Holgate Fox v Golden Ball at Heslington, 11th May 2008

First match of the season and already some strong bids are in for the end of season awards. Al Cocker is facing some stiff competition for the crock of the season trophy, with Whitty limping off with a thigh strain and Charno succumbing to Big-Girl's-Blouse syndrome. The front-runner, however, is clearly Geoff Arnott, who continues to collect injuries in increasingly inventive ways. This week he excelled himself, getting injured by a Christmas tree. In May. Al will need to pull his finger out (and re-insert it somewhere dangerous) if he is to retain the sicknote crown.

In contrast to last year's corresponding fixture, which was played in steady rain, the sun shone all day long. Golden Ball Skipper Pete Mitchell called correctly and chose to bat on a hard dry pitch with a tinge of green.

Mitchell and opening partner John Patrick were then subjected to the now-traditional examination of technique by new ball bowlers Bilal Hussein and Sid Mouncey. Hussein, in particular, proved very difficult to score off, his first four overs going for a solitary run as the batsmen played the ball unerringly to the fielders. After a couple of good shots, Patrick departed for 6, edging a rising ball from Mouncey to slip.

Andy Hellewell came to the crease and was soon stroking the ball around with a beautifully straight bat. One effortless straight drive deposited the ball right back over the bowler's head for the sweetest of sixes. At the other end, Mitchell was also starting to find the gaps, driving strongly into the 'V' before skying an attempted cut off Bruce Kitchener into Dave D'Souza's waiting gloves for 18.

Joining Hellewell at the crease, Jack Gabbatiss played some lovely shots, including a particularly sweetly-timed on-drive between midwicket and mid-on, before attempting to flick a ball from Bruce Kitchener off middle stump. He missed. The ball didn't. The boy wonder departed for 20 off a mere 16 balls. Kitchener also took the wicket of Hellewell, departing for an elegant 31.

John Crowe then opened his account in relatively cautious style, waiting a whole eight balls before cracking the first of his four sixes high over mid-on. Sam Lingard proved very useful at the other end, playing a supporting role until Crowe was bowled for a 46-ball 69. Lingard then moved up a gear to dominate a useful partnership with Mark Honeywell (10) before being caught by the filthy traitor Will Outhart for 38.

Whitty Whittingham proved just how deceptive nets can be, coming and going for a blink-and-you-miss-it duck. Nick Thompson perished on 2, bowled trying to flick a straight one through square leg, while debutant Phill Monk looked comfortable hanging around for a red-inked single. Tim Wills managed the enviable feat of being sledged by both teams, even while umpiring! He took it all in good humour, even when giving Billy Hussein his wicket with a skier and departing for a duck.

Tim Wills and Andy Hellewell bowled with little reward, as Hussein and the limpet-like Gavin Stewart set about taking the shine off the newish ball, slotting some punishing drives past the fielders as they racked up 96 for the first wicket.

Jack Gabbatiss's first ball went for 5 as John Crowe's rocket of a throw evaded all attempts to stop it, going for 4 overthrows across the cover boundary. Despite this inauspicious start, Jack made amends by rattling Billy Hussein's leg stump for 55, while Sam Lingard bowled parsimoniously at the other end.

With the hundred coming up in the fourteenth over, something needed to be done to stem the flow of runs. Up stepped John Crowe to bowl eight straight overs of relentless, probing seam bowling. Despite the heat of the day, Crowe's pace never flagged and his haul of 3 for 12 barely did justice to his efforts. Mark Honeywell bowled three useful overs before Mitchell brought himself on to bowl.

Things didn't start too well, as he conceded a couple of boundaries in his first over, but then the ball suddenly began to swing. Wickets soon started to tumble, as batsmen struggled to cope with the movement through the air. In eighteen balls, Mitchell changed the course of the game, snaffling five wickets for four runs, including a triple-wicket maiden. He finished his five-over spell with figures of 5 for 22 and rounded off his day nicely by holding the last catch to dismiss Dave D'Souza off Nick Thompson's fifth ball.

Holgate Fox were all out for 185 and Golden Ball won by 29 runs. All in all, a fantastic day's cricket, the whole team contributed to the victory and it all happened in the best possible spirit. The only cloudlet on the horizon was the presence of precisely none of the Holgate Fox team in the pub afterwards. On the evidence of this game, it could be a very good summer.

Dringhouses CC vs Golden Ball CC - 10 June 2007

More photos here

Match Report by Whitty Whittingham

The venue for the game versus Dringhouses had been changed due to the Bootham Park outfield having been dug up, however, the St Helens Road ground was an ideal alternative on a hot June afternoon. Captain Pete Mitchell won the toss and elected to bat, opening himself with Andy Hellewell, who was returning from his opening game injury at Rose and Crown. Larner opened the bowling from the Pavilion End and bowled a superbly going for two runs off his first two overs. At the Tesco End Bibby bowled with similar ferocity although Hellewell, now fully recovered from his horror injury, played a beautiful shot for four. Both batsmen settled quickly against a very strong bowling attack and played steadily until Hellewell was adjudged to be leg before wicket for 13 runs after a Larner ball stayed low and straight.

All-American Superstar Charno came in for what would be his last innings before his mid-season break and immediately hit a beautiful four, followed by two more quick-fire boundaries. However, whilst Mitchell (C) was settled and scoring well, Charno fell victim to the first change bowler, Tom Owen, who bowled the delivery of the day, a textbook leg-break that pitched wide of leg stump and whipped back to hit the top of middle. Charno made a schoolboy error, trying to hoof the ball to cow corner, only to see his bails disturbed. Gabbatiss, the Golden Ball “Golden Boy” at 15 years old, came in and settled into the longest partnership of the game with skipper Mitchell. The oldest and youngest players on the Golden Ball team batted well against Owen and the diminutive yet rapid Charlie Clamp. Owen's figures suffered at the end of his spell as he tired and pitched the ball too short.

Matty Horner and Jack Aaron entered the attack, and Aaron took the key wicket of Mitchell (for 36) in his second over, getting the ball to lift alarmingly from a good length and inducing an edge which was well caught by Owen at second slip. The next in to bat was Alistair Cross, who came to the crease on the back of a midweek 49*, looking particularly French with a strange cricket beret. However, after a single run was taken Cross’s wicket was the first of two to fall in quick succession being caught by Clamp off Horner's bowling. Gabbatiss followed him back to the pavilion three balls later being clean bowled by Horner. Grady, returning from an extended rest, joined Edward Cross, who had replaced his brother. Cross Snr looked a little edgy initially but then settled whilst the gifted Neil Grady set about dispatching the Dringhouses bowlers around the park. Unfortunately Cross Snr was sent back to the pavilion after being bowled by Horner. Larner, back on for his second spell, saw Grady hit a shot into the hands of Aaron for an excellent 33.

Berry came in and meticulously watched the ball onto the bat, holding the end up whilst Pat Gibbs played some nice shots which were unfortunately missed by the scorer but not by the adulating, if not a little merry, fans on the boundary. Gibbs ended up with, erm, some runs not out, whilst Berry also scored some runs, possibly. By this stage the scorer was so awestruck by the sublime batting which saw the Golden Ball CC accrue in excess of 200 runs that he neglected to notice the wicket of Berry fall and he be replaced by Millward at 10 who also hit, erm, some runs. At the end of the innings Golden Ball had put on a very respectable total of 203 runs. This innings saw ‘Rooney’ Gabbatiss move to the top of the runs table with 79, leaving Charno at second with 67 and Mitchell (C) with 63 in third place.

A good tea in the pavilion was the reward for both teams who had endured the scorching summer sun and there was an air of optimism among the Golden Ball CC players as they watched the West Indies get close to their target in the Old Trafford Test Match.

Golden Ball CC eagerly took to the field with Duncan Wright opening from the Tesco End. He bowled a superb maiden over, with his flowing hair and characteristic hop enhancing his beautiful swing bowling against the Dringhouses openers John Crowe and John Patrick. Millward also bowled well from the Pavilion End and after three overs only one run had been taken. In the fourth over Millward’s hard work was rewarded with the prize wicket of the talented Patrick, bowled by a nipbacker for four runs. This looked promising for the Golden Ball, however, they had not reckoned with the number three batsman, Sam Bibby, who made an immediate impact scoring on his first ball with a single. Millward was rested and replaced by ‘Mr Line-and-Length’ Hellewell at the Pavilion End but the batsmen seemed to pick him up quickly sending him for eight off his first over.

Charno replaced Wright from the Tesco End and bowled his first loosener to gullly. His bowling continued to perplex the batsmen (and fielders) with some deliveries pinging down around the wickets whilst the others flew past the unfortunate Gabbatiss behind the stumps. Charno’s erratic bowling did, however, pay off as he delivered a speedy yorker to the opener Crowe’s feet which he lofted up to Berry at square leg for 32. Chris Storey came in to bat as Mitchell and Grady came on to bowl but failed to slow the run rate, despite the best attempts by Neil ‘Larwood and Voce’ Grady who viciously bowled two consecutive balls into the boxes of the Dringhouses batsman. Mitchell (C) eventually made a late breakthrough bowling Bibby through the gate after a superb knock of 52.

Thrall arrived at the crease as the spectators and players alike applauded Bibby’s innings. Gabbatiss was brought from behind the stumps to bowl with A Cross, who had made a tremendous ‘flop-stop’ earlier in the game, replacing the youngster. Cross made a notable difference reducing the extras as Gabbatiss tried to make the breakthrough as Millward bowled his second spell but it was all too late. Storey hit a very respectable 49* and Thrall hit the winning runs off the unfortunate Berry who, bowling with his uniquely-angled run up, failed to prevent Dringhouses reaching their target of 204 with 11 overs remaining. This fielding performance left Whittingham as leading wicket taker with 5-38, Millward 3-34 and Gabbatiss 3-59.

The turnout for the third innings was diminished, however, after a few drinks at Dringhouses, Tatlioglu, Charno, Whittingham and Cocker showed for the Golden Ball with Cocker the only batsmen not out at 11.

More photos here

Damage to Bootham Park - Here We Go Again

It's happened again. Last year the damage was along the boundary, but this time there are two large patches of disturbed mud (one a mere 10 yards from the edge of the square) with a small lake in between. It looks like the water main has flooded and somebody has taken an excavator onto the outfield to find the manhole to turn it off. It looks like the first bit of digging has obliterated the tap we use to water the square.

Whatever happened, it has made it impossible for us to play at home this weekend. As a consequence, this week's game will now take place at Dringhouses CC.

Wellington CC vs Golden Ball CC - 3 June 2007

Standing: Geoff Arnott(wk), Gary Millward, Tim Wills, Tom Fremlin, Whitty Whittingham, Kev Scully.
Kneeling: Tim Tatlioglu, Michael Charno, Pete Mitchell(c) Jack Gabbatiss(wk), John Patrick(wk)

More photos

Match Report by Whitty Whittingham

The Retreat was an idyllic setting for the game of cricket between Wellington CC and Golden Ball CC on a warm and sunny Sunday afternoon. Golden Ball CC batted first with Pete Mitchell (C) and John Patrick, playing his first game of the season, opening. Mitchell hit a single off his first delivery from AlsnBaldock at the Stray End and Patrick held his end up for the remainder of the over. JohnBullock came on from the Sanatorium End and made an immediate impact getting Mitchell triggered leg before wicket by umpire Gary Millward for one run. Michael Charno replaced Mitchell and hit a quick-fire 26 before being caught at wide long off by Howard Leadley - a superb take over his shoulder as Charno searched out the boundary yet again.

Tim Tatlioglu came on and steadied the ship at one end whilst the impressive youngster, Patrick, started to settle and hit some sublime shots. Tatlioglu unfortunately didn’t hit more than a single run as he was caught by John Galloway off the bowling of Simon Brereton after 14 balls. The ever-reliable Kev Scully replaced Tatlioglu whilst Patrick, at the other end intimidated the bowlers with his supreme confidence and good running between the wickets.

The bowling change that saw Graham Roberts come on from the Stray End brought the wicket of Scully for five runs with a soft shot straight into the hands of Luke Mitchell. Golden Ball sent in part-time wicketkeeper/part-time ‘Sicknote’ Geoff Arnott to bat at number six. After a run of disappointing innings Arnott looked composed and hit two nice boundaries which sandwiched the shot of the day – a beautiful six which cleared the long-on boundary by several metres and landed in the middle of a family picnic. However, this elegant batting performance was brought to an abrupt end as Arnott, yet again, misjudged a ball which saw him being bowled by Roberts for a decent score of 16.

Meanwhile, Patrick was firmly established at the other end, playing textbook shots and finding the sweet spot with increasing frequency. This wicket brought together the best partnership of the innings between the two youngsters of the team as Jack ‘Rooney’ Gabbatiss entered the field. Rooney made an immediate impact, hitting a sweetly-timed four off his first delivery. This young partnership lasted for a solid half an hour until on 49, Patrick was caught by Tim Munday off the bowling of Luke Mitchell. His outstanding innings was greeted by applause from batting and fielding team alike as the promising youngster walked slowly back to the pavilion.

Whitty Whittingham came on and faced new bowler Wheatley from the Sanatorium End. He played very defensively trying to get his eye in and managed to edge a fortunate single down to backward square leg. In the next over, after a number of defensive shots he tried to hit out but managed to get a thick edge which spooned back up into the bowler’s hands for one run. Tom Fremlin replaced Whittingham and intended to steal a few runs with quick running, however, a comical mix up occurred, where both players seemed to agree not to run, and then Fremlin ran. He was run out by yards for a duck. Gabbatiss, clearly shaken by this, saw his wicket fall as he was adjudged to be leg before wicket for a respectable 35 to Wheatley’s bowling. Gary Millward and Tim Wills completed the tail and whilst Millward was looking confident, Wills was caught and bowled by Mitchell for a three-ball duck.

A superb tea, complete with samosas and Mr Kipling cakes was very well received by the visiting team who felt confident that they could defend their biggest score of the season.

Danny Sampson and Tim Munday opened the batting attack for Wellington CC facing Millward from the Stray End and Wills from the Sanatorium End. Both bowlers bowled superbly; Wills getting a maiden with his first over and Millward with his second. Wills bowled efficiently with his trademark grunt, conceding only 7 runs from his first 4 over spell. Millward, after a wayward first over, produced a spell of splice-rattling pace, making the occasional ball leap at the batsmen from a gook length. He was rewarded with Munday’s wicket fell thanks also to a superb one-handed catch from Gabbatiss at mid-off that Jonty Rhodes would have been proud of.

Sampson by this stage had settled into his rhythm and was selecting the balls that he could guide, often forcefully to the boundary.

Fremlin replaced Wills from the Sanatorium End and after a few looseners found his line and length and frustrated the batsmen with some direct bowling. Charno, replacing Millward, powerhoused his way into the batsmen with his unconventional arm from the Stray End. This infuriated the batsmen, especially Galloway, who didn’t know whether to charge down the wicket towards the powerful American or to stay in his crease and fish for the balls as they flew past him.

Whittingham replaced Fremlin as third change bowler from the Sanatorium End as Gabbatiss replaced Charno from the opposite end. Initially Whittingham struggled with his line but managed to get good purchase off the pitch, bowling a bouncer over Howard Leadley's head. Whittingham was quickly rewarded with the wicket of the wicketkeeper Galloway, who edged a shot to slip where it was caught under the chin of Arnott. Arnott had been replaced behind the stumps by the all-rounder Patrick, after Arnott grazed his finger nail through the keeper’s gloves.

Gabbatiss was unfortunate to be hit for three fours off his first over as Sampson started to hit out, however Whittingham was having more success at the other end beating the bat on a number of occasions and almost trapping Sampson lbw. Whittingham was rewarded with the prized wicket of Leadley who was bowled by a ball which pitched outside off stump but cut back in viciously to remove the bails. Alan Baldock joined his captain at the crease and soon set about building a match-winning partnership.

Tatlioglu got some turn and bounce but couldn’t make the breakthrough. Mitchell and Patrick bowled well in partnership but still the wicket wouldn't come. With only14 runs needed from the last four overs Mitchell reverted to his opening bowlers in a final quest for a wicket. Both Wills and Millward bowled well, but Sampson was now utilizing massive strength to combat his enemies and perform heroic feats unachievable by ordinary men: wrestling a lion, slaying an entire army with nothing more than a donkey's jawbone, and tearing down an entire building, not to mention flicking a leg stump half-volley past fine leg for a one-bounce four.

Millward was rewarded, with Baldock's wicket as Gabbatiss (the second replacement keeper) took another great one-handed catch. However, the breakthrough was too little too late and Wellington CC won with seven balls to spare thanks to the mighty Sampson’s 67*.

At this early stage in the season the top three leading run-scorers for Golden Ball CC are M. Charno 53, J. Patrick 49, J. Gabbatiss 35. The top three leading wicket takers are A. Whittingham 5-38, J. Gabbatiss 3-39, T. Wills 2-24.

Golden Ball CC vs Bradford CAMRA CC - 20 May 2007

Standing: Kev Scully, Mike Berry, Gary Millward, Tim Tatlioglu, Tim Wills, Whitty Whittingham, Alistair Cross.
Kneeling: Michael Charno, Pete Mitchell (c), Geoff Arnott (w/k), Pete Kilbane

Match Report by Whitty

Bootham Park hosted its first Golden Ball CC game of the season under bright sunshine for most of the afternoon. Stumps was delayed for around 15 minutes for the air ambulance to land and deliver a patient to the hospital. This gave the team an opportunity to gather their thoughts for the game plan and to take the team photo for the season. The two captains walked out to the wicket for the toss of the coin with both teams waiting tensely back at the pavilion for the outcome. Golden Ball CC were put into bat and moments later Mitchell (C) and Arnott walked out for the first time on home turf for the season. Coultous opened the bowling from the Asylum End against Mitchell who hit two fours from the first over. Clough, from the Shallow End, made an incisive breakthrough with his second ball, dismissing Arnott who misjudged a straight slower ball. Scully came in one down and held the end up whilst Mitchell attempted to hit out. However, this tactic failed as Mitchell was bowled by Coultous for 9.

Cross came in to bat and looked strong, playing some textbook straight defensive shots whilst Scully played some delightful shots with some beautiful footwork lining himself up with the pitch of the ball. However, Scully didn’t quite push through a lofted shot to mid-off which landed safely in the hands of the fielder for 8 runs off the bowling of Bredabs. Cue Charno. After one over facing Bredaus Charno had accrued a quick-fire 10, dispatching his first delivery high over long on and into the car park. Cross at the other end was bowled by Hoey for 3 and was replaced by a confident Tatlioglu. However, Charno’s innings was prematurely ended when his bails flew after he misread a straight ball attempting another home run [six]. His threat and fear that he struck into the hearts of his opponents was highlighted when the bowler, Boothroyd, waved him back to the pavilion. A very unsporting gesture, not in-keeping with the rest of his team’s excellent sportsmanship or the spirit of the game.

Whittingham came in at seven and was fortunate to escape his first ball with a single after he almost dragged the ball onto his own stumps. The ball crept past the otherwise clinical wicket keeper to leg slip. Tatlioglu and Whittingham had a very brief partnership with some quick singles picked up before Whittingham attempted a leg glance but was bowled for 3. Tatlioglu’s wicket fell shortly after being bowled by George for 4. Berry and Millward came in at the top of the tail and immediately walked back both having been dismissed by Boothroyd for ducks. Kilbane and Wills came in and Kilbane settled very quickly, playing some lovely shots and unluckily hitting just short of the boundary due to the length of the grass in the outfield. Wills at the other end played some well crafted defensive shots, waiting a week for the ball to drop from the sky and gently prodding it forward defensively. Kilbane was caught off the bowling of Boothroyd. This looked like the end of the innings with the Golden Ball CC having lost 10 wickets but Bradford CAMRA CC allowed a 12th batsman; the one who had hit the fewest runs. Arnott walked out to the crease again looking more composed and hit a few runs and backing up Wills who hit a huge six over deep square leg. Arnott then was unfortunate to end the Golden Ball CC innings after thundering a shot straight into the palms of one of the more senior fielders at short mid-wicket. At the mid point of the match Golden Ball CC had accumulated a paltry 79 all out. (Charno 28, Wills 10*)

After an extended tea break Golden Ball CC took to the field knowing that it was going to be tough to defend their 79 total. Wills opened from the Asylum End and was rewarded with a wicket after three balls, trapping Fawcett leg-before wicket for a duck. Millward from the Shallow End bowled very tightly and was rewarded by conceding not one run off the bat. Millward was replaced by Kilbane who bowled superbly finding the spot every time. Wills struck in his final over, bowling Holden for 5 meanwhile at the other end Kilbane was bowling maiden after maiden eventually going for four runs from five overs with three maidens. He took one wicket which was a nick by Taylor which was expertly caught by Arnott. Taylor very sportingly walked immediately which was greeted with gentlemanly applause by the fielding team. It was during Kilbane’s spell that the Golden Ball CC fielding was at its most flamboyant. Cross attempted to dive to stop a shot to long-on but in doing so caused a 4.2 Richter Scale earthquake which dislodged roof tiles on Gillygate, causing the road to be closed for several hours. Whittingham dropped Taylor at silly mid-off but then made up for it by single-handedly stopping a powerful drive then holding his Adonis-like body in a threatening pose ready for a direct hit. Canadian Berry was brought on from the Asylum End and bowled well spurred on by the support from the wicketkeeper including the morale-boosting politically-correct positive encouragement ‘Come on Mike! Just imagine his stumps are maple syrup. Or a bison.’

After this spell of bowling pressure Charno was brought on from the Asylum End with Whittingham replacing Kilbane from the Shallow End. Both Whittingham and Charno bowled tightly and accurately before an injury to Sicknote Arnott’s finger forced a deep-freeze break. This break disrupted the bowler’s rhythm with Whittingham in particular struggling to relocate his radar. He did however bowl Wilkinson for eight with an excellent straight delivery having rattled him previously with a bouncer which pitched outside leg then viciously cut back in clearing the stumps and the batsman around head height. Mitchell brought himself on from the Asylum End and bowled two overs and brought Scully on from the Shallow End. Scully, electing to bowl from 25 yards, bowled tightly but the score for Bradford CAMRA CC to chase was simply too few and with the extras totalling 39 Bradford CAMRA CC beat Golden Ball CC by three runs with six wickets remaining.
(Wills 2-10 off 5, Millward 0-8 off 4, Kilbane 1-4 off 5, Berry 0-16 off 3, Charno 0-3 off 4, Whittingham 1-11 off 4, Mitchell 0-8 off 2, Scully 0-6 off 0.5)

The third innings was completed in the Golden Ball afterwards with a lovely spread of quiche, sandwiches and pork pies washed down with plenty of ale. Bradford CAMRA CC left to return home and left some of the Golden Ball team musing over which hats to order from the catalogue. Most of the team had a short third innings however Charno, Cross, Whittingham, Tatlioglu and Cocker managed to stay at the crease. However, the inexperience showed as Charno, Cross, Whittingham and Tatlioglu retired hurt leaving Cocker at the crease at 11*.

Rose and Crown CC vs Golden Ball CC - 13 May 2007

Match Report by Whitty Whittingham

In a game played in excellent spirit and in a manner these two teams have been accustomed to playing, the match was drawn after rain stopped play.

After a week of fair weather the forecast was not promising for the opening fixture of the Golden Ball cricket season. However, there was an air of optimism as the team gathered outside the pavilion at Heslington. Rose and Crown won the toss and elected to bat on a damp wicket.

Andy Hellewell opened the bowling from the Wilderness End and went for a modest 14 off the opening over. Tom Fremlin, from the Halifax End equalled these figures with the Rose and Crown opening pair settling into their innings comfortably. Nad Sadiq was fortunate to be dropped by Pete Mitchell after skying a Hellewell delivery to mid-on. Mitchell brought himself on from the Halifax End in a tactical switch which paid off, slowing the run-rate to around 10 runs per over. The weather conspired against the bowlers who were struggling to find rhythm and unable to develop pace due to the slippery creases. Judi Paul was brought on from the Halifax End but struggled to beat the batsmen although his figures were not helped when the big-hitting opener uncharacteristically tickled one towards extra cover where Hellewell dropped him [he absolutely smashed the ball as hard as he could and Andy bravely/stupidly stopped a certain boundary with the tip of his finger, breaking it in doing so].

The weather was closing in after around 10 overs but the score was already in triple figures thanks in part to some gargantuan sixes; one cut past deep fine leg and another hitting the Hubble Telescope before landing somewhere near Fulford Golf Course. Michael Charno was brought on to replace Judi and bamboozled the batsmen with his textbook action, however, rain stopped play just as Whitty Whittingham was about to start bowling from the Wilderness End.

Spirits were high in the Golden Ball dressing room with the players confident that they would be able to knock off the projected score of 1300 runs and be in the pub in time to watch Sheffield United get relegated.

It was agreed that the overs would be reduced to 25 and after a short intermission Whitty resumed with Jack “Rooney” Gabbatiss from the Halifax End. Whitty was slightly more economical, going for just 5 off his first over. In his second over the batsman almost dragged the ball on to his stumps on the first delivery and eventually fell to the superbly pitched ball which he pulled from around his ears to square leg where he was caught by Charno. The crowd went wild. Gabbatiss, at the other end, bowled superbly well in worsening conditions and was rewarded with two wickets; one bowled and one superbly caught by Neil Grady at deep mid-wicket. Whitty finished his spell by dismissing a middle order batsman who top-edged one which was caught by Judi Paul, replacing Gabbatiss behind the stumps. Charno and Fremlin came back on and demolished the middle order; Charno sending Rose skipper Surge's bails flying with a superb yorker, Fremlin ripping the middle stump out and then setting Grady up for the catch of the day.

The Rose and Crown, visibly shaken by this bowling masterclass, managed to see out their overs with few runs taken. The bowlers finished with Hellewell 0-44 off 4, Fremlin 2-14 off 3, Mitchell 0-21 off 2, Judi 0-42 off 4, Charno 1-40 off 4, Whittingham 2-13 off 4, Gabbitas 3-18 off 4.

After a fine tea break, with garlic bread and cake, Mitchell and Judi padded up and walked out of the pavilion into much heavier rain. The fielders changed round as quickly as they could between overs with Judi getting some unconventional warmth by snuggling up to the umpire. Both batsmen hit out but struggled to find boundaries with the outfield being completely flooded with standing water. After some lazy trotting between the wickets [sensible, cautious tip-toeing so as not to injure themselves] the umpires and captains decided to end the farce with Mitchell on 17* and Judi on 14* and continue the innings in the pub.

The rain certainly came to the rescue of the Rose and Crown who were facing a humiliating beating by a Golden Ball team that looked sharp and incisive in the field and intimidating with the bat and ball. All in all a good fun, if not bloody cold and wet, day out was had by all. Best wishes to Andy for a speedy recovery.

First Game of the Season

Well, the rain did stop. Sunday morning dawned bright and breezy and it all looked very positive until fifteen minutes before the scheduled start. It began with a smattering of drizzle, which we confidently predicted would blow over quickly. It didn't. In fact, it's still raining now, almost 24 hours later.

We started the game anyway. I lost the toss and was condemned to fielding. It's not really that the opposition chose to bat, it's more that they chose to get wet two at a time rather than all at once. Although the game didn't go the full distance, there were positives to take away: Some fine bowling in testing conditions from Messrs Hellewell, Gabbatiss, Whittingham, Fremlin and Charno; Great commitment in the field, particularly from the Brothers Cross; A pair of brave cold-handed catches by Neil Grady; A soggy cameo with the bat featuring some lustily-clumped boundaries from Judi Paul and I. The day's most unfortunate incident was Andy Hellewell's bloody and broken finger, resulting from a courageous attempt to catch a tracer-bullet cut shot from Nad Sadiq.

So we got soaked, fell over and spent more time than we'd have liked plodging about in muddy fields looking for the ball. Yet through all this, the team spirit never flagged once. The smiles and banter kept coming all afternoon and I have to admit that in a weird way I had a good time.

Full match report to follow.