BHCC v The Tappers - Match Report - 6th June 2010

Unlike the pointless ‘Test’ (I use the word in its loosest sense) taking place between England and Bangladesh at Old Trafford, Babington House produced an exhilarating performance to beat The Tappers by 44 runs. Our cricket was characterised by some murderous batting, attacking bowling and eclectic field-placings which combined to dismantle the talented visitors.

Joyously, we won the toss on one of those delightful Sunday afternoons for which we all crave; a swimming pool sky, gentle breeze and outbursts of warm sunshine that shone down on this humble enclave of rural beauty. The two Mark’s, Meadows and Cadbury, opened up with their classical styles; both tall in their stance and elegant off the front foot, we were soon rattling along at six an over.
Meadows drove imperiously over mid-on for six whilst Cadbury favoured the covers against full-length bowling which rarely threatened.

With the agenda set, the middle and late order reached for the papers, of both the Fleet Street and Rizla variety, and nestled into the deckchairs. Nicola Player fiddled meticulously with the scorebook and the boys kept the scoreboard up to date. All seemed well with the world as the ball was caressed to the boundary populated by picnickers absorbed in their hampers.

With Cadbury on 42 his patience snapped, not for the first time, and he skied to the bowler with the score on 95. Enter Nick Sinfield, a man hardly renowned for playing himself in, and in front of his watching father, embarked on a truly memorable innings. Using the new heavy Newbery bat with a bright pink rubber (‘johnny’ according to Matt Ellis!), Sinfield combined ferocious power to destroy any semblance of resistance from a fading Tappers side. One cover drive seared to the boundary after what seemed like little more than a defensive punch with Sinfield holding his text-book position momentarily and admiringly; yes mate, I noticed!!!

Meadows reached seventy but as he has done so often, gave up a beckoning century in the interests of letting others have a bat. An opener to the core, he is a delight to watch and provides the perfect foil for the middle order. By now, Sinfield was in full flow and a myriad of four and sixes took us past the 150 mark; he was finally run out for a breathtaking knock of 86 and I doubt he has ever batted better.

Chester Ellis showed his rich promise (and technique) and will score mountains of runs in the future while the rest swished the score up to 250; Matt Ellis and Mike Sherring were caught after big heaves, Ed Weale retired while James MacKenzie and Chris Player scampered and remained not out. As for yours truly, an impersonation of a blind man who has never batted before resulted in an inglorious duck and for the first time in my life, I have yet to put bat to ball before mid-June. Retire man, retire!

Tea was taken in the shadows of the silent chapel and the balmy calm only interrupted by the landing of a helicopter in the adjacent field. The pilots joined us for a spread of doorstop sandwiches, apple tarts, scones that threaten even the most svelte of waistlines, homemade jam and dollops of cream; some of us took to the field somewhat slowly!!!

Not Andrew Jolliffe. As befits a man who has just cycled the length of the nation in aid of charity, his new ball spell was instrumental in Babington winning the game. His opening over and first of the season, saw every ball pitch on a metaphorical sixpence and of perfect length just outside off-stump. Dave Smith, former England hockey goalminder and a thoroughbred bat, was rightly bemused and attempted to pull in Jolliffe’s (2 for 22) second over only for the ball to lollop into Sinfield’s gauntlets.

At the other end, Luckes drove MacKenzie (0 for 31) into the bean field for six and looked set for a big score before Sherring, all aggression and bravado, pouched a rasping drive off his own bowling. Sherring (1 for 28) knew, as we all did, that that was largely that and his puffed barrel chest was a marked show of victory.

With the heavy artillery removed, we had the chance to manoeuvre and the bowling changes were multifold; Chester (0 for 16 off 4 overs) and Chris Player (2 for 18) oozed youthful promise and Ed Weale (1 for 10) delighted in knocking over Trevelyan for a well-made 29. Andy Morton grafted for 35 and opposing captain Ali Ruxton lasted even less-time than his opposite number losing his middle peg first ball.

The ‘filth’ of Pinnell, Cadbury (in particular) and Matt Ellis mixed full-bungers with the odd half-decent delivery ensuring The Tappers reached two hundred whilst losing wickets at regular intervals. Tennant made a workmanlike half century, but the result was never in doubt and Sinfield appropriately brought the curtain down on a fine match stumping Briscoe of a Matt Ellis ‘moon ball’....

Flagons of ale followed on the lawn accompanied by the chitter-chatter of two teams that have become great friends. As dusk descended and the pizza’s arrived, Babington looked an absolute picture and we shook hands with our mates from The Tappers who trudged off back to London and Oxford after another great day’s cricket.

Babington House beat The Tappers by 44 Runs

Man of the Match – Nick Sinfield for his blistering knock.

Champagne Moment – A ‘puffed-chested’ Mike Sherring after catching Luckes off his own bowling.