Bodley concluded the rump of their season with the third game in a week this evening as we took on friends the Hendricks XI at Mansfield Road under darkening skies. A twenty over affair was the order of the day, with Bodley player Tim Saunders' other team arriving for the first match of their annual tour. Bodley were coming off a streak of monumental losses and star batter Shackleton was on a pair. So without further ado... Bodley skipper Milner won the toss (a sure sign the Gods were finally warming to us) and opted to bat. In the absence of regular number 1 Neely, Stu stepped into the breach and donned the plethora of padding Matthew wears into battle, and proudly marched out with Shacks to get us going. Some might say that Stu's technique is not suited to opening the batting, but this is utter rubbish, as Stu proved by dismissively seeing off the pacey opening bowlers with a series of daring leaves and half shots. Once settled on 0 from several overs Stu moved aside to bring returning knee patient Leigh to the crease. They say that the best partnerships are ones of contrast, and you could say that Leigh and Shacks are certainly that. And as the cliché goes, so the facts follow, and a beautiful thing blossomed between these two - the lover and fighter, caressing and careering the ball to all parts over the next nine overs. By the time Shackleton retired on a brilliant fifty (so off that pair in fine style) Bodley were well on their way, despite some very tidy fielding from the gin boys. Milner and then Shaw joined Leigh and although Leigh was soon out for a destructive 40, the score was now past the hundred mark with overs left to play with. Shaw and much-missed returning regular Josh then set about building another fine partnership to take us to the final overs, only for James to be bowled trying to push things along. Boundaries then proved trickier, but the curse of the Manny Rd artificial saw the wides threaten to put our backs out and the score inch up. Thanks to the big hitting of several Bodley batters the final score was a surely defendable 155-5. With concerns about the light after the 6pm start the teams were keen to get cracking with the second innings, and things were soon underway. Saunders and Quest opened up for Hendricks, and Bodley knew all too well that Tim was more than capable of matching our earlier hitting if allowed to get going. Shaw and Leigh opening up the bowling and after five overs the score was 34-0 and the batters were rocking along, picking up the length well and running smartly. Bodley held their nerve, and were rewarded with a caught behind for Leigh in the sixth over to dismiss Saunders for 22. Then in the eighth over Leigh struck again, clean bowling the Hendricks number 3 to leave them 48-2. Shortly after this, and after some more dastardly boundaries, Milner had another one caught with his wicked darting spin. Around this point there were murmerings that they were scoring too fast and the ball was difficult to see in the fading light, and everyone agreed that we'd give the white ball a go. We'd played with a white ball on Tuesday against Wolvercote and it had done absolutely nothing in the air or off the pitch, and was basically just a slightly undersized bright white boundary waiting to be hit. But things were rather different this evening. Shackleton took the first over with the tip-ex ball, and it not only swung away an alarming amount, it then continued to go after pitching, to the extent that your reporter (whilst having reasonable cause to make excuses after taking balls to the ribs, face and arms amidst the gloom, ahem), almost put his back out clambering after the bugger as it flew past. It must be noted that at this point in the game it was getting quite dark. But back to the action. The Hendricks keeper, May, was by now absolutely rollocking along, with able support from the other end, and by the eighteenth over - did I say it was very dark by now? - the score was 124-4 and the match was in the balance, given the big hitting we were seeing, and the ball we were not seeing. Quite how the batters could pick up the line of the boomerang spearing in at them was beyond anyone, and the comical darkness the match was now being played in was best exemplified by the reaction to a surefire four being swept up on the boundary, leading to the bemused batter remarking that he had sworn the area was vacant when he hit it, only for Darren to appear spectre-like out of the blackness. Anyway, enough whining about the light, the final over was soon upon us and with Hendricks needing 18 to win and having lost their fifth wicket things seemed to have turned back in our favour - or had they? Could it be another reverse was on the cards? Again?! No, it couldn't, for once. A few scampered singles were all that could be mustered against very tidy bowling from the skipper and Hendricks finished on 138-5. Credit must go to the Hendricks keeper though, stranded on 49 not out having played some punishing shots in very challenging conditions - very well played. So, there you have it, a slightly chaotic end as we all got our spectacles out, but a long overdue Bodley win that levels things up with Hendricks to put at one all - looking forward to the decider next year. All that was left was for the traditional, and very generous presentation of a bottle of Hendricks Gin to the man of the match, nominated by Hendricks, which was this year given to Leigh for his knee-crippling 40 and two wickets. It was a great game, played in the right spirit against a really good bunch of guys, and a good way to end the main part of the season before Whippersnappers and the Authors game. Well played all! Good luck to Tim and the team on their tour, and we hope you enjoyed the Cowley Road. GJ.
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Game of two halves - 1 A game played over two halves 2 An ironic use to describe a game in which a team performs well at first then cocks it up after the innings break (i.e. most games involving the Bodleian CC) Following on from an impressive performance in defeat against OUP a few days ago Bodley took on Wolvercote CC at Cutteslowe Park, a ground last visited some fourteen years previous, when Messrs Milner and Ackland were young ragamuffins on the Oxford playboy circuit. Played under a cloudy sky Wolvercote bat first and show their intent from the start, giving James scant respect for balls on a good line and length, taking advantage of short boundaries and a field pushed back far earlier than usual. With the opposition scoring in either boundaries or twos James unfortunately has to bowl tothe more aggressive batsman more often than not. Bowling at the other end Matthew has better luck, getting the ball to move around enough to cause problems for both bat and wicket-keeper. Soon a breakthrough, the ever impressive Malcolm Webb manages to force the batsman into a false shot and the ball is caught on the boundary by David, the very person the team would have wanted to be there to take the catch (I’m not saying that no-one else would have held on, but…). The wicket, quickly followed by the retirement after reaching 35 of the other opener, slowed down Wolvercote, who at one point were 50 odd for 0 off 5 overs and they are soon pegged down by good accurate bowling against more circumspect batting. Wickets fall at a regular pace, a couple of sharply taken run-outs, catches (including Ackland holding on to one for once) and a beautiful spell at the end for David (including a two-wicket maiden) and miserly work from skipper Andrew and James managed to keep the score down to an impressive but nowherenearasbadasitcouldhavebeen 137. Bodley stroll out to bat, opening pair of Matthew and David doing their Langer and Hayden thing. Both have been batting well together this season and things start well, Matthew glancing one off his legs first ball to start the reply. Then the game of two halves thing kicks in. David’s first ball lifts a bit, throwing timing out slightly and would you believe it, the skies have darkened, all faith is lost and we abandon all hope of rescue as the ship lists violently - a dolly of a catch is snaffled at mid-off and David is out first ball. Out for a buggering duck. The collective sound of 10 jaws dropping followed by a collective chorus of ‘bollocks’. But onwards we must go, and Matthew is joined by James, and runs start to flow. But then Matthew is given out Leg Before Watson, a rare mistake from the usually (sorry Matthew) reliable Umpire (sorry again Matthew) who gave out plumb LBW while forgetting the pitched-outside leg rule (sorry again). James scores a quick-fire 16 before falling to a perfect slower ball yorker and after this Mike, Alec, Rhys and my-sorry-self fail to trouble the scorer. Apart from James only Gareth, and to a lesser, but still entertaining degree, Tim give those on the side-lines something to cheer about, playing their shots against good quick bowling under ever-darker skies and a glorious sunset. Malcolm was left not out again. The team welcomed Rhys for his first game, hopefully it won’t prove to be his last. Comedy highlights were few due to the quality of the oppo and the task undertaken but the loud guffaws from a less than sympathetic partner (no idea who you mean - Ed) as Tim took one in the knackers raised a few laughs and I’ve got a feeling that the LBW decision won’t be forgotten in a while. On cricketing terms though the team bowled and fielded well against some attacking batting but again couldn't back up a decent performance in the field when it was our turn in with the bat. As said, a game of two halves. SA, GJ. Bodley began a hectic week of three games in six days today, with a 35 over match at Jordan Hill against old friends OUP. After a near two week lay off the team looked sharp, eager and maybe a little rounder, but even being only ten men couldn't dim the enthusiasm evident in the side. Skipper Stu got things underway by losing the toss - surely defying all laws of averages - and we were asked to field. Ah well, said everyone, we can enjoy the tea now - enjoy meaning completely devour. So, off we trotted. Recently installed opening bowler Neely started things off with Stu, and very quickly found some swing, a most unusual occurrence, and one that caught Jones and Webb - keeping and slipping respectively - off guard at first. Things settled down and Neely's second over was a deserved wicket maiden, the batter edging one behind. 8-1, great start. Things were kept tight and in the eighth over Stu chipped in with a wicket of his own, caught by Shaw at a closeish mid-off. 28-2, even better. It wasn't long before young Malcolm Webb was on and despite the number three batter striking some lusyt blows at the other end Malcolm held his nerve, bowled straight and ...took a return catch that had by all the laws of physics and sworn statements of God fearing witnesses gone well past and beyond him at waist height. But out went the clearly inherent Webb right arm and snaffled the thunderbolt. Even the oppo clapped it. Bloody great catch. 46-3, tidy work. These three bowlers continued to keep things tight but the OUP three and five were thumping and swinging respectively, and the score was creeping up. The skipper did a great job with the field and Jones wittered on unimaginatively from behind the stumps, until finally in the eighteenth over with the score on 89 the big hitting number three was snaffled by Jones after edging a lovely delivery from Stu. Malcolm was back on now and Bodley had their tails up, and were then positively clucking when the batter spooned the first ball of the over into the vacant mid-on area, only for Jones to run in and take the catch on the move - a most unlikely outcome as previous attempts at catching as an outfielder have resulted in visits to the A&E. But wait! There's more. Next ball is smashed miles in the air, and begins it's descent broadly above the one man you'd want under it - Mr D. Shackleton of Oxford, OX4. Shacks casually pouches it and Malcolm is on a hat trick. In he runs and whist the ball went for a couple the over is finished with dots and the dangerous batters have been seen off in a couple of very tidy overs from our excellent attack. Score is now 97-6 from 19, a good recovery for us and one helped by the now very consistent Bodley fielding - busby's kneecaps putting in a sterling shift and saving countless fours. The remaining batters hit a few lusty blows but after a great reflex take from Neely behind the stumps and then a mopping up of the tail by Shackleton it was all over. 136 all out from 30 overs, so five overs left unused, a great result for Bodley. Tea was very good - well-filled sandwiches and a plethora of porky pies, sausage rolls and eggs, followed by a heaving selection of cakes that included a quite delicious banana loaf with chocolate chips. Suitably stuffed, we waddled out to watch our opening batters work off their cake. As is only proper, Neely and shackleton opened the batting and we were soon thinking that the modest OUP total might in fact be about par when the pace and accuracy of their bowling was taken into account. Neely was out for a well constructed 11 which brought Webb snr to the crease, at which point a handy partnership was forged. Despite probing bowling and the field remaining up, mike and shacks saw off the next ten overs or so before mike was undone by a good ball that left Bodley on 39-2 after 15. Shaw strode out to support shackleton, who was by now hitting some lovely shots and looking good for a big score. That was until a peach of a yorker broke through and knocked a stump out, shacks departing for a well made 30. 51-3 from 18, hmm. This brought Jones to the wicket, promoted in the absence of anyone willing to face the lethal OUP spinner. But Shaw was then out to a really quite dubious lbw decision - big stride forward to the spinner, hit on the full, very unlucky. 51-4. This brought Philipson out to join Jones, as the scheduled number 6 batter, skipper Stu, had inexplicably injured himself whilst umpiring at square leg. You couldn't make that up, could you? Our two batters decided that anything wide had to go, and the rest was getting the full Boycott. With the run rate cimbing Jones promptly went against his instincts and smashed consecutive deliveries from one of the OUP quicks back down the ground for fours. Philipson joined the fun and hit out too, and the running was energetic, even if it was filled with curses about too much cake. Despite the bright start to the partnership OUP had some very good bowling, with a quick operating at one end and their genuine spinner (as opposed to the usual slow floaty wafty pies one normally sees from 'spinners') befuddling us at the other. Philipson was eventually bowled by said spinner, as was the skipper. Jones was then bowled by a ball that had died, rolled gently down his leg, onto the dirt, and then ever so softly into the treacherous stumps, dislodging a bail. What rotten luck! 89-7, so not too far way if we could only get another partnership going, and if they would only put some pie chuckers on. Alas it was not to be, and despite mackinnon, Busby and Webb jnr providing some resistance at the end we were all out for 90 after 31 overs. So not as close as we felt we should have got in the end, but with the calibre of bowler possessed by OUP I think we gave a good account of ourselves. Malcolm Webb's stunning caught and bowled was the champagne moment, with Shackleton again looking good for his 30 runs. It is, quite frankly, a rare treat to play against a good spinner, and accurate pace, and though one is often made to look like a complete fool with the bat, any runs scored are more valuable and feel harder earned. It feels a hell of a lot better if you then go on to win, of course, but it was a good game all the same. GJ. This afternoon Bodley made their annual trip down to Berkshire and the lovely village of Peasemore, to play the village club in a 35 over affair under warm clear skies and a gentle breeze. A perfect afternoon for a game of cricket, you might say. We had won last year's game with our batting firing on all cylinders but with memories of our recent reverses at the back of our minds, our confidence was somewhat tempered. Regardless, Skipper Stu duly won the toss (Mr. Milner, take note) and batted...
Out walked a re-jigged opening pair of Neely and Robinson (actually their second such partnership in as many matches - Ed.) and the rest of us settled down for a natter and maybe even a nap. The Peasemore bowling was tight, and the pitch looked to be keeping a little low on occasion, but we got off to a pretty sound start - plenty of overs, it was blooming warm, so best not rush. Just as we were settling into our seats both openers were undone by the pitch and some tidy bowling - bowled in consecutive overs to leave us on 10-2. Ooh eck, as Gav said (well, something similar, anyway). This brought Shackleton and James Shaw to the crease and the pair steadily built a partnership as the bowling remained on a good line and length and some very sharp close fielding around the bat turned the screw. These two gradually upped the tempo though and while Shacks rode his luck a little James was soon planting a big six in the bushes. Bizarrely, as the 66 run partnership steamed into the 18th over Shacks whacked the ball straight up in the air, from where it somehow fell safe, but was then picked up by an eagle eyed fielder who ran him out as he looked on from the middle of the pitch. A well played 30 though. Returning player Darren Wright then marched out to the crease to join James, and was promptly caught behind for 2 from some tidy bowling. Bodley were now 83-4 with 20 overs down, and out walked Jones to try to keep James on strike. Unfortunately at this point a very young lad came on to bowl and proceeded to befuddle Jones entirely, eventually resulting in a ball that completely cut him in half and struck a sensitive area ...play stopped briefly as giggles were exchanged. After this unfortunate incident a few fours were struck but Jones too was undone by tidy bowling, bringing Busby to the crease at 98-5. The bowling continued to be tight and the fielding excellent, and after an unfortunate run-out for Shaw - very well batted for innings top score of 45 - and some lusty hitting from the skipper, Bodley were all out for 118 from 32 overs. Probably a bit below par, we mused. I should point out at this point that when a tea is as good as that provided by Peasemore CC all thoughts of having to field next up are banished and the team tuck in like they're never fed at home. It was a marvellous tea, with a lovely coffee cake being a highlight amongst several delicious cakes. Cricket teas are a wonderful throwback to a gentler time, and something everyone should experience and cherish, not to mention indulge themselves in. And we certainly did that. But back to the test match... Stu had stated his intention to 'mix things up a bit' with the ball, which we assumed meant bowl straight more often, but in fact meant juggling the bowlers and swapping ends a bit - why not, we needed something clever to defend such a modest total. Shaw and Shackleton opened the bowling with a by now rather tender Jones behind the stumps, and the field up. The bowling was superb, with a tight line being kept and Bodley fielding like the prize whippets they are. Shaw and Shacks, followed by Neely and Robinson all picked up wickets and Peasemore were soon 4 down for 6 runs, including a lovely catch over his shoulders from Darren and a textbook pouch in the slips from Gav. Amongst some imaginative bowling changes - chief of which was not bowling himself - the skipper brought on Busby and young Dan Shaw to keep the pressure on and take some pace off the ball. What followed from Shaw jnr was rather special - and worthy of a lengthy write-up. First over, tidy, good line and tapped back to the bowler by a watchful batter well aware of the scoreline and overs remaining. Second over, same again, very tidy and played with caution by the batter. Dave was mixing things up at the other end and keeping us all on our toes, and so Dan's third over came to be. First ball - wicket! Can't remember exactly but I believe it was caught by Dave in the covers, a great catch. A dot ball followed, and then wicket! Bowled this time, full and straight, lovely ball. So, new batter, Dan runs in and wicket! Even fuller, under the bat, and that's out. He's on a hat-trick! Field is up, four slips in place, grins all round, in runs Dan and dot! Bloody good ball though. Another dot followed and that's the end of his spell. Figures of 3-3-0-3 giving Dan what must be Bodley's best ever bowling return. Well played young man. But what of the score you shout? Ah, well, at this point we were feeling fairly good, and the score read 14-7 from 13 overs. Splendid, said the skipper. The bowling continued to be rotated well and the fielding was sharp but the Peasemore number 5 and number 9 built a very impressive partnership, broken briefly by yet another batter being struck in a sensitive area - much empathy was exchanged. Drinks came and went, Stu mixed up the mixing up and yet we couldn't break the partnership. With only a handful of overs left and the score at 100-7 the skipper decided enough was enough and brought himself on to bowl, shuffle and all. 19 needed to win... Couple of singles and it's 102, so 17 needed from two overs, and then sod's law - he doesn't bowl all afternoon and batted like a millionaire and he takes two in two! Excellent bowling and just in time, as squeaky bum time was getting louder and louder. With the score on 102-9 and one over left Shaw snr steams in to bowl and with his second ball finds the edge, snaffled by Jones - and that's the win! So a really enjoyable match and very close in the end after Bodley's early inroads - all concerned played superbly to keep the scoring rate down during a big partnership that had threatened to give us another reverse. Dan's figures were stunning, but mention must also go to the other bowlers, all of whom kept things tight and who were backed up for the full 35 overs in the field. Great, great effort lads. It was a mark of the discipline shown on a long hot afternoon that we only conceded two extras the whole innings. A thoroughly splendid afternoon then, and not just because we won, but because Peasemore are really rather wonderful hosts who play the game in the right way and always provide a warm welcome and a cracking tea - thank you guys. A well-earned post match visit to the local pub topped off a bucolic afternoon, and we look forward to next year's fixture. |
Note from the Ed.Generally always written late on the night of the game. Any accuracy, compliments or sparkling prose is purely accidental. Archives
September 2015
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