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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