Images from BHCC v The Tappers - 14th June 2009

Chester Ellis looking philosophical (even at 12!) as he fields for the opposition.

Lord Jolliffe hands over his match fee after another crushing win.

Ben Tollworthy reflects on yet another Man of the Match performance.

The Tappers' Alistair Ruxton gathering his troops as they embark on an ultimately fruitless chase of Babbers' 221. Ed Weale, left, looks not unlike a suspicious policeman as he keeps a watchful eye on proceedings only confirming his position as 'our man on the inside'.

Nicola Player scrutinising her immaculate scorebook and still wondering just how many balls it took Mark Cadbury to score 38!

Phil de Glanville who won the Champagne Moment of the Match courtesy of a stunning catch and blasted 32 sending his club average soaring into double figures.

Julian Matthews looks pensive at the prospect of fielding after tea.

Mark Cadbury watches Phil de Glanville hit to leg during their opening stand of 53.

BHCC v The Tappers - 14th June 2009 - Match Report

Back Row (Left to Right) Phil de Glanville, Andrew Jolliffe, Andrew Pinnell, James Mackenzie, Ben Tollworthy & Julian Matthews.
Front Row -Nick Sinfield, Ed & Emily Weale, Mark Cadbury & Chester Ellis.

In yet more glorious sunshine we maintained our unbeaten start to the season by beating The Tappers by 97 runs on a flat track that perfectly suited to our hard-hitting top order (if you exclude dear old Mark Cadbury that is).

The Tappers hail from London and are run by the charming Alistair Ruxton who assembles a team of anglicized antipodeans, plus a smattering of mates from Oxfordshire. They pride themselves on being an attacking outfit, but they were no match for a Babington team brimming with confidence and good humour.

We were slightly weakened by the absence of Matt Ellis who almost lost a finger in a losing battle with a hedge trimmer on the morning of the match, but we benefitted from his authoritative umpiring complete with heavily bandaged hand.

Despite losing the toss were still asked to bat first and the tried and tested formula of ‘getting on with it’ to put quick runs on the board cranked into action. However, an opening partnership of Phil de Glanville and Cadbury brought with it contrasting styles as the ex-England rugby international cut and drove aggressively whilst Cadders’ seemed keen to demonstrate every facet of the Geoffrey Boycott forward defensive coaching manual.

Perhaps a touch harsh as the fifty partnership arrived in only the tenth over but it was de Glanville that scored the lions share. One thumped six demonstrated his pedigree before being caught for an entertaining 32 that jettisoned his pre-match club average from 0.5 into double figures and respectability.

Nick Sinfield (5) was unusually subdued perhaps lulled into torpor by Cadbury who was struggling to beat the field despite some elegant strokeplay. Nick soon departed LBW and to his credit did not complain (much!) as Julian Matthews picked up the gauntlet and embarked on a bright and breezy innings of 26 containing four boundaries.

Cadbury plodded on and we could have been forgiven for forgetting that the Twenty:20 revolution had ever taken place. Some were even tempted to take a nap on the new sun loungers gracing the Babington lawn that look like gigantic double beds on wheels. Instead, our ruddy-faced hero was told to push on during drinks and in attempting to break the shackles, top-edged to the keeper for 38.

We lost Matthews to a sharp caught and bowled catch by Crighton and the innings was evenly poised with Babbers' 120-odd for 5 with ten overs left. Ben Tollworthy hung around for a dozen before leaving Pinnell and James Mackenzie the opportunity to make hay with an array of dashing strokes. James batted beautifully combining textbook technique with venomous power and he played the shot of the match smashing a straight six over the drive off Briscoe.

Ruxton tossed up one over of laconic off spin which our captain belted to all parts and we are on our way to 200 plus. Mackenzie was bowled by a ball from Bromby that literally just kissed the off bail for an excellent 32 and it was left to Pinnell (42 not out) and Ed Weale (5 not out) to get what they could from the last few tight overs.

221 for 6 off 35 was a satisfactory total on a straw-coloured strip and we drifted lazily to tea served in the shade of the trees on the front lawn. Having started at 1pm we were all a little disorientated taking tea at three thirty, but the sun loungers proved a topical point of discussion along with England’s prospects of beating India later that evening. I am sure I heard Cadbury muttering that Twenty:20 wasn’t proper cricket and yearning for the days when John Edritch, David Steele, and Chris Tavare et al bored the pants of the nation with their mind-numbing defensiveness. Cadders – you are in illustrious company here!

With runs on the board Babbers’ set an attacking field from the outset as Ben Tollworthy charged in from the Wigzell end almost daring the flamboyant Dave Luckes to ‘have a go’. As ever, Lord Jolliffe – gentle and metronomic - bowled up the hill mixing it up and teasing the other opener – David Bush - into a series of flashy strokes outside off stump. Pinnell gazed into his crystal ball and positioned himself a dozen yards away at short cover and sure enough, Bush soon flailed at Tollworthy succeeding in driving the ball precisely into the skipper’s bucket-like mits. A great wicket for the whole team and we were away.

Tollworthy had his tail up and trapped Keigwin plumb leg before next ball and he continued to trouble all the batsmen. He had his ultimate reward when enticing Dave Luckes into a sloggy on- drive that flew into the mid-wicket region prompting optimistic (if unconvincing) shouts of “catch it”. De Glanville, he off sporting fame and fortune, revealed his true class with a salmon-like leap to pluck the ball one-handed out of the air. The unlucky Luckes (if you know what I mean) is himself an international sportsman of some repute having kept goal for the England hockey team, but even he marvelled at de Glanville’s effort.

Truly stunning and reward for Tollworthy’s exceptional spell which then yielded a fourth wicket when he put the final nail in Ruxton’s day, knocking him over first ball. Final figures of 4 for 32 put Babbers’ into a position where they could not lose and allowed a succession of bowling changes to keep people in the game. Matthews (1 for 23) floated his leg spinners bowling the other Luckes’ with a beauty, Pinnell (1 for 9) conjured up a half-tracker that rolled along the ground to stun the elegant Trevelyan and Chester Ellis (0 for 14) again underlined his genuine talent with a couple of sprightly overs.

It was left to Ed Weale (2 for 8), our man on the inside, font of all Babington knowledge and splendid match manager for the day, to conclude matters with two cheap wickets wrapping up The Tappers response for 124.

Babbers' won by a margin of 97 runs and played superbly to boot. The fielding was instinctive and the bowling true but it is our batting that is on fire. Anything over 170 puts the opposition under immense pressure and allows us to attack, attack, attack in the field.

So six wins out of six so far in all matches with Ditcheat and Free Foresters looming. Tough tests for sure but the philosophy will not change and such team spirit is immensely powerful....

Watch this space.....

Results Summary
Babington - 221 for 6
The Tappers – 124 All Out
Babington won by 97 runs

Man of the Match: Ben Tollworthy - Match winning bowling spell
The Tappers MoM: M. Luckes (3 for 23)

Champagne Moment: Phil de Glanville's one-handed catch

BHCC v Babington House Staff - 11th June 2009

Babington House in perfect harmony as the Cricket Club played the Staff on a lovely evening in June. For the record, the Cricket Club scored 155 of twenty overs (with significant contributions from Clive Hambling (32), Andrew Pinnell (47 not out) and Matt Ellis (22)) while the Staff mustered 137 with Tyrone scoring 33 and Lee 35. A tremendous occasion reflecting the depth of the Club itself and the vital role of the staff who ensure cricket at Babington continues to evolve and flourish.

Christian in the foreground proudly keeping an eye on his new son and wondering just what all the fuss is about. Don't worry mate, cricket will soon reach Poland!

A well-earned break for the boys and girls who make cricket at Babington such a joy for us all.

Three Jolliffe daughters frollicking in the sun with Mum and Dad anxious to avoid being in camera shot!

Nick Wigzell hands over to Matt Ellis after his dizzying opening innings of 10. A stalwart of the club and a born number 11, Mr. Wigzell proved that he can also swing the willow when given an opportunity.

No pre-opening nerves either as Nick's lovely smile and genuine good nature continues to brighten any match.

Mike Rowan who went into this match with a Bradmanesque average of over 100 only to be caught for a duck. The game is bigger than us all Mr. Rowan!

Images From The Groucho Match - 7th June 2009

Back Row (Left to right) - Johnny Burridge, Andrew Jolliffe, Andrew Pinnell, Ed Weale, Matt Greenlees, Nick Sinfield.
Front Row - Matthew Ellis, Chester Ellis, Jeremy Player, Johnny Barran and the ever camera-shy Mark Meadows.

Johnny Barran milks the appaluse after a sublime half century.

Nick Sinfield walking off after a murderous and thrilling innings of 71.

The Misses doing the tins respendent in Babbers' jumper.

Johnny Barran at the wicket under a breathtaking sky.

The rain never materialised despite these stunning clouds as the Gods decreed it would not rain at Babbers' today.

With the ball never getting above the knee, JB still can't resist donning the lid!

Four newly arrived guests at the House sip their Champers' whilst watching Babbers' smash it to all parts.

"Ooh Andrew, I hate having my picture taken" - Yeah right babe!!!

The delightful Gemma, Mrs. Greenlees and Ed Weale - our man on the inside!!!

The man himself - Matt Greenlees - House Manager - who won the Champagne Moment Award for smashing his first ball into the 'crowd' for a towering six - pure Aussie mate!

Mark Meadows lovely family chillin' on a Sunday afternoon.

Fixtures Update

Please note the following changes to the published Fixture Card:

 

Firstly, the Twenty:20 game versus Ditcheat scheduled on Friday 12th June has been cancelled as Ditcheat cannot raise a team.

 

Secondly, the proposed fixture against The Strollers has been moved to Monday 6th July from Sunday 12th July. We appreciate that it will be difficult to raise a side on a Monday afternoon, so pleasse feel free to invite guests to play.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact me if in any doubt - Andrew - 07793 293 417

Images from The Wild Swag

Chester Ellis recreates his stunning catch rightly earning him the Champagne Moment of the Match Award.

Ed Weale and the delightful Emily enjoying a day off in the sun.

The last of The Wild Swag's determined not to leave!

Emily Weale looking far prettier without her Dad in the shot!!!!

Johnny Burridge preparing to bat.

Richard 'Whizzer' Wells with his favourite number on the scoreboard!!!!

Michael Sherring banished from earshot. Mike, we just couldn't take it anymore!!!

Nicola Player, our very own Wendy Wimbush!!!!

BHCC v The Wild Swag - May 31st 2009 - Match Report

BHCC (Back Row from Left) Lord Jolliffe, Richard 'Whizzer' Wells, Jason Moore (A player, but not at cricket!), Andrew Pinnell, Steven Priscott, Nick Wigzell & Michael Sherring.
(Front Row) - Matthew Ellis, Chester Ellis, Ollie King & Mark Meadows who is an Actor would you believe!
(Absent - Johnny Burridge & James MacKenzie)

And just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, the last day of May arrives with flaming sunshine and a powder-blue sky suggesting we might even be in for a Summer heat wave. Long suffering cricketers rejoice across the nation and search eagerly for bottles of sun cream languishing in the bottom of kit bags amidst lost socks and other unspeakable things!

Childhood memories of ’76, IVA Richards, Greenidge and Whispering Death cleaning up England at The Oval abound as the teams wander almost apologetically to the small shed that we lovingly call our pavilion.Our guests are the immensely likeable Wild Swag who bring with them a mixture of accents ranging from the received tones of the public school, to the clipped burr of Afrikaners all interspersed with the vernacular of the urban street fighter. It is amazing how the word ‘f*ck’ sounds so different depending on the tongue, but the meaning is always the same!

For the first time in aeons we lost the toss but Stuart Davis indecisively asked us to bat anyway. Lovely chap that he is, Stuart even gave his £2 coin to my youngest daughter Lizzie who was strangely excited by the whole ritual! I love little moments like this and it set the tone for a fascinating days play.

We opened up with the contrasting pairing of Steven Priscott on his debut and the evergreen classicist that is Mark Meadows; Priscott, burly and muscular struck the first boundary, but both were circumspect against tight bowling from Davis and Kennedy. Meadows, textbook personified, plays as straight as a die and despite more aggression from Priscott, we rather meandered along at four an over.

To be honest, no-one in the ‘cheap seats’ took too much notice as the kids were enjoying a Test Match of their own and the rest were just content to soak up the rays. Oh, all except Sherring that is who, primed for action like an impatient sniper, could barely keep still for a moment awaiting his turn at number three.

The fifty came up in the thirteenth over as Priscott sensed the crowds’ inertia and opened his considerable shoulders to good effect. Daniels and Lamyman took a bit of hammer as Meadows began to drive with increasing fluency and the 'tins' began to rattle along. Priscott accelerated markedly after reaching his fifty and the hundred stand was accompanied by somewhat muted applause.

Finally Priscott was bowled by a beauty of a leg-break from Wilson which pitched leg and clipped off defeating a lunging forward defensive stroke. Enter Sherring and wham bam thank you mam, three fours before going aerial and succumbing to a fine catch by Kennedy off the returning Davis for 12.

With ten over’s to go momentum was needed and Johnny Burridge (9) and Pinnell (17) perished going for quick runs, the latter haplessly run out reinforcing Sinfield’s comparisons with Inzy! Meadows was debatably stumped for an excellent 68 and it just left Matt Ellis to swipe his way to 15 not out losing the wonderful gentleman that is Richard Wells in the process, caught in the deep first ball.

Tea was a curious affair with sandwiches and scones arriving in less than perfect harmony, but no-one could care less let alone Babbers’ content with their score of 223 for six. Pinnell tried to banish any complacency remembering that The Swag gave us a good thumping last year and was anxious to readdress the equilibrium.

James MacKenzie bowled with zest, but his attempt to extract life out of a straw-like pitch proved futile. Instead, he returned to the time-honoured virtues of line and length as mastered by Lord Jolliffe at the other end. Jolliffe, reeling from being whacked over his head for four, promptly bowled Rowley off a thick inside edge and MacKenzie had the elegant and dangerous Wilson caught for 13.

Nick Wigzell took over from the end that bears his name and settled into a nice rhythm that tempted and teased; Rowley could stand it no more and was caught driving too early by MacKenzie at mid-off. Robb was proving the mainstay of the innings and chipped repeatedly through mid-on toying with the fielders in the process. While he was in full flow Swag had an outside chance of victory, but Sherring is no mug with ball and he tied-up the bottom end knocking over Davies and Dawson in the process.

Chester Ellis bowled four tight overs too going for just 23 and inducing a couple of half-chances to boot; Meadows almost pulled off an amazing catch at square mid-wicket that had the cameras flashing, but it was Priscott’s day. Steven would be the first to admit that his initial over was a dogs’ breakfast, but from then on he mopped up the tail taking 4 for 15 off just 2.4 overs.

Champagne Moment of the day belongs to 12 year old Chester Ellis who held onto Lamyman’s flashing square drive at point off a Priscott full bunger. Keen as mustard and a delightful lad, Chester instinctively caught the ball with a nonchalance as if he were “shelling peas” to quote Chas Knowles, my old captain from the Warminster glory years. Mobbed, by one and all, Chester represents the inspirational attitude his generation brings to the game; fearless, passionate and full-on. Love it.

So, the Swag were all out for a credible 185 leaving Babbers’ victorious by 38 runs which perhaps does not tell the whole story. Swag provide both great opposition and charming company on the sun-kissed lawn afterwards and they will be seeking revenge in the Sixes come August.

A special mention to Nicola Player, our very own Wendy Wimbush, who has adopted the scorers role with such panache and commitment. The scorebook is frighteningly accurate and my job as your humble scribe now only takes a fraction of the time as I do not have to decipher the hieroglyphic-like scribbles of previous seasons (Mr. Wigzell’s excepted!).

Thank you Nicola and to one and all for another glorious day.

Results Summary
Babington - 223 for 6
The Wild Swag – 185 All Out
Babington won by 38 runs

Man of the Match: Steven Priscott
Wild Swag MoM: Dave Robb
Champagne Moment: Chester Ellis’ stunning catch at backward point