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.