Cambridge University Library at Clare College ground, Cambridge. Two twenty over innings each.
Way, way (way) back in 1994, before T20, the IPL, switch hits, scoops, and (cripes) before Jofra Archer was born, eleven men of Oxford went to Cambridge to play a game of cricket against their counterparts at that fine city's University Library. The result is not important, nor is the result of the rematch in 1995, but the games lived long in the memory and gave rise to the Bodleian Cricket Club as it exists today, as it plays past its quarter century. To mark the occasion and celebrate the progress made by the club a third fixture was organised, again in Cambridge, against a team from the CUL. Sadly the CUL team is no more, but thanks to fantastic organising and the enthusiasm of the Cambridge staff a new team was assembled and a ground booked. Bodley, struggling with late season injuries and impacted by this being holiday silly season, were only eight, but were bolstered by former regular but now fen-dwelling Rob Triggs donning his wool cap again for Bodley to make us a competitive nine. All-time top scorer and this year acting as batting consultant Mike Webb joined the party and we duly arrived at the ground - an expansive and lush beauty - in pouring rain and under leaden skies. Thankfully, this soon cleared and the sun shone brightly, and the ground dried, and the birds sang, and play was set for 1pm as planned. A competitive format of two twenty over innings each, played apart like a mini test match, was agreed, with the team behind on first innings score having the option of innings order for the second half. Got that? Good. Skippers Gareth Jones (for Bodley) and Simon Halliday (for CUL) walked out for the toss and with Jones calling incorrectly, Bodley were invited to bat first. With a good number of spectators having turned out for the home team, and the weather now set fair, play began. Having no idea whatsoever how competitive they'd be, or indeed, we'd be, a mixed batting order was drawn up by the skipper. Regular top-order ball clubber Matthew Neely opened the batting with regular number 11 ball dodger Stuart Ackland, and we sat back to enjoy the show, Neely was sadly soon out, bringing Bodley original Andrew Milner to the crease to join his old pal and cricketing hall-of-famer at the crease. With a limit of three overs per bowler the bowling was rotated and the score steadily built, these two playing sensibly, if somewhat animatedly. Stu, who many had expected to burn brightly but briefly, was displaying Steve Smith-esque sticking power, whilst Andrew rolled back the years to play some lovely drives and cuts. Out for 10 to the CUL skipper, Andrew's departure brought another stalwart to the crease, as Gav Robinson joined the romping Stu. Gav fell shortly after, then the skipper came and went down swinging, before finally, after nearly an hour of play, with 18 to his name including two fours (on a deceptively massive outfield) Stu was bowled as his technique allowed one to just sneak through. Tremendous innings Stu, well played! Even more so as it was achieved with a bat older than the club that has spent most of its life on a pub wall. Bodley's answer to Adam Gilchrist, Tim Philipson, was joined by Rob Triggs, briefly playing some thoroughly entertaining switch hits... and after Tim was replaced by David Busby, the fourth member of the fearsome foursome finished the innings off with some terrific running and Lara-like swishing. Bodley finished up on 87-6, with a great deal of those being wides, unfortunately. It was a good pitch, perhaps slightly low after the morning rain, but certainly consistent and with no demons to speak of - we'd soon see if our first innings was competitive! Gav and Stu opened up for Bod with the ball, and Stu was soon putting in a bid for player of the match with a wicket maiden in his first, and another wicket in his second. That second wicket was however entirely down to a stunning catch at slip by Andrew Milner, taking the ball around his ankles as it fizzed off the outside edge. 4-2 and Cambridge were wobbling. But bang on cue, the CUL number three began a fightback, and with good running from the the next few batters, steadily built a score. With wickets for Neely - at one stage on a hat-trick after some full straight bowling off his long run - one each for Milner and Jones, and three for a tearaway, unplayable Philipson, the final total was 50-8. Rob did some sterling work behind the stumps to limit the wides, and the two sides retired for a sumptuous tea in the pavilion. CUL skipper Simon accepted the offer of following on to build a total, and all tucked in - though not quite as much as they'd have liked to, on Bodley's part, as they had to field again (sorry chaps!). Tea was simply marvellous with a mind-blowing array of cakes and biscuits on offer along with sandwiches, munchies, and a beautiful courgette filo tart. Seconds, thirds, and in some cases fourths were had, and after a good bit of socialising between the sides and attendant sports fans, Cambridge set out to bat again. The CUL skipper strode out with their first innings top scorer to give a good start, and smashed a four first ball of the innings. Looking good, the wicket was taken by Gavin later that same over though, bringing Cambridge's seasoned regular Sally to the crease. The score steadily built as the two batters righted the ship and played some stout defensive shots. Robinson and Philipson bowled out and the skipper bought himself on in tandem with fellow satellite-launcher David Busby. In the tenth over Jones deceived the batter with an even slower one, and CUP were 32-2. With Sally playing well at the other end a partnership soon built and CUP accumulated as Milner, Ackland, and Neely all turned their arm over, Triggs again doing sterling work behind the stumps and Mackinnon reminding us all what a cover fielder can do with quick reflexes and good humour. Boundaries were very difficult to come by, largely down to the enormous outfield, but the pitch was keeping a little low too, with Bodley bowling a full length throughout. No more wickets fell, a few catches were narrowly missed, and the hosts ended up on a hard fought 76-2 from their second innings, which along with 50 all out in the first innings gave a total of 126. So 40 to win for Bodley, and twenty overs to get it. Bodley's evergreen number six and chief six-hitter Tim Philipson suggested an opening partnership of himself and the skipper. and with Neely, Busby, then Robinson to come in after, the order certainly looked entertaining. Both openers hit boundaries early and the score fairly motored along, Jones falling after getting in a muddle to a left-armer, then Tim going down swinging to the same bowler. Neely and Busby entertained the crowds to give a well-fought match a suitable conclusion, Dave's running being another highlight and a mark of his immense fitness. With the scores level in the tenth, Neely knocked the single needed to win in the eleventh, and after twenty five years, Bodley had finally beaten Cambridge at something other than messing around in boats. Player of the match was generally agreed to be Bodley founder member and fan favourite Stu Ackland - top scorer with 18 in the first innings (with a plank of varnished railway sleeper, essentially), and miserly figures of 6-1-15-2. Well played Stu, you'll be at number ten next match! The whole team would also like to pay particular thanks to Andrew Milner and Stu for still turning out after all these years of playing, organising, and captaining, and by doing so keeping our fine, glorious cricket club-cum-adult creche in business for all these years, to the enjoyment of all involved. Thank you chaps, and thank you everyone that plays and helps in any way. Let's make it a half century. Whilst Blues were not being handed out for this contest (have a word, someone), it had been a wonderful day of friendly, and at times fierce (Andrew!) rivalry, with all involved enjoying themselves under thankfully blue skies in a lovely setting. Photos were taken, what remained of the tea was scoffed down, and a return fixture in Oxford was provisionally agreed for next year. We very much look forward to the rematch with our new friends in 2020, and hope this will become an annual event. Thank you from all at Bodley to all at the CUL for hosting us so generously, and making it a day to remember for another 25 years. GJ
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Note from the Ed.Generally always written late on the night of the game. Any accuracy or sparkling prose is purely accidental. Archives
September 2019
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