The Future Looks Bright....

So, do you really think you will be able to beat this lot in ten years time? No, nor do I.

Sixes Tournament 2005 (I think!)

Johnny Barron receives the Sixes trophy from House Manager Steffi and David Horler.

Players listening intently to David Horler's speech.

The victorious Cafe de Paris who deservedly took the trophy.

Mark Cadbury (left) and David Horler leave the field of play holding hands!

Messrs Nicholson, Barber, Boulton & Sinfield take it easy.

The one and only Rupert Cloak leaves this fine image as a testament to his short, but unforgettable cricketing career!

Club Dinner - February 2009

The Annual Babington House Cricket Club Dinner is something of an institution eagerly awaited by the Members every year. Past events have been characterized by an assault on the bars' cocktail menu although Expresso Martini's now seem to have become the Club's drink of choice. Our own version includes a liberal splash of Bailey's which gives a velvet-like texture as well as an extra kick only fully realised the following morning.

18 Club Members gathered in the House's ultra-cool Log Room complete with roaring fire casting flickering shadows across the sparkling mirrors and brushed steel lampshades. Intimate and seductive, the atmosphere crackled with the cutting wit of Messrs. Mark Cadbury and James Mackenzie who clearly use the event as an excuse to transport themselves back to their obviously public school days! Poor Phil de Glanville, he of England rugby fame, seemed to bore the brunt of Cadbury's sledgehammer approach to humour.

Now in our tenth year, the Club is glued together by an innate respect shared by all the players regardless of age or ability. The passion we share for both the great game and the Club we are creating is palpable and ensures the spirit of the evening is wonderfully positive and inspiring. We are a Club without cliques, hidden agenda's or tittle-tattle. The players know we are blessed with a wonderful opportunity to build a Club of longevity for the common good of those who don the whites, their families and, essentially, the children who wish to learn the traditions and nuances of the game.

It is against this rarefied backdrop, that Club Chairman Michael Nicholson leads proceedings. Mike has a delightful touch as master of ceremonies and his printed out statistics lovingly prepared through the winter months are devoured over glasses of bubbly. Before dinner is served, anecdotes are shared as we take our places. Matt Ellis, our most dedicated of Fixture Secretaries, reads out the itinerary for the coming summer and we are all delighted to have a match against Wiltshire Queries scheduled for early May. The illustrious Free Foresters have agreed to play an All Day game which promises to be a great challenge for us all. Matt's pivotal role has been instrumental in the Club's progression and he is warmly thanked by us all for his sterling efforts.

After a feast of roast beef or fish, apple crumble and a cheese board with a Chernobyl-like pungency, the highlight of the evening is of course the Awards. There were numerous candidates for each coveted engraved glass tankard and trophy, but in the end, we rewarded those who demonstrated both cricketing prowess and that little extra something that mirrors the spirit of the Club. The winners and other nominations are listed below:

Player of the Year - Jonathon Boulton
Also Commended Andrew Standon McDougal

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Batsman of the Year - Mark Meadows
Also Commended Mike Sherring, Jonathon Boulton & Nick Sinfield.

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Bowler of the Year - Andrew Standon McDougal
Also Commended Andrew Jolliffe, Nick Wigzell, Chris Player & Rioh Alexander
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Special Award - Nicola Player

For her dedicated support of the Club and for being Mum to two of our most exciting and charming young players, Chris and Jeremy with whom she is pictured with her husband, Mark.

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Champagne Moment - Nick Wigzell
Nick, not known for his catching ability let alone in the slips, took a blinding one-handed catch off the express bowling of James 'Rocket' Stephenson against The Strollers. Bothamesque, the catch was truly outstanding and made all the more remarkable as he had never ever fielded in the slips before this one particular ball. Mobbed by the rest of the team, none of us will ever see a better catch and it was fitting that the Champers went to one of the genuinely nicest blokes around and a founding member of the Club. Nick, we collectively applaud and thank you.

There were many other highlights of the season recounted over the metaphorical port; Boulton's dance on the lawn after defeating the Free Foresters, Cadbury's fitst-ball six into the trees, Mackenzie's five dropped catches in one afternoon, Sherring's batting, Sinfield's boundary catch, Ed Weale's devastating spell of swing bowling, Chris Player and Rioh Alexander's bowling against the FF and Chester Ellis' first wickets for the Club against Mells. The list is endless and illustrates just how much the season means to all of us. Great achievements and great memories.

As ever, the evening ended in the bar with wistful thoughts of the forthcoming summer. Of course it will be a scorcher and the pitch will be laden with runs, England will win the Ashes and we will give the Free Foresters another thrashing! All in the future, but one thing is certain, the Club will continue to flourish as the commitment and the devotion of those present at the 2009 dinner presents a genuine tour de force.

Thanks to one and all for a lovely evening as ever.

The Spirit of Babington House CC

Sixes Tournament 2006

Winners - Babington A
L to R - Mark Cadbury, Chris Player, Andrew Standen McDougal, Andrew Pinnell, Adrian Leng & Michael Nicholson.

A victorious Adrian Leng being photographed by Matt Ellis.

Mark and Jack Cadbury being photographed by Matt Ellis.

David Horler (drinking), Michael Nicholson (left), Adrian Leng (right), Chris Player & Andrew Pinnell in the background.

Tappers - 20th June 2004

A strong looking Tappers team arrived at Babington from London on a sunny day if threatened by the odd dark cloud. Tappers elected to bat first on a wicket livened by a light shower and got off to a brisk start against the combined family attack that is Nick & Jack Wigzell. Nick went for ten off his first over but Jack made the breakthrough having Griffith caught at short mid-off. Turner and Roberts brought up the 50 in the tenth over, before the latter was bowled by Nick attempting one pull too many.

The innings turned with the introduction of Gerry Copsey from the top end and he mixture of genuine, flight, guile and experience soon changed the tempo of the match, Beaven was bowled playing down the proverbial Bakerloo and the free-scoring Turner was dismissed by probably the best moment of cricket in the match. Having creamed Copsey for four, the bowler held his nerve to float the next delivery higher and slower inducing a full-blooded lofted drive; the ball was propelled vertically miles in the air and a rock-like Nicholson never looked like dropping it.

Harry Fentum was clapped to the wicked be it in funereal fashion and didn’t stay long as Copsey bowled him with an “arm ball” – allegedly! Andrew Jolliffe picked up the wicket of Ruxton but the champagne moment of the match was reserved for Copsey. Another floted delivery deceived Wijeratna in the flight inducing a checked drive to Copsey’s left; the bowler dived, extended his arm and the ball lodged unerringly in his open hand.

Potter got rid of Neate and a chaotic run out left the stage set for Copsey to bag his five week haul when he had Brittan well-held by Burridge. A target of 145 seemed under par and Babington took tea in expectant mood.

The innings got off to a poor start when Boulton was castled early on, but Nicholson, in fine form, and Pinnell, not in any form, took the score to 40 odd before the latter was ‘plumb’ LBW. Croucher pulled his first ball into the wheat field and proceeded to crash 37 including two more sixes and three fours giving the innings much-needed impetus. David Horler was equally aggressive and saw the total to 116 for 5 – no panic obviously.

Babington though have a curious knack of making the simple seem impossible and wickets began to tumble; Croucher, Jolliffe and Nick Wigzell departed in quick succession and Copsey was unlucky to be caught at mid-off from a stinging drive. Six runs were needed with Potter, seriously bruised hand, and Jack Wigzell at the crease. Jack showed wonderful calmness and his forward defensive strokes were technically superb as he resisted the Tappers thoughts of victory. Potter, unflappable, encouraged him and a couple of singles left four needed for victory.

Brittan hurtled in from the top end and let fly and wild delivery which sped down the hill for four byes earning Babington a famous victory by 1 wicket. The closeness of the match was fitting as the game was played in a tremendous spirit with both teams content to enjoy the lovely surroundings and the simple joy of playing cricket on a Sunday afternoon.

Mells - 13th June 2004

This was yet another tight match which went right to the wire – the last three balls, in fact. Simon Potter drew the short straw and had a bit of a nightmare getting a team together. In the end, we fielded a combination of six Babington members, one U13 from Frome and four Downside pupils, including a couple of extremely handy South African cricket scholars.

Mells turned up with a much stronger line-up than the one we bowled out last year for 87. We batted first, which was just as well because Garfield rang to say he would be late. Apparently, he’d tried to roast an oven glove instead of the chicken and was having to make tea for half the Somerset Fire Brigade. Nigel Lewis opened with Matt Warriner, one of the SA ringers, and they were pinned down by some accurate bowling. After the first ten overs, four of which were maidens, we’d made only 23.

Then the runs started to flow: Nigel began to time the ball and Matt was clearly a classy bat, falling finally for 34 to a sharp caught and bowled. Nigel was run out for 41 by a throw from the outfield which not only hit the stumps but also broke one of them, and Nick Sinfield thumped a huge six before he skied another and was caught. Ollie Mellotte, skipper of Downside firsts, looked like he was heading for a big score before he was unluckily run out backing up after the bowler managed to get his finger tips on straight drive by Andrew Gilfillan at the other end.

Andrew continued to push the score along with some timely boundaries, as did Garfield, but out total of 158 never looked like being enough.We also had injury problems. Simon Potter, fresh from a lunch engagement, came on as sub for Nick Sinfield, who had been struggling manfully with a painful hamstring.

However, the transfusion of young blood into our bowling attack raised hopes and we started with tight, accurate spells. Mells were 11 for 3 off 11, with their most dangerous bat, skipper J Seviour, already back in the hutch after hammering a straight drive and being caught one-handed by yours truly. Dayne Naidoo, the other cricket scholar, removed their number four with his first delivery (a wrong’un) and at that point we thought a win was definitely on the cards. But their middle order contained some hard hitters and we spilled a couple of difficult chances in the deep.

They needed nine off the last over and I’m afraid to say I probably bowled too straight, allowing their number nine to hit two sixes in a row to win the match.By now, most of you will have heard about the debacle in the bar after the match. To try and avoid this happening again – viz the embarrassment of a visiting team being told they can have one drink and then leave – we’re asking match managers to check with bar staff during tea that a sudden influx of cricketers around 7-7.30 pm is not going to cause problems. If the answer is yes, then we could suggest they draw off a certain number of jugs of lager/ beer/cider before we arrive and add it to the tea tab. Alternatively, if the bar is likely to be as crowded with, say, shy and retiring footie supporters, as it was last Sunday, then we might decide to go instead to a nearby pub, such as the Vobster Inn. We could try The Talbot, but that might depend on how Mells CC react in the next couple of days.

The Deverills - 6th June 2004

Spare a thought for Giles Pritchett.

Giles who? He’s the Deverills No3 who almost had to be helped off the field after hitting a strength-sapping 156 in the blazing sun – and who still ended up on the losing side. Cricket’s a funny old game, as Mrs T might have said.

This was the second match in a row where the odd-on favourite limped in last and what seemed an impossible climb ended up as a stroll in the park.The only sure bet was that it was going to be a run fest. Groundsman Clive Hamblin had produced an absolute belter, the kind of true-bounce featherbed that makes bowlers feel sick (thanks, Clive). Jonathan Boulton, the man with the golden hands and dodgy knees, who cruised back into our lives with a typically cultured but muscular 46, put it in the same league as the pitches he played on at Cambridge.

Deverills skipper Tony Child said it was the best strip he’d seen in years. Matt Ellis won the toss and chose to field because we seem to be better at chasing than defending. It turned out to be a wise choice. We were already one bowler light and then Nick Sinfield pulled a hamstring and couldn’t use up his allotted seven, although he fought through the pain to continue fielding. We got an early breakthrough when their opener fended at a couple before drilling a catch straight to Tom Ellis at mid-off in the first over. He was followed soon after by his partner, who failed to get back into his crease and fell to the first of three lightning stumpings by Mike Rowen.

Then in came Pritchett, fresh from a hundred for Warminster the previous day, and it turned into a one-man show. Spinners Andrew Gilfillan and last-minute recruit Bill Harris managed to get some turn on the dry and dusty track but Pritchett was unstoppable until he ran out of steam just before the end. Bill was the man who bagged him, and followed it with another stumping next ball. He almost got a hat trick when his third delivery found an edge and bounced off the batsman’s head.

Deverills had amassed an intimidating 242 off 35 overs, so no prizes for guessing which was the chirpier side at tea. It later turned out they suspected it might not be enough but a required rate of almost 7 an over was still a hugely daunting task. It required a positive start but no one was prepared for the onslaught mounted by Mike Nicholson and Jonathan, who both found the middle of the bat from the off. They didn’t so much rough up a mediocre attack as kick seven shades of shit out of it. By the time Jonathan was caught at cover in the eleventh over, he was only four short of his 50 and we’d made 85.

Worse was to come for Deverills, however, because next man in was Mike Rowen, whose Strauss-like average for Babington stood at 123 (previous stats: 106 not out and 17). Even those who have had the pleasure of watching the likes of Pinnell, Cadbury, Boulton and Standen McDougal have to admit that no one hits the ball harder or further than Mike and this innings was an exhilarating display of power and clean hitting. Mike Nicholson stayed with him until he dragged a wide ball onto his stumps, having made a fine 59, and he was joined by Bill Harris, who could only watch in wonder from the other end.

They shared an unbroken partnership of 82 and Bill’s contribution was three. The highpoint was Mike’s three straight sixes in four balls, the last of which took him past the hundred mark. His acceleration took everyone by surprise: at 169 off 24, it still looked tight but we made it with five overs to spare. Mike was 116 not out at the end. No prizes for guessing which was the chirpier side in the bar.

Just for the record: Highest individual score on this ground: 156

Second highest total of runs scored in a match: 486 (highest v Mells, 2002: 501)

Highest batting average, Mike Rowen: 239 (?)

The Griffin Inn - 23rd May 2004

First, apologies for not writing a match report last week. I did suggest delegating reports to match managers last year but that idea got an underwhelming response and was binned after Cadbury filed an arcane biblical piece on the Forest Irregulars game, written partly in aramaic.

So you’re stuck with me until someone else puts their hand up and, when it feels like a chore, I’m just not going to bother. There: I’ve said it.This week, however, it’s an absolute joy. Babington last won a match at the end of August 2003 and it was starting to feel like we’d lost our winning ways.

Last week was frustrating because we’d posted a respectable score (185) but just failed to defend it, with Ditcheat scraping home with two balls to spare. Yesterday’s game was one of the closest and most exciting that I can remember. We won against the odds, which made the victory all the sweeter – and it’s always a pleasure to give the Griffin a good kicking, lovely lads though they are.

They chose to bat on a hard, baked strip that’s probably seen more sun than Stringfellow. The omens didn’t look good when the Pullan brothers both opened their accounts with boundaries and Nigel Lewis’s first two balls bounced twice. However he soon found his length and was hitting the gloves with a healthy thwack and Wigzell senior had David caught behind, but only after Matt Ellis tried juggling the ball to show off his glove-work.

Wigzell junior cut James in half with one that both swung and seamed and then had him caught off a skier. Their number three, a hard-hitter with a good eye and a charmed life, was the man who did most of the damage, although he had trouble coping with Andrew Gilfillan’s leg-breaks. He lost partners along the way – Andrew Jolliffe’s hooping in-swinger that did for their number six was a beauty – but he’d made 60 by the time Garfield Austin finally bowled him. Their total of 204 off 35 overs seemed well beyond our reach.

On paper, we were not a strong batting side and things looked even bleaker when the Griffin struck early. First to go was Mark Cadbury, batting with a runner after tweaking his knee in the field. He was looking good until one cut back and made a mess of his stumps. He was followed shortly after by Nigel, who was just settling in when he was undone by a yorker. We were 27 for 2 off 8 and it didn’t look good.

However, appearances can be deceptive, as the Griffin found out when Andrew Gilfillan walked to the crease. Their slip took one look at his battered floppy hat and glasses and marked him down as a rabbit. We made the same mistake last week over the guy with the cockatoo crop. Andrew started to hit the ball powerfully and, with Mike Nicholson continuing his good form at the other end, the two laid the foundations for an unlikely assault. When Mike was out for 39 we still needed more than 8 runs an over; it couldn’t be done – could it?

Matt Ellis joined Andrew and together proceeded to lash the bowling all over the park. Both hit towering sixes and crashing fours but particularly impressive was their aggressive running. They put the Griffin under constant pressure and the wheels started to come off. Catches were dropped, overthrows conceded and tempers frayed as it gradually dawned on them that the impossible might happen. When Andrew was finally out, bowled for 92, we still needed 21 off three; the balance had swung in our favour but there was still drama to come.

David Horler came in and made a quickfire 15 but then Matt was caught for 36 off the second ball of the last over. Bit of a nightmare for Andrew Jolliffe, who was next in and had been pacing up and down like an expectant father. Two more singles and the scores were level but the teams started to come off because they thought it was all over. Back they went and the winning run was a scrambled bye off the last ball. It just doesn’t get any better than that.This was definitely Andrew Gilfillan’s day – a superb innings made under extreme pressure which turned the game on its head – but he had fantastic support from both Mike and Matt. Mike also took two fine catches, one of which knocked him off his feet, and Andrew Jolliffe had an excellent match, taking two wickets and two catches, including a tough one in the deep.

Wylye Valley - 2nd May 2004

Wylye Valley are usually Babington bunnies. In fact, it was back in the last century when Wylye Valley Wanderers, to use their proper title, beat us for the first and only time. It was also BHCC’s first real match and Wylye won thanks partly to a fresh-faced lad by the name of Cadbury, who hit a cavalier 48 and took two wickets.

How times have changed. Yesterday Wylye, as an American friend of mine would put it, cleaned our clock. We were lucky to get a game in at all, given the recent bad weather, and the heavy rain had left the pitch soft and damp. Groundsman Clive Hamblin had done a terrific repair job after some members had played football on the outfield the day before and had apparently brought a herd of cows to watch. Thanks, guys.

Adrian Leng and his team, bolstered with a one or two new faces, were clearly pumped up and determined to win. We batted first and it was a struggle from the start. The pitch was slow and low, the bowling was tight and accurate and it took us 12 overs to reach 20. By that time, Matt Ellis had finally lost patience and was caught in the gully chasing a wide one, and Mike Nicholson, who began how he left off last season, lost his stumps to a jaffa from David Leng.

Gordon Croucher was going really well until he drilled one back at Adrian Leng, who decided to catch it rather than wear it, and Andrew Pinnell was so surprised to get a straight ball in an over of wides that he missed it.Andrew Standen MacDougal bravely agreed to bat despite a bruised back and briefly reminded us what we had missed last year, but after that we just faded away. We were all out for 101, eight overs short of the allotted 40.

It was always going to be tough to defend such a small total and we were probably a couple of seamers short, but at 50 for 2 off 15 there was a glimmer of a chance. An over later, Mark removed the No 4 with his “quicker one” and then Andrew Pinnell bowled a full toss at their lanky opener, who top-edged it into his face and had to retire hurt on 42. A couple more quick wickets and it might have been a different story, but skied shots either didn’t go to hand or were dropped and Julian Matthews decided to break the habit of a lifetime and score some runs at Babington.

It wasn’t one of our better days and Wylye ran out worthy winners by six wickets. And the Champagne Moment? No one could seem to think of one, although my favourite was the animal-loving Wylye fielder who failed to stop a four because he ran round a family of ducks on the boundary. There’s a cricket joke in there somewhere, but frankly . . . .

Forest Irregulars - 7th Sept. 2008

Our last match of the year was unusual for a number of reasons.

First, there was the reappearance of The Invisible Man. All season, rumours had been rife about our chairman, Mike Nicholson, and why he had failed to don his whites. There were stories about a pile of clothes left on a beach, a canoeing accident and even unconfirmed sightings in Australia. Occasionally, an email purporting to be from Michael would arrive, written in that familiar blue text, but he remained elusive. So it was with a mixture of delight and relief that we watched that familiar figure making his way towards the pavilion, clutching the usual bag of surplus cricket jerseys.

On the pitch, it was a bit of a bloodbath: one Forest Irregular split his lip when the ball hit him in the face as he dived forward for a catch, and another broke a nail – a particularly nasty injury which refused to stop bleeding, even when his finger was encased in ice. The home side didn’t escape unscathed: Andrew Pinnell suffered a bruised hand and Ed Alexander had to leave the field at one point, suffering the after-effects of food poisoning from the night before.

Even more unexpected was that Pinnell, normally the safest pair of hands in the West (see above), dropped three catches, two of them off successive balls (sorry: had to mention that because it was off my ‘bowling’), and Jonathan Boulton, one of the most urbane men in cricket, showed mild dissent at an lbw decision.

But perhaps the most surprising thing about the match was that it took place at all. Somehow, while people in South Wales were being dragged from their drowned homes by rescue teams in boats, groundsman Clive Hamblin managed to prepare a strip in between torrential downpours. Our opponents couldn’t believe how good the pitch looked, given the conditions, and declared it better than most tracks Cheltenham CC had played on this year.

So, on an overcast afternoon, brightened by occasional blasts of hot sunshine, Pinnell won the toss for a record tenth time in a row and, as usual, chose to bat. Ed Alexander, who fielded like a demon during the Free Foresters match but didn’t get a chance to bat or bowl, looked mildly startled when he was asked to open with Jonathan Boulton but exuded confidence from the word go. Jonathan, still glowing from his Free Foresters triumph, carried on from where he left off and made his intentions clear with a four and a six off consecutive balls in the third over.

The bowling was friendly but boundaries were hard to come by on an outfield too wet to cut during the previous week. Several times batsmen took a leisurely first run after a well-struck drive or pull, only to have to sprint a second as the ball plugged or stopped well short of the line. Jonathan survived an assassination attempt by Andrew Jolliffe, who gave him out leg before despite a faint bottom-edge. Jonathan was visibly disappointed and the Irregulars sportingly called him back. Ed fell to a good diving catch by Mark Guest and was replaced by Ben Tollworthy, who looked in good nick before Guest bowled him a beauty which moved six inches off the pitch.

Nicholson began in his usual no-nonsense style, going for his shots, but struggled to time the ball; not surprising, considering this was his first innings for almost exactly a year. Only two runs had been added before Jonathan, forced to go the aerial route, was caught in the deep by the ubiquitous Guest, having made a typically elegant 42.From here on, Mike anchored the innings, securing one end and scampering quick singles like a man half his age (many of the fielders WERE half his age) and sharing excellent partnerships with two fine shotmakers. The first of these was Richard Waters, a Babington member making his club debut, who quickly showed his class with a succession of textbook strokes. Initially pinned down by that man Guest again, he started to score freely and had raced to 32 with a succession of boundaries when he was smartly stumped by – yes, you’ve guessed it – Guest, who had swapped places with keeper Luke Sellars.

The fact that Mark Meadows was next in at number six speaks volumes about the depth of our batting these days. Anyone who saw his chanceless, unbeaten 77 against the Tappers in June will be familiar with his style – classically correct with a full, flowing, follow-through – and this was another masterclass in how to bat on a damp, slow wicket. He peppered the boundary with sixes and fours and one shot in particular, when he was beaten in the flight but used his feet to clip the ball effortlessly through midwicket, had Pinnell purring with pleasure. By the time he was bowled for 59, the damage had been done: he had shared a 91-run stand with Mike and we had amassed 204 off 35 overs. Mike was 37 not out which, as the number-cruncher who compiles our stats, he must have found doubly gratifying.

Perhaps it was the size of the tea, but the Irregulars made a disappointing fist of chasing a fairly challenging total. Wigzell did his level best to give them a head start by sending down more than his usual quota of leg-side full tosses but the openers seemed unable to take full advantage. Jolliffe didn’t help matters by taking two wickets in his first over, bamboozling the batsmen with his hooping swing and metronomic line and length. Luke Sellars, who hit a hundred here a few years ago, was out for a duck and Lewis, the only Irregular to reach double figures, was run out by Jeremy Player, who hit the stumps with only one to aim at.

Then Chris Player came on, did a Jolliffe by taking two wickets in his first over, and that was pretty much that. It was even too late to bring back Wigzell to let them score a few: by this time he’d exceeded his allocation of seven and technically forfeited the match. The batsmen who remained certainly didn’t enjoy Ben Tollworthy steaming in down the hill and, perhaps fittingly, it was Jonathan who wrapped things up with his perfectly-flighted spin. At least the bowlers could celebrate with some extraordinary figures: Jolliffe 3 for 6 off 7; Chris Player 3 for 6 off 3.

Man of the Match

Mark Meadows (59 and three catches)

Champagne Moment of the Match

Mike Nicholson’s smile as he left the field on 37 not out

Wylde Oats - 29th June 2008

Babington won an enthralling match by 23 runs in a 35 overs game against the Wylde Oats on a sunny, but blustery afternoon with some claiming they could hear the noise from Glastonbury on the wind. Having witnessed Amy Winehouse on the box the previous evening, this would have seriously put off most of us but the festival weekend added to a party atmosphere throughout the day (and night Mr. Wigzell!).

Fielding a strong team, Pinnell had no hesitation in batting first despite the distinctly two-paced nature of the wicket and by that I mean, slow and very slow. No matter, Mark Meadows and Jonathon Boulton effortlessly put on twenty for the first wicket before the former was given out Lbw by the ever-willing Mark Player standing at the Jolliffe end. Pinnell heard mutterings under the thespians breath as they crossed paths and mused on the irony of his exit - stage left.

Boulton looked in fine form as ever after yet another Eddy Merckx-like arrival at the ground resplendent in fluorescent garb and striking red helmet. Pinnell at the other end was slowly remembering what it is like to stay at the crease for more than five minutes although splitting his trusty Newberry had more to do with a lack of timing than the bats imperfection. The pair survived various dropped catches to put on seventy combining watchful defence with the occasional whack to the boundary.

Rupert Gouriet was bowling exceptionally well from the Wigzell end mixing line and length deliveries with a beautifully disguised slower ball which ultimately accounted for Boulton caught at the wicket. A feathered edge was enough for ‘uber man’ to walk even though umpire and bowler were both in some doubt. Enter Andrew Standen McDougal nursing a hangover but he was soon into his stride hitting powerfully mostly to leg.

Pinnell was finally caught at mid-wicket and Matt Ellis joined A.S.M and the pair rattled off a fifty partnership in no time. The latter hit four towering sixes on his way to an excellent half century before Ellis holed out going for quick runs. Andrew followed in similar fashion and it was left to Ben Tollworthy and Mark Cadbury to take the score beyond 200. Mark danced down the pitch to hit his first ball for a mighty six high over long-on while Ben’s innings, uncharacteristically comprised just singles and twos knackering an increasingly flushed Cadbury in the process.

Tea followed unusually on the front lawn where I have to question Boulton’s project management skills; while orchestrating the serving of the actual tea something got lost in translation between slightly confused Polish waitresses unfamiliar with English etiquette and JB’s desire to for maximum ‘time and motion-like’ efficiency . Crockery was being dispatched hither and tither and even the moving of tables was muted at one point! Regardless, we enjoyed the feast basking in lovely sunshine surrounded by quizzical hotel guests many attending a Christening and others returning from Glasto. The juxtaposition of cricket whites, ladies in best frocks and others in wellies provided a contrast to behold.

In the absence of a poorly Andrew Jolliffe, James ‘Rocket’ Stephenson took the new ball with Nick Wigzell and their differing styles soon had the Wylde Oats languishing at 37 for 3. Rockets’ pace and accuracy was a joy to behold and he deservedly had two Lbw decisions affirmed in a seven over spell that conceded just nine runs. Captain Richard Buxton was run out by a brilliant piece of fielding by (Jonty) Wigzell before ‘Buzz’ Hornett (brilliant) and Gouriet began their respective innings circumspectly.

Seeing off the opening pair, they slowly began to accelerate with 125 required off the final fifteen overs. Buzz drove ferociously over long-off while Rupert displayed a penchant for the square cut. Chris Player took the initial brunt perhaps unfairly bowling three overs up the hill, but he showed great maturity returning later having changed ends. Andrew Standen McDougal took the pressure with Ben Tollworthy as both batsmen began attacking with gusto. The field was pushed back and each and every one of the Babington team stood-up to the ensuing onslaught superbly. Great stops, accurate throwing and relentless encouragement intensified the pressure on both batsmen as the need to score at eight an over took its toll.

Hats off to Andrew and Ben who bowled undaunted and sooner or later something had to give. Almost inevitably, both Buzz and Rupert were run out and each dismissal involved Jonathon behind the stumps. Firstly, his quick thinking saw off Rupert backing up too far and then his direct hit did the same for Buzz. The partnership yielded 115 runs and both batted beautifully.
With their departure, Babington breathed a sigh of relief and there were deserved wickets for Andrew and Chris as the Oats reached 180 for 7. Despite winning by 25 runs, the result was in doubt until Buzz’s dismissal and the spoils of victory were all the more sweeter having been involved in a real battle.

Ultimately, Babington’s collective spirit was the difference between the sides, but we thank the Wylde Oats for giving us a wonderful match. We returned to the lawn for lively chatter over a few jugs of an alcoholic nature, although there was plenty of the other variety on view too. Spain won the football and live coverage from Glastonbury followed, entertaining the stragglers over a mixture of cocktails and cider.

In the words of Lou Reed, “just a perfect day”.

Babington Man of the Match
Andrew Standen McDougall for a great knock and timely bowling spell.

Wylde Oats Man of the Match
Rupert Gouriet for a fighting half century and testing six overs with the ball.

Champagne Moments
Mark Cadbury’s first ball six smashed over the road.
JB’s run out of Buzz Hornett – someone mentioned Eric Bristow!

Cafe de Paris - 11th Aug 2008

Slate grey skies and sheets of rain on the wind blowing across the pitch did not deter Jonathon Boulton or Michael Sherring who rattled along at almost ten an over for much of their opening partnershiop against Johnny Barron’s Café de Paris. In truth the bowling was ‘mixed’ and JB was particularly sever on anything that enabled him to pull to leg. Indeed, he hit five sixes, most into the corn field, during an innings of 95 only denied a deserved century by the decision to change the game to a 20/20.

Sherring was his usual muscular self, toying with the bowling and effortlessly milking the strike until he was bowled off his pads by Giles Williams – a guest of Giles Lunt who ended up guesting for de Paris – if you know what I mean. From hereon in Boulton dominated the innings and his timing was incredible given the slow, soggy pitch. Driving with great power and no little finesse, Boulton was at his ‘uber best’ as he almost single-handily took the score beyond 150.

Nick Sinfield was disconsolate at being given out leg before after a few lusty blows and, much to the amusement of Mark Cadbury, Phil de Glanville was bowled for 1 and Matt Ellis castled by a pearler first bowl, both to the persevering bowler who’s name could be Marcus or Marks depending on which column of the scorebook you believe. Debutant Rioh Alexander and Jeremy Player tried in vain to assist Boulton reach a century, but the innings ended on a credible 168 for five after 20 overs.

Barron’s winter bravado evaporated as the visitors pedestrian reply effectively batted Café de Paris out of the game. Chris Player bowled gun-barrel straight down the hill whilst Ed Weale thrilled us all with four overs of excellent swing bowling. He knocked over both openers in a spell of 2-12 culminated by two maidens and the wicket of Khan with his last ball. Chris too knocked over two batsmen including the stylish Giles Lunt in four overs that conceded just 14.

With the game in the bag, we mixed up the bowling and kept the field in inviting de Paris to at least make a token gesture at chasing the runs. With Barron still in the hutch with his pads on, obviously intimidated by the prospect of facing Jack Cadbury and Rioh Alexander, de Paris mustered little more than a hundred between them.

A special mention to both Jack Cadbury and Rioh who bowled superbly against good batsmen and troubled them all. Rioh is an excellent addition to the club and he and his brother Ed, are both playing next week. For the old heads in the side, seeing the emergence of Jack Cadbury, Chester Ellis, the Player brothers and now Rioh, is a joy to behold.

We continue to play attacking, entertaining cricket and the blend of youth and experience is truly creating a spectacular team spirit and it is a rare honour to captain such an enthusiastic outfit.

Free Foresters - 17th August 2008

The Free Foresters are one of the most illustrious wandering cricket clubs in the land having been formed by the Rev. W.K.R. Bedford in 1856, Forest of Arden. Their history and traditions illuminate every ground they visit and it is lovely to see the crimson, green and white striped blazers, hooped caps and ceremonial flag (draped over the five-a-side goal posts) grace a slightly sodden Babington ground on Sunday. They embody the beauty of our summer game and bring with them a heritage that is the very soul of “traditional cricket”; their motto is ‘United but United’.

It was particularly pleasurable then to win a 35 over game by 53 runs in which Babington again displayed the characteristics that are increasingly becoming the bedrock of our club; experience combined with youthful dynamism have meshed with the lingering League cricket mentality of those who still play on a Saturday. All of these elements gelled perfectly as we decided to bat first having won a seventh consecutive toss.

Match Manager Jonathon Boulton took to the wicket with Mike Sherring and both had to be circumspect against Swetman down the hill. A classic action and quick arm action propels the ball at great pace and his list of current clubs includes the MCC and Stragglers of Asia (another illustrious wandering club). Both did well to survive, but Sherring soon departed caught at mid wicket off Turk to a ball that might have ‘stopped’.

Boulton was joined by fellow Cambridge Blue and surgeon Mark Alban, selected after the pair bumped into each other in Waitrose on the day before. Both batted beautifully through the ‘V’ and Alban in particularly drove superbly thumping a brace of sixes into the trees. It was something of a surprise when he was caught off Thomas for a fluent 35 and the innings reached a crossroads when Giles Lunt was caught and bowled playing slightly too early to the same bowler.

Boulton pushed on allowing Pinnell to play himself in and seemed destined for a big score before late cutting once too often caught at the wicket off the glove. It was another delightful innings from JB who augmented his awesome power with deft dabs and cuts to see the score past 100. One flick through wide mid-on after going forward then back, was a true treat and one of the (technically) best shots I have seen all season – Pietersen-esque.

With overs running out, yours truly eyed the shortish boundary to leg and decided to have a whack; once in a blue moon these days it actually works and I must thank the bowlers for a succession of leg-side half volleys that had ‘tennis court’ written all over them!. Chuntering behind the wicket, but it only fuelled the fire.

Rio Alexander smacked a four and a six, Chris Player ran hard and Simon Potter played two glorious square cuts off the returning Swetman to help the skipper post a very credible 198 for 6 at tea. JB and I looked each other in the eye almost not daring to think that that would be enough! Could it be our day?

It was reassuring to have Nick Wigzell and Andrew Jolliffe taking the new ball as you just knew that they wouldn’t bottle it. Sure enough, against class players like Ahluwalin and Thomas, intelligence plays a big part and both Nick and Andrew bowled excellent seven-over spells restricting FF to just 54 for 1 off 14 overs. Wigzell (1 for 21) was rewarded with the wicket of Ahluwalin snuggly pouched by Potter behind the stumps, while Jolliffe (0 for 33) created no-end of half chances. The first change bowlers had a tough act to follow especially as Thomas was hitting the ball incredibly hard and Ben Lyons was obviously as classic a batsmen as you would ever wish to see.

Take a bow Rio Alexander and Chris Player as you two guys actually won us the game. Both bowled dead straight and immediately tested the techniques of both batsmen. Lyons was a delight to watch; twinkle toe feet and one of those front elbows that touches the heavens, his driving was almost poetic. Player got him though caught behind after beating the outside edge by a whisker the previous ball – it was a defining moment.

Rio Alexander was flying. An exemplary cocked wrist is his greatest asset and a long bowling future awaits. He mopped up Thomas attempting the I.V.A Richards trademarked leg-side pick-up only to see his stumps shattered by Rio’s unwavering accuracy. More was to follow; a nonchalant caught and bowled off a searing drive from Jacques, cleaning up Charlton with a beauty and having Swetman caught behind by the Panama-wearing Potter. In the meantime, he also caught the dangerous Moffat behind square giving Chris a deserved second wicket. Both bowlers stuck to the time-honoured principles of ‘line and length’ and their figures stand as testament to their maturity and spirit. Rio – 4 for 33, Chris – 2 -36, both having bowled seven overs.

The last rites were carried out by the gnarled pairing of Giles Lunt and Mike Sherring who would never let an opportunity for victory like this slip. Tough as old boots and chirping away in my ear all afternoon, these guys know the game inside out and knew exactly what was required. As soon as George Bretton heaved Sherrings ‘lollipop’ into the off-side and I saw Boulton circling beneath, I knew the game was ours. George was the guy who smacked yours truly for three consecutive sixes over the trees in the first fixture between the two sides and is a brilliant bat. Sherring (3 – 8) duly knocked over Baldwin and had Turk caught by Lunt (0 – 8) leaving the FF innings in tatters at 145 all out in 32 overs.

Defeating Free Foresters is no mean achievement and I can’t help but think we beat them at their own game a touch. The energy of the younger players in the field backed-up the bowlers who all excelled against frontline batsmen. This was personified by Ed Alexander who neither batted nor bowled, but fielded with great gusto and is assured of an opening batting slot in our last game of the season against Forest Irregulars.Thanks Ed.

So, a great day for the club and thanks to one and all who contributed to a glorious victory against lovely opposition. The site of JB doing a jig on the lawn as the last striped blazer trudged back to the car park was a delight and summed-up the collective feeling of the team.

Brilliant!

Mells - 2nd July 2006

Babington, still smarting from a last-over defeat by the Tappers the previous week, more than made amends by bulldozing Mells with a powerful all-round performance. The day saw a possibly record-breaking partnership of 158, the welcome return of Simon Potter and the birth of The Ragman.

Mells put us into bat, which was a mistake on two counts. First, it meant they had to field in the searing heat of the afternoon before the rains came. Secondly, it gave Jonathan Boulton time to arrive from work - or the golf course, as it’s also known in medical circles. The Chairman opened with Tom McClellan, a classy 1st XI ringer from Downside who’d already shown his prowess in the sixes against Café de Paris. The two made a steady start against some tight and accurate bowling from Mells and Tom was driving handsomely until he mistimed one and skied a catch.

Skipper Andrew Pinnell strode to the crease, determined to make up for last week, when he was bowled by a jaffa without troubling the scorers. It wasn’t to be: he managed one boundary before lofting drive to mid-off and returned to take it out on his coffin. Next in was 16-year-old Jeremy Player, also making his debut in a proper match after impressing in the sixes, and he settled down for a sensible innings.

Mike Nicholson started to hit boundaries at the other end but was out shortly afterwards, bowled for 28.Nick Sinfield took his place and soon made his intentions clear with a towering six. However, we were only scoring at three an over and it was beginning to cause concern. Mutterings could be heard and there was much restive flapping of Sunday papers. Jeremy was finally out caught, having made a valuable 15, and made way for JB.Storm clouds were beginning to gather, in more ways than one. Jonathan was dropped early and it proved a costly mistake.

From then on, he and Nick tore into the bowling and the run rate took off like a shuttle launch. Having come together with 87 on the board, they doubled the total within ten overs. Needless to say, this was no slogfest: both are textbook players, technically correct and natural timers of the ball who play with that easy elegance which makes batting look irritatingly easy. It was a pleasure to watch and breathtaking at times. Nick moved from 50 to 80 in eight shots and for a while it looked like he might make his maiden hundred for the club. Even a cloudburst during the last six overs failed to dampen proceedings and we ended on 245, with Nick and Jonathan unbeaten on 89 and 74 respectively.

Set such a formidable target, the opposition had to score at six an over and our skipper decided to give everyone a bowl to help make more of a game of it. Mells had a nightmare start: their opener played across the line to a straight one from Nick Wigzell and was bowled; their number three was run out thanks to some quick thinking and a direct hit by wicket keeper Simon Potter; and Andrew Gilfillan, switching to seam with the rain still coming down, produced the ball of the day to remove their best batsman, skipper Julian Seviour, for nought. His brother Chris had a good eye and started to score freely through the midwicket area but lost his partners in a steady stream.

Bowling wasn’t easy in the wet but Sinfield elected to help keep the ball dry with the help of a towel and henceforth will be known as The Ragman. Ed Weale bagged his first two wickets for the club thanks to catches by Sinfield and Pinnell. Jeremy bowled an immaculate line and hit the stumps three times, one of his victims being his brother Chris, who had kindly agreed to make up the Mells numbers. McClellan got the wicket he deserved thanks to another catch by Sinfield and JB wrapped things up in style by bowling the last man with his first ball. Mells had subsided to 94 all out, leaving Chris Seviour unbeaten on 59 and the only man to reach double figures.

Champagne moments? It’s a tough call between JB’s first-baller, Simon’s direct hit and the sight of Jeremy Player tirelessly sprinting round the leg-side boundary during the overs when he wasn’t bowling and securing the best figures of the day – 3 for 9 off 4. Either way, it was great to see Potter back, bouncing around behind the stumps like a spring lamb and diving selflessly onto his bad arm to save byes we could easily afford.Thanks to Lord Jolliffe for persuading the vassals to turn up, and special thanks to the Player family – Nicola, Mark, Jeremy and Chris - for providing two players and most of the home spectators. It’s great to have such active and supportive new members in the club.

Groucho Club - 1st June 2008

A lazy, still Sunday heralded the start of June, and all that was missing from this joyous English sporting tradition between hardened adversaries was a blazing sun burning in an azure sky. No matter that the clouds were leaden and the wicket mottled by damp, The Groucho Club, perhaps still Babington’s fiercest adversaries, proved a difficult foe for a team still smarting from two defeats.

No time to cry as the old song goes, and Babington took to the field in determined mood after being surprisingly asked to field by Stephen Porter. It was truly lovely to welcome two new additions to our fold and Matt Greenless and Mark Meadows were warmly greeted by one and all. Matt will need no introduction as he is the (seemingly) unflappable Manager of the House, whilst Mark is an actor, or in the words of the irrepressible Mark Cadbury – “a luvvie!” One Mark will no doubt quickly become accustomed to the characteristics of the other as the season progresses!

The game began sedately with Chris Player and Andrew Jolliffe’s accuracy only intensifying the batsmen’s mistrust in the wicket, aided by a hint of movement both in the air and off the plasticine-like pitch. The ‘umbrella’ field sensed blood and only added to the pressure with a series of great stops and a cacophony of chatter. With Mike Rowan standing up to everyone and giving a master class of the wicketkeeper’s art, a sense of claustrophobia gripped the batsmen.

Time for a change and enter Messrs. Cadbury and Andrew Standon-McDougall – players chiselled by decades of league cricket. Not the most obvious choices of first change bowlers I grant you, but both Andrew and Mark revelled in the conditions. Cadbury, skiddy and unpredictable, gives a wonderful running commentary as he bowls, chuntering, swearing and cajoling. It’s enough to drive any batsmen to distraction, let alone a wearisome captain in prime ear shot at mid-off!

But it was Andrew who took the first wicket, teasing the stylish Sam Porter into a lofted drive pouched by a momentarily silent Cadbury at mid-off. Enter John Morton, making his debut for The Groucho only to be run out for a duck by Marcus Corbett after facing just one ball; a debut to forget, particularly considering a two hundred mile round trip from London. It quickly got worse for the visitors as Cadbury caught and bowled Howard, and Jim Chowdray, inexplicably, construed to run himself out following smart thinking by Nick Sinfield throwing to the keeper’s end.

At 40-odd for 4, Standon-McDougall turned the screw. Wheeling away up the hill, he bowled with great alacrity, subtly varying his line and length. In truth, he was virtually unplayable and deserved the leading edge of the dangerous Jim McGhie which flew to Sinfield in the covers. Figures of two for nine from eight overs tell their own story, but Andrew’s spell dictated the rest of the match.

Matt Greenless took his cue and yorked top-scorer Corbett with a beauty that took out leg stump, before Chris Player cleaned up Jesh; brother and birthday boy Jeremy had Sadgrove well held by Jolliffe and knocked over Whiteside. However, the champagne moment of the match award goes to Nick Sinfield for a stupendous tumbling catch in the deep after a shocker of a long-hop from Cadbury.

Groucho were all out for 90 in 35 overs and we took tea in the playroom alongside the WAGs and wonderfully boisterous children gleefully eyeing up the lip-smacking spread. Matt G – you will have to play more often!

Suitably fed and watered, Mark Meadows opened with Matt Ellis and the former’s classy technique repelled the excellent pace bowling of Whiteside. A high elbow and sure footwork promises many runs to come, but it was Ellis’s funny bone that had the misfortune to intercept a beamer from Jim McGhie with painful consequences. Matt had just smitten him through mid-wicket for a delightful boundary, but the blow clearly affected him and he was castled two balls later. A row between Groucho’s captain and best player ensued as Stephen Porter berated Jim Chowdray for not catching the ball off Matt’s elbow. Chowdray is a cricket man through and through and his response was both unprintable and deserved!

The same fate soon befell Sinfield, bowled by a Whiteside snorter which would have done for most. Enter Cadbury at his most pugnacious only to be quickly given out LBW by Lord Jollife umpiring at the Wigzell end. Of course, Cadbury was convinced the ball was too high, and he was miles down the track and it wouldn’t have hit another set. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. You get the picture. Two things stick in the memory about the dismissal; firstly, Joliffe raising the finger in a quick authoritarian fashion, much like a station master seeing off a train, and secondly, Cadbury’s face when Meadows later told him that he was ‘plumb’. Two moments of silence in one match from our beloved Cadbury!

Undeterred by the swift departure of Chris Player, Meadows showed admirable temperament, taking us to within sight of victory before Whitseide bagged his man. Jeremy Player batted brilliantly scoring 29 not out, combining elegant drives and wristy sweeps to keep the scoreboard ticking. Mike Rowan smashed Howard into the corn field high over mid-on and that was that. Babington ran out winners by five wickets.

A tremendous performance by the whole team who excelled in the field and batted with grit and application. The spirit of the side was palpable in the bar and a languid few hours were spent on the lawn celebrating our first win of the season.

Man of the Match: Andrew Standen McDougall

Champagne MOM: Nick Sinfield’s catch off Mark Cadbury.

Babington House Cricket Club: Introduction

Welcome to the online home of Babington House Cricket Club. Formed in 2002, the Club celebrates all that is wonderful about country house cricket and mirrors the philosophy of the joyous place that is Babington House Hotel and Members Club

This Blog captures the very essence of the ethos that fuels the Club's continuing development and also documents our progression (or otherwise) on the field of play. Unashamedly, the personalities of those who drive the Club are given due coverage as are the contributions of past players.

The Club is first and foremost a social organisation dedicated to developing both sporting and social relationship's between our Members, their families and of course our most welcome opponents. The spirit of cricket's Golden Age extends beyond the field of play and the involvement of wives, girlfriends and the children is central to the Club's longevity.

We hope you enjoy this Blog and please feel free to post a comment or submit any relevant ideas or information.