BHCC v Cafe du Paris

Sunny weather at Babington, unheard of this year. Having been put in to bat, we knew it was going to be hard work, as in the 1950s it could only be described as a sticky wicket. Many thanks to Clive for ensuring a game in what can only be the worst summer on record. Mark Gunning and Mark Coxon-Tenty were met by the opening bowler Mr Bailey, who was otherwise known as Bill (his real name is Steve). All three are teachers - off work until September! It was proving difficult to bat, but Mark G was bowled by a beauty from Bill Bailey, that hit the seam outside off stump and jagged back between bat and pad to hit the top of middle and leg. Sherring came in and looked on form, until Barran decided to put himself on. It was too much for Sherring, one massive sweep of the bat - ball missed the off stump by an inch and nearly stumped, he went for another huge hit - this time the ball hit off stump. Johnny has the longest run up to ball speed ratio in the world, coming off at least 20 paces, he manages 54 mph, as he told us from the bowling gun at Lord's. That is the pace of Shane Warne's slower one! However, as has been proved again and again, bowling dibbly dobblies gets wicket at Babington, Johnny getting 3 wickets. Phil de Glanville, James and Nick Mackenzie followed, their natural game is hit each and every ball to the boundary - this is not a wicket to get on the front foot and drive, but they scored quickly. Matt Ellis and Mark Cadbury followed quickly falling to the very accurate Dan Lewis-Williams, who has played for Millfield 1st X1 and is on Glamorgan's books. Barran eventually hurt a muscle in his back, one he didn't realise he had, with his slower ball - can you believe it. He comes storming in from 20 paces, let's out a huge grunt, like a tennis player, and pretends to be putting everything into it, for the ball to go down the wicket at about 35 mph. It was painful to watch but also for Johnny's back. The star of the show for Cafe du Paris was Al Mackenzie, who was brought along and substituted for Mike Rowan who couldn't be arsed to turn up. Al is James's youngest - at 13 years old be looks a fit rugby player, but also bowls for Wiltshire and is the No. 4 bat for them as well. He bowled briskly and accurately, getting his father caught behind by Marcus Codrington (the man of Mongoose fame). The bizarre nature of the game became apparent, when James high-fived his son, joining in the celebrations of losing his wicket, with the opposition. Tollworthy, Harry Cadbury and Peter Catarinella managed to get us to 130 all out, with 3 overs not used of our 35, criminal really. Our turn to bowl. Catarinella and Coxon-Tenty opening up bowling the first 14 overs, both wanting to carry on as they might seize up later, as is the nature of our ageing side. Both bowled very tightly, conceding only 32 runs off their 14 overs, with Peter getting 2 wickets. Tollworthy coming down the hill and Sherring up the hill, again the bowling was tight, but we desperately needed a lack of pace on this wicket - the leg spin of Gilfillan would have been unplayable. Sherring bowled 5 good balls an over and one full toss - which went for 4 most times, conceding only 26 run in 7 overs. We needed a wicket. The left-handed No. 5 Stringer (also a very good keeper) was hitting the bad ball to the boundary. He was being joined by Lewis-Williams who scored quickly for 17 before being caught on the boundary by Nick Mackenzie. Nick has got a huge throw, some 80 yards or so to the top of the stumps and having him on the boundary was a real deterrent. This was the champagne moment, Lewis-Williams launching the ball towards the boundary and Nick taking a catch so nonchalantly at full pace it was a pleasure to watch such a young athlete. Unlike yours truly, who managed to drop 2 catches, only for the batting protagonist to be out in the next few balls. Mark Cadbury bowled some spin, if you can call it that from the top end, conceding 17 off 6 overs and one LBW, until his seventh over when the chips were down and Cafe du Paris needing 6 an over - it went for 12! It was all but over with Nick and James Mackenzie bowling the last few overs really tightly, and with 2 balls to spare Barran's team got over the line. Many thanks to Matt for organising an excellent game that ended up being close, but I think we were just happy to finish only the third game of Babington's cricket season.