Author: carlos

I thought those that enjoyed the excellent end of season presentation evening would like to see the poem composed by Granty in homage to the Club, The Telegraph Cup and The New Pig (not sure which is the most important?!).  So here it is, put on your best Pam Ayres voice and recite out loud!

 

While the chairman was away sunning himself

And combing his silver hair

The boys fought in the battle of Chipping Norton

And returned with this silver ware.

 

The team were nervous

The atmosphere tense

The Marsh barmy army

Were all round the fence.

 

A mixture of young

And a few old

We were strong

Brave and bold.

 

Some were athletic

Some were a bit round

But Stuart’s judgement that day

Seemed to be sound.

 

OK so we didn’t do brilliant

With the bat

But we had confidence in our bowling

We always know that.

 

I believe it was our team spirit

That won the cup that day

We all took responsibility

And that is the Marsh way.

 

What a season

we have had

to be a part of it

I am so glad.

 

It’s not just the players

That makes ours a Great Club

It’s umpires, groundsmen, tea ladies,

Supporters you talk to in the pub.

 

Our teas are legend

Around these parts

Ladies you certainly know

The way to our hearts.

 

At the end of each match

We all sit and have a drink

Shoving coins into

Something round, porcelain and pink.

Unfortunately our pig got into the wrong hands

And whoops there was a smash

We had to then think about

Where to put the fines cash.

 

Now we have something

much more sleek

It came all the way from America

and only took a weeeeeeek.

 

 

You must have guessed what I have got

So before you dance and jig

Cast your eyes upon

Our clubs brand new PIG!

 

 

There were no surprises on the last day and this years winner was SKIPPER with 4,080.  Congratulations Skip, this means only one thing – your points will be severely cut next year!!    (And being as I didn’t win there won’t be a trophy either)

Closest contender was the International Signing with 2,838.  With that kind of an effort an early night must be needed!

The 2nd half of the season saw Crouch fly up the league and he finished on 2,600.  Well done MoM!

There was a tight battle behind the medal positions, with Anthea just holding out on 2,188, from Frankie on 2,112, then Gregory on 2,030.  That was a tight one Matron!

Guns followed on 1,875 with Sat Nav on 1,805

The severely and unfairly hampered Silver Fox came in on 1,559 (adjustments shall be made!) with Pidge then on 1,420.

Bit of a gap to Spud who tripped the 4 figures in the last game to take him to 1,000 exactly.  Just ahead of Mr Professional, Farmer on 952.

Crabby – 780 – nudged ahead of Mr Invisible – 776 and then came the remaining youth policy of:  Rooney 560, Dinesh 340 and Luke with his excellent catch for 100!

All others failed to score.

And with that we close the 2014 Fantasy….it was indeed a year of Fantasy, only to be bettered next year.  The Handicapping Committee shall meet over the close season to decide upon points values for next year…and remember you can always bribe them at the Presentation Dance – a pint goes a long way!

Yours,

The Fantasy League Committee

 

Skipper is right out on top on 3,732 and with his sights firmly set on big runs this week it will take a Herculean effort to catch him!

But if there was one man up for the task it is cousin Joe, on 2,650 he sits in 2nd place and has been oiling his willow all week…..The rise of the Crouch has continued with more wickets and he is now in 3rd with 2,380 and 4th placed Stevie on 2,188 won’t catch him as he’s not in the line-up, and neither is Gregory on 2,030.  But Guns has the chance to topple them both on 1,863.

Satty has also finished his season on 1,805 but Matt can leapfrog the Tamil Tubby if he scores a couple as he is on 1,800.

There’s a gap to the harshly handicapped Silver Fox on 1,507 (that will change next year!) and then another interval before Pidge on 1,380.

Spud hasn’t troubled the scorer for a while and remains stuck on 990, but could change that this week.  Farmer is looking for 4 figures on 965.

The invisible Man – Sam is on 776 and Granty just behind on 700……Big drop to the Boys: Rooney on 460, Dinesh on 340 and Foxy propping us all up on 100 is stuck there till next year!

I am sure we can come up with some evening forfeits from these results….!!!???

 

 

Well let’s get the stats out the way first….In 10 previous encounters between the sides; Marsh had won 3 times, Marcham twice and 5 had been rained off…and with this week’s relentless rain that result looked most likely, but the day turned out fine and it was essential Skipper for the Day – Frankie – won the toss, as Marsh had never beaten Marcham when batting first and whoever lost the toss was sure to bat on what looked like, and turned out to be, a very very unpredictable wicket.  Oh dear, Marsh were inserted and team reaction to Skippers inadequate tossing was captured on video for future reference.

Club Captain Leonard was tried and convicted ‘in abstentia’ for going to watch another sport on matchday. Plus failing to pass the Scorebook and Match Ball to anyone else in readiness – Two Pooounds please!

Marsh’s big money transfer was accompanied by the club’s recently successful UKIP candidate, and both looked splendidly rotund in the middle (in more ways than one if you get my drift!)  The going was tough as the ball moved erratically off the surface and it looked like both openers were beginning to settle by the 10th over when, a total shooter skittled Joe for 14.  There followed a brief appearance from Teddy Boy Shippo (1), before Skipper Mead and Vadivale built a crucial partnership of 45.  Both then fell in quick succession and Marsh were 69-4 at halfway.

An extraordinary over from Patel had batsman, scorers and umpires perplexed and scribbling like demons…..10 times Patel bowled and notwithstanding the 2 legitimate balls, there were 5 wides and 3 No Balls – all Beamers, which meant that having used all his lives he was suspended from bowling any further!

Despite the surface and some fine left arm spin from Armstrong, March kept the scoreboard turning with contributions from Turner (9), Willo (7), Jackal (15) and a critical quick fire 19 from Crouch at the end.    A final total of 125 was less than hoped, but certainly hard fought and not going to be easily beaten.

After a fine tea, Marsh needed to pin Marcham back and not allow any pinch hitting during the fielding restrictions. Mission accomplished as Crouch and Jackal removed openers with only 7 on the board. A series of fine catches from Vadivale (Gully), Turner (Silly Mid-Off) and TimDog (off his own bowling!) supported by good ground work in the field meant Marcham never looked likely.

A fine spell from Crouch earned him 3-11 and Man of the Match adding to his joint top score of 19.  But the pick of the bowling was Guns Out Leonard with 4-12 (should have been 5, but we won’t talk about that) including his last 3 overs all being Wicket Maidens!

Shippo wrapped it all up in the 31st over bowling the impressive youngster Woodley, with Marcham on 78.

The day was somewhat marred by a few unfortunate incidents in the changing room; Guantanamo Cold Water hosing by Guns, Paedo filming by The Jackal, and the heinous crime of the playing and singing to ‘Let it Go’ from ‘Frozen’ (ringleader Vadivale and his backing vocalist Josephine Leonard!)

The revelry continued back at The Dog before an aborted attempt to watch the boxing ended in disaster for the Needham household when Guns ripped out the sky connection – clearly the electrical apprenticeship is progressing well!

Clear the calendar for Sunday 29th June when we travel to Westcott for the Quarter Final!

This is a message for those that are not yet worrying about greying or thinning hair, those who know how social media works, those who don’t know or even care about Actuarial Valuations,………………..

MGCC will be providing Open Coaching for 12 to 24 year olds (male and female) on Thursday evenings from 15^th May until 26^th June, from 6.30pm until 8pm.   We have one of Oxfordshire’s top coaches: Darryl Woods, leading the sessions on all aspects of the game, for all levels of ability. Darryl is Oxfordshire Women’s Head Coach and Oxfordshire U17 Boys and Girls Head Coach.

The coaching is open to all, MGCC members as well as non-members who have a keen interest in developing their skills.   This is the perfect start to cricket for young beginners, or a chance to get in form and be ready for the Summer ahead.

This is also a great chance to bring along your mates.   Why not bring along some friends from school (or work!) who’d like some extra cricket.

No one is required or expected to join the club, just enjoy playing cricket and perhaps learn a new skill or two.  Should be fun as we also have a brand new Bowling Machine to use!

(We might even have the bar open so parents wishing to relax on balmy summer nights can get a drink and relax – whilst doing the taxi driver job!)

It is important for those wishing to attend to Pre-Register as we are limited in numbers.  The only cost is £5 for the whole course of 7 weeks (That’s not even £1 per week!)

Simply let me know if you are going to come along and the names of any mates that want to join as well.

(You do not need to attend every week, but it is important that you attend most or it makes organising the activities difficult for the coach.)

Cheers

Carl

Reply to:  info@marshgibboncc.co.uk or text 07920 293480.

The MGCC Golf Day is back!

To be played on Sunday 6th April at Bicester Golf Club.    First Tee off at 12.30pm.   The event is limited to 12 entrants and the entry is subsidised and there will be food and presentation afterwards.

Please reply to info on this site or Sat Nav directly to express an interest.  He will be able to give you more particulars and confirm your place.