Far From The MCC

~ Est. in 1998 ~

 

“Organised Loafing”

 

 

Sunday 31st August 2008

Result:  Match Abandoned  (Rain)

Venue:  Jordan Hill

40 overs

OUP

207 - 6

S. Dobner  2 - 23

FFTMCC

98 - 2

D. Edwards  30*,  J. Hoskins  25,  I. Howarth  23

 

 

 

‘Personally, I have always looked on cricket as organised loafing’

 

- William Temple

 

* * *

 

The assembled MAD and OUP/OUF/REM/DFS/SPG/MI5/MFI/TMF/STD arrived at Jordan Hill with not much hope of a conclusive battle. At least the bar was open due to some local nuptials. A. Darley and his cronies made a meal of moving the covers from the pitch, but Chief Mad Tosser lost again and the Combined Team chose to have a bat.

 

 

The Mad assemble for a pre-match pissing contest.

 

It drizzled on and off and Halsey (0) was first to fall from an impressive start (but not so good finish) by D. Shorten (8-0-45-1). Bob the Builder trapped Mr. Halsey in front of the wicket. A. Mann (8-0-28-1) continued from the other end bowling a wistful line and length, but to no avail in his first spell.

 

Whilst Mr. Heron (108*) established himself at one end, Mr. Hall (7) was not so lucky and was bowled by a returning, effervescent M. Clarke (4-1-31-1). The rot set in (in MAD terms) as Mssrs Heron and Miles put on four shy of a 150 partnership to leave the Combined Forces on 175-3 as Miles (59*) dutifully retired (average protection). Other bowlers came and went. Despite valiant efforts J. Hoskins (5-0-14-0), I. Howarth (4-0-16-0) and D. Edwards (3-0-19-0) failed to add to the wickets column, but S. Dobner (8-1-23-2) successfully mopped up a couple of wickets to leave the game in an intriguing way.

 

Special mention should be made of A. Mann bowling A. Darley for a first ball shiny. Full details of this are available on the link below this report. Suffice to say A Mann got his ‘bunny’! Walsh (4),  Darley (0), Halliday (0) and Lawrence (6*) failed to give the scorers much to do.

 

 

The weather would stop Dan batting “all day, mate.”

 

Thus the Combined Engineers reached 207 from their 40 allotted overs and the game was afoot.

 

After a brief lunch respite, batting goliaths Howarth and Edwards took to the crease.  After a good start, the openers took the score on to 37, but I. Howarth (23) had a rush of something to the head and after some verbals, played onto his stumps and to be bowled by A. Darley. J. Hoskins (25) steadied the ship somewhat with Edwards, bringing the score up to 85-1 before being bowled by Halliday, subsequently complaining that Howarth as umpire had used flash photography to help the dismissal.

 

T. Smith (6*) came in full of vim (and Stella) and it looked as though a nice partnership was developing with D. Edwards (30*) until the heavens opened further and play was suspended.  Even Duggers left early….

 

 

Jake  +  Rain  =  2008.

 

We convened to The Dew Drop, where it became apparent that the MAD had won a moral victory by the Jack Duckworth method.

 

* * *

 

‘The thirsty earth soaks up the rain,

And drinks, and gapes for drink again,

The plants suck in the earth, and are

With constant drinking fresh and fair.’

 

- Abraham Cowley

 

 

‘Morlers’

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Bonus:  "Bunny Inspector's Report"

 

Statto's Scorecard

No Fines on this Day

 

 

MOTM:  n /a

Champagne Moment:  n/ a

Buffet Award:  D. Edward’s holy pie

 

 

 

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