Far From The MCC

~ Est. in 1998 ~

 

“Westmoreland Non-Fifty

Paves Path For Another Defeat”

 

 

Sunday 3rd August 2003

Result:  Lost by 3 Wkts

Venue:  Cutteslowe Park

35 overs

FFTMCCC

134 ao

M. Westmoreland  49

Marlborough House

135 - 7

I. Howarth  4 - 17,  J. Harris  2 - 29

 

 

 

On a sun soaked day amid stifling heat, it was with huge relief that captain J. Hoskins won the toss and elected to bat under clear blue skies. It at least afforded the Madsters ample time with which to top-up their suntans and to quench their thirst from a hamper of cold Stella pitch-side. And if things got really tough, then they could always scuttle for cover in the coolness of the changing rooms - stretch out, and maybe sleep off the effects of a Saturday night on the piss….

 

Opening the batting on this bright summer’s day were I. Howarth and N. Hebbes, who were hoping to reverse a recent trend of failing to mount a decent partnership of any note whatsoever. Alas, today was not to be their day, and with the score on just 8, Hebbes (1) was bowled around his pads by the accurate Marlborough speedster, Sulu. As he trudged wearily off the field, T. Mander joined the sway, and soon left the sway, as he was caught without troubling the scorers. Things then worsened for the Mad as firstly I. Howarth (4) decided to spoon a dolly to short mid-wicket, and the hapless M. Bullock (0) opted to use his pads instead of his bat. 24 for 4 and the game heading for an early finish.

 

 

Martin (49) would have had a fine fifty on this day, but he didn’t.

 

Then the fight back! J. Hoskins (14), sporting a stare of intent, joined M. Westmoreland (49) at the crease, and the two enjoyed a sterling fifty run partnership in pretty good time. Martin, in particular, severe on anything leg side, whilst the skipper hit straight and true from his leaden base. It was all anti-climatic then when the skipper finally fell - allowing himself to be wound up by his opposite number and caught at the crease. J. Harris (17) joined proceedings and demonstrated his extraordinary range of strokes whilst nursing Westmoreland to a richly deserved fifty. Or at least he would have, only Westmoreland played over a straight one and heard the clatter of stumps behind him. A fine innings was over, and jug-avoidance secured. The Mad were now 91 for 6.

 

In the end some hitherto hitting and mooing from the lower order helped the Mad secure a respectable 134 all out - this, a total which at one stage never looked on. T. Smith (3), B. Mander (16) and E. Xtras (30) all chipped in, and it was just a shame then that when the innings concluded, J. Hotson (0*) was left stranded with a maiden half-century there for the taking.

 

 

M. Shelley – one of the much-loved (ahem) Marlbororians.

 

Tea. Or just some cheap crap from the local newsagents and a few hastily prepared sandwiches pre-match. Anyway, once the contents were washed down with some cold Stella you could be forgiven for thinking the buffet was quite reasonable.

 

With the Mad shorn of much of their regular pacemen (if that's the correct term?), it was left to N. Hebbes (0-38) and J. Harris (2-29) to spearhead the assault on the Marlborough batting line-up. The fielding was tight, the bowling accurate, and with the introduction of J. Hoskins (1-15) and I. Howarth (4-17), the opposition soon slumped to 55-5. Victory was on.

 

55-5. 55-5. 55-5. Shoulda.................

 

After a sequence of maiden overs, collective cheering and cajoling, the Mad naturally felt the urge to let the game slip. The ball started darting to the boundary once again, catches just wouldn't go to hand, and it was all getting very frustrating. B. Mander (0-16) and M. Westmoreland (0-15) toiled away, and it was only a late lbw decision to an irked I. Howarth that checked the Marlborough's chase for victory. Unfortunately it was too little too late and the horse had bolted.

 

 

A memorable debut for Marco – batting at #11 and notching a duck.

 

With the opposition on 133-6, J. Harris and his team-mates watched as the shiny red leather ball disappeared into the distance one more time - and with it their hopes of snapping this losing streak. Another defeat then. And all Martin’s fault.

 

 

‘Spam’

 

 

 

 

 

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