwhile, Dave,
in his first innings since last season, showed he has lost neither his touch
nor his timing and finished up on a fantastically fluent 123*, including four
big sixes. A memorable knock, well supported by Darren, and we tucked in to a
nice tea satisfied with our 243 for 2 and quietly confident of getting a win.
Things did not exactly go to plan. Bucks bowled well, beating the
outside edge a few times (“I’m just too good for this guy!”) and generally
keeping a lid on things, but at the other end, despite Scotty picking up an
early wicket (and tripping over mid run-up a few balls later), he and then Jay
were punished for dropping short a bit too often. However, the wind and light
rain did not make bowling easy, Beale (the Dunchurch skipper/keeper) was
playing well and a couple of chances went down. Then, at the end of the 22nd
over, the heavens opened and we left the field with Dunchurch still behind the
required rate, but with nine wickets in hand and with Thomas and (especially)
Beale looking well set.
Twenty minutes later, we were back out with a revised target of 207 off
34 overs to try and defend. Dunchurch basically needed 9 an over from 12 overs
– and they very nearly did it, thanks mainly to a great innings of 139* from
Beale who (a bit like Porger the night before) absolutely smashed it and nearly
broke at least one window. It all came down to Dunchurch needing 12 from the
last over, and then 8 to win (7 to tie) from the last two balls. Beale launched
another big hit to deep mid-off, and Bucks made good ground…but couldn’t quite
hold on….or stop the ball from going for 4. High drama.
Needing 4 off the last ball for the win, Dunchurch could only scramble a
single, and we all breathed a huge sigh of relief. Especially Bucks. A second win of the season, and 20 points, but only just.
On our side, there was a feeling of
justice having been done, as Beale had survived two big appeals from Symo, but
that takes nothing away from his great knock which certainly rivalled Dave’s
first innings century. Though we badly missed DC, our bowlers kept their nerve
and got us over the line – particularly Bucks, whose long spell from the bottom
end (12/0/36/0), though wicketless, probably won us the match in the end.
Badger and Swiller also did well to keep their heads at the death. Our fielding
was pretty good too, in difficult conditions - Lyno again covered a lot of
ground (on a very big outfield). All in all, a cracking game played on a good
pitch in good spirit. Bring on Fenny Compton.
Match
Rained Off
BODICOTE 162 for 7 (20 pts) beat
WILLOUGHBY 106 all out (4 pts) by 56 runs
After some availability issues, only 10 men pitched up at picturesque
Willoughby to kick off the new season. But, with the weather much better than
on BCC’s last visit (the rain soaked 2009 relegation nail-biter) and the team
containing plenty of youth, there was much cause for optimism. After a quick
look at the pitch, the skipper said it might be a good toss to lose... and
promptly did just that, so BCC batted first.
The pitch was a bit slow and (mostly) low,
and the Willoughby seamers bowled well (especially Hall, who finished 12/2/31/3
and picked up Darren and Lyno with good deliveries) but BCC stuck to their task
well with contributions, all the way down the order, from Swiller (60), Luke
(15), Porger (13), Symo (15), DC (25*) and Bucks (9* including a six, hit
"like a tracer bullet", over deep mid-wicket. Honestly). After a
mini-collapse from 39-0 to 62-4, the final total of 162 was probably 20-30 runs
better than we had hoped for and one we thought might be a tough ask, given the slowish pitch and our bowling attack.
So it proved. DC, after an intensive
pre-season conditioning regime, was straight away back to very near his best
(12/1/35/4) - probably only a sore back stopped him from picking up a Michelle,
but jug-avoidance nonetheless (and he duly avoided buying one). Scotty
(12/1/38/1) was lively during his first spell, and a
real handful when he returned downhill/with the wind, showing good control and
deserving more wickets. And Bucks was at his very miserly best (10/2/14/3) to
round off a fine bowling performance. The only exception was the 1.5 overs of
filthy off-spin (when it pitched) served up by the skipper, which somehow picked
up the last 2 wickets but deserved much much less.
Importantly, we caught almost everything –
Scotty held on to a good one at mid-on and Stuey deserves a special mention for
making his catch look much harder than it actually was - and our
ground-fielding was very good, with Darren, Luke and (particularly) Lyno
showing their older/slower/fatter team-mates how it should be done. Willoughby all out for 106 off 35.5 overs, and a good 20 points in
the bag. Lyno's good mates from Castlethorpe visit the Field of Dreams
next week. Should be interesting...
