So James - yet again we've whipped your butt!!! Who you going to bring next year, Tendulkar????? More to come from a very satisfying victory against Savills.
Monday, 23 May 2011
Stuffed!!!
So James - yet again we've whipped your butt!!! Who you going to bring next year, Tendulkar????? More to come from a very satisfying victory against Savills.
Saturday, 21 May 2011
Images From Wiltshire Queries Match
Anyone for tea?
Queries Captain Hamish Horton flanked by who menacing looking team mates.
Matthew Ellis with characteristic determined expression!
Hamish Horton clearly in no mood for defeat!
Owen Alsop, 18, who is at the Hampshire Cricket Academy - we wish him well in his career.
Robert Leachman who has played at over 900 cricket grounds home and abroad!
Ben Tollworthy and his delightful family.
Tuck in boys!
From left: Micheal Sherring, Andrew Jolliffe, Matthew Ellis, Andrew Pinnell, Mark Meadows (with tash - appropriately!) and kneeling, Mark Cadbury. Photo courtesy of Mrs Ellis - despite the Corinthian look - your only as old as the girl you feel!!!
From left: Sarah Ellis, Nicola Player (scorer) & Lindsey Cadbury - all looking incredibly young despite the best attempts of Photoshop!
BHCC v Wiltshire Queries - 15th May 2011
A sense of nostalgia was in the air as we finally managed to play a match against the erstwhile wandering entity that is the Wiltshire Queries. The previous two fixtures were cancelled due to rain and, in a distinctly past life, I regularly played for the Queries when I could, with some justification, call myself a proper cricketer.
Forgive the report being written in the first person, but I felt a tinge of whimsicalness as I drove to Babbers’ with memories of donning the Question Marked shirt at far flung grounds such as Shrivenham, Oxford Downs and Tidworth; of rock hard pitches, sumptuous lunches, toasts to the Queen through gritted teeth and the odd century heaven forbid.
The first Tubeway Army was my soundtrack as the Beamer glided through the leafy Somerset lanes; I felt a touch nervous not because I didn’t want to lose, but moreover, I didn’t want Babington to be stuffed. On their day, the Queries can be formidable.
Upon arrival at an expectant Babington, it represented a special moment to drape the Queries flag over the five-a-side goalposts and greet Barry Aitken – a man who embodies the spirit and tradition of the Queries with his tireless dedication to organisation and endeavour.
Hamish Horton, Queries captain and an imposing figure, won the toss and surprisingly asked Babington to bat first on a straw-coloured strip tinged with green. The two Mark’s, Cadbury and Meadows, opened up against a strong attack comprising Rupert Bagnall’s (2 for 7)left-arm over and Owen Alsop’s (1 for 27) out and out pace.
The latter is a prestigious talent at the Hampshire Cricket academy and a good friend of Liam Dawson who currently opens the batting for the county; the fact that I played cricket against Liam’s father who opened the bowling for Goatacre for years, only added to my realisation that I am getting old.
Meadows looked in good touch from the off employing the right hand to drag powerfully to leg; Cadbury on the other hand was far from his fluent best and soon succumbed to a skied cover drive as his renowned impatience got the better of him. Sherring (8) looked composed but was soon given out leg before and Mark Gunning’s style of hitting the ball late yielded 11 before being caught.
Thankfully, Meadows was hitting the ball to all parts and reached his fifty with only 68 on the board. His rationale of hitting anything pitched-up was typified by one glorious flick off his toes and series of rapier-like pulls off anything fractionally short.
The hundred arrived in the 23rd over, but Meadows perished shortly afterwards bowled by Simon Campbell (1 for 36) off an inside edge attempting to up the run rate. He made 87 and richly deserved a century as it was arguably his best knock for Babington yet.
With the overs running out, I had a swipe for 21 and middle a couple leaving father and son Matthew (11 not out) and an increasingly confident Chester Ellis (19 no) to add 30-odd priceless runs in between poor Ben Tollworthy getting a first ball blob. Wayne Eggelstone (0 for 39) and J. Nickell (1 for 35) all bowled combatively and Hamish lobbed up some donkey-drops at the end.
We took tea more than content with our score of 175 for six off 35 overs.
Alsop and Eggelstone started the Queries reply against the contrasting attack of Tollworthy and Andrew Jolliffe. Ben, all fire and Brimstone down the hill proved a real handful and was unlucky not to get Alsop’s prized wicket when yours truly dropped a skimming chance at second slip... age again I am afraid.
At the other end, Jolliffe answering the last minute call which dragged him off the sofa, was his metronomic self and he saved my blushes when a good length ball popped off Alsop’s splice into my grateful mits. Tollworthy’s spell of 0 for 16 after seven hostile offers was superb and the fact that he remained wicketless should not detract from a superb display.
The unfairness of the game was perhaps highlighted when Ben was replaced by Chester Ellis who promptly took a wicket with his first ball enticing Egglestone (35) to top edge to his Dad at the wicket.
Mike Sherring replaced Jolliffe (1 for 30) and enjoyed a fascinating dual with David Hayward who batted with considerable style. Good-length balls were defended stoutly whilst anything loose was driven through the ‘V’ with the straightest of bats.
Slowly but surely however, the Queries were falling behind the run rate despite the enticing ‘moon balls’ served up by Robert Leachman from the bottom end. The lack of pace from our guest player bamboozled all the batsman who reverted to cross-batted swipes in an attempt to add impetus to the scoreboard. Wheeler perished stumped by a gleeful Ellis and a couple of farcical run-outs put the Queries on the back foot.
Our visitors hopes rested with Simon Campbell and Hamish Horton, but the former was bowled ‘neck and crop’ by the first ball of Chester Ellis’s second spell and Horton was well caught on the very edge of the boundary by Meadows off Cadbury’s liquorice all sorts. The previous ball had sailed into the top boughs of the trees and for a fleeting moment, it looked like we might be in trouble. With the big guns silenced, the overs petered out with the Queries closing on 151 for 8.
So, another victory against quality opposition and our unbeaten run now stretches back to July 2009 unbelievably. This win was built on Meadow’s batting foundation and the combined spirit off the team in the field personified by Matt & Chester Ellis – feisty is a word that springs to mind.
The Queries flag was duly folded up and put away and the assembled multitude made for the bar. Personal memories of the Queries linger long in the memory, but it was good to win – especially after a hugely enjoyable and competitive match.
Babington House CC – 175 for 6
Wiltshire Queries – 151 for 8
Babington Won By 11 Runs
Man of the Match – Mark Meadows – 87
Champagne Moment – Chester Ellis knocking over Simon Campbell for a golden!
Forgive the report being written in the first person, but I felt a tinge of whimsicalness as I drove to Babbers’ with memories of donning the Question Marked shirt at far flung grounds such as Shrivenham, Oxford Downs and Tidworth; of rock hard pitches, sumptuous lunches, toasts to the Queen through gritted teeth and the odd century heaven forbid.
The first Tubeway Army was my soundtrack as the Beamer glided through the leafy Somerset lanes; I felt a touch nervous not because I didn’t want to lose, but moreover, I didn’t want Babington to be stuffed. On their day, the Queries can be formidable.
Upon arrival at an expectant Babington, it represented a special moment to drape the Queries flag over the five-a-side goalposts and greet Barry Aitken – a man who embodies the spirit and tradition of the Queries with his tireless dedication to organisation and endeavour.
Hamish Horton, Queries captain and an imposing figure, won the toss and surprisingly asked Babington to bat first on a straw-coloured strip tinged with green. The two Mark’s, Cadbury and Meadows, opened up against a strong attack comprising Rupert Bagnall’s (2 for 7)left-arm over and Owen Alsop’s (1 for 27) out and out pace.
The latter is a prestigious talent at the Hampshire Cricket academy and a good friend of Liam Dawson who currently opens the batting for the county; the fact that I played cricket against Liam’s father who opened the bowling for Goatacre for years, only added to my realisation that I am getting old.
Meadows looked in good touch from the off employing the right hand to drag powerfully to leg; Cadbury on the other hand was far from his fluent best and soon succumbed to a skied cover drive as his renowned impatience got the better of him. Sherring (8) looked composed but was soon given out leg before and Mark Gunning’s style of hitting the ball late yielded 11 before being caught.
Thankfully, Meadows was hitting the ball to all parts and reached his fifty with only 68 on the board. His rationale of hitting anything pitched-up was typified by one glorious flick off his toes and series of rapier-like pulls off anything fractionally short.
The hundred arrived in the 23rd over, but Meadows perished shortly afterwards bowled by Simon Campbell (1 for 36) off an inside edge attempting to up the run rate. He made 87 and richly deserved a century as it was arguably his best knock for Babington yet.
With the overs running out, I had a swipe for 21 and middle a couple leaving father and son Matthew (11 not out) and an increasingly confident Chester Ellis (19 no) to add 30-odd priceless runs in between poor Ben Tollworthy getting a first ball blob. Wayne Eggelstone (0 for 39) and J. Nickell (1 for 35) all bowled combatively and Hamish lobbed up some donkey-drops at the end.
We took tea more than content with our score of 175 for six off 35 overs.
Alsop and Eggelstone started the Queries reply against the contrasting attack of Tollworthy and Andrew Jolliffe. Ben, all fire and Brimstone down the hill proved a real handful and was unlucky not to get Alsop’s prized wicket when yours truly dropped a skimming chance at second slip... age again I am afraid.
At the other end, Jolliffe answering the last minute call which dragged him off the sofa, was his metronomic self and he saved my blushes when a good length ball popped off Alsop’s splice into my grateful mits. Tollworthy’s spell of 0 for 16 after seven hostile offers was superb and the fact that he remained wicketless should not detract from a superb display.
The unfairness of the game was perhaps highlighted when Ben was replaced by Chester Ellis who promptly took a wicket with his first ball enticing Egglestone (35) to top edge to his Dad at the wicket.
Mike Sherring replaced Jolliffe (1 for 30) and enjoyed a fascinating dual with David Hayward who batted with considerable style. Good-length balls were defended stoutly whilst anything loose was driven through the ‘V’ with the straightest of bats.
Slowly but surely however, the Queries were falling behind the run rate despite the enticing ‘moon balls’ served up by Robert Leachman from the bottom end. The lack of pace from our guest player bamboozled all the batsman who reverted to cross-batted swipes in an attempt to add impetus to the scoreboard. Wheeler perished stumped by a gleeful Ellis and a couple of farcical run-outs put the Queries on the back foot.
Our visitors hopes rested with Simon Campbell and Hamish Horton, but the former was bowled ‘neck and crop’ by the first ball of Chester Ellis’s second spell and Horton was well caught on the very edge of the boundary by Meadows off Cadbury’s liquorice all sorts. The previous ball had sailed into the top boughs of the trees and for a fleeting moment, it looked like we might be in trouble. With the big guns silenced, the overs petered out with the Queries closing on 151 for 8.
So, another victory against quality opposition and our unbeaten run now stretches back to July 2009 unbelievably. This win was built on Meadow’s batting foundation and the combined spirit off the team in the field personified by Matt & Chester Ellis – feisty is a word that springs to mind.
The Queries flag was duly folded up and put away and the assembled multitude made for the bar. Personal memories of the Queries linger long in the memory, but it was good to win – especially after a hugely enjoyable and competitive match.
Babington House CC – 175 for 6
Wiltshire Queries – 151 for 8
Babington Won By 11 Runs
Man of the Match – Mark Meadows – 87
Champagne Moment – Chester Ellis knocking over Simon Campbell for a golden!
Monday, 2 May 2011
BHCC v Wylye Valley - May 1st 2011
Babington’s first fixture of the year fell in the laziest of weekend’s with the nation basking in the pomp and pageantry of ‘that wedding’, or merely wallowing in the joy of another day off work. Opinions seemed divided as the assembled players gathered at our joyous enclave eager to get the new season underway with a victory against long-time adversaries, The Wylye Valley.
Despite the recent heatwave, we were greeted by blustery winds, billowing trees and a sticky wicket with a distinctively mottled hue. “Two-paced” was murmured at the toss, although those with more experience privately suspected there would be no pace at all; the latter view proved to be more realistic.
Regardless, Pinnell lost the toss, but was relieved to be asked to bat by Adrian Leng no doubt somewhat scarred by previous defeats when electing to take first knock. Fittingly, Mark Cadbury played out a maiden to the first over from Peter Catarinella, but that was where any notions of conservatism ended.
Will Sherring took 15 from Barney Stratton’s first over benefitting from the extra visibility provided by the luminous pink ball used to combat the dark green backdrop and the absence of sight screens.This ode to modernism proved to be a revelation to all the batsman although Pinnell’s suggestions that the assembled WAGS don miniskirts and pompoms a la the IPL met with a predictably muted response!
Sherring perished in the fourth over caught in two minds and dollying a catch to cover whereupon brother Mike strode to the crease in determined mood. In fine touch, Mike seemed to have all the time in the world as he caressed and nudged the ball all around the wicket; one sublime cover drive punched to the boundary owed as much to deftness as power, but oozed class.
Not to be outdone, Cadbury cut savagely and late illustrating a shot which harked back to the golden age of light bats and flannels – an era which somehow Cadbury embodies more than any other player I know. It was a surprise then when he was bowled neck and crop by one which, if I were being kind, perhaps kept a little low.
Sherring is an altogether different animal and he is at his very best when nurturing the younger players. Enter Rupert Morgan, the personification of a modern cricketer, with his six foot frame statuesque at the crease, high back lift and front foot technique. From his very first ball, it was apparent that Rupert is a cricketers cricketer; elegant, composed and confident prompting knowing glances from the fielders even before he scored his first run. Indeed, his first scoring shot was a classic off-drive drilled to the fence with immense power and style; applause rang out from the cheap seats as his subsequent performance provided a welcome distraction from the wind.
Sherring and Morgan added sixty delightful runs before the former was snaffled at deep long off by David Leng somewhat unluckily as it was a lovely shot. The ball before he flicked nonchantly to the square leg boundary as if he were using a nine-iron and perhaps his confidence slightly got the better of him. Regardless, it was an entertaining half-century and provided a platform for Rupert to display his full repertoire of extravagant strokes.
Both seamers and spinners suffered as he smashed a plethora of fours and sixes most notably through the ‘V’. Standing tall and hitting the ball on top of the bounce, his phenomenal bat speed generated amazing power. One six of Julian Mathew’s was as good as it gets as a good length leg-spinner disappeared into the swaying trees with a mercurial flash of the blade. Once past fifty, Rupert was unstoppable, but his knock was fittingly ended by Matthews who had the wit to keep tossing the ball up. Few will forget Rupert’s debut and it is a sobering thought that he is still just seventeen and primarily a bowler! Joy.
Babington ended up with 234 for 6 after 35 overs which provided the scope to mix things up in the second innings. A good job frankly as our first ten overs disappeared for almost a hundred runs despite Ed Weale and Steven Pricott both bagging a wicket each. Andrew Studholme drove characteristically straight and Mathews showed no shame in taking a heavy toll on Weale despite batting in Babington sweater and cap.
A sense of normality resumed with the introduction of Chester Ellis who’s instant line and length was rewarded with the edge of Matthews bat taken at the wicket by Mike Sherring. Morgan knocked over Studholme and Nick Jones in a brief two-over spell of express pace, before Paul Forward and Jon Lord rebuilt the innings with a stand of forty-odd.
Rory Cadbury bowled beautifully for one so young and Will Sherring’s donkey-drops ensured some good sport as the shadows lengthened. Ben Tollworthy duly gained his coveted wicket up the hill and took a stunning catch as the ball looped over his head in the covers.
As ever, Mark Cadbury stole the show with an impossibly easy dropped catch at mid-off which prompted a barrage of good-natured abuse from all the players including his own!!! Catarinella and Statton enjoyed themselves as the overs petered out making 19 and 25 not out respectively taking the Valley’s score past a very credible 200.
Babington ran out winners by 20 runs which seemed just about right in the circumstances. Everyone batted or bowled (except a reluctant Andrew Jolliffe) and the good-natured atmosphere re-affirmed the very essence of country house cricket.
Most pleasing was the performances of the boys that will carry this club into the future long after Pinnell, Cadbury and Jolliffe etc have retired. Rupert Morgan is a wonderful talent and the continued development of Rory and Chester is a joy to behold; their enthusiasm provides great pleasure to the old guard who really are well past their sell-by date!!!!
Babington House CC – 234 for 6
Wylye Valley – 214 for 8
Babington House Won by 20 Runs.
Man of the Match – Rupert Morgan – Simply superb.
Champagne Moment – Mark Cadbury’s dropped catch off Will Sherring – Preposterous, but hilarious!
Despite the recent heatwave, we were greeted by blustery winds, billowing trees and a sticky wicket with a distinctively mottled hue. “Two-paced” was murmured at the toss, although those with more experience privately suspected there would be no pace at all; the latter view proved to be more realistic.
Regardless, Pinnell lost the toss, but was relieved to be asked to bat by Adrian Leng no doubt somewhat scarred by previous defeats when electing to take first knock. Fittingly, Mark Cadbury played out a maiden to the first over from Peter Catarinella, but that was where any notions of conservatism ended.
Will Sherring took 15 from Barney Stratton’s first over benefitting from the extra visibility provided by the luminous pink ball used to combat the dark green backdrop and the absence of sight screens.This ode to modernism proved to be a revelation to all the batsman although Pinnell’s suggestions that the assembled WAGS don miniskirts and pompoms a la the IPL met with a predictably muted response!
Sherring perished in the fourth over caught in two minds and dollying a catch to cover whereupon brother Mike strode to the crease in determined mood. In fine touch, Mike seemed to have all the time in the world as he caressed and nudged the ball all around the wicket; one sublime cover drive punched to the boundary owed as much to deftness as power, but oozed class.
Not to be outdone, Cadbury cut savagely and late illustrating a shot which harked back to the golden age of light bats and flannels – an era which somehow Cadbury embodies more than any other player I know. It was a surprise then when he was bowled neck and crop by one which, if I were being kind, perhaps kept a little low.
Sherring is an altogether different animal and he is at his very best when nurturing the younger players. Enter Rupert Morgan, the personification of a modern cricketer, with his six foot frame statuesque at the crease, high back lift and front foot technique. From his very first ball, it was apparent that Rupert is a cricketers cricketer; elegant, composed and confident prompting knowing glances from the fielders even before he scored his first run. Indeed, his first scoring shot was a classic off-drive drilled to the fence with immense power and style; applause rang out from the cheap seats as his subsequent performance provided a welcome distraction from the wind.
Sherring and Morgan added sixty delightful runs before the former was snaffled at deep long off by David Leng somewhat unluckily as it was a lovely shot. The ball before he flicked nonchantly to the square leg boundary as if he were using a nine-iron and perhaps his confidence slightly got the better of him. Regardless, it was an entertaining half-century and provided a platform for Rupert to display his full repertoire of extravagant strokes.
Both seamers and spinners suffered as he smashed a plethora of fours and sixes most notably through the ‘V’. Standing tall and hitting the ball on top of the bounce, his phenomenal bat speed generated amazing power. One six of Julian Mathew’s was as good as it gets as a good length leg-spinner disappeared into the swaying trees with a mercurial flash of the blade. Once past fifty, Rupert was unstoppable, but his knock was fittingly ended by Matthews who had the wit to keep tossing the ball up. Few will forget Rupert’s debut and it is a sobering thought that he is still just seventeen and primarily a bowler! Joy.
Babington ended up with 234 for 6 after 35 overs which provided the scope to mix things up in the second innings. A good job frankly as our first ten overs disappeared for almost a hundred runs despite Ed Weale and Steven Pricott both bagging a wicket each. Andrew Studholme drove characteristically straight and Mathews showed no shame in taking a heavy toll on Weale despite batting in Babington sweater and cap.
A sense of normality resumed with the introduction of Chester Ellis who’s instant line and length was rewarded with the edge of Matthews bat taken at the wicket by Mike Sherring. Morgan knocked over Studholme and Nick Jones in a brief two-over spell of express pace, before Paul Forward and Jon Lord rebuilt the innings with a stand of forty-odd.
Rory Cadbury bowled beautifully for one so young and Will Sherring’s donkey-drops ensured some good sport as the shadows lengthened. Ben Tollworthy duly gained his coveted wicket up the hill and took a stunning catch as the ball looped over his head in the covers.
As ever, Mark Cadbury stole the show with an impossibly easy dropped catch at mid-off which prompted a barrage of good-natured abuse from all the players including his own!!! Catarinella and Statton enjoyed themselves as the overs petered out making 19 and 25 not out respectively taking the Valley’s score past a very credible 200.
Babington ran out winners by 20 runs which seemed just about right in the circumstances. Everyone batted or bowled (except a reluctant Andrew Jolliffe) and the good-natured atmosphere re-affirmed the very essence of country house cricket.
Most pleasing was the performances of the boys that will carry this club into the future long after Pinnell, Cadbury and Jolliffe etc have retired. Rupert Morgan is a wonderful talent and the continued development of Rory and Chester is a joy to behold; their enthusiasm provides great pleasure to the old guard who really are well past their sell-by date!!!!
Babington House CC – 234 for 6
Wylye Valley – 214 for 8
Babington House Won by 20 Runs.
Man of the Match – Rupert Morgan – Simply superb.
Champagne Moment – Mark Cadbury’s dropped catch off Will Sherring – Preposterous, but hilarious!
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