Far From The MCC

~ Est. in 1998 ~

 

“Dominus Illuminatio Mea:

Notes From A Cricket Ground”

 

 

Sunday 2nd July 2006

Result:  Won by 25 Runs

Venue:  Pembroke College Sports Ground

35 overs

FFTMCC

200 - 1

M. Westmoreland  109*,  D. Edwards  54*

OU Offices

175 - 8

M. Reeves  2 - 33,  J. Hoskins  2 - 35

 

 

 

Over the railway bridge and to Pembroke College Sports Ground – the second prettiest cricket ground in the world (to the Adelaide Oval) and a re-match with one of our oldest rivals – the University Offices.

 

It began as a very warm afternoon, so after winning the toss, captain I. Howarth had absolutely no qualms about putting the opposition in to field.  Openers M. Westmoreland and G. Littlechild began with vim and vigour, and soon established a first wicket stand of 63. G Littlechild (23) had began to find his touch with five boundaries, and was unlucky to lob a catch to J. Sula at square leg off the bowling of M. Rundle. Or maybe he wasn’t unlucky at all – maybe it was just a dumb shot!

 

 

A happy Mad watch on as Westmoreland and Edwards run riot. 

 

D. Edwards came in at the fall, although he was originally stipulated to open, but a stray loosener from S. Parkinson had glanced him on the head whilst netting, and Dan was instructed to sit down awhile to make sure he was okay. He obviously was by the time he came to the crease, as both he and Martin took the score onwards on a pretty flat surface, and despite the odd chance being offered early doors, were timing the ball beautifully. The total continued to rise as they plundered the tired OU bowling, and they never really looked in any danger of being out to be honest. In fact, a record unbroken second wicket stand ensued of 137, with Edwards unbeaten on 54*, and Martin on 109*. Martin’s effort broke his own record of 106* a few weeks previous, whilst Dan watched his unbeaten century (103*) at Wootton & Boar’s Hill languish into the Mad’s third highest individual score.

 

 

Martin’s amazing summer continued as he hit 109 not out.

 

The Mad total finally reached 200-1, a good but not unassailable lead against such talented opposition. Both teams then ambled in for tea to discuss the state of play so far. And thanks to the meticulous scoring of J. Hotson and OU bird ‘Duggers’, the players were able to digest Moo Boy’s innings in greater detail – balls n ‘all.

 

After various degrees of repletion including tea, sandwiches, cigarettes and extra-strength lager, the Mad took to the field with a fairly strong team on paper, and it soon showed in the bowling and fielding. The bowling was opened by S. Parkinson and A. Mann, who limited the Offices to 22 runs for their first wicket with A. Cavanagh catching a good one off the inswing of A. Mann (7-0-36-1). S. Parkinson (7-1-22-1) would soldier on with his accurate seam, coming back towards the death of the OU innings to pick up a deserved late wicket, also caught by A. Cavanagh.

 

 

Kev’s buffet attracts Jack Nicholson to the Pembroke pavilion.

 

M. Reeves (6-0-33-2) was introduced to bowl his nagging off-stump line to snaffle two wickets – A. Darley clean bowled, and J. Sula caught by a mobile N. Hebbes. And despite the Offices almost keeping up with the required run rate, they were soon to lose their grip on the match in the forthcoming overs. Ex-skipper, J Hoskins (7-0-35-2), was introduced bowling an excellent line and length and picked up batsmen four and five (Office supremo J. Boon to a fantastic running catch by Moo, and Rundle bowled). Whilst S. Dobner (7-0-37-2) operated from the other end having G. Littlechild catch a beauty over the stumps. The Mad could now smell the whiff of victory, with only J. Organ (31*) offering any resistance, and after the skipper’s one and only over, the Offices had faltered to 175-8 off their 35 overs, leaving the No-Mad winners by 25 runs. 

 

Victory against the Offices at last, and we left Pembroke to reassemble at The Magdalen Arms where several pints were quaffed as the players celebrated winning. Only the skipper was a bit peaky with heat exhaustion / dehydration, but there is a rumour that he’s booked a sanatorium holiday off the coast of England – so, forget about football (for about 3 weeks), and bring on the Tackley Boys.

 

 

‘Davros’

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

MOTM:  M. Westmoreland – who else?

Champagne Moment:  no votes cast

Buffet Award:  M. Reeves’ jam tarts

 

 

 

(...back )