Far From The MCC
~ Est. in 1998 ~
“Bob The
'Electrician' Sparks The MAD
Into Another
Close Run Defeat”
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Sunday 15th
August 2010 |
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Result: Lost by 2 Wkts |
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Venue: Uplyme & Lyme Regis |
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35 overs |
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FFTMCC |
165 - 9 |
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D. Edwards 47,
M. Reeves 42 |
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Uplyme & Lyme
Regis CC |
167 - 8 |
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M. Westmoreland 2 - 13,
N. Hebbes 2 - 17 |
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As a West Country sleepy
village team you see many a tour side come and go. There are Fat Boys,
Librarians, University Yobs and East Asian City teams who lay doughnuts in
your outfield, but of all the teams to arrive at my little sleepy village of
Uplyme I've never experienced anything quite like the fennel wielding
Frisbeer champions of Far From The MCC. On arriving at the ground
the team warm up consisted of relay trips to the local garage for top-ups of
refreshments, a vast number of which were used as target practice for their
penultimate Madolymps competition of Frisbeer. In turns they took to throwing
at the wobbly target until after a mere three hundred and twenty six play-off
throws, one of them won. They probably can't remember who won, we didn't even
understand their scoring system.
A long-haired tramp prepares a game of Frisbeer for the tourists. Anyway, they were decent
enough to fill the void in our team of three players, who were rescuing dogs
and cleaning toilets following the weekend’s frivolities in nearby
Lyme-Regis. Hence I am composing this report, as one of the Opposition,
chosen by a cruel turn of a MAD Top Trump card. Tour Team Captain of the
Day was to be the Master Electrician Bob Roberts. Although, having quizzed
him during tour regarding wiring a plug I am wondering why he didn't end up
playing for R. T. Harris that well known Oxfordshire team of
non-electricians. It must be said, Bob took the team captaincy role slightly
more seriously and with a cooler head than previous tour captains, studying
at length batting and bowling positions and not once conceding to player
bullying vying for alterations of the order. There was no moving Tall Bob,
once he had made a decision, he stuck to it. He won the toss and
elected to bat first, judging quite rightly that the MAD would struggle to
field in the sickening West Country heat. Promoting Leggate (4) up
to the opening position proved a wise decision after joint opener Howarth (7)
continued his run of form by hitting one four before holing out. Matching KP
in a horrendous run of single figure dismissals - to think it was once opined
that a Fantasy Cricket team could not win the championship without Howarth in
it's ranks.
Another dismal failing for Ian “KP” Pietersen. Although Gonzo's score
was low, his occupancy at the crease in balls was more than most in the top
order that day. M. Bullock (2) would be cheaply dismissed as was T. Smith
(12) after flashing three customary fours, S. Dobner (0) who hardly sand
wedged one up to be caught spectacularly by the 17 year old bowler, and B. Mander
(0) who was triggered by his room mate following an attempt at the longest
duck ever. M. Westmoreland (8) was the only one who could occupy the crease
longer than Gonzo, but when his wicket fell too, the MAD looked limp and
lackluster on a meagre 58-7. All hail the
The atypical N. Hebbes (6 n.o.) and C.
Roberts (5 n.o.) came in for some fine last wicket cameo striking to add a
few more vital runs to the scorecard to bring our total vaguely respectable
to 165 after 35 overs. The MAD fielders putting
maximum effort into the Uplyme defense was rewarded by opening the batting
with them. Hoskins (12) and Emerson (31) could not quite believe it when they
were selected to pad up. The MAD duo put on a healthy 30 partnership in just
25 balls at one point prompting Emerson to quiz what we should be doing in
this situation. Hitting the fucking ball as hard as you can was the response
as Hoskins dispatched a late cut for four off the Skipper’s bowling. Tall Bob
(6-0-34-1) got his sweet revenge though with a superbly Shoab like off
cutting in swinger that must have turned three feet before nicking the top of
off stump... the only way to bowl Hoskins out these days. Emerson put on a
Judas like 31 before being caught by his room mate bowled Hebbes (4-1-17-2).
Bullock and Hebbes (centre) high-five after an Uplyme dismissal. This prompted a mini
collapse of Uplyme with Beaspark going for a Golden and Crompton also walking
failing to strike a run, both falling to M. Westmoreland (3.5-0.13.2) closing
in on the wicket taking record showing no signs of the yips. Despite the
regular fall of wickets thanks to fine figure of Hebbes (4-1-17-2) and Reeves
(3-1-7-1) Uplymes score rallied on steadily also with there yellow hatted
batsmen finding the holes in the boundary with ease as the tourists seemed to
lag slightly in the field. Batey (25) struck a few boundaries and their
skipper Sims (21) followed suit picking the ball up well. While Brimscombe,
who was celebrating his 17th birthday was having one to remember. After
taking 3 wickets and two classy catches was now nearing his fifty with the
total fast approaching. Another wicket falling
though brought in Uplymes No.10 - none other than J. Hotson standing in for
another Uplyme MIA.
Keeper, S. Dobner, did a sterling job behind the stumps. By this time Tall Bob had
called for the bowling of wily off spin duo M. Bullock (3-0-16-1) and But down to the last two
balls with just two runs required it seemed inevitable that Uplyme's
celebrating 17 year old was due to get his deserved 50 and cowed one through
the MAD outfield to seal the win.
Shadows lengthen as the Mad say goodbye to Devon. All that remained in the
day was to relish one last cider with the friendly opposition, present the
MADOLYMPS winner, and clear up the bedraggled fennel pieces from the
outfield. And so the sun sets on
another MAD tour with all and sundry departing back to the Shires to ponder
next years tour - a possible trip to the historical city of ‘Hoskers’ |
*
ne
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No
Fines on this Day |
MOTM: M. Reeves’ all round
display
Champagne Moment: M. Reeves’ six
onto Steve Dobner’s car
Buffet Award: