And so the final curtain call on not just the 2009 season, but also on the career of our beloved Nick Wigzell who has contributed so much to the success of Babington House CC; founder member, opening bowler, fellow cricketing scribe, one-time fixture secretary and all round good bloke chose the last match of the season to swap his size 11 Puma bowling boots for a pair of Crocs once and for all. It has never been easier to pick a team as the great and the good of the club past and present eagerly volunteered to share in his swansong.
The story would have been somehow incomplete without Messrs. Copsey and Nicholson donning their flannels which added considerably to the afternoon’s sense of occasion. For just a few hours it was Babington of yesteryear; Wigzell opening the bowling from the end that will forever bear his name, Nicholson tumbling around in the covers as if he were a mere boy and Copsey floating up his timeless off-breaks as if a fisherman casting a fly.
Alongside David Horler who joined Mr. Wigzell later in the bar for a reflective sun-downer, these three men shaped and defined the very essence of Babington Cricket Club; etiquette and a true sense of fair play intertwined with a desire to win and compete; a doffed cap to the traditions of the Summer game garnished with a progressive mindset that inspired the Club’s very formation. Misty eyed you might think, but as someone who played League cricket for three decades, these values and inspirations’ for the game are genuinely dying elsewhere. Cricket the world over needs Club’s like Babington to thrive in an age where dissent is so easily tolerated, and the ‘win at all cost’ mentality so prevalent. This really is not what cricket should be about at any level.
And at Babington it won’ be because of the blueprint established a decade ago by the aforementioned ‘Fab Four’ and their vision of dreamy cricket matches played on lazy Sunday afternoons at Babbers’ unfolded before our very eyes. Our guests were the ever-willing Forest Irregulars who annually trek over the Severn Bridge from Chepstow to close our season and cement friendships. They slightly spoiled the script by winning the toss and batting first which only brought forward Wigzell’s final spell for the club.
With seven slips and two gully’s in place a la Dennis Lillee, Nick delivered the first ball of the match down the hill against a backdrop of blue sky and naked fields; the familiar run-up began with knees pumping before evolving into the smooth delivery stride with right arm to the heavens; sadly, comparisons with Lillee, Thommo and Whispering Death have to end here as Mr. Wigzell’s pace has dropped somewhat in recent years and he is more likely to dismiss batsmen playing too early rather than too late these days!!!
No matter, line and length personified, Wigzell nags at batsmen, tempting, teasing them to give it a mow over the top. As the Club’s leading wicket-taker is testament to the folly of this approach. Five overs for nine runs, plus the wicket of Watson caught off a leading-edge (see what I mean?) by an alert James Nicholson at cover pre-empting his Dad’s loss of balance as he tumbled to the turf attempting to run backwards while watching the ball loop agonisingly over his head. Mike, it was lovely to watch and I am sorry to mention it, but the Champagne Moment for many.
At the other end Mike Sherring fired through a couple of over’s before giving way to the looping tweaks of Jonathon Boulton and Mark Meadows' flighted leggies. Half-decent spinners both, but we did not have to wait long for Copsey’s masterclass. The scourge of Western League for many a year, Gerry will never lose that classic action, side-on with head still, that propels the ball on that well-worn line just outside off-stump. It was hard to believe he had ever been away as all the batsmen prodded or heaved uncertainly. Sure enough, he bagged his wicket as Church adopted the latter policy only to be adjudged leg before much to his chagrin. So, four over’s, just four runs and his prized wicket. It may not have been a five-for in a Lansdown victory over Keynsham, but the moment was of a much higher importance.
By now the Irregulars were in need of runs and a few lusty blows from Luke Sellers (45) and Kiwi-import Eglington (37) got the score beyond the 100. Debutant Mark Putt bowled full and straight and earned the wicket of Dave Church, castled by a yorker, and he hopefully enjoyed his day. Matt Ellis, resplendent in Millfield socks, lobbed up four over’s of filth although also claimed Eglington’s wicket as he went for another maximum; all part of the Ellis strategy no doubt!!!
Behind the stumps, Mike Rowan, gave an exhibition of glove work much admired by all and his two stumpings were completed with breathtaking fluency. A good keeper can energise a team in the field, make them look good even when bombarded by half-volley darts from that ‘bull in a china shop’ that is Mr. Sherring! It was a delight to watch and helped reduce the Irregulars to 125 for 9 after thirty overs whistled through in just over an hour and a half.
With tea not yet served we went straight back out with Mike Nicholson and Mark Meadows – both openers to their soul. Mike is threatening to retire (even though I don’t believe him!) and one could see his determination to score a few from his very first ball. Instinct to strike the ball soon took over as Nicholson’s flashing blade lacerated one over-pitched delivery to the boundary in text-book fashion prompting him to describe the shot as “the best cover drive I’ve ever played”. He reached fourteen before chipping to the infield only to walk back to the hutch with a warm round of applause ringing in his ears.
After that it was over to the heavy mob. Meadows, “I love scoring runs”, never looked like getting out for an unbeaten 42 and Sherring (24) drove on the up gloriously with one shot in particular, and I don’t quite know how to say this, gloriously caressed over extra cover with his body elegantly (yes, it was!!!) and classically ‘shaped’ with left elbow to the Gods and front foot forward. The ball sailed over extra cover for six. He soon lost his stumps however only for Boulton to continue the onslaught. Two towering sixes threatened the cream teas and pots of cooling tea befor JB holed out for a quick-fire 30. It was left to Ellis (11no) to strike the final metaphor on a long season and with a sense of cinematic bravado duly hit the winning runs with a clunking a six into the swaying trees.
And there it was; Wigzell’s last match, the day when cricket’s true meaning shone through, when a bunch of blokes played fair and square, with laughter and humour in the air, bathed in the warmth of tradition, but with a steely determination to do one’s best, the spirit of Babington Cricket Club gave us all a memorable day. One that I know will live in the memory of Mr. Nick Wigzell and we thank him for his efforts, his enthusiasm, passion and mild-mannered good nature that will be missed both on and off the pitch in season’s to come.
In true country house style, we gathered for speeches and chit-chat, sipping Champers and puffing on the odd roll-up. We raised toasts to the founding fathers and gave thanks to the joyous game that allows us to indulge in these sumptuous days every Summer. The Club has it all and it is now up to the players old and new to take it forward. If we step back for just a second and remember how we got here, it really should be a breeze.
Scoreboard
Forest Irregulars - 125 for 9 off 30 overs.
BHCC - 127 for 3 off 22 overs.
BHCC Won by 7 wickets
Man of the Match - Nick Wigzell – just because...
Champagne Moment - Michael Nicholson’s Bambi on Ice impression!
"Yes, we really do have it on a plate!". (Image by steve Osborne)
Debutant Mark Putt (centre), his good lady and Steve Osborne - welcome guest.
Michael Nicholson, Michael Sherring, Jonathon Boulton & a reflective Nick Wigzell.
An umpires view as Wigzell bowls the first ball of the match to a bemused batsmen!
Mike Rowan keeping beautifully with Matt Ellis prowling at backward point and Mark Putt in the foreground. (Image by Steve Osborne)
Another view to strike fear into the heart of any batsmen!!!
Back Row (Left to Right): Gerry Copsey, Andrew Pinnell, Jonathon Boulton, Mark Putt, Nick Wigzell, Michael & James Nicholson.
Foreground From Left to Right: James & Michael Nicholson, Mark Putt & Gerry Copsey with back to camera.
Mr. Sherring & Lizzie....
Foreground From Left to Right: James & Michael Nicholson, Mark Putt & Gerry Copsey with back to camera.
Mr. Sherring & Lizzie....
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