Middleton Stoney CC at Middleton Park, timed game. www.pitchero.com/clubs/bodleiancc/teams/255079/match-centre/0-5106081 A new opposition, and especially a new ground to play at is always a delight (though we are growing very fond of our unofficial home at Great Tew). And so it was with a new match, delayed from last year, against historic local side (founded 1801 - much older than the Bod, despite our badge!) that play their cricket within the grounds of Lutyens' last great country house. With the pitch surrounded by the remains of a burgeoning arboretum and far from any road noise or other distractions, it is a bucolic, tranquil spot to play. Match format was one we play quite scarcely, and certainly confused the skipper (pay attentions, Jones) - first innings runs from 2pm to 4.3opm, or whenever a declaration is made. Then it's the main event - tea - followed by the second innings from about 4.50ish to 6pm, then 20 overs more to complete the chase. Having won the toss Bodley skipper for the day Gareth Jones decided to take the maths out of it and just bat first, then try to bowl them out. Easy. Sort of. Oh. Bodley's opening pair could teach England a thing or two about consistency of selection, having batted together as often as they'll let us make them. So once again Matthew Neely and David Shackleton strode out to kick things off, and hopefully give the rest of us ample time to explore the pleasant surroundings. The evergreen Andrew Milner took up position on his portable picnic perch and undertook to score, surmise, and pass comment, and we were away. There are no limits set for retirements, or for bowlers overs in a timed game, but these things are generally irrelevant as batters get themselves out and bowlers either tire themselves out, or retire themselves in the face of flying balls. The bowling from Middleton Stoney was accurate, full of length, and generally in the nagging, got to play at it, corridor. The pitch looked good, but had been uncovered throughout the previous nights rainfall and so was a tad slow, making bounce hard to judge. The home team knew the conditions well. The Bod, alas, did not. Scoring proved very difficult for both batters, with a satisfying thwack as ball struck defiant bat and fielders engaged in some good natured encouragement. Our openers survived though, and began to steadily build. Skippers orders were to see off the opening bowlers and play out maybe an hour, then see where we are, plenty of time. As the hour came and went it became alarmingly apparent that the Middleton bowlers could bowl all day, and had Bodley well and truly tied down - like Luke, Han and Leia trying to escape the Death Star. Star Wars references aside, and in the absence of a trash compactor, there was no obvious means of escape, though an opening spell of ten overs for 20 runs from the Middleton opener was quite outstanding, it must be said. With pressure building as twenty overs ticked by the first wickets fell and both openers were out to good balls for 22 and 33 respectively, leaving the score on 67-2 from 26 overs. James Shaw and the returning Josh Hordern faced much the same challenges, with a new bowler now well set into a rhythm and plugging an ever so tight stump to stump line, for very few runs indeed. It was clear that if runs were to be scored, they were to be scored against these bowlers and not more gentle, less accurate stuff that was yet to come. After James fell to another pearler, a few swings of the bat and more defensive thwacks from Tim Philipson and the skipper added a few more, but the score had yet to break 100. A decent rain shower took the challenging spin coming from end out of the equation a little, though only compounded the problems batters had with bounce, as we played through the rain to emerge in welcome sunshine. But then with Tim's dismissal - all too soon for those watching, after an entertaining four to get underway - Dom Hewett walked out to bat, joining Jones, who soon after departed trying to repeat his solitary scoring shot too many times. Phil Burnett and then Andrew Milner accompanied Dom as he - by the standards of the innings thus far - dismantled the opposition bowlers with a flurry of quick singles and a marvellously elegant four. As 4.30 arrived the Bod ended their innings on 112-7, and settled down for a well earned tea. Cricket teas are still on the government's naughty list, so as was the case last year, it was bring your own. In practice this actually works quite well, and it is always interesting - competitive, even - to see what others have rustled up. And none were more interesting, or more conspicuous than Andrew Milner, Bodley's pleasure seeker. Equipped in the manner of an Edwardian gentleman on a day trip, Andrew settled into his folding chair, set up a table, and unpacked a dizzying spread of rustic fresh breads, meats from across Europe, finest gherkins, pickles, stuffed Italian tomatoes, cheeses from the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean, and a dessert course that the big house would be happy to serve up. It was quite the picnic, and let's just say the rest of us were all very jealous of Andrew's dedication to gastronomy. With tactics agreed - bowl in a miserly manner and catch the ball if it goes in the air (radical thinkers, the Bod) - we wrapped up our all too brief tea and headed back out to the field. With the time approaching 5pm Middleton Stoney would have until 6pm to bat, and then twenty overs more to complete their chase, after which in the event of the total not being chased down and wickets remaining, the match would be a draw. Given our low total we concluded that wickets were the order of the day, and set a close field with Phil Burnett and James Shaw taking the new ball. It was around this time that it became apparent our usually punctual slip fielder - the aforementioned Milner - was still reclined behind his dining table eating lunch, with pudding apparently yet to come. After quite some negotiation, and then an exchange of differing opinions on priorities, Andrew angrily broke off between courses and took up position at first slip, allowing play to begin. Phil and James bowled tight lines and kept the ball full, following the example of the Middleton bowlers. The Middleton batters however made lighter work of the conditions and the runs, though not flowing, built up quicker than we'd have liked. Eventually the pressure did build, and Middleton swung hard and were victim to the bounce - the first wicket falling to Phil with a terrific catch from Tim as the ball spooned up and wobbled down at him in the gully. Great stuff, we're on our way. Not too long later another big shot brought about a mishit, and this time it was Dom, standing at cover, that the errant ball flew towards. As all took a deep breath (it really was wobbling around) the ball slapped into Dom's hands, bobbled out, then hit another hand, bounced back out again, then a few juggles and it was firmly pouched in one hand to the great delight of all his team-mates. A catch worthy of a replay, were such things possible. The field remained in as Bodley smelt more wickets, with a cautionary sweeper out to pick up anything that went through the fielders. It's often hard work fielding on these longer matches, especially when you feel you're behind the rate and things are stacked a tad against you, so special mention must go to some superb work running round the field from James Riley and David Busby, positioned behind the bowler at mid-off and mid-on, and pouncing on everything that came their way. David most notably used his knee to stop a well struck ball along the ground, a collision from which the ball sounded like it had won the battle. Ouch. The skipper, hot off the back of some dodgy fielding of his own, brought on the by now pudding-starved Andrew as first change, to take some pace off the ball and extract maximum benefit from the pitch. Andrew didn't disappoint, and was soon twirling away from one end for very few runs, eventually picking up a deserved wicked as a huge hit back over his head went straight into the hands of Josh on the boundary, displaying great catching. As is so, so often the case, after this the home team settled in and picked off their shots carefully, confident they had plenty of time to do so. But then just as one big hitting batsman was threatening to finish things quickly, the ball was spooned to David Shackleton at cover who - despite having neither brought along or eaten any lunch - pouched it safely. Sadly we were probably about forty runs short in the end, and the Middleton middle order saw them home to win by six wickets. A very enjoyable match, despite the result, and one we certainly hope to avenge next year! Post-match mingling was safely and sensibly conducted outside the charming pavilion, with our hosts providing drinks and stories of the club and its history, and was all very enjoyable indeed. There was one final thing to wrap up however - the not so small matter of player of the match - presented by the Middleton skipper, Tim. The deserving recipient was our own Dom Hewett, for the way he batted at the end of the innings and for that glorious four in particular. A bottle of homemade elderflower cordial was presented to a round of applause. Well played Dom. A huge thank you to our hosts, we're already looking forward to next years fixture. And a final thank you to our friends and supporters who made the trip to watch, it's always appreciated and we hope you enjoyed yourselves GJ.
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