Tears Are Not Enough

When was the last time you made a child cry? Many children have been moved to tears by the gyrations of The King of Pop; for one unlucky lad the gyrations of Simon Pritchard had the same affect yesterday on an oppressive, sticky day at Long Marston.

No inappropriate touching involved, you understand; just the combination of the fearsome animalistic howl of "How's That?" as the ball took a thick inside edge and the ball rapped against the pad. The umpire's finger did the rest.

The young lad trudged off inconsolable and told his Mum he wanted to move clubs or give up the game altogether. Another career destroyed and a heart broken by the vagaries of deaf umpires. 

The firsts collected another 25 points at what has often been an unhappy hunting ground. Long Marston is an almost perfect cricket ground, it just lacks a pub on the corner and a duck pond. Skipper Gates called correctly again and we invited Marston to bat on a belter of a wicket. they were overjoyed, the fools. Only opener Mike Lyons had an answer to the Didcot attack. Two early wickets from South African infidel Sean (call that a beard?) Willmott gave us a great start. Lyons then tucked in and batted with power and timing, this guy is pure class and had only dropped out of their first team because he needed to be near to home. We stuck at our task well, taking regular wickets at the other end and didn't once let our heads drop. Crab Hands finally got his reward for an excellent spell of bowling and picked up 3 for 30 from his 15 overs. 

It took the introduction of the golden armed heart breaker Pritchard to account for Lyons, a premeditated flick to deep backward square falling towards Willmott who took a fine catch to see him on his way for 88 from a total at that stage of 130. Undoubtably helped by some All You Can Eat bowling from the Caretaker he played beautifully. Marston's slender hopes followed him back to the pavilion as Pritch then polished off the tail, ending with a superb 3 for 11 including the aforementioned LBW. A professional, high quality performance in the field left Marston 80 short of par and us eating tea at 3.15. Rock On.

It got hotter and hotter. Shade was at a premium. It takes more than baking hot sunshine to make this Didcot team wilt though. Vishane was adjudged LBW by the same umpire, thereby proving he needs glasses as well as a hearing aid. A bold move by Skipper Gates saw Tee Kay promoted to three. He and Crab Hands took the score to 84 before  the old war horse was out. Some powerful batting and sweet timing from Matt saw him collect 41 runs to add to his 3fer.

By now Tee Kay had broken Long's spirit; had there been more Mum's at the ground I fear we may have seen more tears. Tom went on to make 74 fine runs, driving superbly through the vee off both front and back foot he was pure class. When he was out we only needed 16 to win, just to rub salt in to the wounds he ran off the field in 90 degree heat, they breed them tough in Didcot.

Bernard and the Monster knocked the last few off and we were done by 5.30 with 32 overs left.

Our best performance of the season so far was rounded off by the team singing the new Didcot song 'Under the Shadow of the Towers' lead by Didcot's King Of Pop. Splendid.

Didcot II v Stokenchurch II played at Didcot on 27/6/09

Stokenchurch won the toss and invited Didcot to bat first. Didcot went on to score 221 for 6 declared (46 overs) with Viraj Perera scoring a hundred (110) with 15 fours and 5 sixes supported by Connor Morrison (33)

Stokenchurch lost early wickets to the Didcot opening pair Dan Alderson and Stewart Green (2 each). From there onwards Stokenchurch shut-up shop early as the 13^th over. Henry Latimer (17-4-43-3) bowling his off spin from one-end created chances but Didcot failed to finish off Stokenchurch and it ended in an unexciting draw

Didcot II 16 points Stokenchurch II 7 point.

A draw was also the result for the thirds, batting first, knocking up 257 for 7 with contributions from Haydn , Elvis, Shaun Stewart and a fine 60 from Rob Kenworthy. As is often the case with unadventurous teams Abingdon never really went for the win and we fell 5 wickets short of another win.

The fourths had a game of two halves. Cumnor were bowled out for 163, with Jack (Get him on earlier) Broughton taking 4 for 17 and James (Get him on earlier) Bywater 3 for 31. We started well and at nought for nought were still in it. 46 runs later it was all over. Oh dear.

Until next week you lovely bunch.

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Another Brick in The Wall

Habits. Odd aren't they. Without even thinking about it or even trying sometimes, you fall into them and then it is hard to change. I don't know if this is true or not but I am pleased that we appear to be developing a winning habit.

Incidentally, would anybody miss wasps if they were all quietly eradicated ? I struggle to see what they bring to the party; bees seem to have worked it out. Yellow and black stripes and stings, yep; but crucially they have realised that production of honey makes them popular little chaps, not just with pooh bear and humans but with the Honey Badger as well. 

Highlight of yesterday's cricket was the fourths match at Bicester. The club record partnership was broken, 218 for the first wicket beating the previous best of 189 set in 1993. Clive House and Rajat Sawhney, take a bow. Clive's 123 also puts him in the top 10 highest individual scores and the team total of 304 for 4 is also a new record. The game ended in a draw as Bicester shut up shop and dead batted early on.

Firsts, seconds and thirds all won again. The thirds beating Witney comprehensively, fine bowling from all four seamers seeing Witney all back in the hutch for only 118. Pick was Sharma with 5 for 25. We knocked the runs off for the loss of a couple, Prasad scoring an undefeated 65 (all from square cuts, possibly) and was ably supported by Rob Kenworthy's patient 35.

The seconds travelled to Dinton. Dinton didn't really turn up and had no answer to Vishane Perera's blistering pace and hostility, all out for 106 with Venomous Vish taking 5 for 15. Early wickets in the chase had hearts a flutter before Didcot Legend Dave Allen stepped up and mixed swashbuckling with doughty defence to score 56 not out for a comfortable 5 wicket win.

The Field of Dreams proved to be an unhappy place for the Market Square Heroes of Thame who played the firsts. They irritated The Judge before we had even started by calling our Pavilished a rabbit hutch. Ironically it is the only place you won't find rabbits. Skipper Gates avoided a 50p fine by winning the toss and invited Thame to bat on what looked like a strip of tarmac.

Crab Hands and Bomber Sinclair opened up. I was glad I wasn't batting against them, bounce and pace before the ball went soft brought a couple of early wickets and the by now inevitable invitation to return to the hutch by Jules. We took wickets regularly and were always on top. Thame mustered just 120, at least 100 short of par. 3 wickets apiece for Crab Jones, The Judge and Bomber. Bernard Burningham was exceptional in the field, saving at least 20 runs and taking a fine catch.

Frustratingly our top order failed again and we were in familiar territory at 20 odd for 3 again with only Jules offering any resistance. 56 for 5 soon turned into 99 for 5 as Cookie was joined by Naughty Snr. Both attacked and we all felt a lot more comfortable. At the rain break Andy informed me he wasn't going to get out. He got out. Never mind he had done enough. Cookie played another monster innings, 58 not out earning man of the match. Despite a sore back he played with great self control early on and then opened his shoulders and won it with a flurry of boundaries. Done and dusted by 6.30 and still top of the league. Happy Days. A long way to go still, but 25 more points towards our target.

It was great to be joined by some of the returning seconds and thirds at the ground and for some of the Thame team to stay behind for a drink. 

I for one am already impatient. Next Saturday seems a long way off and I am really looking forward to sharing my extensive knowledge of Honey Badgers with a fine body of men at Long Marston.

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Achilles Last Stand

Into the sun the south the north, at last the birds have flown 
The shackles of commitment fell, in pieces on the ground 

Oh to ride the wind, To tread the air above the din 
Oh to laugh aloud, Dancing I fought the crowds, yeah

What exactly were Jimmy and Robert on when they wrote these lines ? It may heave been a glass of squash and a cheese and pickle sandwich but history does not record this level of detail. Whatever, this food of the gods is what fuels us for 18 Saturdays of every year.

As an aside Tracy has just asked me what 'that racket is' on the stereo. I tried to explain  using simple, short words that it is 10 minutes 32 seconds of epic 1970's genre defining rock 'n roll in the shape of "Achilles Last Stand by Led Zeppelin. "Well it's shit" was the response as she retreated to the garden for a Pimms. Birds; multi tasking, intuitive, sensitive, beautiful, wonderful philistines. 

So, what of the cricket? I hear you beg.

The firsts travelled deep in to the Cotswolds in search of another win. Bourton Vale won the toss and decided to bat, perfect. Crab hands Jones has clearly learnt plenty watching and playing in the midweek games and decided to put this into action by bowling a spell of Caretaker like buffet bowling. The Vale openers tucked in and ate their fill. A catch by Bris off Dan broke the partnership but did nothing to slow the run rate. 63 for 1 after 9 overs on a hot afternoon with a belter of a wicket was looking bleak. The early introduction of The Judge immediately brought a wicket , The Caretaker taking a fine running catch in the deep and setting the standard for what turned out to be a fine fielding display. Tee Kay got as much help from the pitch as Dan and Matt and was replaced by The Caretaker, now bowling in partnership with The Judge.

The Laurel and Hardy of spin whirled away for 35 overs between them. The scoring rate dropped like a stone and with one exception we took every chance. Fine work from Bris (can anyone come up with a better nick name?) behind the stumps who took a sharp catch off Jules and conceded no byes. Also worthy of mention was Broughton Snr. with two catches. Jules finished with 4 for 104 from his 22 overs, and Jordan produced his best spell of bowling yet finishing with 3 for 26 from his 13 overs, including six maidens. Vale ended on 214 all out, below par on that wicket.

Our innings started poorly again. Pob got a good one first ball and was good enough to edge to the keeper. Matt mis- timed one to cover and Cookie threw his wicket away. So we were 44 for 4. No panic this time as Pritch joined Bris. They took the score to 107, Henry playing his best innings so far this season ending up with 36.

I would like to be able to tell you that Broughton Snr. strode to the wicket purposefully. He didn't. He took baby steps on account of having strained his achilles muscles in the field. Eight overs of consolidation provided the platform for Pritch to accelerate. Batting again with a focus and purpose that are an example to all of us Simon chose the right balls to defend and attack and pushed on past his 50. These two friends enjoy batting together and it showed. Taking the score to 196 before he was out for 72, Pritch had provided the spine to the innings again. The Caretaker joined Broughtie, whose achilles were now causing real pain. A couple of lusty blows and it was all over.

Another 25 points in the bag. Results elsewhere mean we are top of the division. A position we intend to defend ruthlessly for the remainder of the season.

As we sat dutifully listening to the fines committee a hot air balloon in an adjacent field provided some distracting moments as news started to filter through from the seconds and thirds.

Didcot II V Twyford II played at Didcot

Didcot won the toss and elected to bat first. It wasn’t the start we planned for; first wicket at 6, a ball pitches short on the leg side, Vishane (4) set him self for a pull short but did not bounce hit his ‘Aero’ pads and then the stumps. On the other side, a bouncer took Jose (8) buy surprise and he gloved it to the slips. Henry Latimer (0) then played a lackadaisical pull shot down the square legs throat!

Andy Ireson and Viraj Perara then started to settle the innings a bit when Viraj played a ball onto the stumps and was out for 27 followed by Andy who cut a full toss, it was travelling at ‘99.9%’ of speed of light! However the fielder managed to hold on to the catch but ended up dislocating his little finger and breaking it in three places. He was still at JR at the end of the game (Andy taking a wicket as well without bowling single ball!). Gary’s wife Linda who had done the teas for us and was enjoying a glass of wine had to take the injured player to hospital and spend the whole afternoon out in Abingdon  and since they could not sort out the injury at Abingdon hospital then had to be taken to the JR.

Dave Allen batted well for his 50 runs and had a partnership of 73 with Mike Slade. After Dave Allen departed Mike was batting well until he had a flash of 20-20 vision, when he was a ‘left hander’ for a delivery which got the stumps uprooted! (wish I had my camera). Gray Hunt 22 not out and Sean Willmott 13 not out took the Didcot total to 204 for 8 in 47 overs giving a ‘decent’ total for the bowlers to bowl at.

Twyford started without their regular opener (broken finger). There was a missed chance in the second over (Carl’s first) behind the wicket but other than that they were not bothered too much and at 35 for no loss Henry Latimer was introduced to the attack but he went for 26 runs in 3 overs and was no threat to the batsmen at all. A change of tactics was required and Dave Allen and Viraj Perera came into the attack and slowed down the run rate and put the batting side under pressure. Dave Allen taking 3 for 44 runs in 10 overs. Then Sean Willmott was re-introduced into the attack with Viraj Perera still bowling accurately to keep the pressure on the batting side. Viraj Perera 14 overs 4 mdns 35 for 1 and Sean finishing the innings at 11.2 overs 2 mdns 29 for 3. A good team effort by the Didcot IIs saw the so far un-beaten Twyford falling shot of the Didcot total and all out for 174!

Thirds Won Yessssssss!!!!!!!!

Our bowling

Sharma 15-4-54-3

Prasad 2-0-22-1

DP 11-3-8-2

Biplob 8-1-28-3

James Bywater 4-0-18-0

Catches Connor x 2 Haydn x2

Batting

Connor 40 (really dodgy decision)

Raj 7

Prasad 25

Santosh 28 not out

Shaun Stewart 33 notout

Didcot 25 Points Great Tew 6.

Bloody marvellous performance. Connor, Sharma, Biplob and Shaun all ‘stood up to the plate’.

Connor particularly looked like he was ‘coming of age’ batting and fielding, I appointed him captain when I came on to bowl the sixth over and he was excellent.

Not much news from the fourths I'm afraid. perhaps someone can let me have some details for future weeks. The result isn't important for this team, it is all about experience and playing competitive cricket. It is where the Pritchard's and Broughton's of the future take their first steps.

So, three wins for the first time ever. Quite a weekend. Sadly it is another 6 days until we do it all again. Just enough time for injuries to heal.

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I just don't know what to do with myself

Rain. The scourge of ice cream vendors, deck chair attendants and cricketers.

Like many of you my Saturday was spent searching for something to fill the void. I searched in vain for an opportunity to at least watch some cricket. This fruitless search left me feeling listless and grumpy. Of course there were many things I could have done to fill the time productively. That painting remains unframed, the grass is as long as it was on Friday and my CD's are still not organised alphabetically. 

The weekend wasn't a complete disaster; the Aussies lost, we qualified for the Super 8's and I got to spend some quality time with the squeeze. 

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