Marsh Gibbon Cricket Club

The Westcott Double-Header Weekend brought even more Sunshine and a selection shortage as both Skipper’s went on their Summer sojourns.   Never mind, the 3rd Leonard could step up from Vice duties to stand in and it has to be said he showed what a tosser he is right from the start!  As he called correctly to insert Gibbon on a surprisingly green Westcott deck.

New skipper at the helm maybe, but the standard Marsh batting collapse still followed. Chambers (Snr), Vadivale, Mead and the Skipper all back in the hutch at 30-4 off 10 overs. Perhaps they were just getting to their seats early for the England vs Sweden Quarter Final!  Could it get any worse?  Yes.  In no time at all, Fox and Abbott were seated in the shade and waiting for the footie as well as Marsh were reduced to 47-6 off 20 overs.  Rehman Ullah especially dangerous with his left arm around sticking or skidding in from a wide projection.

Crouchy joined Sammy in the middle and the Time for a recovery was now.  The two stood firm and started to find boundaries, sending the ball speeding across the baked hard outfield. Callow (20) had surpassed his highest score for the season when he gifted a C&B to Strong and an encouraging partnership of 45 in just 6 overs came to an end with Marsh on 92-7.  Needham now joined Richardson.

Sammy was selectively hitting to his strength and putting balls into the corn field and onto the runway!  The return of Ullah was his unfortunate undoing as a ball failed to get up and skidded over his foot into the stumps.  Sammy scored 60 in just 69 balls including the time of the early top order demise. (9 Boundaries included: 6×4 and 3×6).

Marsh were now 127-8 off 34 and so time to spare, but not wickets.  Needham had been happily watch from the other end as Richardson had plundered but with only Timdog and the young Chambers left had to move it along.  After a quality thick edge through 3rd man for 4 Timdog became Ullah’s 5th scalp.  Kyle (27*) and young Jacob scampered over 145 required for the 3rd batting point before Jacob was bowled and the innings closed on 148 – just in time to watch the 2nd half of the footie with Tea!

On a baking hot day with a rock hard small outfield no one thought 148 would be enough…….

Kyle’s first over looked expensive as it went for 11 as Ullah attacked from the start whilst only 2 fielders can be outside the 30 yard ring.  But, he only lasted 5 balls as a quicker and shorter ball snorted to Richardson (who else!) in gully to take the catch.   Khan came next and was even more determined to finish the game quickly.  With the score at 42 in only the 7th over the Marsh total of 148 seemed even more inadequate.   Until two wickets in 3 balls.

First went Khan, thin edging from Kyle into Skipper Joseph’s gloves. Sharp take – 2 down.  Westcott skipper Strong at the crease.  Dot. Then ball smashes pad straight down the middle – LBW.  Westcott 42-3 from 7.

Callow had been struggling in the heat with a bout of man-flu and lack of sleep and was replaced by Vadivale. At first the change down in pace looked the wrong decision as a few early fours followed.  Then with drinks approaching Needham trapped opener Cherry in front and Westcott were 62-4 off 13.

They say Skippers live or Die by their decisions….well, Kyle had just taken out the top 4 batters and in his last 30 delivers had taken 3 wickets for 9 runs and 5 of those 9 runs were because the skipper had put 3 fielders behind leg and caused a ‘No ball’ with the resulting extra ball going for 4.   It therefore came as some surprise when the skipper announced “Kyle have a blow.”    To be replaced by Jayson who had obviously seen something in his half of the pitch that could trouble the batter. So he bounced the ball no more than 3 metres in front of his foot.  Whack!  Hussain smacked the ball straight to Mead – Wicket first ball!

Followed immediately by Vadivale having Symes caught by Callow on the square, and then Abbott struck again next over with a C&B, deceiving the batsman by pitching the ball on his favourite spot – just by his landing boot!

Vadivale and Jaybone were ripping through the Westcott middle and lower order in double quick time as England were bringing it home against Sweden!

Westcott were tumbled from 62-3 to 77 All out, as Abbott finished with 3 wickets for 3 runs.  Vadivale 3 for 17 and Needham 4 for 34.  Consequently Skipper Joseph ‘Lived’ to Lead the Gibbon again!

Most importantly a 28 point victory lifted Gibbon off the bottom rung of the league and lifted the spirits of the players.

Looking to avenge a narrow opening day defeat, the Originals entertained third placed Oxenford in another day of high drama in the searing Gibbon heat.

A number of changes from last week’s loss to the league leaders ensued, the most notable being Kyle (or Mr Chairman as he now likes to be referred), who travelled as far as Wales to ensure his batting average remained protected. We welcomed back the aggressive clergyman Mathers after a couple of years absent, Will ‘Spud’ Honour fresh from his colouring-in exam stress and new Marsh resident Alex for his first taste of poor banter and even worse music choices provided by the village cricket team.  Despite assurances that the 10p provided by Crouchy would be an absolute certainty for winning the toss, Skipper duly lost in standard fashion. Gibbon asked to field first on a lovely batting wicket and lightning fast outfield. Skipper returned to a barrage of abuse for yet another tossing defeat, led by Crouch who earlier vowed to be “working hard on my language”……..he’s now achieved his advanced swearing badge!

Tommy (AKA Les) opened up with lanky potty mouth Crouch, who started well creating a few chances, but with Gibbon only fielding with 10, due to Satty doing his school sports day duties, there were gaps available and opener Andy Harris was taking advantage with a range of powerful strokes as Oxenford steadily built around him.

On a batting day, it was tough work for the Gibbon boys and some dropped chances and a few misfields didn’t help their plight, most notably LES who put down opener Harris later in his innings in what must go down as the biggest sitter of the season thus far! The boys plugged away, with the wickets shared around. LES bowled a nice spell of 11 overs, picking up one, whilst going unrewarded on a number of occasions, with the slightly jaded Satty bowling a controlled spell of 1-33 from his 12 overs. Harris finishing with a very well made 91 before being stumped, one of three by the skipper behind the stumps. With poppadum fingers Joe dropping the final ball of the innings, Oxenford closed on 237-7.

With everyone gasping for liquid refreshment, an exquisite array of tea delights was provided by Mrs Honour, who achieved a wonderful contrast of sweet and savoury…… it was certainly a biggie!

With regular opener Joe damaging a digit in the field, a last minute change to the order was required, with Sat promoted to open with Jules, then more chaos ensued just before the resumption as Satty proclaimed “I’m tired”. Combined with the heat and lack of sleep, he didn’t look as if he was firing on all cylinders. Skipper was the only one semi-dressed and reluctantly left his favoured number four spot, so strapped them on. With potentially two men from the top three unable to bat, it was difficult to gauge which way to go about things, but the openers got off to a watchful start, before Jules nicked off for 3. With skipper battening down the hatches, as we awaited the impact of various anti-inflammatory medication, the returning Mathers (5) was promoted to number three and Spud (11) to four. Skipper went for a watchful 27, mistiming a short delivery, with Jayson promoted providing a couple of big blows before being bowled.

Following his manicure and nail polish now dry, Captain of Vice Joe proclaimed he was fit to bat “with only three fingers” and along with brother LES, who only a few weeks previous had declared he was going to lay his older sibling out, proceeded to plunder the bowlers to the boundary regularly. J Leno was run out attempting a 2^nd, returning to form just at the right time with an impressive 83, whilst Tommy ‘Spark out’ Leno was caught for 40, including a wonderful straight six……cue the Danny Dyer walk! With 9 an over needed, Gibbon were back in the game up until that point, but the innings faltered. A decent effort nonetheless. Satty, now semi-conscious, was stumped with the keeper stood 10 yards back from the pegs, as the innings closed on 213-8, giving the visitors victory by 24 runs.

Another battling performance, but no cigar for the Originals, as we continue to search for the consistency and availability to move up the table. Thankfully, Satty was fully recovered enough to wrap up a solid five pieces of coffee cake to take home to replenish his depleted energy stores, however, Joe’s injury curtailed his planned evening activities, so he and his fetching pink shirt settled for a night in the dog………..

Despite remaining the strongest team in the league (holding all above them), there is plenty of optimism given aspects of performance and players starting to fire again that Gibbon can (like our expert alpinist Timmo) start to climb the mountain.

Onto the Westcott double header………..

Marsh Gibbon Win The George Blow Cup for 5th Time

There was an unconventional start to the Marsh-Horwood Cup Final as the Skippers; Guns Leonard and Morrison tossed in Buckingham Nightclub ’13’ at 1am on the morning of the game. Leonard called correctly and with the only moisture threat coming from the pint in his hand he decided to bat – in 10 hours time!  Not exactly in line with the ECB Directive but respected none the less!

The Leonard triumvirate then set about some hard hitting lead by senior cousin Stu.  Indeed the opening stand between Stuart and Joe put on 113 in 10 overs before Joe was caught of Aimes for 38.  Joe had been hampered by scratching his nail polish the day before. This was a major setback as he’d only just had shellac applied at Diamond Nails on Sheep Street, Bicester on Friday.  Somehow he managed to fight back the tears of disappointment and crack 7 lovely boundaries across the lighting tinder outfield.

Stuart found his stride and struck the ball powerfully also dealing in boundaries from the start.  Nine 4’s and an exocet 6 in his unbeaten 72 was only constrained by late fatigue from the heat of the day and as a consequence of the game the day before, notwithstanding the lager consumed between these appearances.

Skipper and youngest Leonard, Tommy joined cousin Stuart for the last couple of overs and got in on the act with a quick 8 as Marsh closed on 131 for 1 off their 12 overs.

Horwood knew a rapid start was required and sent out the powerful Nix and stylish Willett.  They showed intent from ball one and Callow did well to keep the lid on only going for 7 off his opening over.  Chairman Kyle, fresh from his trip to the Welsh Valleys the day before, was picked up by Nix for a square 6 and after 4 overs Horwood were on 47. But Nix had charged Crouch in the 3rd over only to miss a spitting delivery which Keeper Stu got body behind and had ample time to stump the stranded batter.

Skipper brought on Chambers for the 6th over to immediate effect as he bowled Willett and only conceded 3 runs.  Skipper replaced the economical Callow (3-0-1-20) and continued with the effective line.

Marsh fielding was solid, especially from young Jacob and Charlie who were in key positions to keep the batsmen honest and were handling some tricky ground shots hit to them.

Gilder had been batting well but just could not find the boundary as Marsh set the field deep for him knowing ones and twos would not be enough. Horwood reached 103 from 10 and needed 29 from the last 16 balls – very possible with lighting outfield and Gilder and Ellison set at the crease.  Until the first ball of that 11th over and Tommy struck Gilder’s off stump bail.

With only 7 runs conceded in a tight penultimate over from the Skipper (3-0-28-1), Kyle came back for the last over as Chambers had finished with identical economical figures as Callow. Horwood needed 22 off 8 balls for victory and the Chairman was never going to allow that to happen.  Marsh won by 12 runs.

Big thank you to Bazza and Mr Sirrett for all the organising, Freddie and Horwood Umpire and Horwood for hosting.  A very special shout out for the Burgers! (got any left?)

SILVERWARE on the Marsh Mantel – Now let’s get climbing the league ladder!  

(Look out for photos from Club Cameraman who dragged himself off the golf course for the first time this season – Welcome back Honours!)      

With one third of the league campaign now completed The Gibbon are indeed demonstrating their Might by holding up all above them!  Yes, 6 games in and with only 1 win to show for it Gibbon sit at the foot of Division One.  But all is far from lost…..

Games in hand are only that until you turn them into points, but as MGCC have either one or two games in hand on all the other clubs at this time and with a tight league, just one win would move the team out of the relegation zone….so all is far from lost.

The last two weeks have brought defeats, but defeats to sides that will clearly challenge for the silverware and so defeats to Wolvercote and Swifts don’t bode disaster either.

Free Scoring Wolvercote Took Liberties!

MGCC entertained Wolvercote on 16th June and racked up 247 for 5 in their 45 overs.  Sounds high but on a sunny day, with a perfect batting track and fast outfield it was only par. Needham had jarred his back last week was still troubled and only lasted 2 overs before being replaced by Abbott.  Callow made the early strike and all was even early on, as Selfie caught MacIntyre off Abbott: Wolvercote 37 for 2 off 12.

Tom Stewart-Liberty found the form of his life for Wolvercote and batted chancelessly to pile on an unbeaten 120. Supported by the returning Procter who struck out for 48 before pouched by Chambers on the fence for Crossy’s first wicket.

Skipper turned to 7 bowlers to mix it up but it was a case of sticking to damage limitation and waiting our turn with willow.

An unfathomably large feast was set about at Tea with tales of ‘Midnight Prosecco Baking’ unfurled from Mrs Skipper – best leave it there!

The Wolvercote openers of Shelley and Holden found the pitch to their liking as the Marsh batsmen failed to dig in to see past the opening spell and find their straps.  Jules, Joe, Sat – all went facing less than 8 balls each and at 9 for 3 off 3 overs, a chase of 247 was somewhat distant.

Something of a revival (in the circumstances) between the Skippers (Stu and Tom) was ended at 34, but a further rapid loss of wickets then followed as the skippers, Selfie, Abbott and Callow were all back in the pavilion at 48 for 8.  The old-timers Cross and Needham took it to 59 before Crossy was caught and Jacob joined Kyle to redress the average age!   The two hung around long enough to pass the 70 required for a batting point at least.  Innings closed on 72.

Difficult to find anything outstanding in this result for the Gibbon as there was significant scope for improvement in all departments – other than the Tea!

 

Gibbon Left Snookered At Witney……

Another hot day and a dry though green wicket at The Leys Recreation Ground, home of Witney Swifts. Skipper called wrong and Gibbon were in the field. Well 9 of them were for Kyle had missed the A40, A420 and had headed off beyond Didcot before realising he was going in the wrong direction (due to Foxy’s non-stop rattling on!) and so these 2 arrived just in time for the 2nd over.

Never mind Tommy opened up with Croucher and both were on target. In-duckers and some seam checking the batsmen. Guns trapped Seacole Senior in front with 19 on the board.  Then Hume drove straight back for Chambers to snaffle off Croucher, before striking again when Foxy caught Fisher in the covers, reducing Swifts to 35-3.

Time for Kyle to test the back situation – and all seemed well as he trapped Godwin Jnr in front and bowled the dangerous Seacole Jnr top of off.  Jason couldn’t find a consistent length but benefitted from Foxy dining plates as he bagged another catch in the covers.

Redd Pratley was anchoring Swifts and in attempting to keep the strike walked across a straight one from Kyle to give him his 3rd wicket.  Julesy came on to provide line and length at the tail and mopped them up with 2 wickets for just 4 runs.  Tommy deservedly finishing it off to end with 2 for 26.

Swifts dismissed for 143 on a reasonable track. Time to Bat.  The style of batting didn’t really matter as simply sticking around for 45 would bring 143 from a fast outfield and short boundary to the road side.  But unfortunately last weeks script came out for another reading.

First Joe went caught at slip 3rd ball, then Scotty having just scored two 4’s was bowled and Skipper likewise with two 4’s in the bag was judged adjacent. 29 for 3 off 9 overs.  Tommy and Jules were battling on as Pratley with all the wickets was testing with every ball.  With the score on 47 Tommy fell to Pratley and quickly after Jules went reducing Gibbon to 52 for 5.

Revival time as Jaybone and Foxy (picking up a bat for the first time in 2018), started to build a partnership based on boundaries.  And when Foxy nonchalantly creamed the destructive Pratley for 12 in his last over a victory was suddenly possible.  81 for 5 off 22.  Only 63 required and plenty of time.

You could say 2 things brought Gibbon defeat from this point.  A most awful umpiring decision to give out Foxy (25) who was in form: LBW when all 3 stumps visible.  Then old man Godwin came on with his loopers.  First Abbott (12), then Crouch both thought the longest boundary posted with a man waiting was a good option for a Six.  Wrong. Out!

Timdog who had knuckled down and defended well suddenly lost discipline and took on Godwin aerially only to punch him straight to be lamely caught.  Meanwhile Kyle was eeking out runs from the many overs remaining, whilst ignoring the incessant drone from mid off.

Timdog and Kyle had took Marsh to 105 and still 10 overs left to get 38 meant there was no challenge of run rate but with only one wicket left there was no margin for error.  Crossy was defending the turning ball from Fisher and resisting the swoosh off Godwin.  The score crept along and only 27 needed from 7 overs.  Calamity, Crossy caught in two minds stepped back, in front and missed the ball. LBW.  All out for 116.

And so Top beat Bottom.  Should we be surprised?  No, but this should have been the other way after an excellent bowling and fielding display the victory was tee’d up with ample ability to achieve it.

The next weeks become more important as we return back to base for the next 6 weeks as the fixtures have us at home from now until mid August.  Perhaps Kyle wont get lost and perhaps we’ll find that elusive batting form….

Knuckle Down Boys we don’t need to be so Strong!!

 

 

 

For the second consecutive week the In-Betweeners suffered a last ball defeat, this time to Great Horwood.

Skipper Guns won the toss and fancied a bat on the perfect track for it.  The other Leonard’s (Joe, Stuart) opened up and set off at a rate thanks to Stuart plundering Ellison’s first over for 24. (-4143246).  A big score was looming with Marsh on 38 off 3 overs, but Harper was bowling tight and a mistimed cut from Joe was taken behind and a straight one from Morrison castled Stuart. The shot selection from the Marsh middle order was woeful and sharp square leg fielding from Andy Gilder with 2 run outs resulted in Marsh adding only 13 runs for 5 wickets in 40 balls.

Skipper, when not running out partners, glued the innings with 19 and hit the only four between overs 3 and 12 when Crossy clubbed a brace!  Marsh closed disappointingly on 87 for 8 from the 12, 8 ball overs.  All the Leonards scoring 19.  Morrison the pick of the Horwood bowlers conceding only 7 for 2 off his 3 overs.

Marsh needed an early strike (or more!) and Needham bowled Bridgman 5th ball to get things started, but Jaybone’s over suffered some fine strikes and went for 15. Skipper gave Abbott a blow(?) and struck immediately to bowl Cranshaw.  Needham completed a tight spell (3-14-1) and half way through the overs Horwood were 42-2.

Willett was the danger man and batting well. Marsh needed to attack the other end and keep Willett off strike.  The plan worked well and Marsh restricted Willett to singles and locked down the other batter.  Chambers and Vadivale kept up the pressure but Horwood edged closer to the inadequate total.

Last over and 10 required by Horwood.  Joe Leonard had calmly pouched Willett (56) running along the fence  in Chambers previous over and so new batters were at the crease.   Two singles and a Two, then WICKET! Skipper catches Armitage.  Dot, then Two, and disaster as a leg side wide runs away for Two more.  One required from the last 2 balls with all the Marsh fielders within 10 yards of the bat. DOT!  Last ball and one required – flick fine off the legs by Morrison and game over.

Excellent tight cricket match with Horwood edging home in front of a decent crowd.  Thanks to the ‘other’ Leonard at the ground for a spell of Umpiring and the League Officials for scoring too.

 

The Gibbon returned to Base Camp and to a well prepared track looking every bit ‘The Road To Batting Paradise’ as Bob Hope might have said (if he’d played Cricket). The Wootton Skipper, Webb, certainly saw it that way when he called correctly and chose to bat first.

The day was sunny and dry with a slight breeze, perhaps welcomed by those MGFC players that had been out to the early hours and DOM without a doubt by the look of them!  Scotty was back from Espana too, having evaded the Border Force with his mate Hugo who turned up still in his bearded disguise!

Big Stu laid out his plans before the start: Tight bowling and sharp fielding required.  The words were still ringing in Joey’s ears as he spilled the first slip chance in only the 3rd over!    Needham and Callow found the required line and length to restrict Morton and Benson from the start. And with only 15 from the first 6 overs Crouch went through Morton to strike the first blow.  Wootton’s dangerous skipper Webb came to the middle and still Marsh bowlers gave little to attack. Benson bogged down on 8 after 11 overs desperately swung at Needham and Mitchell got into the action for the first time that day, but not the last, as he pouched a simple catch on the square.  To Marsh’s delight and especially Cubby’s he clutched a sharp 2nd slip chance next over to dismiss Webb, off Crouch and Wootton were 35 for 3 off 13 overs.

Wootton looked to accelerate with Wiskin at the crease, but scoring only 20 from the next 7 overs brought more premeditated risky shots.  Needham had moved Jules back outside the ring and on cue Wiskin dutifully picked him out! Jules took it on the run with aplomb.

Mitchell took over from Crouch and found a consistency that had eluded him so far this term.  He was now getting it to go round corners – the right way.  And on the hard track was also getting bounce and carry forcing the batsman to play late.  This quickly created two sharp catches behind to Skipper in the gloves and Hugo (still in disguise) at 2nd slip, both taken.

Meanwhile O. Morton was playing the innings the wicket deserved and notched up a fluent 50, but with wickets tumbling around him, he needed to accelerate and Big Stu took the pace away to try and create the error with Vadivale’s tweakers.  The plan worked and a top edge into the skippers gloves brought the 4th catch behind.  Mitchell wrapped up the innings with his 4th and 5th scalps straight bowled.  His inaugural Marsh 5fer (11-1-39-5) and much congratulating from his team mates as he led them from the field.

Tea was richly deserved and was a veritable feast of selections from crudités to classic quarter filled sarnies, and home made caaakkkeeee!  Thanks to Amy and Mum Amy.

Joe and Jules opened up and Wootton immediately set the trap for the mistimed Hook with 2 catchers on the fence behind square, as Cam King banged in the occasional short ball.  But hooking was not a required shot as Joe repeatedly clipped Wiskin to the boundary to keep the board clicking.

King was probing and found some good deliveries to bring the game abruptly level with a double strike removing both openers trapped in front and Marsh were suddenly 30-2 from 10.  Marsh needed to consolidate and there’s no one more consolidated than Vadivale!  In partnership with the Skipper, they kept things moving along.  Webb had replaced Wiskin and was bowling with greater control, but the occasional err from line or length and Leonard pounced for a boundary and scoreboard pressure was kept in check.

A Marsh win was staring to look like a formality as 80 runs clocked by in the 23rd over and evening drinking plans were being hatched in the pavilion, that was until the 25th over when Vadivale (18) chipped lamely to mid on with Marsh on 83 – and a very useful partnership of 53 ended.  Then in Webb’s next over, Skipper Leonard (40 including 6 4’s) missed a straight one and Guns Leonard (10) after 2 glorious pulls to the boundary (hitting the LES Mobile) edged a turning delivery to slip.  The concern of 5 wickets down was looking calamitous when Scotty hit across the line as King returned to take the 6th wicket.  From 85 for 2, Marsh were now 106 for 6.

Hugo and The Silver Fox were now in the middle neither having faced a ball and the opening bowlers back for the remaining overs.  Although Hugo was still wearing his bearded disguise, his class with the bat was in plain view and with the Old-Timer, (familiar with this situation from many times before) the two set about a calm count down.  A single here and a brace there they kept the board moving and didn’t even let a maiden pass.

30 runs were required and 30 runs were scored in 9 overs. Hugo finished unbeaten on 17 and The Silver Fox, who had started the game with ball in hand, finished it with the bat in hand (16*) 6 hours later.

Skipper presented James with the match ball and we look forward to it being the first such presentation of many. Well done you lanky streak of pi**!

 

 

Unpleasant…..

The Originals travelled to Yarnton on Saturday 2nd June to face table-topping Yarnton & Cowley in OCA League action, but action of a cricketing nature there was to be none!  Disappointingly upon walking out to the Square the lack of preparation was immediately evident as the wicket was a thick matted uneven grassy surface.  The Umpires were unimpressed and after due consideration of all factors, including with ECB and OCA guidance they sensibly concluded that the wicket was not safe for play.

The decision was the Umpires and as their number one priority is Safety they had no option but to call the game off.  It was obvious that this was the only course of action….obvious to everyone apart from Y&C who felt that a game could be played with adjustments like bowling only spinners, or reducing the overs (!)

With no cricket, the Y&C players turned to the vocal abuse of the Marsh players as they left the ground.  Something they chose to do and thought appropriate….but not something that we consider to have a place at a cricket match, Ever.  The match was abandoned by the Umpires (not MGCC) under Rule 10h of the OCA – home side not preparing a safe pitch for the fixture: 20 points awarded to Marsh, 20 points deducted from Y&C.  Not the victory we were expecting, but hopefully the OCA will take action to ensure the standard of Division One pitches – and Clubs – is much better than we encountered at this ground, in the future.

Unfortunate….

Tommy’s In-Betweeners took on Twyford in the Semi-Final of the Advertiser Cup at The Recreation Ground on Wednesday 5th June.  Quite the reverse of Saturday’s experience with 2 well matched sides looking for a quality game of cricket on an excellent wicket….and they got it.

Twyford batted first and racked up 92 for 5 in their 12 overs (8 balls per over).  The Marsh reply faltered from the start with slow scoring due to good bowling and then wickets falling.  However, Big Stu reunited with his batting kit, found his timing and brought Marsh back on track with the rate with a fluent and fast 50.  Until….

The last over and Marsh needed 8 runs to win – A run a ball.  Stuart was on strike, but in the fading light the added pace of Bone was challenging and Stu was well clutched at deep mid-on by young Wilkinson.  Callow now on strike – Bowled!  Cross, stiff necked, strode to the square and the trademark swoosh accompanied him.  A single, then another single from Needham, a couple of two’s from Crossy and with one ball to go Marsh needed one run to tie the scores, but Marsh had lost one wicket more than Twyford and wickets lost is the deciding factor if the scores are tied at the end.  Crossy made contact but only one run was possible and Twyford won the game by the virtue of losing one wicket less than Marsh.

A tense enjoyable game, full of young local talent (not to mention some old local talent as well!)

 

Third Saturday game for Marsh and the third wet one.  All was looking good by midweek with hot blue skies and a dry hard track, then came the thunderstorms.  With no roll on covers to protect the wicket such heavy rain meant only one thing – Bat Second.

And that is exactly what Stonesfield chose to do. Jamie Burns has been here often enough to know the score as well as any Marsh player.

Humid overcast conditions and a wet surface spitting hand grenades all favoured the bowlers but Joe Leonard and Chambers Senior dug in. Then the disastrous 8th over and Joe got the edge to 2nd slip and Vadivale missed a dying  2nd ball to be bowled, 16 for 2 off 8 overs. Skipper joined Chambers and they started to rebuild, including the innings’ Champagne moment when skip extra cover drove for a 75 metre maximum.

Chambers fell for 19 in the 20 over and Marsh were 51-3.  Both Club Skippers were now at the crease and Tommy fresh from a fifty for his ‘In-Betweeners’ just 4 days earlier continued where he left off, settling in and then pushing on.  Just as an encouraging partnership was building Stuart failed to clear the ring this time (19) and Marsh were 77-4 with only 16 overs remaining.

What would be a par score?  Earlier thoughts had settled on 150 to 160 but with improving batting conditions it was hard to call. Normally the TV Analyst interjects at this point with some thoughtful statistics from previous matches and WASP starts to irritate the viewer – So, over to Marsh’s own irritating Analyst….. “Silver Fox Stato.”

“In the 30 years of OCA cricket at Home – Marsh has batted first a total of 103 times and won 60 of the games. However, Marsh’s lowest winning score is 119, having scored a lower total on 20 occasions and losing them all.  So, 119 was the historical minimum for victory.  Looking at scores achieved slightly higher than 119, the scorebooks show that when scoring between 120-140 results are equal at 8 wins and 8 defeats.  From 140 to 150 Marsh has won 6 and lost 5 and so history shows us that a score of 140 is still a winnable position with WASP at 55%.”

The 150 minimum was still a fair way off when Richardson joined Guns at the crease.  Unfortunately Sammy is not fully conscious of what ‘crease’ means in the context of a batsman. The effective Gubbins was getting good turn and bounce and drew Sambo stretching forward only to miss the ball and survive a stumping appeal.  Next ball same thing, different outcome. This time stumped.  But “NO!” pleads Sam to Umpire Croxford. “My foot is on the line – look!” Oh dear Sam, you need to be ‘Behind’ the line in this game……

Mikey Herriott joined Tommy and struggled to hit the ball with just 1 from 17 deliveries, as did Crouch in his first ‘golden’ game this year. 37 overs used and Marsh were at 114 for 7.  Could a late push get the score nearer to that statistical parity?  Then Tommy fell for a gutsy 42 from 57 balls, a quick rate in the context of the game.  Needham (10) and Mitchell (11*) and a boundary from Timdog used every ball of the 45 to smear Marsh to a total of 142   (It could have been one more if Timmo had not been run out at the bowlers end, by the wicketkeeper, off the last ball!)

Over again to ‘Silver Fox Stato’…. “Historically Marsh has scored less than 142 and still won on 4 occasions and so it’s not unheard of.  In fact the closest to this total came only last year when registering 139 vs Eynsham and then bowling Eynsham out for 92 to win.”

Skipper briefed the side at Tea and it was clear that a top bowling display would be required to repeat the Eynsham exploits.

Three hours had passed since Marsh faced the first delivery and a much drier and improving track faced Burns and Redknapp opening for Stonesfield.  It was still humid and the new cherry should swing.  Needham and Callow got balls in the right area, but no reward until Callow trapped Redknapp playing across the line one time too many. 30-1 in tenth.  Marsh were offering the leg side from Needham with only one in front of bat to try and induce the mis-timed drive and it worked in the 13th over when Holley was superbly clutched by the towering Mitchell.  At this point the game was still alive, but Burns was not being drawn from his bunker.  Skipper continued the offensive, even without any runs to spare and had 6 round the bat off Needham (12-5-21-1) but no luck.

Richardson also threatened with consistent line and length, but no one else could drop onto a straight line and with no margin for error Skipper had no choice but to rotate through every bowler searching for some penetration. Burns accumulated from the far too frequent loose balls and earned a match winning half century as the game slipped away from Marsh. A last ditch spell from Callow brought a couple of consolation wickets with sharp catches from Chambers and Sambo.  Stonesfield reached the required total in the 40th over for the loss of 4 wickets.

So over to the Analyst Stato for the closing comment…

“History was made in this game after all!  For the first time Marsh gave all 10 outfield players a bowl!   Some were economical (Needham at just over one run per over) and some were not…..Nevertheless, I am confident that some Positive records will be smashed next week at Yarnton & Cowley, as we return to League action.”

 

 

Tommy ‘Guns’ Leonard led his In-Betweeners to consecutive Midweek victories, this time at home against Preston Bissett, with an unbeaten 57 in only 8 overs.

Marsh batted first with Joe Leonard and  Mikey Herriott opening up, but a good opening spell from ‘ESL’ (as written in scorebook?) removed them both; Herriott without score and Joe (playing on) after a very bright 24 including 2 pulled sixes.  When Stuart Leonard holed out for 15, Marsh were 44 for 3 off 5 overs and despite this quick fire start much work remained to be done to set up a challenging total.

Skipper Guns started securely and grew in confidence as the runs flowed and support came from the esteemed Julian Chambers.  The partnership almost went the distance when Jules was stumped on 17 with only 4 balls remaining.  A partnership worth 70 and underpinned by positive singles running and some strong clubbing from Leonard, including 6 fours.  ‘Jaybone’ added 9 from 3 balls to take Marsh to 136 for 4 off the 12 (8 ball) overs.

Preston were on the back foot from the start as Mitchell’s pace restricted Harin and Jackman and only conceded 8 runs in his brace of overs.  Timdog kept the line tight and was rewarded with a Track 8 shooter to bowl Jackman!  Jaybone Abbott followed Mitchell and was even more economical only conceding one from the bat – pity about the 5 leg side wides which had Joe Leonard first springing and then rubbing (Ouch – count them?!)

Young Jacob Chambers started nervously, but settled enough to claim the Number 3, Ryan with a Stu Leonard catch (He can catch with the gloves off!)  ‘The Crab’ peeled off several layers of jumpers enough to rotate his arm and took a brace of wickets as Preston were rapidly giving up the chase.  A couple of Run Outs and a last wicket for Chairman Kyle concluded proceedings and Preston closed on 67 for 8 after 12 overs.

Well done to Preston who started with only 9 players and ended with just 10 and were severely understrength from normal, but battled honourably throughout.

Good match time for Marsh with 6 bowling and 5 getting useful time at the crease.

Next In-Betweeners Game:  Twyford (Away) on Wednesday, 30th May

The boffins at The Met Office, or whatever they call themselves now, had advised a dry afternoon with rain after dark.  When the Hendred track was inspected and conditions assessed all seemed in order and as usual Skippers tossing continued to rise to the occasion and he duly inserted.  Having said that, I am not too sure that Skipper could actually see anything following a significant episode of drinking on match day!

Newcomer Jack ‘Selfie’ Self was welcomed to the Club (Cap number 146) and we all crammed into the changing room to Sample Sams’ grand array of team sweets including some sort of mushroom thing which Skipper devoured most of hoping they were ‘magic’.

As both ends were Uphill, Kyle was completely confused as to which end to bowl from and eventually opted for the pavilion end, though it made little difference.  Early encouragement with an edge falling an inch in front of Shippo at 2nd slip and then another edge slipping through Skipper’s gloves.  No breakthrough though and Hendred continued to edge forward, reaching 43 from 12.  Sammy came into the attack and almost immediately got a straight one past the bat to clean bowl young Mulford.  He repeated the act shortly afterwards to bowl McKenna.

The ground was dry, hard and sloping to the ropes meaning anything that beat the infield was going all the way.  Abbott replaced the luckless Needham and could not quite find the consistency of Jesus College, meanwhile Hendred’s Francis and Prosper were settling and becoming more expansive to good effect, putting on a ton together before Selfie bagged Francis for Sammy’s third wicket.  164-3 off 35, with an easy batting track, fast outfield and 7 wickets remaining – a very large total loomed.

Jules had kept the lid on the runs and pinned the Hendred batters back leaking a meagre 10 runs from his opening 6 overs, but the luck was not rolling the Marsh way as several aggressive mis-timed efforts dropped between, in front or just over fielders and resulted in more runs instead of wickets.  Shippo turned his arm in the closing overs and though consistency evaded him he bowled Prosper.   A few other late consolation wickets for Kyle and Abbott helped stem the run flow and Hendred closed on 240-7.

Oddly in the latter overs light drops of rain started and the covers were brought on as a precaution at Tea.  Thus it started with light intermittent drops and it never stopped…..

Abbott and Shippo needed to leave early for social engagements and so the order was accommodating, moving Shippo into the opening berth with Joe.  Shippo had already missed the thrills of a Vegan Market that afternoon and he was eager to not miss the resulting meatless meal that evening!

Joe obviously had sympathies as his inning was similarly meat-less when he gloved a Palmer rising delivery 4th ball.   Jayson started with a characteristic boundary before being bowled in the 2nd over and at 7 for 2 wickets, 240 seemed a long way off.

Spurred on by thoughts of Humus and Black Barley, Shippo started to punch the boundaries we expect and was taking control….until he swung across the line and not even a stick of Mr. Boycotts’ Rhubarb would have saved him.  22 from 24 balls had promised so much more.

It was the Skippers time now and along with debutant Jack a dogged partnership started to take shape.  Jack joined Skip with the score on 42-3 off 9 overs and the rain was still coming down.

Palmer was steaming in and dropping plenty of short pitched deliveries in the gloom which the umpires should have actioned, but instead they asked Skip if he wanted to continue in the rain and gloom and he was happy to front it up, after all his hangover was clearing now!

The pair milked anything short and offline, but the ever dampening ball and outfield meant the ball was not racing to the fence as in the first inning.   Then a double blow as Skip and Selfie went in consecutive overs only 3 short of a 100 partnership.  The score stood at 142-5 after 30 overs.  99 required off 15 overs…..in the rain….

Jules was caught out early and the innings stalled.  17 runs had come in 7 overs when more than a run a ball was required.  It was time to start Swinging In The Rain and Marsh’s own Gene Kelly arrived in the guise of Sam Richardson!   The rain continued and Sam unleashed his umbrella to good effect.  Mikey Herriott joined Sam and splashed the singles to turn the strike over to Sam as best he could.

With 45 required from the last 30 balls it looked unlikely but despite the almost 3 hours of rain the runs kept coming and 18 were required from the last over, with 2’s and a lusty straight 6 Sammy kept the game alive to the penultimate ball.

When games go to the wire and only a handful separates the sides one can see many places where the difference could have swung in our favour; a catch here, a boundary there, but the positives of what was achieved in the game outweighs any searching for scapegoat incidents.  Skipper scored 64 from 89 deliveries, Debuntant Jack showed how valuable he will be with 35 and agile fielding prowess, Sammy with 3 wickets and his 2nd highest score of 68 from 53 balls. And an overall impressive outfit in the field saving runs.  Perhaps, one of these days we will get a game in the dry – throughout!