Far From The MCC
~ Est. in 1998 ~
“Mad Make Use Of
After Going Down To Close Defeat”
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Sunday 27th
June 2004 |
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Result: Lost by 5 Wkts |
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Venue: |
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35 overs |
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FFTMCCC |
188 - 8 |
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Bodleian |
189 - 5 |
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J. Harris 2 - 34 |
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For the second time in two weeks, players from
FFTMCC have used the loading bay at the back of their home pub, Far From The
Madding Crowd, in order to park after their game. “This loading bay thing is
great,” said FFTMCC captain J. Hoskins as he sat in the cosy Friar’s Entry
pub cradling a pint of beer. “It’s convenient and easy. We park our cars for
free, then go in the back way, past the offices and then out into the pub
itself. You even get to see how a pub works from behind-the-scenes, which is
really cool.” Other Mad players were equally vociferous in their approval of
the loading bay situation. Said one unnamed player, “We like parking, we like
to be able to park. Sometimes when you can’t park you have to drive around
for a while before you can find a space, and even then you might not be able
to find one. So what do you do then? Just not park and drive about for the
rest of the day? It’s not practical, is it?” Parking is always high on the
agenda when it comes to team interests, and even those unable to avail
themselves directly of the facility are enthusiastic about the loading bay.
Said one, “I don’t drive, so I’ve never been able to park, but I can see how
useful it could be to other people. My friends and family have always parked
their cars, whether in their driveways, at work, or even out at the
supermarket. Parking rocks!” And yet, in the case of such a universally
compelling subject, is it any surprise that the odd dissenting voice is
thrown up? One Madster who refused to be named said, “A loading bay? Big
deal, what’s in it for people who don’t have cars? Personally I have one, but
what if I didn’t? Would I get anything out of this? I really feel like I’ve
been let down by the whole loading bay arrangement, or would do if I didn’t
have a car.” Whatever the case, the parking situation is sure to
zzzzzzzzzzzzzz. * * *
The Far From The Madding
Crowd pub – it has a loading bay out the back. The cancellation of the Mad’s early season fixture against the
Bodleian had meant that only one game would be played between the two teams
this year, and it was just a damn shame that, when it was played, the Mad
lost it in the last over after posting 188-8 in fine style. For crying out
loud, what do you have to do to win a game of cricket these days? Be
reincarnated as Hanse Cronje and rig the mutha? The Bodleian had turned up two men short, but the
Mad had two over, so A. Morley and T. Mander graciously agreed to play for
the visitors. Winning the toss as usual, Mad captain J. Hoskins chose to bat,
and a slight change to the order saw ex-trundler S. Dobner joining the
small-handed The rest of the order followed suit: M. Westmoreland (22) began with
a champagne six and went on in grand style, N. Hebbes (21) also made hay, and
G. Bridges chipped in with his customary easy play for 9. All the while S.
Dobner had been accumulating at the other end, and when at last he fell
bowled with the total on 160, his score of 84 was the fifth highest in Mad
history, not a century either, and in addition complete and utter vindication
of his irrevocable decision never to bowl for the Mad again under any
circumstances at all except as it happened later that day when called upon.
An unusual conjunction of the planets Mars and Neptune in Uranus (yurkle
yurkle) earlier in the week had meant that the portents were right for the
earth not to be destroyed by an asteroid, the game not to be cancelled, and
Eddie not to be unable to make it, a remarkable combination of fortuities
which saw E. Lester at last stride to the crease for the Mad in season 2004,
at which point he scored 3 not out while T. Smith got none.
The Mad netting
before the commencement of the match. After their promising start had been so brutally thrashed away by the
Mad, at the break Team Bodleian seemed to be eating a tea which tasted of
ashes and dust, which fact made the egg mayo sandwiches and jam tarts even
scrummier than usual for the assembled Mad. And yet, it should be noted at
this point that T. Mander sitting with the opposition was tucking into his
chocolate rolls with great relish, in such a relaxed and somehow evil manner
that, if one were to speculate that he had been temporarily possessed by a
malevolent and degenerate spirit of great cunning and wiles, one might not be
hugely mistaken. We shall leave Mr. Mander a while to his complacent scoffing
and return to the game. Attacking a large total, the Bodleian set about their task sensibly,
with Colquhoun (23) scoring quickly off A. Mann (1-25) before the Mad bowler
got his man with a sweet in-swinger. N. Hebbes (0-16) kept it tight as usual,
and for a percentage of the innings the Mad felt in control, but after being
dropped early on, Hodgson (54) accrued steadily, while Fairweather-Tall (39)
and Milner (29) both in their turn began to take toll. Bowling his looping
off spin, J. Harris (2-34) was always dangerous, and M. Westmoreland (1-27)
bagged a late wicket but, suddenly as it seemed, with the heavens opening and
the rain coming down, there were only overs to go, and the Bodleian were in
need of only runs. Who is this now striding to the crease, in the unaccustomed role of
adversary to his trusty mates? Step forward T. Mander, and show us what
you’ve got. He had plenty. After blocking the first two from Another loss, and this one quite ouchy with victory so near. Welcome
back to founder member E. Lester who has been sorely missed this year, and
also to once and future Mad scorer R. Lester who sensibly used the game as an
opportunity to catch up on her reading. ‘Blocker’
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MOTM: S. Dobner’s
fine innings of 84
Champagne Moment: M.
Westmoreland (six as first scoring stroke)
Buffet Award: T. Smith’s
Mars Bars with ice-cream