The final scheduled game - could the Old Blues end the season in the way they began, with a win??
There were quite a few changes from the side that played a great fixture against Newick CC, with Carl returning now as a man of leisure on school hols, Mitty returning as a History graduate in need of a job, Davis Mukasa making his first start of the season, Questy returning from holiday, and a debut for big Joe Launchbury who had left the school but 8 days prior. A special thanks to Joe for stepping in at the very last minute for this game. Also playing were Francis Thomas, Luke Dealtry, Johnny Owens, Ed Dean and Vishanka Ratnasuriya keeping the end up for the Class of '98 and Dom Roberts who has become a very reliable member of the squad this Summer.
So, to the match. With no catering due to school holidays, and potentially temperamental weather it was a nervous 24 hours beforehand for Johnny. A dash to Sainsbury's pre-game and the outstanding help from Vish's better half Kathryn meant that there weren't to be any hungry cricketers. In actual fact the food was plentiful and gratefully received by all, so thanks again Kathryn.
Mitty was skipper for the day and the toss decided (I can't remember the outcome!) that Old Blues were to bat first on a wicket that had taken some rainfall on a length overnight. We started at midday which was thanks to strong sun on the pitch during the morning and despite the slow outfield and a couple of dodgy patches on the wicket Carl and Francis started brightly. Everyone knows the talent of these two, but Carl has been due some runs this Summer and for Francis this was only the second innings in 10 years or so. They did not disappoint. The opening pair put on a quickfire 77 for the first wicket off a mere 15 overs, with Carl surviving a painful blow to the anatomy - thankfully he has 2 sons already! Both played some outstanding shots and Francis was caught for 21 when everyone thought he had a big score in him. I hope that this has been the start of something and that he will come back next Summer to remind us of those 100's he used to score for the school. Carl sadly followed the next over for 46, a mere 4 short of a first 50 for the OBCC this season.
So, 2 new batsmen at the crease, the Captain for the day, and Johnny with 2 half centuries in his last 2 innings (I love writing about myself in the 3rd person!). Bring on another big partnership. Mitty and Johnny put on 105 for the 3rd wicket maintaining the run rate at more than 5 an over. Two batsmen of contrasts:- Mitty with his clean hitting and stroke play, and Johnny with a lot of scratching around and a bit of luck until he gets his eye in. Mitty reached 50, his second in 4 matches for the Old Blues this Summer and promptly got out - a shame as he was batting superbly and it was a good partnership. In came Luke Dealtry another batsman short of practise rather than technique. Once again he played some nice shots in an all too brief innings of 9. Winter nets and a few more games next Summer will see Luke in the runs I'm sure. Joe Launchbury played a cameo innings of 19 off a lot fewer balls, with a back foot pull over midwicket being the highlight and probably his preferred shot! All of this was valuable support to Johnny now with his eye in and hitting a few reasonable shots himself. After Joe's demise, came Questy who finished not out 9 in support of Johnny's push for a century. Rumour has it the declaration was due with Johnny on 72, but an over that went for 17 runs, including a 6 nearly into the pavilion meant that Mitty held on for slightly longer. At the start of the last over before declaration Johnny was on 91 and he eventually holed out for 97 chasing another blow to the pavilion, and the associated glory, when in effect he played all round a straight one. Still, a good knock, even if I do say so myself!
We declared on 273 for 6 after only 46 overs; a commendable effort and definitely enough runs to avoid defeat.
Well fed and watered we came back to the field ready for the task ahead. Unfortunately, much like England this Summer we have struggled to bowl sides out, and whilst this was no Ashes series, chasing down 273 in the second innings on the 1st XI pitch happens rarely, right Howard?
Early wickets were key, and Questy duly obliged with a wicket in the first over. A first baller for their number 2 - perfect! What was even more perfect was the catch by Carl. It was a one in a lifetime, Strauss-like effort that had everyone in awe! Davis at the other end looked tidy, although he has definitely lost a few yards of pace with age, and the now dry and much faster outfield meant for a quick start to the chase. Runs dryed up however, and a tactical bowling change to the slow pies of Vishy for the last over before tea worked a treat as he clean bowled the other opener with one that went up, came down with snow on it, turned, and bounced (the last 2 I am less sure about) and duly went through everything.
After tea, Davis took a deserved wicket promptly, and after a short spell the Captain turned to Vish once more and Dom Roberts. It was an afternoon of taking wickets in the first over of a spell as both saw to their respective batsmen leaving Stowe precariously placed on 55 for 5. Could this be a late start and early finish?? Unfortunately their number 4 batsmen had survived the perishing around him and had his eye in. He took to Vish which forced him to have a breather, Dom Roberts took a second wicket, and Francis joined the fold to bowl some of his swinging, turning, box of tricks which accounted for the opposition Skipper Rupert Rowling in his Francis' first over. Rupert batted well for 33 and provided some support for the number 4 who was eventually run out for 87. A silly, silly run out which all but ended the game. Dom, the wicket machine ended precedings to finish with 3-32 off 6.4, his best haul for the season and the OBCC finished with a victory margin of 61 runs. All bowlers performed in this match, with Davis ending on just the 1 wicket, Vish with 2-30, Francis 2-29 and the long suffering Michael Quest who got some real rhythm going to completely bowl out 1 end to finish with 18 overs, 1 for 77. His spell was the key to winning this match as the events at the other end would have been a lot less likely if he wasn't bowling so well.
This was a really enjoyable game for all, and the oppo were very gracious in defeat. I think we have shown this Summer that we can put out teams to give most (Eastbourne aside, for now!) a run for their money and the team spirit has been brilliant. Thank you to everyone who has played.
I will be in touch soon with a bit of a round up and some news of things going forward across the Winter and into next Summer. Firstly, a social event. So please keep an eye out for emails from Old Blues Cricket Club and duly respond as your input will make this Club a success once again.
Finally, for the record, I have photographic evidence below that Deano has learned how to score, so he has no excuses any more!!
