This afternoon Bodley had the pleasure to reciprocate the hospitality and good cheer shown to us on last year's West Country tour. Our opponents were Thorncombe CC, good friends of today's skipper James Shaw, and a team we enjoyed very close cricket against last time round. Mansfield Rd was the setting, the skies were clear, for now, and 40 overs per side was set to be bowled. Bodley started steadily, with Shaw and Neely opening the bowling and keeping things tight. Despite enjoying the delights of the Cowley rd last night, the Thorncombe openers were getting bat to ball with great gusto and the score ticked along. With a few brief showers wetting the outfield the rate only went up as Thorncombe saw three of their batters hit 50* and retired. But Bodley did take wickets as the batters pushed ahead - the pick being a high swirling catch by Dan Shaw, pouched at mid off. Shaw snr also found the off stump twice with lovely balls that just clipped the bails, a lovely sight. After either 39, 40 or 41 overs - the rain breaks had played a little havoc with the counting - Thorncombe ended up on 250odd, a good total. This being a 40 over match, and Bodley being the home side, we had the rare opportunity to provide a tea. The highlight of many a game for many of us, this one didn't disappoint. Sandwiches and cakes were dutifully scoffed by all and we waddled onto the field for our batting innings under threatening skies. Our dangerous new opening partnership of Ackland and Neely promptly took guard - Shackleton being away getting some practice with his other club (Oxford CC? Never heard of them). A bright start was thwarted by Stu being inexplicably bowled whilst playing a textbook defensive leave. Neely then perished to a decent catch and Bharat took up the crease with James, but unfortunately after a few nice shots was undone by a peach of a slower ball that hit the base of the stumps. Shaw was still there though and set about chasing that hundred, after hitting one against the same opposition last year. Luke was by now in too but was another to perish against some tidy bowling on what had become a very damp pitch. Jones strolled out at this point with the spirit of Boycott not far behind . Shaw and Jones settled in well and the singles started to flow. Despite the rain now falling Bodley eyed an upset, but it drove down and sadly we had to take to the bar again. Unfortunately the sky set in pretty heavily and despite our animated Sun God dances, thing didn't look good. Thorncombe, being a fine bunch, offered a very gentlemanly draw and we shook hands on what had been an enjoyable afternoon's cricket. At this point something wonderful happened - Bodley were presented with eleven bottles of locally brewed Thorncombe ale. A fantastic gift from a great opposition - hopefully we'll meet again for another match sometime. Bodley now have the week off before heading to Winchester for our annual tour. Updates will appear on Twitter and Facebook, and possibly the local news if things go very very well, or very very badly. GJ.
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Evening folks, Bodley played long standing friends Far From the MCC tonight at the picturesque Cumnor Cricket Club in a t20 match. We play fftmcc every year (twice this year, in fact) and hopes were high that we'd reverse the run of defeats suffered over recent years. Bodley won the toss and batted first on a low, slow wicket. Openers Shackleton and Neely set about building a total and despite a difficult pitch and long boundaries, both retired on 30. Mike Webb and James Shaw played some wonderful shots after the platform was set but bodley lost a few wickets and ended on 103-2. A few short perhaps but a decent effort on the pitch. Things started well as shackleton ran in and the opening bat was bowled first ball. Perfect start. But the next ball flew away for four and the see-saw contest between bat and ball was set. However, in the second over Shaw clean bowled another and they were two down. Things looked pretty good. But then the runs started to flow and although another wicket fell, to Neely, the runs were steadily knocked off with a few of overs left.
So we were about forty runs light in hindsight, but a good game at a great pitch and all played in the right spirit with beers at the well furnished club house after the game. A lovely way to spend a summer's evening. GJ Evening all, A brief match report follows... Bodley played their second Jack Cox match tonight under glorious skies against last year's Cup champions Medicine. Amongst the opposition were several oucc players, a blue, and well, a couple of pretty handy players. Bodley were ten men but we fielded a strong line up and fancied an upset. But then we lost the toss and were asked to field. Over the next dozen overs the Medicine top four all smashed 30odd and retired, before a fine stumping from Neely stemmed the procession. The game was played in the right spirit by all though and another wicket - caught by your reporter masquerading as a wicketkeeper - meant Medicine ended up two down for 200 and something off their twenty. Talk of an upset was now more muted and several of the team turned their eyes towards the well stocked bar. Shackleton knocked off another fine 30odd and retired, and new player Priyesh tonked some lusty blows, but many of us were undone by some very tight, pacy bowling or a decent bit of fielding. A bit of floaty spin brought on in the final quarter saw a few arms freed up and the match ended in good spirits despite the scoreline. Bodley were all out for less than was required, but it was an enjoyable evening to play an enjoyable game on nonetheless. We play again on Sunday afternoon against Blenheim Park at their palace. GJ
Evening cricket fans, I shall begin with an apology, as this match report will be rather brief, rather short on facts, and pretty much a vague recollection at best of a cricket match. Or perhaps that's a mercy. Either way the Mighty Bodley this evening played the OU Engineering dept in our first Jack Cox t20 at Mansfield rd. Fielding an experimental development side we won the toss and batted in gentle sunshine. Shackleton and Milner got a good start but Milner gave a hard chance that was caught well. Shaw then struck a few blows before another sharp chance was snaffled. Engineering were evidently a tidy outfit, well led, and with a bank of decent bowlers (this is a key point). At this point your author walked out a little higher up the order than usual. Impartiality permits only a brief account of what followed. Shackleton moved serenely to 30 and retired, at which point a succession of wickets every few overs saw us about 7 or 8 down at stumps, for (I think) 78 hard fought runs. At the end of all this Bodley's new (and I expect, old) number 4 remained not out, having seen off all the good bowlers. Spectators commented on the boycott-like qualities exhibited. Anyway, moving swiftly on. Our fielding innings was equally engrossing. First ball sent down resulted in 'bowled Shaw, caught Paton'. 0-1 from 0.1. Alec's first bodley catch, excellently taken and held. Another wicket followed shortly after, bowled. Shaw finished with figures of 3-3-3, with 2 maidens. Superb bowling. Shackleton, Marsh and Milner all continued to bowl excellently, keeping the run rate down, and only by the closing quarter of a thoroughly enjoyable game did the (hard done by) closing bowlers get hit for the winning runs. So all in all a good effort by all, and onto the next game. New player Luke sadly pulled a hammy with a stinking good feet first dive on the boundary - hope that heals soon, it was a fine dive though. It was strange to enjoy a loss so much but the opposition were likeable, the evening pleasant and the attitude of all involved just as it should be. The result was not perhaps quite as we'd hoped, but hats off to the better team on the day. We move on to a friendly Sunday match this weekend before another Jack Cox on Thursday next week. places still up for grabs so do get in touch if you fancy a game. Cheers all. GJ Bodley CC, fresh and revitalised after a long winter doze, started the season this evening with a t20 against new opponents The Cherwell School Staff XI. We lost the toss and were asked to bat first. Happy to oblige, our regular openers Neely and Shackleton (fresh from a spell playing in Sri Lanka and Australia - his 'holiday' being a likely ruse) strolled out to pick up where they left off last season. However, in weather that might best be described as a Yorkshire summer we did not get off to the expected flyer. The pitch was a minefield, with some balls staying low and others rearing up. The opposition wicket keeper had soon taken one in the mouth and left the pitch the worse for wear. A series of top edges, shoulders of bats and playing on soon had Bodley all out for 77. Regular number 3 Shaw played particularly well, hitting several lusty boundaries but we were left wondering if that was enough. Surely not? As temperatures dropped far enough to cause Geoffrey Boycott to turn his collar up, we took to the field. Stuey Ackland and top-scorer Shaw opened the bowling and at nine overs in we had a couple of wickets for not very much at all. Good so far. Change of bowlers saw Robinson and Shackleton come on. Both bowled tightly but it was Robinson that turned the match in our favour. A couple of wickets as the ball and pitch did just enough soon became 4 for 9 off four overs. A superb effort and one that left things ever so close as the final few overs approached. But as ever, there was a bit of clean hitting at the end, and the runs started to flow. Despite this, by the last over they needed 13 from six balls (I think!). A couple of wides brought that down and then a few scrambled runs saw the target ebb closer. With one ball to come, and needing three to win, their big hitting batter swung at it, caught the edge and the dying catch was brilliantly caught at full stretch by keeper Neely - a lovely ball from Mike Webb and a deserved wicket. So a win to start the season. Our second game is next Wednesday after work, against the St.Clements Strollers at Magdalene College ground on the Marston rd. All welcome, and players are still needed - do play if you can. GJ
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 was a certain catch, only it wasn't it, 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 Shacks. 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 unexpected - and due to the drama 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! A well driven ball slightly uppish and caught by Dave at short mid-off, a great take. A dot ball followed, and then wicket! Bowled this time, full and straight, lovely ball. So, new batter, Dan runs in and wicket! Very full, probably bounced twice to be honest but sneaks 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. Good ball though. Another dot followed and that's the end of his spell. Figures of 3-2-0-3 giving Dan a pretty good return for his spell. 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 - Mackinnon's none-shall-pass vigil at cover and Dave's hurling his body everywhere being highlights - 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! The first was a stunning low take at slip from Gav, and the second a cheeky bowled that sneaked through the gate. 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 the standout, but mention must also go to our superb frontline bowlers, all of whom kept things tight, applied the pressure and 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. GJ. |
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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