Whippersnappers at Great Tew. A four innings marathon of cricketing glory. Having not had the pleasure of our usual end of season social runathon last season, it was with much enthusiasm that Bodley assembled at Great Tew for a four innings match pitting Bodleian staffers against Rest of the World (admin, colleges, friends, various departments, etc etc). Two reasonably (on paper, at least!) balanced sides took to the pitch with Phil skippering for ROTW and Gareth for Bodley. A format of four innings, each of 18 overs to account for the reduced numbers meaning eight a side, with retirements on 25 and three overs max per bowler was the plan. Batting orders would be constructed to ensure everyone got a go, and bowling changes likewise. With the post-match BBQ being cared for by Gareth, it was decided that the Bodley XI should bowl first, to ensure the food could be rustled up in good time for the end of play. All that being clear, play began... Max and Dom opened the batting for ROTW and with the second delivery of the innings sent the ball for four. Could it have been another Ackland slower ball? It certainly wasn't slow to the boundary. The evergreen Stuart got his revenge a couple of balls later with a clean bowled - an even slower ball apparently, though this only brought Tim 'Bubba Watson' Philipson to the crease. Gav was bowling well at the other end but in Stu's second over Dom - having started well with some deft leg-side touches and sharp running - was well caught by Mike Webb at point. Two wickets for Ackland. Best return all season! Young Dan Shaw joined the buccaneering Tim and these two started to find the boundary as a miserly James Shaw and a hard to read Mike Webb ran in from either end. Mike was setting up the batter beautifully with a succession of wides and then bullseye dot balls, leaving poor Dan in something of a pickle as to where the next one might go. As if by magic the final ball of the over was sent down over the wicket, pitched on a good length, bounced a little, jagged back a bit, and clattered into middle stump leaving Dan really rather bemused at the whole over. Well bowled! James soon after picked up the wicket of Tim and ROTW found themselves at 40-4 in the seventh. Ella Shaw came on to bowl some very tidy overs, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Phil (clean bowled first ball last time round, as if you'd forgotten the ball of last season), whilst the skipper did his best to give the oppo some runs with all manner of rubbish from the other end. With Dave Shorten, on loan from Bodleian feeder team the Mads, and James Riley now at the crease Gareth went for quite a few though Ella bowled much better and took the wicket of James with a pearler of a clean bowled. Sadly this only brought another Dave to the crease - Shackleton - and like his illustrious namesake he was determined to endure to the end. David Busby and Matthew turned their arm over, and before a third over could be given to the more economical amongst us, Dave Shorten had retired on 32, Phil had come out and smashed 33 of his own and then Shackleton retired on 31 whilst Shorten returned for a punishing assault to finish on 55 and take the innings to 165. Quite a good score, I'd say. Hmm. Mike and Stuart were pressed into service to open the batting for Bodley, a mixture of touch and fly swatting to get things going. Tim and Phil took the new (old) ball and were initially treated with contempt until Phil clean bowled Mike and then in the fifth over Max did the same to Stu. Gav and the skipper both started well but were likewise out for single figures, caught behind by Dan and caught at slip respectively off Dom and Dave Shorten. With things looking a little wobbly Dave Busby entered the fray only to be well beaten by Dom's flight. James Shaw however was going great guns at the other end, more than ably supported by daughter Ella, and these two put on a terrific stand of Thirty odd before James nicked off to Phil for 24. Matthew joined Ella and the pair saw out the rest of the innings, finishing on 15 for Ella and 19 for Matthew - very well played both. Bodley's score was a tad short at 108, but it was good to break the hundred mark and we weren't bowled out. Tea today, and in the absence of the Picnic King Andrew Milner, was dedicated to birthday boy (last week, but near enough) Phil, who brought along a quite fantastic cricket-themed cake to share with his teammates. As chance would have it, it was also Dave Shorten's birthday that day (what better way to spend it Dave?!) so these two fine men cut the cake together and all tucked in to more cake than Andrew could fit in his hamper. Happy birthday both! The disparity in the scores was the topic of much debate at teatime, and eventually there was general agreement that there would this time round be no return after retirement for ROTW, though the suggestions of one hand one bounce, blindfolded batters, and batting with a stump were all turned down. Nevertheless, with a lead already at a healthy 57, ROTW went out again to bat against a more focused Bodley... Max and Dom again opened up, this time against Gav and Matthew, with Mike now behind the stumps. The batters made a good start but the early introduction of David Busby brought the magic of a wicket maiden for this much loved Bodley original - no-one does it quite like Dave. The skipper and Ella both came on and bowled very tidily, keeping the rate right down, with Gav picking up a well-earned wicket in his third over to further press the advantage. Whilst all this had been going on Tim was practising for a winter of fairways and smashed a brilliant, hedge-rustling 37 before being bowled by one of Stuart's many slow/slower/even slower/has he actually released it balls. Very well batted Tim. Ella picked up the wicket of Max for 18 with a perfect LBW, and whilst Dan was rattling the branches of the nearby trees and Phil was running like a march hare trying not to face Ella, ROTW finished up on 111, giving an unlikely total of 277 for Bodley to chase. Without wanting to contrive anything too much, it was agreed that for Bodley, needing to score 169 to win, there would be no retirements - let's finish with bats flailing! A more traditional opening partnership of Matthew and Mike, with Gareth at three (BBQ duties being a priority here!) set out to undertake a Stokesian chase. The accurate and canny Dave Shorten took one end, with Dom equally effective at the other, and the pressure soon brought about a fine edge from Mike through to Phil, now behind the stumps (South African cricketers really can do it all). The skipper joined Matthew and to the dismay of all in attendance blocked out the remaining balls of Dave's over. After that these two opened up and chased for all they were worth, Gareth taking boundaries off Shackleton and Shaw, and Matthew continuing the superb form he's shown all season. Max eventually delivered a Busby-esque ball of such flight and dip that Matthew simply had too long to think about how to play it before it prevented him from doing so and floated into the stumps - a well made 25 though and the score was ticking along. James Shaw joined the skipper but was unceremoniously caught at slip from Max's next over - good bowling! With Gareth wondering how on earth he was still there as the wickets fell, and the BBQ no nearer to being fired up, Gav came out and the two batters agreed that biffing it was the best course of action. Sadly ROTW had some whippets in the field and save for a terrific tonk to cow from Gav the wickets kept falling whilst the runs were kept under a measure of control, Gav falling to Burnett's occasional off-spin, having come out from behind the stumps for the occasion. The Cotswolds' answer to Ricky Ponting joined the skipper at the crease, and Stuart decided Gareth was taking his batting too seriously and fired up the BBQ himself. David Busby has a wonderfully animated batting style - high backlift, full swing and follow through, and then a Crimean charge to the other end - and if you're lucky - back again in time for tea. Twos were scrambled, bowlers were taken out by the charging Dave, and Gareth somehow ended up on 43 not out, though very much out of breath. Bodley racked up 108, again, giving them 216 and the game to ROTW by 61 runs. Quite a win in the end but a great game nevertheless and exciting to the last. With the BBQ somehow ready bang on time (thank you Stu) a hearty feast of meat and vege options were merrily enjoyed as the party wound down with a few drinks. One of our finest players - young Dan Shaw - is off to University this month, having played for us since he was eleven, and to mark the occasion and thank Dan for being a terrific cricketer and an even better person, Stuart gave a little speech that perfectly captured why the Bodley CC are a special thing indeed. Long may we continue to play cricket together. And Dan - we'll see you next Summer! A huge thank you from all of us to all of us for making it another great summer of cricket. We've played twelve games, lost six, drawn one, and won five - not too shabby. We intend to run the tour again next year and are told that Jack Cox cricket should be making a return, so a full season beckons in 2022. Cheers all, and see you at nets. GJ. A few pics from the post-match entertainment (click the thumbnails for bigger pic): Whippersnappers games don't count towards the official stats (generally a good thing!) but for the record here's the scorecard...
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Aldworth CC at Aldworth, thirty five overs.
www.pitchero.com/clubs/bodleiancc/teams/255079/match-centre/0-5106104/scorecard A trip down the A34 to to The Bell at Aldworth, with a cricket match squeezed in between sandwiches and a pint, has become Bodley's traditional end of season closer (Whippersnappers notwithstanding), and it felt good to be having a day out again this year. The weather was overcast and a tad muggy, but no rain meant no complaints. The pitch, normally resembling something the BCCI would be proud to call a wicket, was green, rolled, and a tad spongy, with the outfield lush and rolling. The usual format here is a timed game, with the offer a draw making the chase a preferred option (not to mention the sticky wicket), but this year a straightforward 35 over affair was the order of the day. With all that agreed Bodley skipper Gareth Jones lost the toss and was put in to bat... Arthur Keegan-Bole and David Shackleton opened the batting, in what might be Bodley's best ever pair of names (at least until we get a Scott to open with David) and set about exploring the vagaries of the wicket as the Aldworth bowlers started well. A few maidens soon gave way to some big hitting with David tonking fours all over and a few skiers being left to drop by the home team. The fifty came up without loss and whilst the bowling was sharp and accurate, runs were flowing until Arthur got befuddled by the bounce and edged one through to the keeper, quite possibly via his helmet. for a valuable sixteen. James Shaw strolled out to tuck in but was promptly walking back to the pavilion having taken a swing at the young Aldworth left-armer. 67-2 in the seventeenth. This only bought in the in form Matthew Neely though, who - he will mind me saying - had a season average of fifty on offer if he could rack up enough runs today. With David scoring freely at the other end Matthew could play naturally and was soon into his stride as a partnership built. Matthew was going well when a good throw brought about a run out in the thirtieth over, ending an entertaining innings on 23 and bringing Dan Shaw to the crease. Sadly Dan was out next over and the skipper came in to watch David bat from the other end. David had by now brought up his fifty and looked well set, though Bodley were well aware that 150 plus was needed, at least to give us a chance of the win. With attack the order of the day David played some quite beautiful strokes, whilst Gareth finally found the middle of his bat (missing all season) and dispatched a few straight fours of his own before being comically run out jogging back for a run. Aldworth's excellent opening bowler was by now back on and once David was out forcing the rate for a terrific 79, Phil, James Riley, Dom Hewett and David Busby all ran hard to inch the score over the 150 mark, finishing us up on 152-8 from 35 overs. With the picnic King Andrew Milner away in France touring delicatessens, it was left to the rest of us to make our own amusement as we grazed on a selection of sandwiches from the pub and some homemade affairs that the teacher would send a child for were they sent to school. Tactics were discussed and it was agreed that we basically need to get their conspicuous very good batter out early, or risk another afternoon of ball chasing in this bumby corner of Berkshire. Said batsmen duly smashed the first ball of the innings for four, but things did settle down after that, with the other opener skittled by a miserly James Shaw in the fourth over. Phil kept things tight and bowled with good pace at the other end and when David S replaced him things continued in the same manner, though that remaining opener punished anything outside off with stinging drives. Thankfully there was some light relief from the other end as the Aldworth number three came out to bat using what sounded like a fence post, much to the evident amusement of his team-mates. Eventually settling on a third bat he promptly found its middle with a crunching smash straight past the Bodley skipper for four - expect rather than going for four as all expected (not least the skipper) it was somehow clung onto in his left hand as it flew past on the right hand side. Team mates held their breath and assumed it had then been dropped, only for Gareth to raise his arms and milk the applause. 35-2 in the twelfth, just need the other opener and we can control the rate. Things seemed to be going Bodley's way thereafter, with the set batter kept off strike and a new batsman that was determined to imiate everything he's seen on the Hundred. Rumour has it that Arthur can bowl, so he promptly did, and it wasn't long before the leggy totally did the batter with some bounce and saw the ball tapped gently into the bails. I'll take them however they come, said Arthur. He can indeed bowl. Dom and Dan Shaw came on to try to see out the middle order but by now the young Aldworth left-armer was patiently waiting for his big shot and duly planting it into the trees, whilst the opening bat carried on much as before. Phil came back on a took a wicket first ball, a lovely clean bowled, but the total was soon reached in the twenty seventh over, perhaps underlining the shortfall in runs from Bodley. A good performance though and very well played by the Aldworth number one who finished on 85 not out. All retired to the pub afterwards and despite today's loss it's been a great season, and lovely to play regularly again after last years disruption. Big thank you to our hosts and we look forward to doing it all again next year. Next up is the traditional end of season social match, Whippersnappers, at Great Tew on Sunday 19th. See you there! GJ So what's all the fuss about? The pub at Aldworth - The Bell - is moderately famous, in pub circles, featuring in various well to do newspapers having won Best Pub a few years back. If you're in the area and like old pubs, pop in. Great beer garden too! OUP CC at Jordan Hill, Twenty overs.
www.pitchero.com/clubs/bodleiancc/teams/255079/match-centre/0-5106087 In a season of disruption and cancelled games due to, frankly, a shoddy summer, it was a joy to get a late offer of a game from old friends. We've been playing the OUP almost as long as the Bod CC have been fielding an 11 so it was a welcome surprise to get this in the diary late on. Games against the Ps have often been amongst the best of the summers, results evenly shared but we have on occasion performed spectacularly, with memorable victories involving centuries for James ( in the sun) and Mike (in the drizzle). In fairness we have also been stuffed right royally on more than one occasion. Wednesday's game was a T20, worries about the light fading meant an earlier start than usual, with the inevitable slow dribble of people turning up. More oppo than Bodley meant that Bod bat first, 18 overs with a retirement at 25 the order of play. Bod start slowly, OUP bowl well, but soon Dave Shackleton and James Shaw start to hit out, David playing some lovely, typically David, shots and soon retires, James is bowled for 7 and then Matthew and Phil score freely, running between the wickets well and turning ones into twos at every opportunity. Matthew retires after a very quick 25, Dan comes in and carries on and then Phil retires. This middle spell is one of the best combined batting by the team for a while, especially considering the quality of the bowling. Dan runs hard, Tim keeps up valiantly while still struggling and then James Riley sees the innings out with some sharp running between the wickets to keep Dan going, he finishes not out for 19. 123 off 18 is a good score considering a) the size of the boundaries at Jordan Hill and, b) the quality of the OUP bowlers. Quick turnround. Starting to get dark. Phil opens the bowling with James, OUP start slow and are quickly behind the run-rate. They soon find the middle of the bat, but crucially Bodley start to take wickets, and carry on at key times throughout the innings. Phil first with the first of two catches for Dan then James with an LBW. Bodleys bowling is top notch, Matthew is letting nothing past him behind the stumps and the fielding is sharp, with the third Dave in the side, Busby this time, patrolling the long boundary. James's wicket brings in a dangerous batsman, one who has taken games away from us on the past but David (S) clean bowls him, which is quickly followed by something rarer than hen's teeth, a successful Ackland slower ball. Then two catches that kill off the OUP hopes, Dan a smart caught and bowled and a father and son combination when James takes an excellent running catch off Dan's bowling. Dave Freeman sees us home, miserly bowling at the death going for nothing much and picking up a wicket as well. What looked at the start to be a tricky game considering the opposition turns into a satisfying win, very good batting gave us a good total which was then followed by an excellent bowling display. Next stop Aldworth as the season winds down. SA. Holton & Wheatley CC at Great Haseley, timed game. www.pitchero.com/clubs/bodleiancc/teams/255079/match-centre/0-5106086 Another wet Saturday, another nervous check of all the weather apps the app store can offer, repeated glances at the sky, consulting the stars and asking the local farmer, and then you get up on Sunday morning to clearer skies and a favourable forecast. Never can a sport have been so maddeningly susceptible to the weather Gods and their fondness for a blustery showery just as you get your whites on after breakfast. But not today, the weather looked ok and it was to the bucolic surrounds of Great Haseley that the good ship Bodley sailed in assorted convoy to play new opposition Holton & Wheatley CC. New opponents always come with two competing emotional pulls – one that they look a great bunch and we’ll have one of those near perfect afternoons of gentle, evenly matched cricket, and the other that they’re a league team in disguise using our poor wretched souls as fodder for future glory to a soundtrack of sledging that would make an Australian wince. Which would it be? Well… On arrival at Great Haseley we were met with a view to bring a smile to anyone’s face, rolling hills and neatly tended fields as far as the eye could see. Our new opposition were friendly and welcoming, and the format explained to a Bodley’s bemused Captain – timed game, with the first innings being two and half hours, then tea, then the chasing team have one hour and twenty overs to chase down the total, with the prospect of a drawn match if there are wickets in hand in failed chase. The skipper weighed all this up, decided he couldn’t do the maths to work out the overs involved in the first innings, and so having won the toss decided to bowl and then if all went pear shaped, we could salvage a heroic draw. Team mates reacted sceptically to this news, but came round when told that batting second meant they could spend most of the innings prolonging tea. Like Andrew Milner. In an uncharacteristic display of cricket thinking, the skipper had also noted the damp wicket – a result of the sheets failing the during the overnight rain – and concluded that a collapse was quite likely should Bodley bat on what was described by one old sage as a pudding. Astute? Cowardly? Time would tell! A new-look Bodley eleven took to the field, with friend of the club Max taking the gloves, and owner of Bodley’s best ever bowling figures Thomas Marsh further bolstering our ranks. Special mention must go to Tim Philipson too, turning out with a year’s supply of tubigrip on his leg to strap up the calf he crocked the previous weekend. Bravo Tim! As Jones set the standard ring field and the sun shone through the high wispy clouds, Phil Burnett charged in to extract whatever bounce could be garnered from the green pitch. From the other end young Dan Shaw was likewise tearing in to give the Bod what is becoming our regular opening pair. The Holton & Wheatley openers were flying from the off though, thumping fours to the leg side as the bowlers found their line. But then in the fourth over Dan clean bowled the rapidly scoring Taha to put the brakes on. Over the next ten overs it was a largely family affair as James Shaw joined Dan with three wickets – just reward for a magnificent five over spell of immaculate control – and Phil picking finding the edge with a peach of a ball, cleanly taken by Max behind the stumps. Proper cricket this, we all thought, as we held our hosts at 39-5 from twelve overs. If you read Bodleian match reports often you’ll know by now that when you find yourselves ahead like this, there is invariably a twist to the tale - it is just a question of how you react to it! And so it was as a partnership took shape, the pitch dried out and the batters punished anything short or slightly wide. Bodley stalwarts Gavin Robinson and Andrew Milner both put in shifts but it was young Thomas Marsh – smooth run-up, fluid delivery and high action – that wrestled things back for Bodley as he picked a lovely lbw to leave the score at 120-6 in the twenty seventh over (about an hour to go!). Hopes of more breakthroughs were to be short lived though, as a careful partnership was assembled from anything stray and the batters grew in confidence. Bodley fielded well, bodies being flung around the field, with Tim using his non-compliant leg as an effective barrier, David Busby and James Reilly manning long off and Max collecting everything behind the stumps. By the close of the innings at 4.30pm the home team had racked up an imposing 181-6 from what turned out to be 39 overs. Now that the hard work of fielding was finished, tea could be taken. Regular readers will know that Bodley take their tea very seriously, with one member of the club taking it especially so. 1980s TV heartthrob and evergreen silver fox Nigel Havers has already been lined up to play Bodleian ragamuffin Andrew Muffin in the story of his storied life, and the real thing was tucked into his rattan lounge chair before you could say taramasalata. As team mates spread themselves out on the hard grass and took to their simple fare, a reclining Andrew carefully navigated his Levantine feast. Jumbo couscous, subtly spiced dips and spreads, bread from Oxford’s choicest bakers, and meats prepared to Roman recipes were all enjoyed in the utmost comfort with a civility our Edwardian forebears would doubtless approve. This being a warm day, and Andrew being that most exacting of diners, all of this was washed down with the finest Italian sparkling, kept pleasingly cool in a chiller. Bravo Andrew, a truly memorable tea today. To be quite honest the rest of us are getting a little jealous! Enough of all that though, we had a chase to undertake. Aspiring opening batsman Gav again strode out first drop, with Thomas completing the new partnership. With 182 to win, or a draw if we manage not to be bowled out, a good run rate was needed, as was a little luck on a pitch still showing a little low bounce as it dried out. Gav duly tonked the first ball for four and the next for two, after which all decided the game was in the bag and set about raiding the scraps of Andrew’s banquet. What we had not realised from our lofty position on the boundary, was that the bowlers were generating quite some swing at quite a good pace, and Thomas was unlucky to be the recipient of one such swinger that homed in on the stumps and deceived our new young opener. This brought James out to join Gav and though Gav fell in the next over James and new number four Max thereafter gave the wicket taker the full face of the bat and scored where they could from the other end. 4-1 from a five over spell tells you just how well that opening spell was. A change of bowler brought more opportunities, though ten overs per bowler meant you had to take your runs when you could. The partnership built quite wonderfully, with the skies clearing and the sun helping even out the devil in the pitch. A fluent James eventually fell to a good ball, nicked behind for 24 in the fourteenth over. Phil joined the energetic Max and again a partnership built, these two taking us into the final twenty overs and just about up with the required rate. Phil was unlucky to be run out – though it was a terrific bit of fielding and throw – for 21, leaving us on 91-4 with sixteen overs left and 91 to chase. So treat it like a T20 basically, definitely chaseable. Dan Shaw was now batting with his good friend Max and these two proceeded to put together a punishing partnership, running hard and striking some lovely boundaries as they pounced on anything wide and carved the leg side open. Dan was finding his range with increasing ease and had soon overtaken Max as Bodley raced towards the total. A dramatic run out with the score on 146 put a premature end to Max’s sparkling innings, an invaluable 36 runs added and plenty gained for his partner through sharp calling and running too. Thirty six needed from eight overs – skipper’s orders were to keep going for it and the by now hungry for runs Andrew walked out to take up the cause. Sadly, but also a reflection of some great second spells from the home team’s bowlers, nobody could keep Dan company and after Andrew was well caught at square leg, the skipper and James Reilly were cleaned up by what we’ll agree were unplayable deliveries. With just a couple of overs left to play the home team had restricted us to fighting for the draw, those wickets cutting the run rate right down. David Busby joined Dan and whilst runs were still being made we fell what felt agonisingly short, despite it being a deficit of 23 as the draw was indeed claimed with two wickets in hand. Dan finished on a superb 47 not out to go with his first innings wicket, whilst honourable mentions go to Thomas’s figures of 5-0-16-1 and to James Shaw for 10-4-29-3 and a quick fire 24 runs. Bodley fielded well – thank you again Tim for such a committed effort on one leg – and a close game ensured that all results were a possibility until close to the end. A huge thank you to our hosts – we couldn’t have asked for a better game or a more picturesque setting and we certainly hope this is a fixture we’ll see on the calendar for years to come. Our next match is Wednesday 1st September at Jordan Hill, against old friends OUP. No tea at this one so if you’re coming to watch please do bring Andrew something to eat. GJ. Oxfordshire County Council Staff Cricket Club at Witney Mills cricket club. Sunday 15th August, 35 overs. www.pitchero.com/clubs/bodleiancc/teams/255079/match-centre/0-5106085 On a rare dry day the Mighty Bodley, on an unstoppable run of two wins in a row but after three cancelled fixtures, made their way to gentle Witney to play a new fixture against the marvellously monikered OCCSCC for a 35 over game at Witney Mills Cricket Club. Short boundaries straight and long boundaries square were duly noted by the batters, and the wicket looked a good one for a bat after a dry night. Skippers Gareth Jones (for the Bod) and Ben Parish (for the County Council) walked out for the toss, agreed 35 overs, no retirements, and seven overs per bowler. Parish called incorrectly and a delighted Jones elected to bat, after both laughed off any notion of setting retirements as the low, slow pitch would ensure plenty of chances... A new opening partnership of Gav Robinson and David Shackleton strolled out to get things going for the Bod, with Shackleton asserting his divine right to bat at two, leaving the door open for Gav to face the first ball. Gav was licking his lips though, as eager to get out there as Phil was to parade his pooch to all and sundry. The Council bowling was sharp but varied in line, allowing the batters to get in with a few leaves and some determined blocking. The field was up and it wasn't long before Gav freed his arms and tonked a four to square leg in typical fashion. David was running well at the other end and Bod looked fairly comfortable. Gav moved into the teens with another boundary and just as things were looking settled a straighter, fuller ball thudded into the pads to bring our new openers innings to an end for a well made 16. That kind of scoring will get an England birth these days. But this only brought in Bodley's mightiest run-getter James Shaw, who was immediately into the groove as he tucked into the bowling. Over the next hour or so David and James carved, cut and drove their way to fifties, taking the Bod score beyond 150, and leaving the fielding somewhat ragged in their wake. All this was brought to a halt when, sadly, there was to be a forced retirement for a fielder, as a well struck ball resulted in several broken teeth and a trip to the A&E. Big thank you to Dave Busby for ferrying the injured, was much appreciated by the oppo. We send our best wishes to the fielder in question - hope you get back on the field soon. James retired at this point for a well made 58, bringing young Dan Shaw to the crease to keep Shacks company as the game recommenced. Unfortunately nobody else could quite find the same fluency and a scorecard of single figure scores for Dan, Phil, James, the skipper and Dom eventually left big-hitting Tim Phillipson and Shackleton at the crease with nothing but big swinging on their minds. David was in the nineties, with not many balls left to get the hundred, and Tim was swinging hard and running even harder. Running so hard in fact, that he appeared to have been the victim of the wicketkeeper tying his shoelaces together between balls. And so after running, hobbling and hopping a single, a second match-ending injury in the innings took Tim out of commission as his hamstring gave up the ghost. Tim did however battle through the over on one leg, though David couldn't quite get to a deserved hundred, ending on 93 not out and Bodley on an imposing 192-8. David and James were the stars of the show with 93 and 58, against some decent bowling on a low pitch. Next up was the main event, tea. I don't think we'll see a return to traditional cricket teas this season, so it'll be competitive sandwich-making for what's left of the year. Currently, the very well fed Andrew Milner is clear favourite to take the packed lunch of the year award, but in his absence this week there was a more relaxed approach and I think less pressure felt by his normally drooling team mates. Phil Burnett dispensed with lunch entirely - Great Tew Deli is not on the way to Witney after all (not that taking a detour would necessarily stop him...) - and instead must have snacked on the dog biscuits being used to bribe the pooch into obedience. Or the other way round. Gav had a suspiciously healthy looking salad, whilst the skipper had the remains of a homemade pizza from the previous night, both utterly delicious according to their recipients. Tim had a good grumble and a nurofen to supplement his epic doorstep sandwich. Andrew - we look forward to your raising the bar again next week. With our usual keeper off teaching old people to play tennis, it was decided that the housewives' favourite Stuart Ackland and the skipper would share the burden, all agreed by a process of being politely told by everyone else that they did not, under any circumstances, wish to keep. Ironically our by now horizontal hamstring expert Tim was very keen indeed to keep wicket. Sod's law, I believe. Next time, Tim! With Stu excitedly reminding everyone that he wouldn't catch anything but was very excited to have big gloves, Phil Burnett - with poodle trotting a few yards behind - ran in to wrap up the victory. A four first ball of the match was not what we had hoped for but Stu didn't give any byes away, and we didn't drop a catch, so not all bad. After that it was solid stuff from Phil and opening partner Dan Shaw, with Dan delivering two maidens off his first two overs. The bowling was tight, and Stu was doing a great job behind the stumps, animated though it was. Sharp fielding was keeping the Council from getting away and on another day we'd have had a few lbw's too as Dan was finding the pads with regularity. Before long a good catch was taken by David Shackleton at point as the opener chipped one straight to him, leaving them 31-1. Good start. With a change to James Shaw another wicket fell fairly soon after, a really lovely clean bowled with the off stump bail clipped in classic fashion. With things going quite well and those short straight boundaries having not been an issue thus far, it was then a rude shock to see the ball suddenly, and rapidly, fly over the very tall trees on the boundary and into the field behind as the new batter followed up some worryingly hard-hit fours with a monstrous six off a pretty decent ball. Ominous. Both batters had been pretty lucky to escape a run of lbw shouts but were by now well set and seemed determined to hit the ball out of the ground as often as possible. More impressive still were a succession of perfectly timed flicks off the pads - a high risk shot that fully illustrated just how well they were playing. Bodley had likewise seen two batters dominate, so it was somehow quite poetic that the same course of events was unfolding as we fielded. A target of 193 was good enough to require some big hitting and a few risks though, so the field went back a bit, and Bodley tried to find a length, a line, a pace, that wouldn't get lined up. Shackleton, Dom Hewett, Gav, and our new keeper once he'd handed the gloves to the skipper, all sent down overs and aside from some excellent control from Phil and James it was pretty brutal stuff, though you simply had to admire the skill shown to hit the ball so cleanly. We all agreed we could've done without fetching the ball from the middle of the road so often though. Maybe some evergreens to replace the deciduous trees on that boundary. Try as we might, and the fielding stayed sharp throughout with barely a chance given, these two were not for budging and in the thirty first over the winning runs were soundly struck and a total of 195-2 firmly had the Council as victors. Top scores of 82 and 59 from the number four and number two batter respectively, further emphasised the similarity of the batting innings. Well played. A good game, and one that could've gone either way despite the eventual scoreline. Both teams unfortunately losing a player to injury was an unwelcome blow (get well soon, both), and Bodley fielding a man down the entire innings was great credit to the effort shown. Thank you to Ben and the team for hosting us, and we look forward to a rematch, maybe at Tew, next year! Next match is Peasemore CC at Peasemore, always a good game and a lovely part of the world to spend a Sunday afternoon. See you there. GJ. Alpine F1 CC at Sandford St. Martin, twenty overs. Thursday 29th July.
www.pitchero.com/clubs/bodleiancc/teams/255079/match-centre/0-5106084 Having missed this fixture last year due to you know what, it was a delight to resume our long-running tussle against local side Alpine F1 (formerly Renault F1) at the beautiful location of Sandford St. Martin cricket club, looking out over the rolling Glyme valley. Even with less traffic around, navigating Oxford's constant roadworks meant all were quite late arriving and with the time ticking past 6pm the match got underway. A twenty over affair with retirements on 25 and 4 overs per bowler promised an even contest and with Bodley being offered the chance to bat first so the bbq could be fired up by the oppo for afters, Skipper Matthew Neely and the Dave Shackleton-usurping Dave Freeman walked out to open up. Bodley were down to 9 again for this game due to the pingdemic and holiday season (where on earth are people actually going though?!) so runs from the top order was going to be crucial to set a foundation. Fresh from his fifty-odd on Sunday Matthew picked up where he'd left off and was quickly in the groove, running hard and defending assuredly. Dave Freeman was likewise picking off the loose balls and engaging in a bit of mental disintegration for good measure. Dave was eventually out to a good ball, bringing David Shackleton to the crease at a higher than usual number three in the order. Whilst Matthew anchored the innings from the other end, David freed his arms and struck some mighty fine blows against good bowling - a straight lofted four down the ground being a particular highlight. All too soon the 25 was up (29 not out) and David had to retire, bringing Asad to the crease to join the rock solid skipper. Several meaty blows later Asad was out for a very handy 17, and Jones came and went in the blink of a reckless swing leaving breakthrough bowler of the year Dom at the crease with Matthew. With the main bowlers bowled out things loosened up a little and whilst that does provide the chance to play quite aggressively, it also causes panic as the ball floats down from on high on all manner of lines. With Matthew retiring on 27 and extras providing our third-highest score, Dom played a handy cameo to leave the Bod on 126-4 from twenty overs. Not bad when we were down to nine players anyway. This being an evening game their was no tea, so after a quick fistful of petit-fours for Mr Milner we were back on the pitch - extra fielder from the oppo much appreciated - to defend what looked a decent total in fading light. A new partnership of Asad and Matthew opened the bowling, with Jones installed behind the stumps. As seems to have been the case all season the opposition's opening batters swing hard and attacked from the off, causing much running after the ball for James Riley and Tim Philipson in particular, and general sighing and scratching of heads all round as Slazenger bats caused untold damage in the direction of the mid-on fielder. With one batter already retired after five overs, the first wicket finally fell in the thirteenth with the score on 84. Worryingly, this wicket was batsmen number four and came by way of a run-out so the momentum still seemed very much with the home team. By this point Shackleton and Dom were well into their rhythm though, and the batters proved a tad less assertive as the pace came off the ball. As Andrew Milner joined the festival of suffocating slow bowling, the runs needed exceeded the number of balls left (fans of the Hundred should be able to follow things from this point) and Bodley were well and truly back in it. With the field pushing back as the penultimate over approached, it went for a nerve-inducing seven runs, so seven to win from the final over. Having not bowled all match but relishing the opportunity to be hit for the winning runs, Dave Freeman was called upon to deliver an unlikely victory for the Bod. A wide first ball added two to the total, so five from five needed. Field is in-out, some in for the single, others right back to cut off the four. Next ball is a scrambled single, four from four needed. Few more fielders push back, and lots of chat in the outfield, exciting stuff as dusk accompanies the finale. Dot ball, four from three needed. Next ball is flighted up and bounces on a good length before clattering into the pads, bit high though, but it's given! More importantly it's a dot ball, and a new batter that will have to adjust to the light and the pitch. With four from two needed the whole field is now pretty much right back, and bang on cue Dave bowls another lovely dot ball. And so it is that three hours of at times quite one-sided cricket comes down to this - four runs needed from one ball. Dave tells the batsman he's got the measure of him, puts the field right back, and jogs in for the final act. Good length, bounce - batsman connects, swinging hard, but straight to Asad and no run taken. Bodley win by four runs! A fantastic effort and a good win. Bit of luck involved for the visitors but we'll take that anytime. David Shackleton and Dom Hewett in particular deserve praise for the bowling figures of 4-0-14-0 and 4-1-16-0 respectively. Shackleton and Matthew starred with the bat and being a fielder down was a great effort ball chasing too. Having got the cricket out the way in good time, all could tuck into a much-anticipated bbq - the nearest thing we've had a to a cricket tea in two years and very much enjoyed by all. A lovely opposition and a great location made this a most enjoyable evening, and talk turned to next year and a possible home/away fixture and Sandford and Tew. Our next game is Thursday 5th August against Oxfam CC at Great Tew. See you there! GJ. Inkpen CC at Great Tew, thirty overs. www.pitchero.com/clubs/bodleiancc/teams/255079/match-centre/0-5106083 It is a fact of life for a village cricketer that you spend an unhealthy amount of time checking weather apps (looking for one that has an agreeable forecast) and generally looking up at the sky. An entire week of anticipation and careful planning (that 50 is just round the corner, after all) can go out the window if it rains, or rains the night before, or covers are left off, or the forecast looks dreadful but it is not in fact, not actually, not yet, actually raining at all. So it was with no small measure of dread that the mighty Bodley had cast their eyes over the daily dire forecasts for the weekend. After a week of at times barely tolerable heat and clear skies, the one day we were set to play cricket had that animated thundercloud the BBC like to chuck in occasionally. With agreement that the Great Tew groundsman would make a lateish call on the morning of the game, we were thankfully given the go ahead to play mid-morning on Sunday. Marvellous, and the forecast had even changed too – it’s basically guesswork these days anyway isn’t it, this weather forecasting lark? Today’s opposition was Inkpen CC, from the Berkshire village of the same name and a team we’ve always visited in previous years, so a first for them to come to Fortress Bodley. Ahem. Due to various reasons we were a depleted side today, shorn of a few regulars but with a strong nine and a cunning plan. The funny thing with having only nine though, is that if you lose any more you’re really very depleted, and that wouldn’t be at all funny. As the 1pm start time came and went Bodley were frantically texting two of our missing players, who were uncharacteristically very late. Wherever could they be? Naming no names, assurances from Shackleton and Burnett that they were on their way duly arrived, and having been asked to bat by the opposition we moved them down the batting order and constructed an impregnable opening partnership of Matthew Neely (an actual opener) and Stuart Ackland (an actual Stuart). With the time 1.15pm, play belatedly began, the seven men of Bodley against the eleven of Inkpen… Matthew and Stu started wonderfully, putting away anything wayward and (in Matthew’s case) defending stoutly to everything else. Stuart got off the mark with a surprise four whipped to square leg and beyond the chasing fielder, to great applause from the three Bodley players on the boundary once umpires were taken into account – a Bodley first, with more players on the pitch than off during our batting innings. Could this be a day for records?! Stu was caught biffing in the second over for a useful seven, bringing Dom Hewett in at three, just reward for his hare-like running and deft touch to the seamers. Dom was sadly out before he could get in, falling to a good catch from the Inkpen skipper. This brought the Bodley skipper, Gareth Jones, to the crease and with the score on 14-2 from five overs a little bit of digging in was required. After barely a hole could be dug the skipper was out to a ball that just skimmed the bails (it was a pearler, honest), but Matthew was looking ever more assured at the other end. Bodley’s picnic-loving statesman Andrew Milner was next in and like Jones and Hewett before, was out all too quickly. Next up, and with Bodley still only a seven-strong team was Bubba Watson’s stunt double, Tim Philipson. Thankfully Tim had packed his golf clubs and proceeded to go after the bowlers with some impressive hitting as Matthew likewise found the boundary at the other end. Now, you’ll remember that two Bodley players were running late, but were on their way? Well, at 2.17pm – over an hour after the scheduled start of play – a little red fun-wagon chundled up the Great Tew driveway past the pitch, to a boisterous round of applause as play stopped to mark the return of Shackleton and Burnett from their mysterious adventure. As Bodley’s answer to Jagger and Richards appeared from the car park, take-aways in hand, it transpired that they had indeed left in good time to reach the match, had got themselves sorted for the bring your own tea, and had simply got a little lost on the way to the ground but had nevertheless waited patiently for their apparently late team mates. The problem with this was that whilst they had arrived at the ground at broadly the correct time, they had somehow arrived at the wrong ground. In a different village. In a different county. They had, it seems, gone to our opposition's ground at Inkpen, which they reported was in terrific condition and sported a spanking new clubhouse and spacious car park. Once this ‘geographical error’ was apparent, they finished their lattes and headed back up the A40 to Great Tew as fast as their map-reading could take them. There was of course a funny side to all this, and sometime later that evening the skipper finally saw it! By the time all this excitement had played out, Tim had walloped a handsome 17 and the score had moved up to 93-5 from twenty overs, helped more than a little by a fair few welcome extras. James Riley was next in and picked up where Tim left off, swinging hard at the loose balls and running hard with the by now well set Matthew. As wickets fell at the other end and Inkpen shuffled their bowlers Matthew had steadily, purposefully built his score to form a magnificent backbone of the innings. A long-help personal top score of 49 (twice) was finally passed as he went on to 57 before falling to a sharp seamer – fantastic batting and an innings that totally held our side together as we pushed well beyond 100. With David Shackleton demoted, though perhaps still a place too high at number 8, James was adding to the score and finding the boundary, ending the innings on 17 not out as Shackleton fell trying to clear the ropes. At the end of our thirty overs Bodley had managed a very respectable 141-6. All things being taken into account, a competitive and defendable score. Very good. So, to tea. We couldn't help but notice that a giant marquee had been erected on the second pitch, which all of Bodley assumed was for Andrew to take his tea in, but in the event he decided to eat with the rest of us, allowing us to once again marvel at the sophistication and grandeur of his epicurean fantasy. Fresh baguettes, finest cuts of meat, cave-aged cheese and not just any fizzy drink but San Pellegrino was enjoyed as Andrew tucked into several courses of sustenance to ready himself for his taxing afternoon at first slip. Whilst it will be lovely when proper cricket teas return (more of a logistical issue now to be honest, so hopefully soon), it certainly is interesting to see what everyone brings. Shackleton and Burnett tucked into their second tea, having picked up more supplies on their detour via Berkshire. All were well fed, and with the weather continuing to improve, Bodley trundled out to commence their defence. Burnett and Ackland took the new (old) ball, and with a maiden from Phil, and a tidy over from Stu, things started well. It became quite clear quite rapidly however, that the Inkpen top order were going to hit the ball very hard indeed, and take their chances. As caches fell agonisingly short of fielders, and the outfield turned into an absolute belter (sure it was slower when we batted!), the score flew along, the skipper turning to first change bowlers, then to second change and eventually pushing the field back to stem the flow of runs. By the fifteenth over with the score on 81 things looked a tad worrying, so the skipper decided a change of tack was needed – pace totally off the ball. On came Dom, who has been steadily forging a reputation as a very handy bowler indeed. Right on cue Dom takes the first Inkpen wicket in his first over – clean bowled and a lovely sight to see. Another wicket followed in Dom’s next over, back up by a maiden in his third. Match well and truly back on! Burnett was pressed back into service at this point, and opting to bowl a bit of spin he collected two wickets of his own thanks to great catching from James and a hard-earned lbw. As Bodley shuffled their bowling and brought the field up, wickets fell regularly but the score still climbed. Andrew picked up a deserved wicket, whilst Dom bowled another three on the bounce to end with four wickets – another clean bowled and one to an outrageous running catch at cow from the sub fielder next ball. Dom’s figures of 6 overs, 2 maidens, 10 runs, for 4 wickets ranking right up there with Matthew’s batting in the first innings. With Inkpen seven down and twenty four behind, the match could still go both ways but the momentum was very much with the home team as the field stayed up and Shackleton, Riley, and Ackland finished off the innings. Two wickets for the spinning Shackleton had Inkpen nine down, and having bowled at the top it was Stu that finished things off with an unplayable slower ball delivered amidst a befuddling shuffle. Bodley win, with Inkpen all out for 127. Great game. A top score of 54 from one of the Inkpen openers, in an opening stand of 85 threatened to take the game well away from Bodley, but Dom’s terrific spell in the middle overs wrestled control back into the home team’s hands. Matthew’s perfectly constructed 57 gave Bodley the platform to defend a total, and the bowlers, and some good catching, did the rest. Well played all. Drinks were enjoyed by all after the game, and talk of next year’s fixture included a possible multi-team tournament, very interesting! Thank you to Inkpen for travelling up to play us at Tew, and to David and Phil for checking on the Inkpen ground whilst it was empty. Next game is this Thursday at Sandford St. Martin, against Alpine F1 (formerly Renault F1). GJ. Middleton Stoney CC at Middleton Park, timed game. www.pitchero.com/clubs/bodleiancc/teams/255079/match-centre/0-5106081 A new opposition, and especially a new ground to play at is always a delight (though we are growing very fond of our unofficial home at Great Tew). And so it was with a new match, delayed from last year, against historic local side (founded 1801 - much older than the Bod, despite our badge!) that play their cricket within the grounds of Lutyens' last great country house. With the pitch surrounded by the remains of a burgeoning arboretum and far from any road noise or other distractions, it is a bucolic, tranquil spot to play. Match format was one we play quite scarcely, and certainly confused the skipper (pay attentions, Jones) - first innings runs from 2pm to 4.3opm, or whenever a declaration is made. Then it's the main event - tea - followed by the second innings from about 4.50ish to 6pm, then 20 overs more to complete the chase. Having won the toss Bodley skipper for the day Gareth Jones decided to take the maths out of it and just bat first, then try to bowl them out. Easy. Sort of. Oh. Bodley's opening pair could teach England a thing or two about consistency of selection, having batted together as often as they'll let us make them. So once again Matthew Neely and David Shackleton strode out to kick things off, and hopefully give the rest of us ample time to explore the pleasant surroundings. The evergreen Andrew Milner took up position on his portable picnic perch and undertook to score, surmise, and pass comment, and we were away. There are no limits set for retirements, or for bowlers overs in a timed game, but these things are generally irrelevant as batters get themselves out and bowlers either tire themselves out, or retire themselves in the face of flying balls. The bowling from Middleton Stoney was accurate, full of length, and generally in the nagging, got to play at it, corridor. The pitch looked good, but had been uncovered throughout the previous nights rainfall and so was a tad slow, making bounce hard to judge. The home team knew the conditions well. The Bod, alas, did not. Scoring proved very difficult for both batters, with a satisfying thwack as ball struck defiant bat and fielders engaged in some good natured encouragement. Our openers survived though, and began to steadily build. Skippers orders were to see off the opening bowlers and play out maybe an hour, then see where we are, plenty of time. As the hour came and went it became alarmingly apparent that the Middleton bowlers could bowl all day, and had Bodley well and truly tied down - like Luke, Han and Leia trying to escape the Death Star. Star Wars references aside, and in the absence of a trash compactor, there was no obvious means of escape, though an opening spell of ten overs for 20 runs from the Middleton opener was quite outstanding, it must be said. With pressure building as twenty overs ticked by the first wickets fell and both openers were out to good balls for 22 and 33 respectively, leaving the score on 67-2 from 26 overs. James Shaw and the returning Josh Hordern faced much the same challenges, with a new bowler now well set into a rhythm and plugging an ever so tight stump to stump line, for very few runs indeed. It was clear that if runs were to be scored, they were to be scored against these bowlers and not more gentle, less accurate stuff that was yet to come. After James fell to another pearler, a few swings of the bat and more defensive thwacks from Tim Philipson and the skipper added a few more, but the score had yet to break 100. A decent rain shower took the challenging spin coming from end out of the equation a little, though only compounded the problems batters had with bounce, as we played through the rain to emerge in welcome sunshine. But then with Tim's dismissal - all too soon for those watching, after an entertaining four to get underway - Dom Hewett walked out to bat, joining Jones, who soon after departed trying to repeat his solitary scoring shot too many times. Phil Burnett and then Andrew Milner accompanied Dom as he - by the standards of the innings thus far - dismantled the opposition bowlers with a flurry of quick singles and a marvellously elegant four. As 4.30 arrived the Bod ended their innings on 112-7, and settled down for a well earned tea. Cricket teas are still on the government's naughty list, so as was the case last year, it was bring your own. In practice this actually works quite well, and it is always interesting - competitive, even - to see what others have rustled up. And none were more interesting, or more conspicuous than Andrew Milner, Bodley's pleasure seeker. Equipped in the manner of an Edwardian gentleman on a day trip, Andrew settled into his folding chair, set up a table, and unpacked a dizzying spread of rustic fresh breads, meats from across Europe, finest gherkins, pickles, stuffed Italian tomatoes, cheeses from the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean, and a dessert course that the big house would be happy to serve up. It was quite the picnic, and let's just say the rest of us were all very jealous of Andrew's dedication to gastronomy. With tactics agreed - bowl in a miserly manner and catch the ball if it goes in the air (radical thinkers, the Bod) - we wrapped up our all too brief tea and headed back out to the field. With the time approaching 5pm Middleton Stoney would have until 6pm to bat, and then twenty overs more to complete their chase, after which in the event of the total not being chased down and wickets remaining, the match would be a draw. Given our low total we concluded that wickets were the order of the day, and set a close field with Phil Burnett and James Shaw taking the new ball. It was around this time that it became apparent our usually punctual slip fielder - the aforementioned Milner - was still reclined behind his dining table eating lunch, with pudding apparently yet to come. After quite some negotiation, and then an exchange of differing opinions on priorities, Andrew angrily broke off between courses and took up position at first slip, allowing play to begin. Phil and James bowled tight lines and kept the ball full, following the example of the Middleton bowlers. The Middleton batters however made lighter work of the conditions and the runs, though not flowing, built up quicker than we'd have liked. Eventually the pressure did build, and Middleton swung hard and were victim to the bounce - the first wicket falling to Phil with a terrific catch from Tim as the ball spooned up and wobbled down at him in the gully. Great stuff, we're on our way. Not too long later another big shot brought about a mishit, and this time it was Dom, standing at cover, that the errant ball flew towards. As all took a deep breath (it really was wobbling around) the ball slapped into Dom's hands, bobbled out, then hit another hand, bounced back out again, then a few juggles and it was firmly pouched in one hand to the great delight of all his team-mates. A catch worthy of a replay, were such things possible. The field remained in as Bodley smelt more wickets, with a cautionary sweeper out to pick up anything that went through the fielders. It's often hard work fielding on these longer matches, especially when you feel you're behind the rate and things are stacked a tad against you, so special mention must go to some superb work running round the field from James Riley and David Busby, positioned behind the bowler at mid-off and mid-on, and pouncing on everything that came their way. David most notably used his knee to stop a well struck ball along the ground, a collision from which the ball sounded like it had won the battle. Ouch. The skipper, hot off the back of some dodgy fielding of his own, brought on the by now pudding-starved Andrew as first change, to take some pace off the ball and extract maximum benefit from the pitch. Andrew didn't disappoint, and was soon twirling away from one end for very few runs, eventually picking up a deserved wicked as a huge hit back over his head went straight into the hands of Josh on the boundary, displaying great catching. As is so, so often the case, after this the home team settled in and picked off their shots carefully, confident they had plenty of time to do so. But then just as one big hitting batsman was threatening to finish things quickly, the ball was spooned to David Shackleton at cover who - despite having neither brought along or eaten any lunch - pouched it safely. Sadly we were probably about forty runs short in the end, and the Middleton middle order saw them home to win by six wickets. A very enjoyable match, despite the result, and one we certainly hope to avenge next year! Post-match mingling was safely and sensibly conducted outside the charming pavilion, with our hosts providing drinks and stories of the club and its history, and was all very enjoyable indeed. There was one final thing to wrap up however - the not so small matter of player of the match - presented by the Middleton skipper, Tim. The deserving recipient was our own Dom Hewett, for the way he batted at the end of the innings and for that glorious four in particular. A bottle of homemade elderflower cordial was presented to a round of applause. Well played Dom. A huge thank you to our hosts, we're already looking forward to next years fixture. And a final thank you to our friends and supporters who made the trip to watch, it's always appreciated and we hope you enjoyed yourselves GJ. St Clement’s Strollers at Magdalen College Ground. 20 overs. Wednesday 9th June.
www.pitchero.com/clubs/bodleiancc/teams/255079/match-centre/0-5106065 With memories of a heavy defeat in our last match against the Strollers back in 2019, we arrived at the glorious Magdalen College Ground anticipating a tough contest. One Bodleian player courted controversy with the groundsman with some ill-fated off-road parking attempts, but our luck improved as we were put into bat. Matthew Neely and Phil Burnett opened the batting against some tight bowling, Phil falling for the first of an extraordinary 6 LBWs in the match. In marched David Shackleton who put together a terrific partnership with Matthew before retiring, unbeaten, on 51. Matthew scored 27, anchoring the innings with his trademark array of glances, pushes, and cuts, while David combined classical drives through the covers with a mighty six biffed over long-on. James Shaw came in at four and hit a quick 19 before Strollers struck back with a flurry of wickets as Dan, Tim, Asad and Gareth scrambled additional runs in the final overs. Bodley finished on a respectable 124-6 from 20 overs, a defendable target if not an unassailable one. Phil and James opened the bowling, James continuing his good run of form with an LBW in his first over. Strollers were scoring runs but unable to put a lasting partnership together, as Bodley took wickets at regular intervals and fielded well. Asad and James took three wickets each while keeping things tight, thanks also to some excellent fielding despite some light drizzle. At one stage in the middle of the innings, Asad bowled 10 deliveries, picking up 2 wickets with no runs conceded. Dan Shaw and David joined in the fun with wickets of their own, while Andrew Milner’s flighted wrist spin bamboozled their batsmen as they looked for runs. Strollers could certainly bat, and as the gloom descended it looked like they would do it, having reached 100-8 in the 18th over. However, Phil took a comfortable catch as their dangerous batsman tried something a bit clever and David Shackleton sealed the win with yet another LBW. A pleasing end to an exciting game played in very good spirits. Our next match, against a friendly XI from Cumnor CC, is on June 20th, before a busy July filled with fixtures against some old sparring partners. DH Rainmen CC at Great Tew, thirty five overs
www.pitchero.com/clubs/bodleiancc/teams/255079/match-centre/0-5106064 In fair weather and in good spirits the team arrive at their spiritual home and as lovely a place to spend the afternoon as you could wish for, Great Tew, to face the Rain Men, an off-shoot of the Captain's Scott's XI. Skipper Matthew wins the toss and bats, conditions are warm with cloud cover and possible rain at some point. Dips and Roy McMillian round off the team with a few regulars awol. The usual openers are late (pub? deli?) so Dips and James open. Rain Men have some useful bowlers, line and length making scoring shoots tricky but Dips starts to put away anything loose, and this approach is carried on with James, then Phil, David Shackleton, Matthew and Roy. Bodley take advantage of a) some loose stuff and b) the lovely outfield at Tew to put on an impressive 190 off 35. Tea, usual rules apply in this covid world, I can't be the only one longing for a proper cricket tea? Taking the field Phil opens, with Stuart from the other end. Stuart's first ball is a regulation rank full toss but he makes amends a few balls later with a cleaned bowled, helped out by the batsmen playing a pre-determined shot...and missing. We bowl well, James as economical as ever, and good spells from Gav and Andrew. The heroes of the innings though are the two Davids. Messrs Shackleton and Busby, as different a pair of cricketers as you could imagine, both bowl three perfect overs, and both pick up three wickets. It's always good to get Dave B bowling, one of the joys of Bodleian cricket and in many ways our not so secret weapon. Rain Men are bowled out for below sixty as Bodley find their mojo and take wickets at regular intervals, but hopefully enjoyed the game as much as we did (well, maybe not as much). A thoroughly enjoyable game and hopefully the start of a regular fixture. SA, GJ |
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September 2021
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