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. |
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