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!