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!
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