Babington House Cricket Club Blog

BHCC v Free Foresters - Match Report

2011-08-22T17:47:00.002+01:00

Babington’s last fixture of 2011 resulted in a drubbing at the hands of the Free Foresters who fielded perhaps the strongest side we have faced for a number of years. Traditionally an all day affair, at one point it looked a distinct possibility that we would not survive until lunch after electing to bat on a genuine ‘sticky wicket’. Given our batting line-up, finding ourselves struggling at 56 for 5 was a disappointment and only served to heighten the Foresters desire to avenge a comprehensive winning draw last year.

It all started so well with Mark Cadbury and Mark Coxon-Tenty looking composed as they adjusted to the slow pace of the pitch. Indeed, Cocko launched a straight six into the trees and all seemed well with the world and the middle order settled into their deck chairs to watch a gentle pre-lunch batting master class. High hopes were soon dashed when Cocko was caught in any number of minds to a short ball outside off-stump which he proceeded to punch without conviction into the hands of short cover. Groans in the cheap seats, but there was worse to come.

Mike Rowan smacked a couple of fours before pulling too early and Rupert Morgan inexplicably missed a full bunger; Steven Priscott and Mark Cadbury both let their impatience get the better of them and before I knew it, I was at the crease trying to ignore the banter from the Foresters’ players behind the stumps. Some of it funny, but most puerile, I have always found that the best way to silence these guys is to smack the living daylights out of the ball and try and regain a semblance of honour with a flashing blade.

A early six over mid-wicket and a couple of whacks through the V at least proved we could bat a bit, but the loss of Matt Ellis bowled through the gate was the catalyst for more chit-chat. Chris Player attacked from the outset and we at least took lunch with eighty-odd on the board and the prospect of pushing on in the afternoon.

A superb lunch of chicken and all the trimmings was served in the Log Room and I encouraged the Foresters’ to stuff their faces knowing that we had to score quick runs straight after. Chris was the perfect foil for a while and his no-nonsense approach enabled us to at least get the board moving. The spinners were obliging and it was fun to ‘milk’ them for a few overs bringing up a personal fifty in the process.

Once Chris was out, there was no option but to attack and a few half trackers sailed over the boundary supplemented by a few genuine cover drives not seen since the heady days of 1986 according to Cocko. It had to end but I had no idea I was on 99 when attempting to hit another six only to mis-time straight into George Bretton’s buckets at deep mid-off.

Chaos ensued with the Cadbury boys desperate to bat and Mark acting as a runner as we swished our way to 203. From our pre-lunch position this was a reasonable effort but nowhere near enough against the Foresters formidable batting line up. The game was virtually won in ten overs before tea whereby Charlie Stuckley and James Croft rattled off 60 runs in no time. Highly competitive and hugely talented, our bowling was lacklustre and our fielding appalling allowing the openers to take control of the match.

Tea was a spectacular affair with Eton Mess added to the usual mix of scones and sandwiches which only served to further hinder our fielding. We dropped any number of catches and failed the persevering bowlers especially Rupert who bowled with great pace and determination.

With Grant Chandler and Cocko lobbing up their pies we took a few wickets mainly due to the batsman trying to smack the ball out of the ground, rather than any genuine threat.

Croft made a chanceless 77 before giving his wicket away, Stuckley cruised to 46 and Wisset-Warner hit 27 leaving Gibbs (37 no) and Raj Pillai (8 no) to knock off the winning runs in the 35th over. It was the most comprehensive of victories and despite having to take such a hammering squarely on the chin, Babington need to take inspiration from the Free Foresters illustrious history and obvious quality. We have all the ingredients required to re-energise the club in the close season and build on the foundations laid over the past decade or so. If yours truly can still score 99, then anything is possible!

Babington House – 203 All Out
Free Foresters – 204 for 4

Free Foresters Won by Six Wickets

Man of the Match – James Croft for a great all round bowling display.

Champagne Moment - Eton Mess for Tea - what luxury!!!

Babington Sixes Tournament - Sunday 28th August

2011-08-22T12:04:00.014+01:00

Running Order & Notes For Captains
* Tournament starts at 10am Prompt.
* Players lunch will be served at 1pm.
* Matches will continue through lunch which will be staggered.
* Tea will be taken at 4pm.
* Players Mach Fee = £15 per person inc Lunch & Tea.
* Paying bar available from 10am.
* Burgers will also be available throughout the day for £11.
* Guests can purchase Lunch for £10 per person.

Participating Teams (So Far!!!)

Weale's Warriors
1. Ed Weale (Captain)
2. Norman Botton
3. Jonathon Downey
4. Simon Hubner
5. Tim Simmons
6. Nick Butler

Horler's Heroes
1. David Horler (Captain)
2. Ed Horler
3. Dan Spencer
4. James Callow
5. Tom Alsop
6. Alex Chinnock

Babington A
1. Andrew Pinnell (Captain)
2. Jack Cadbury
3. Harry Cadbury
4. Rory Cadbury
5. James MacKenzie
6. Mike Rowan

Babington B
1. Matt Ellis (Captain)
2. Chester Ellis
3. Steven Priscott
4. Mark Meadows
5. Simon Potter
6. Mike Midgeley

Trolly's Trundlers
1. Andrew Trollope (Captain)
2. Graham Kitley
3. Robbie Robson
4. Phil de Glanville
5. Simon Abendanan

Prizes will be awarded for Player of the Day, Biggest Six of the Day and Player of the Tournament courtesy of Babington House.

BHCC v Milton CC - Match Report

2011-08-16T09:01:00.003+01:00

Babington at its best on a glorious summer Sunday as we entertained Milton Cricket Club on a flat, if slightly damp track. Joyously, we won the toss and Steven Priscott needed no second invitation to don the pads and take first strike alongside debutant Nick Gracey. Indeed, the former smote the first ball of the innings airily for four which was indicative of his mindset; sadly, Gracey was knocked over first ball by Reeves bowling with pace down the hill.

Enter, Ben ‘Tolly’ Tollworthy at number 3 and also on a mission it seemed. He and Priscott proceeded to gorge themselves on the bowling which, after Reeves initial burst, was dominated by spin. Priscott heaved mightily at anything pitched up and would no doubt have scored many more had he used a bat without a crack in it; Tollworthy smashed a mighty six to get his innings going and was soon driving with aplomb despite bemoaning the Newberry Krakatoa blade which he claimed had “no middle”.

With these two in full flow the assembled multitudes relaxed in the deck chairs and flicked through the Sunday papers dominated by images of the urban riots. As the sun beat down and the ripening corn swayed in the breeze, it was difficult to equate he two worlds; the nearest thing to a riot on show was when Priscott was sharply warned for running down the wicket by Colin Houseman whose two over’s went for 19!

All was well with the Babington world at least as the hundred came up in the twentieth over and applause echoed across the ground. The equilibrium was only broken when Priscott holed out for an excellent 71 and Tollworthy was stumped for 67, both exceptional knocks.

Mark Coxon-Tenty’s innings only lasted five balls, but contained two fours – one on-drive off his pads oozed pure class – but a walking waft of a shot found a thick edge and he departed much to the disappointment of his watching family. Chester Ellis combined gun-barrel defence with elegant attacking strokes including one absolutely delightful flick off his pads which was reminiscent of Gower in his prime.

It was left to Mike Rowan and Matt Ellis to huff and puff the innings to a close which finished on a challenging score of 190 off 35 overs.

Agreeing to bat for seven overs before tea, Milton were soon in terrible trouble against the combined pie throwers of Andrew Pinnell and Grant Chandler. The latter’s first ball was the worst long-hop ever bowled, but Wilby somehow construed to slap it straight into Pinnell’s mits at mid on.

Raye drove one of Pinnell’s moon balls to Chester Ellis and mid-off, before Lambden and Hubner were deceived by ‘flight and guile’ – or maybe not; “chicken and mushroom” muttered Cocko in the deep!

Our visitors took tea at 19-4 and rumblings about the sandwiches and match fees were audible even over the sound of the rustling trees. Pinnell frowned to himself and remembered the days playing on dreadful municipal pitches with no showers and stale white bread filled with the cheapest ham – Fire in Babylon indeed!!!

A further seven bowlers were deployed after tea in an attempt to open up the game, but when Matt Ellis get’s a wicket you know such an attempt is largely futile. Chester, Trolly and the welcome return of Chris Player illustrated the depth of the Babington bowling attack, but it was Nick Gracey who bagged a brace to offset his Golden’.

The innings fizzled out on 88 with Ellis’s ‘doosra’ trapping Colin Houseman plumb in front after 30 overs. Most of the Milton team chose a hasty exit whilst the rest of us enjoyed the luxury of Babbers on a balmy August evening; shadows stretched across the lawn and the sunlight glistened on the windows of the House as sparkling jugs of ale were purchased with wanton abandon.

Pinnell’s attempt to add a degree of fiscal control to the proceedings was about as effective as Cameron’s austerity measures and the subsequent bar bill told its own story. No matter, days like these are rare indeed and a welcome distraction from the urban mayhem and commercial Armageddon that most of us have to face on Monday mornings!

Babington House – 190 for 5
Milton CC – 94 All Out

Babington Won By 96 Runs

Man of the Match – Shared between Ben Tollworthy & Steven Priscott
Champagne Moment – Chester Ellis’s flick off his toes.

BHCC v Rode - Match Report

2011-07-25T21:54:00.002+01:00

Babington suffered their second defeat of the season, but enjoyed an enthralling match against Rode – a new fixture. Winning the toss on a somewhat crusty wicket, Babington batted first only to make something of a mess of things from the outset.

With the bulk of the team’s mainstay holidaying in sunnier climes, captain Andrew Pinnell and Jonathon Downie opened up only for the latter to depart cheaply caught off the admirable looping spin of ‘Tex’ Taylor. Ben Tollworthy strode to the wicket clearly on a mission and smacked a couple of delightful boundaries to open his account, whilst Pinnell scratched around like an old hen at the other end.

Sadly it was not to last as Ben heaved with gusto only to be bowled by Taylor’s deceptive flight. Julian Mathews innings was similar although his stumps were dislodged by Hairfield for a typically aggressive 14. Pinnell slowly began to find the middle of the bat and lofted Taylor into the top of the tallest tree on the avenue and lamped a couple of pulls over mid-wicket off Hopkins who dropped short on occasions.

Once Pinnell (40) was caught at mid-on attempting a wristy flick more suited to a rock hard track that was largely that. Ed Weale is already filling out his application to the Primary Club and Mike Midgely suffered the ignominy of another quacker quickly followed by Andy Trollope who at least managed to lay bat on ball. Simon Potter drove hard to cover and Jack Matthews spooned a catch in the same direction leaving David Sheridan high and dry at the other end.

To the credit of Rode’s skipper Kevin Ristorick, they invited Jack to bat again given that we only had 10. The score at that point was 82 and technically we were all out. Sheridan took advantage of his reprieve and hit a powerful 35 giving the final score of 124 something of a flattering appearance.

Despite our swift demise, we took to the field in strangely confident mood and soon reduced Rode to 11 for 5 courtesy of a stella opening spell from Ben Tollworthy. Bowling like a man possessed, he had C. Hairfield spectacularly caught at slip by Weale who somehow managed to cling on to an absolute stinging chance low to his left. Catching the ball and wheeling away in delight all in one movement, he looked like an over-stuffed swallow as he was mobbed by his incredulous team-mates.

There was more to follow as Hopkins was bowled neck and crop before Powell was gleefully pouched by Julian Matthews at mid-on. At the other end, Andrew Trollope’s unwavering line and length was rewarded with G. Hairfield’s feathered edge and Ristorick himself was caught by a less than elegant Pinnell at silly mid-on off Tollworthy.

20 for 5 then at tea, but Pinnell had shot most of his bowling bolts and perhaps only he knew how fragile the supporting attack might be. Indeed, after Trolly (1 for 14) and Tolly (4 for 14) (sorry!) finished their epic spells, Pinnell elected to bowl himself along with Julian Mathew’s hardly used leggies.

The early wicket of L. Harfield (crikey, how many are there in that family!!) proved a false dawn as the score crept above 60 with Smith making 18 and ‘Rusty’ Russell looking imperious. The latter’s knock of 64 not out won the game for Rode and was characterised by stubborn defence and innovative shots; reverse sweeps, subtle nudges and the odd smashed boundary deservedly saw Rode home in the final over.

Ultimately, Babington can have few complaints for losing as they failed to field a full side for the third time this season. Until this is rectified, the club stand little chance against determined opposition such as Rode who turned up with an energetic and forceful team who deserved their victory.

The game will be remembered for Weale’s uber-catch, the renaming of Trolly & Tolly who both bowled superbly, Rusty’s delightful innings and a the general good spirit throughout.

Babington need to go back to the drawing board if the club is to have any longevity going forward.

BHCC – 123 All Out (82 really)
Rode CC – 124 for 8

Rode CC won by 2 wickets.

Man of the Match – Rusty for an excellent knock of 64 no.
Champagne Moment - Ed Wele's slip catch off Tollworthy

Brief Report of the Ditcheat Match

2011-06-20T09:18:00.005+01:00

We remain unbeaten following a close victory against local rivals Ditcheat. Writing a report from afar is difficult, but suffice to say it was a niggly match played by 22 highly competitive blokes on a pitch that was understandably green following June's unseasonal showers.

Batting first, we looked in trouble following the early dismissals of Mark Meadows and Mark Coxon-Tenty only for Mark Cadbury and Matt Ellis to embark on the repair job. Cadbury, straight and classical lost his middle stump when attempting an extravagant drive, but Ellis was sublime as he cut and pulled his way to a superb 70.

Like many teams, Ditcheat paid the penalty for dropping short and Ellis simply cut the bowling to ribbons. Having reached 148 for 5, we then capitulated to 151 all out leaving Ditcheat a very sporting total.

With tea not ready, Ditcheat (unwisely in my view) agreed to bat for ten overs before the interval losing two wickets and scoring just 17 runs in the process. After a long wait for scones and jam, Ditcheat set about their target with gusto against accurate bowling from Andrew Trollope and Coxon-Tenty. Andrew Jolliffe and Chester Ellis both bowled with their customary energy, but Ditcheat were creeping ever closer with Nick Morgan especially fluent.

The game ebbed and flowed and the banter from the boundary only added to the excitement. Cadbury bowled the penultimate over only to be smacked for a maximum which left Ditcheat requiring six off the last over bowled by Coxon-Tenty - arguably, the best man in such a tight situation.

A few dot balls mingled with a couple of scrambled singles left Ditcheat needing four from the last ball. Coxon-Tenty's delivery was full and straight and resulted in just a single and yet another close win for Babington.

Already, the tales of 'why's and wherefore's' are filtering in my direction and one can only imagine the nature of the banter between Cadbury and David Eaton. However, the Babington spirit that defines our club inspired yet another good win which preserves the bragging rights over some of our fellow members for another year.
Unlucky Ditcheat, but "must try harder"!!!!

Man of the Match - Matthew Ellis for his excellent knock of 70
.
Champagne Moment - Cadbury's smug grin after the final ball!!!

It could be seen from central Bath!!!!
Babington House Won By 3 Runs.

Stuffed!!!

2011-05-23T07:36:00.003+01:00

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.

Images from the the first two matches of the season.

2011-05-21T22:57:00.010+01:00

Images From Wiltshire Queries Match

2011-05-21T22:03:00.019+01:00

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

2011-05-21T21:36:00.003+01:00

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!

BHCC v Wylye Valley - May 1st 2011

2011-05-02T13:38:00.002+01:00

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!

2011 Season Is Upon Us

2011-04-15T13:35:00.002+01:00

Hi to one and all and after a long winter, the 2011 Babington House Cricket Club season is almost upon us.

The fixtures have been published opposite, but there are a couple more matches to be added. You will note that a number of clubs are visting Babington for the first time and I know you will extend a warm welcome to new guests who will know doubt marvel at our luxurious surroundings!!!!

As ever, I request that you give the Match Managers maximum support in terms of letting them know of your availability at the earliest opportunity.

We have a great fixture list this year and the club continues to grow in both stature and membership, but it needs the collective contributions of us all to build on the solid foundations already in place.

Please feel free to contact me on either 07793 293 417 or andrew@impress-media.co.uk and I look forward to another fantastic season ahead.

Can't wait - Andrew

The Almost Perfect 10!!!

2010-08-30T19:50:00.004+01:00

Just a quick note to confirm that the scheduled final match of the season against the Forest Irregulars on the 5th September has been cancelled. This obviously means that our season has finished with the remarkable record of played ten, won nine and only a winning draw against the Free Foresters spoiling an almost perfect record. We hosted a wonderful sixes tournament too which provided one of the highlights of the season.

A fantastic season and my sincerest thanks to everyone who contributed in whatever form; either by playing, scoring, serving the teas or supporting. As ever, the combination of Babington's unique ambience and the diverse personalities of all those involved in the club contributes to a very special brand of cricket which has again given much pleasure to all. Perhaps the Pakistan test team could take a few leaves out of our book!!!!

I dare say I will post a review of the season in due course and look forward to meeting up with one and all in the coming months. In the meantime, I repeat my heartfelt thanks to all of you that have made the 2010 season so memorable....

Best wishes

Andrew....

Images From Mells Match - 21st August 2010

2010-08-25T23:12:00.009+01:00

BHCC v Mells - 21st August 2010 - Match Report

2010-08-25T23:05:00.002+01:00

I make no apologies for a whimsical match report following our 50-odd run victory against Mells as the very essence of the match was far more important than the mere formalities of the statistics. Yes we won, but it is of little consequence as the match itself was played in a spirit that transcends any notions of winners and losers.

The only winner was the game itself and the fundamental attitude of all the senior players that took part who long ago discarded their own personal performances in favour of providing an atmosphere in which the youngsters could learn and flourish. Ultimately, this match embodied all that is wonderful about cricketers who really get it; about players that have been there, done it and worn the bloody T-shirt to a point of madness.

Perhaps more than any other, two players absolutely embody this spirit, this special bond with the game that makes cricket the most glorious, eccentric game in existence; from Babington, Cocko (Mark Coxon-Tenty) is a batsmen of phenomenal pedigree who played one of the best innings I have ever seen in scoring 186 against the Free Foresters earlier this year, and from Mells, Julian Saviour, a man that can destroy any attack with blistering power and a canny bowler to boot.

Having played senior cricket for over thirty years, both men would feature in my all-time dream eleven and yet on a sultry Sunday at Babbers, they were happy to contribute absolutely sod-all to the match in terms of runs and wickets. However, in terms of insight, experience and support for the new generations, both guys never stopped giving everything despite hangovers and pre-occupations with village finals at Taunton. Gents, none of this is lost on a humble captain who feels a deep sense of honour to be orchestrating these matches knowing damn well that you are with me; knowing that our own scores no longer matter, knowing that we have had our glory days and now is the moment to give something back to the game to which we owe so much.

There are other heroes too of course, but Julian and Cocko really do highlight the point I am making. It would be so easy to ramble on about another victory and the sumptuous teas that have become such a feature of our club, but again in would miss the point. The real point is that Mells fielded at least five players under sixteen and Babington’s top scorers were Chris Player and Ed Alexander who have excelled as a consequence of the atmosphere in which we play our cricket these days; attacking, fair and supportive, spurred on by the barked encouragement of Mark Cadbury, Giles Lunt and David Horler to name but three. Christ, this is the easiest team to captain in the world because we all share the values, the same desire and the same understanding that the game is more important than all of us.

For me, all of these sentiments were embodied in one glorious moment. Julian was umpiring and Harry Cadbury was bowling up the hill. He had already been called for a couple of very wide ‘wides’ when his last ball of the over pitched at least three feet outside off stump. It was a definite wide and God Mells need the runs, but Julian was reading a higher script and simply called “over”. I was fielding at mid-wicket and I looked at Julian with a silent smile to which he responded with a wry grin; at that very moment any personal ambitions I had for scoring centuries or winning cricket matches evaporated; it is no longer my role to be governed by averages or the scorebook; like Julian, my job is to give the younger guys confidence and a platform on which they can learn their craft, make their own mistakes and celebrate their own achievements. It would have mattered not if we had got stuffed!

As it happened and for the record, we won the toss and naturally batted first on a classic Autumnal green-top after heavy overnight rain. Ed Alexander pulled with immense power despite using a Newbury bat with a seemingly minuscule sweet spot, whilst Mark Cadbury dithered in his own world of indecision. Indeed, Cadbury was first to go driving without real conviction to be caught and bowled prompting the usual forensic self-depreciating analysis by my favourite whipping boy – shut-up man and just accept that age is getting the better of us!

Chris Player is flourishing as both a batsman and a bowler and his uncomplicated style soon began proving dividends. Despite some truly horrendous ‘moos’ to leg, he soon found his range and drove beautifully through the ‘V’ to reach 68 before holing out to Julian in the deep. Alexander perished after bringing up an aggressive fifty and Giles Lunt swished briefly, before a premeditated heave across the line saw his stumps emphatically destroyed. Ed Horler made a welcome return to the side and whacked 32 including a lofted six into the tennis courts ensuring that we posted a score of 205 for 5 off 35 overs.

Mells gave all their youngsters a chance with the bat and we responded in kind by opening the bowling with Jack Cadbury. As ever, Jack’s classical action and off-stump line caused all the batsmen problems and his five overs went for just ten runs. At the other end, Chandler’s half-decent leggies had Melville sharply caught behind by Alexander, but he was soon banished to the boundary in favour of Harry Cadbury who again impressed despite a wayward start.

Pinnell, for reasons that not even he can explain, delivered five overs of utter rubbish and somehow had Simon Edwards (Mells’ captain and best player) acrobatically caught by Ed Horler who also bowled a tidy spell without reward. Rory Cadbury, twelve years lest we forget, ran in with his beautiful smile and had Dave Carter well caught by David Horler at mid-on. In between times, Mark Cadbury gave a fielding display that was rather unkindly likened to Stephen Hawking by some on account of its sheer lack of physical co-ordination. Dropping catches, diving on his head and mis-fielding on the boundary only further underlined the need for our hero to accept the inevitable and join Pinnell in the deck chairs reserved for non-contributing administrators. What the hell is wrong with Giles Clarke any way? Of course, I jest!!!

Indeed, in recognition of his own sad incompetence, we gave Mark the last over and, with absolute typical bravado, he bowled left-handed. With all the momentum of a snail in slow motion, his first delivery just about reached the batsmen who promptly slapped it into the covers were eldest son Jack took a sharp catch. Only Cadbury Senior can do this; just when you think he is washed up, blown out and on the scrapheap, he does something remarkable; something ridiculous; something so memorable that his previous misdemeanours are somehow erased.

As you can no doubt imagine, I have heard about nothing else since and I have made an appointment with an ear specialist when the season finally ends! It was just left to Giles Lunt to deliver the last rites and he picked-up a brace leaving Mells on 157 for 9 with our man Julian not even bothering to don his pads and heading instead to the Cowshed!

And so we retired to the lawn and huddled under the sun-shades as storm clouds rumbled over the darkened lake. The conversation touched on many themes not least Cadbury’s excursions to the red light district of Amsterdam and the gone but never forgotten Johnny Barron’s legendary appearance in the bar wearing only a Babington bath robe. Cocko refused any invitations to drink alcohol preferring to wallow in his own self-induced booze-fuelled haze and Giles and I just giggled about nights out in George Street!!!!

As ever, a lovely Sunday afternoon at Babbers that just proves our club is like no other with an array of characters that would be frankly unbelievable even on the big screen. The spirit, the attitude and the sheer sense of fun is what underpins our efforts and creates a somewhat surreal ambience that is irrepressible to all that have the pleasure to be involved.

Babington House - 205 for 5 off 35 overs.
Mells - 157 for 9.
Babington House Won By 48 Runs

Men of the Match - Ed Alexander & Chris Player for equally fine fifties.
Champagne Moments - Mark Cadbury dropping a catch and ending up on his head, plus his left arm bowling in the final over.

BHCC v The Star Inn, Bath - 15th August 2010

2010-08-16T14:26:00.005+01:00

BHCC v The Star Inn - 15th August 2010 - Match Report

2010-08-16T11:35:00.003+01:00

On a lovely still afternoon, Babington entertained The Star Inn from Bath for the first time and the contrast between the two respective hostelries could not be more stark; Babington House, with its manicured rolling lawns, designer chic ambience and media-cool clientele is a million miles away from The Star’s ‘spit and sawdust’ culture, real ales and shove ha’penny table that makes it one of Bath’s most popular and authentic boozers.

The reality is that I love both places it was a personal pleasure to invite The Star to Babbers as the pub is situated directly opposite my pad. Since moving to Bath some eighteen months ago, both the staff and the regulars have afforded me the warmest of welcomes and it was only a matter of time before we met on the field of play. The Star’s cricket team is over 25 years old and they play Sunday league cricket so we expected a tough encounter.

However, Babington fielded a hardened team that mixed youth and experience with Mark Cadbury joined by his three sons that in itself was special. At one point, the whole on-side comprised only Cadbury’s and I felt a tinge of paternal pride watching the four of them dominate half of the whole field. Meanwhile, my two daughters and their friends were pre-occupied by Shirley Temples, giant-sized pizza’s and running up a ‘tab’ at the bar which is a precedent that I going to have to get used to over the coming years no doubt.

Shock horror, we lost the toss and were asked to field and opened the bowling with Jack Cadbury down the hill and Grant Chandler. Chandler struck first with a drifting leg-break that was sharply snaffled by a chattering Giles Lunt in the gulley off Tennant’s edge, before bemusing Cammann in the flight and knocking back his middle peg. Mark Cadbury held on to a mis-timed drive from Shanahan to give Mike Sherring his first wicket, before the same bowler comprehensively cleaned-up J. Boreham with a yorker.

The Star was reeling at 30 odd for four so it was the perfect opportunity to let Harry and Rory Cadbury take up the attack. Both excelled extolling the simple virtues of line and length and Rory, just twelve remember, bowled Donaldson off an under edge. Harry then ran out Steady from behind square and Rory had Steele caught at the wicket off a swinging good length ball which Ed Alexander pouched with glee.

Sherring returned and responded to his captain’s goading by bowling Watts and Wiggins for blobs, before Chandler castled A. Boreham round his legs to end a last wicket stand of 31 with Gibson who made an excellent 22. A score of 101 all out was never going to trouble a batting line-up which saw Pinnell, Mark Cadbury and Cocko at 9, 10 Jack preferring to chill in the deckchairs following the weekly fortunes of Crouchie who finds it far easier to score in dingy nightclubs than on the pitch for Spurs!

Ed Alexander characteristically got the innings going with a pick-up six over square leg before perishing attempting another maximum. Lunty joined debutant Guy Ritchie (no, not that one) and the pair compiled an entertaining stand of 85 to take us to the brink. Guy played almost exclusively off the back foot, but with the mother of all Newbery bats in his hand, anything that found the gaps yielded runs aplenty. Giles on the other hand, all fast hands and front foot, smacked a delicious brace of sixes into the avenue and another flat and straight up the hill.

Ritchie was caught in the deep for an excellent 35 that included 5 fours and a flicked six over mid-wicket and capped a pleasing debut. Giles was in full flow, but restrained himself to give Harry Cadbury an over or two at the crease before bringing up his half-century; fittingly, Harry hit the winning run and remained two not out much to the delight of his watching Mum, Lindsay, who can be rightly proud of her brood’s compelling performances.

No spit and no sawdust, but just a delightful gathering on the lawn where both teams mingled and giggled while guzzling foaming jugs of ale. Despite the easy win, this is the real thrill; watching the kids run amok, pestering parents for more pop and pizzas, while the players swap stories and anecdotes as a blazing sun dips behind the trees.

As ever, Babington captures the true essence of the game and it is wonderful to witness so many players from differing backgrounds and generations enjoying our very own take on country house cricket. We do remain unbeaten this year, but that really isn’t the point; seeing the progression of the Cadbury boy’s et al and the smiling faces of our very own barmy-army relaxing in the shadows of the swaying tress truly is.

The Star Inn, Bath - 101 All Out
Babington House - 102 - 2

Babington House Won by 8 Wickets

Man of the Match - Rory Cadbury 2 for 13 off 5 overs.
Champagne Moment - Giles Lunt's catch at gully off Chandler's increasingly devastating 'pies'.

BHCC v Catch 22 - 8th August 2010 - Match Report

2010-08-09T21:03:00.003+01:00

Much to be cheery about after Babington maintained their unbeaten run with a comprehensive 99 run victory over a competitive Catch 22 eleven. There was something of an ‘end of season’ feel to the atmosphere even though we are only in early-August; the bean field has been shorn of its crop, the lawns were almost deserted of guests and a slight breeze whispered Autumn.

Catch 22 arrived intent on beating us as they did last year in that infamous match, but our proud record is being stoutly defended as we enter the season’s home straight. With Mark Cadbury on his best behaviour, Matthew Ellis at his most determined and Andrew Pinnell thrilled to be back on familiar territory after the previous day’s League outing with Heytesbury, we had enough alpha males on parade to add steel to a young side.

It was a joy to include Jack & Harry Cadbury, Chester Ellis, plus Ed and Lawrence Alexander in the team also bolstered by the formidable Mark Coxon-Tenty; wild cards Mike (Mr.) Midgeley and Grant Chandler completed a stellar line-up hell bent on attacking cricket.

Batting first on one of Clive’s feather-beds, we were soon into our stride; Midgeley driving with merry gusto and Cadbury at his most pugnacious. The pair added 23 before Midgeley missed a straight-one for 12 scored exclusively in boundaries. Jack (named after a certain knighted Mr. Hobbs) joined his father whose increasingly sagging man-boobs suggest he is appropriately named after a well-known chocolate brand!

Insults aside (and I can hear the repost already – something about swallowing a rugby ball I imagine!!!), the pair batted delightfully; Mark spanked a full toss through the covers with particular aplomb as Jack preferred the on-side with gentle pushes and nudges. Both beautifully correct in technique, met anything straight with the makers-name and dispatched the loose stuff with elegance. The fifty came up in the fourteenth over only for Jack to be knocked over by a sharp leggie in Wright’s first over.

Chester Ellis too showed why this new generation promise so much under their lids; unflustered and confident, Chester was calmness personified during his 26 ball innings and it was no disgrace to be caught off Clargo’s concoction of flippers and chinamen. Ed Alexander brought impetus to the innings and soon had Cadbury’s face turning the same vibrant shade of pink as his bat handle with some quick singles. Bugger this thought the old confectioner as he danced down the wicket and smacked a monstrous six high into the swaying mid-off branches; a delicious stroke that even distracted those in the deckchairs absorbed by Crouchie’s expose in the News of the Screws.

A hundred on the board at twenty overs and drinks were perhaps enough to distract Cadbury who soon lost his timbers for a classy 62. The stage was set for Cocko to add to his 200+ Babington average, but the big fella fluffed his lines skying to mid-wicket. Matt Ellis began with stubborn defence, but soon picked up the pace with some lovely swivels through mid-wicket and one boom boom drive straight over the bowlers head that actually landed on the white line. A puff of chalk was more reminiscent of Wimbledon and strangely appropriate as Mrs. Ellis had only just finished playing tennis on the adjacent courts determined to become a size 6 before the imminent family hols!

Ed Alexander fell to another skier for an exceptionally well-made 43 and brother Lawrence, making his debut, smacked a rapid 28 adding an impregnable 90 for the last wicket with a now blowing Ellis who would surely benefit from taking a leaf out of his Misses’ book. An imposing 234 for 6 was due to exceptional batting throughout and praise must be given to a persevering Catch 22 attack that never wavered and ‘stuck at it’ admirably.

The Babington tea’s this year have become something of folklore and we all gorged on another sumptuous spread on the front lawn. Cocko and Chandler tucked no doubt thinking that they would not have to bowl, but Pinnell had other ideas. Both tipping the scales at 16 stone plus, the two heavyweights bowled their contrasting styles up the hill and it was not long before the hole on the popping crease resembled a mine shaft! At the Wigzell-end, things were somewhat more serene as Chester bowled five impressive overs dismissing both openers to catches from Cocko and Dad respectively.

Grant Chandler, who has not bowled properly for a decade until the last few weeks, is getting the hang of it again and his miasma of leg-breaks, offies' and seamers beguiled all the batsmen. Eight excellent overs tempted and teased much like the teenage escort that snared poor Crouchie no doubt, and Alexander gave him his prize with a sharp stumping to get rid of Parker. Jack Cadbury has the most classic of actions with a cocked wrist and dead-straight run-up; his high action adds real pace and bounce to his armoury and one can see a genuine quickie in the making. Six overs for 24 was a splendid effort and it was a superb to stand at slip and watch the ball cut this way and that off the seam.

Quentin Ready, a thoroughbred bat, was entrenched at the crease and hitting the ball hard into the ‘V’ while finding stubborn support from Clargo and Lee Dredge. We kept attacking and Cocko’s first few overs carried real pace and menace resulting in a stunning catch by Matt Ellis nimbly judging a powerful blow from Dredge. As the impact of the scones took hold and Cocko’s pace slowed dramatically, his accuracy improved and he cleaned up the middle-order leaving Reidy cruelly exposed. With Cocko on his last legs, he bagged a deserved ‘five-for’ with the last ball of an entertaining seven over stint that nearly killed him.

It was just left to the returning Jack Cadbury to catch Reidy off his own bowling for a valiant 64 and his old man to bowl MacDonald to wrap up the visitors innings for 135. The winning margin does not do justice to Catch 22 who provided great opposition and it was perhaps the fielding that made the real difference; the youngsters run around like terriers and we have barely dropped a catch all season.
It was a splendid performance built on an enviable spirit that continues to propel the club forward no matter who is in the actual team.

A special mention to Lawrence Alexander for a great debut, to Nicola Player for the neatest of scorebooks and to Vince Parker for getting the opposition team together.

As for the Champagne moment, not really much to do with cricket, but more to do with life. Mike Midgeley, fielding at gully made a great tumbling stop only for Mark Cadbury to comment, “small earthquake at Babington”. Of course we chuckled, but Mr. Midgeley said nothing preferring to wait his moment. Sure enough, in the dying overs, Cadbury dived to the ground at mid-on to field a certain four and Mike, with impeccable timing quipped, “tsunami in Australia”. Perhaps a touch lost in translation, but Mr. Midgeley deserves a magnum for both his wit and his timing. The moral is.... He who laughs last...

Babington House - 234 for 6.
Catch 22 - 135 All Out
Babington House Won by 99 Runs.

Man of the Match - Matt Ellis for 43no, two great catches and an attitude to die for.
Champagne Moment - Mike Midgeley's razor-edged repost to Mr. Cadbury!!!

Babington House Sixes Tournament - 2010

2010-08-01T13:15:00.012+01:00

Participating Teams Captained by:
David Horler, Andrew Pinnell, Ed Weale, Nick Sinfield & James MacKenzie.
Winners - David Horler's Team.
Runners Up - Andrew Pinnell's Team.
Player of the Day - James Callow from Team Horler.
Champagne Moment - Richard Buxton for an amazing one-handed catch on the boundary.
Longest Six - Andrew Pinnell's slog over long-on.

David Horler's victorious team who beat Andrew Pinnell's mob in an enthralling if somewhat low-scoring final. A wonderful effort by David's eclectic six who recovered from a slow start to take the trophy in fine style.

Grant Chandler and Andrew Trollope looking suspiciously like they should be in some low-budget gangster movie. Both played for Pinnell's team who ultimately lost in the final despite winning all four 'round robin' matches.

Images from BHCC v Savill's - 25th August 2010

2010-07-31T07:26:00.011+01:00

BHCC v Frome Incidentals - 18th July 2010 - Match Report

2010-07-20T20:40:00.007+01:00

Despite fielding only nine players, Babington’s unbeaten record was preserved after a 104 run victory over the utterly charming Frome Incidentals. Sublime later order knocks from Chris Player (74) and Mark Coxon-Tenty (66no) rescued the innings from a somewhat rocky start. 37 from Jonathon Boulton and 31 from Julian Matthews gave us a reasonable foundation, but at one stage we were 90 for 5 which was - in reality – 90 for 7.

On a blissful sunny day that contradicted all the forecasts, we were thrilled to win the toss not least because we were two men short. Grant Chandler donned the pads for the first time in five years and strode to a somewhat ‘sticky’ wicket with JB who was clearly intent on christening his new, unblemished Newbery with a big score. Chandler scratched around like an old mother hen until finally edging a drive to Andy Stonall who took the catch of his life at slip – diving one handed to his right to pouch a screamer; Chandler’s dry wit mused that he “was just starting to enjoy it out there” upon returning to the coop.

Julian Mathews joined JB and the two stalwarts looked strikingly similar from the boundary; both with Newbury blades, resplendent in Babbers baggy green caps and each struggling to truly ‘time’ the ball. Boulton, following an aesthetically displeasing slog through cow corner, finally connected to strike a pair of sixes to leg quickly followed by a mighty pull, all off the persevering Hugh Lucas. But the bowler was to have his man when Boulton fenced horizontally at a delivery that bounced a touch more than the others and feathered to the keeper; gent that he is, Boulton didn’t wait for the umpire’s finger and walked off in classic fashion with the now tainted Newbury under his arm.

Simon Potter made his 2010 debut and struck a delightful on-drive before holing out for 5 and, on the cusp of drinks, poor James Mackenzie was comprehensively bowled for a duck – both by Parker. Fearing the worst, even Pinnell put his pads on, but Chris Player has been aching for a chance to bat all season and he took his opportunity with both hands. Standing tall and with the most uncomplicated of techniques, Chris simply drove straight through the line at anything pitched up and smashed the ball through the ‘V’.

The loss of Matthews to a indiscriminate slog across the line which would shame all but the most rustic of batsmen, failed to stop Player’s momentum and he even outscored Cocko who was content to nudge and nurdle singles and two’s. Chris reached his maiden fifty for the club to great cheers from the cheap seats before concluding his innings with a myriad of fours and sixes. He made 74 before being stumped by the aptly named Newberry leaving Cocko free to open his considerable shoulders. Another half century took us past 200 and Pinnell took off his pads and let debutant Joel Woodard and Cocko add a further 40 odd in the closing overs.

We took tea with an imposing 242 for 6 on the board and what a tea it was; Babington served up a merry feast of doorstep sandwiches, juicy cakes, shortbread and watermelon all eagerly scoffed by the grateful hordes. Despite James Mackenzie’s best attempts to spill all the tea and coffee, guests and players alike mingled over what are unquestionably the finest cricket teas in the land. Even the ever-critical and absent Mark Cadbury might have been satisfied.

Somewhat heavy of tread, Babington took to the field in confident mood and when Chris Player cleaned-up Stonall first over, it was clear we had the upper hand. Player was banished to the boundary and we bowled 32 overs of what can be loosely described as very slow medium or spin. Boulton’s high-arm off breaks combined with Matthews leggies ensured a steady stream of boundaries and the wicket of Parker, caught by a juggling Mackenzie who had more luck holding on to the ball than he had with the tea pot.

Just to prove it was no fluke, he safely caught Abrahams at deep cover giving Chandler a deserved wicket for eight overs of non-turning leg breaks. Joel Woodard was the destroyer though and he picked up four wickets for next to nothing from the Wigzell-end with a dolly mixture of seamers and full-bungers.

The fielding was impressive throughout and despite some lusty onside blows from Huxtable (44), plus some genuinely funny banter with Pinnell, Babington were in total control. James MacKenzie wrapped things up courtesy of a couple of sharp catches by his Captain at short-mid on (or deep short-leg depending on your point of view) and the Incidentals were dismissed for 138 inside the 33rd over.

A splendid win but more importantly, a wonderful day; The Incidentals were delightful company throughout and we all traded stories and flagons of ale under the shadows of the pine tree long into the evening. Players of all ages and abilities mingle as equals once the stumps have been drawn and this remains one of the glistening gems of our club. Provided everyone has been given a chance and enjoyed their tea, a few hours mulling over past glorious on the Babington lawn is the perfect end to an English summer’s Sunday....

Babington House - 242 for 5 Wickets
Frome Incidentals - 138 All Out
Babington House Won by 104 runs

Man of the Match - Chris Player for a great knock of 74
Champagne Moment - Andy Stonall's gravity-defying slip catch to dismiss Chandler

Images from Frome Incidentals Match - 18th July 2010

2010-07-19T09:51:00.014+01:00

The mighty Babington House CC who convincingly beat the Frome Incidentals by 104 runs despite only having the following nine players: (Back Row) Joel Woodard, Grant Chandler, Andrew Pinnell, Chris Player & Mark Coxon-Tenty.(Seated) Jonathon Boulton, James MacKenzie & Julian Matthews - (Daniel Matthews proudly sitting next to his Dad). Lying down is an ultra-chilled Simon Potter.

2010-07-05T23:59:00.008+01:00

Free Foresters captain, George Bretten, who embodies the true spirit of wandering cricket and a smashing bloke to boot.

Mark Coxon-Tenty, padding up before his mind-blowing knock of 185. Cocko - a true pleasure.

BHCC v Free Foresters - 4th July 2010 - Match Report

2010-07-05T23:49:00.002+01:00

Our three previous matches against the Free Foresters have been both keenly fought and immaculately conducted social affairs and this season’s fixture was no different. The provenance and traditions of the Free Foresters, formed in 1856 no less, demand that we field a side capable of challenging their vast strength in depth and we invited three guests to make up the numbers as virtually half our club membership were unavailable; Mark Coxon-Tenty (Warminster & Wiltshire), Andy Trollope (Sutton Veny) and Grant Chandler (Heytesbury) all made their debuts.

A blustery mid-morning kept the clouds at bay as George Bretten, as ever resplendent in Foresters blazer, and I ambled out to a mottled wicket for the most important toss of the season. The nightmare prospect of fielding after lunch dictates that whoever calls correctly will choose to bat and as the coin came down tails I actually felt sorry for George as I condemned his delightful team to three hours plus in the field!

Mark Coxon-Tenty, (Cocko) and Mark Meadows opened up and with their contrasting styles rattled up a record stand of 235 no less. Cocko was sublime in scoring 185 of the purest runs you are ever likely to see at club level and had us all purring with a repertoire of shot and God-given timing that oozed pure class. Scoring predominantly through the ‘V’, Cocko’s rapier-like drives peppered the boundary from cover to mid-off, whilst anything shot was absolutely ‘creamed’ through mid-wicket. Playing exclusively off the front foot, even his forward defensive shots were text-book and he slowly broke the collective hearts of Sweatman and Davies who both bowled with gusto despite the onslaught.

As the field retreated ever further, Cocko retorted with a barrage of straight sixes that at least slowed the over rate as players rummaged in the bean field. Rising to my offer of £50 to anyone that scored a ton before lunch, Cocko accelerated like a runaway freight train and duly brought up his century after little more than 75 minutes at the crease. The rich applause from the Foresters fielders perhaps gave the strongest indication that we had all just witnessed something wonderful and Babington lunched at 143 for 0 after just 23 overs.

Lunch was a joy. Taken in the Log Room we started with an anti-pasti board that frankly, would have been sufficient, but the main course of cold meats and assorted beans with creamed potatoes was absolutely delicious. If this were not enough, a mountainous desert of Eton mess almost certainly finished off the Foresters who had the prospect of another long stint in the field to look forward too.

With Cocko on a mission and Meadows preserving his wicket as if his life depended on it, Bretten turned to the spin off Jaques and de Winton to try and stem the flow, but both disappeared in an absolute blur of fury from Cocko’s blade. The next ten overs went for almost a hundred runs as Cocko ran amok quickly passing 150. The Foresters, surprisingly, lost heart and seemed resigned to their fate as we screamed past 200 in the thirtieth over.

Cocko was finally stumped for 185, but let’s be honest about it, gave his wicket away when at least a double century was there for the taking. Meadows nurdled his way to fifty-odd and Nick Sinfield flicked one delightful six off his pads before holing out for 18. Jonathon Boulton at least got to the wicket, but I declared on 284 for two in an attempt to keep the game open offering the Foresters a minimum of 50 overs to get the runs.

Chris Player bowled an exemplary spell down the hill and soon had Johnson bowled off an inside edge which was due reward for his disciplined line and length. Lord Jolliffe floated up his usual dolly mixtures and after Richard Moffatt smacked him for a consecutive six and four, bowled him with a long hop that just about had the momentum to reach the stumps; Moff, disgusted, trudged off scratching his head.

Boulton’s floaters kept the game alive, but he quickly succeeded in dismissing Sweatman who mis-timed a half-tracker straight into Cocko’s buckets at mid-wicket. De Winton batted powerfully for a half century and formed a solid partnership with Simpson which took the Foresters past the 100 mark. Andy Trollope (Trolly) had taken over from at the Jolliffe-end and his skiddy medium-pacers kept the scoreboard in check; bowling with nagging accuracy and low trajectory, Trolly is always a handful even if his action is unworthy of the Dennis Lillee comparison of which he later boasted after a few pints of ale! His debut wicket was that of Simpson elegantly pouched by Jolliffe at mid-off for a hard grafted 52.

Mann made a workmanlike 30 before finally succumbing to another of Boulton’s ‘lollipops’ pulling straight to Harry Cadbury who, for the all the world looked as he had not even seen the ball hurtling towards his young head, proceeded to stick out his right hand to take the most nonchalant of catches. For one terrible moment, the world stood still and I had visions of Harry’s face being obliterated by red leather, but his reactions proved true and the nightmare vision of explaining all to his mother did not materialise!

Boulton picked up a third wicket bowling Jaques for ten before catching de Winton off Trolly and pivotal phase of the match arrived as Bretten came to the crease. With eight an over required the game remained in the balance particularly when one remembered Bretten’s century against us a few years back. Despite Mark Cadbury’s best endeavours, I needn’t have worried especially when Player knocked over Bretten during a masterful over of line and length.

The game was ours for the taking, but the fine rain soon turned into a downpour and common sense demanded that the game was aborted. We needed just one more wicket for victory although an honourable (winning) draw was perhaps a fitting result.

The game will be forever remembered for Cocko’s blistering knock, but there were other highlights too; Harry’s catch, Boulton’s relentless piss-taking of his captain, Ellis’ swallow-like fielding, Chandler’s solitary over which defies description, Babington’s five star hospitality and the lovely company of the Foresters throughout. It was a thrill to invite our three guests with whom I have played for and against over many years and their very presence meant a great deal to me personally.

A shame that the weather intervened, but a smashing day none the less where the very essence of cricket itself was the ultimate victor....

Babington House CC - 274 for 2 declared.
Free Foresters - 209 for 8.
Match Drawn.

Man of the Match - Mark Coxon-Tenty - 185.
Champagne Moment - Harry Cadbury's instinctive 'face-saving' catch.

Images from The Wild Oats Match - 27th June 2010

2010-06-29T22:52:00.012+01:00

Centurion Julian Matthews celebrating his epic innings after the match with his very proud son - a wonderful image to commemorate a glorious knock!

Only one person in this picture is German!!! Any guesses? Check out the expression on the guy to Stephie's left!!!

Rory 'butter wouldn't melt in my mouth' Ellis.

A chilled Ben Tollworthy, cherubic Rory Cadbury flanked by his Mum and full time WAG - Lindsey!!!

It's the hope that killed us! Still full of optimism, but it quickly subsided....

Lord Jolliffe in fetching green chats to the Priscott family.

Andrew Standen MacDougal preparing for the match.

Rory Cadbury who bowled superbly and touched the hearts of one and all.

James MacKenzie taking on the Wendy Wimbush role in his usual suave manner.

The absolute joy that is Johnny Barran who made a six hour round trip to play. Mate -you are a star!

The usual suspects in typically laconic poses.

Nuff said!!!!

BHCC v The Wild Oats - 27th June 2010 - Match Report

2010-06-28T00:42:00.004+01:00

Babington’s ‘Hollywood Summer’ continued with a thumping Twenty20 victory over The Wild Oats on a day of quintessential Englishness; of course we lost the footie to Germany and the hopes of a nation were crushed during ninety minutes of abject failure, but beyond that the vibrant colours of Glastonbury lit-up the West Country already basking in the most joyous of summer days and Babington was quite simply at its picture-postcard best.

We started early, still full of wide-eyed optimism, convinced the three lions would roar and I even had New Order’s ‘World in Motion’ blaring out of the Beamer on my way through the leafy lanes of Somerset. In the back seats with the roof down, my daughters and their friends were quite naturally horrified!!! Oh Christ – I really am an eighties-Dad after all!!!

Cruising down the Babington drive with the girls on their feet, it was apparent that this was going to be one of those very special days that cricketers the world over dream of; Matt Ellis was fiddling with the deckchairs still on a high from Muse’s admittedly spectacular set the previous evening, excited kids ran around in football tops and the Babington lawns were packed with roasting guests sipping Pimms and reading the papers.

What more could we ask for?

Well to win the toss for one, but Lizzie’s feeble flick of the coin came down tales and after a nudge in the right direction, The Wild Oats captain, Richard Buxton, bravely invited us to bat. Result. Julian Matthews and Stephen Priscott, both in prime form, donned the pads and got us off to a flyer even against some accurate bowling from Gouriet and Griffiths. After three whacked fours, Priscott holed out to cover and the already imperious Matthews was joined by the ever-elegant Johnny Barran who proceeded to demonstrate the coaching manual as if written by Sir Jack Hobbs himself; elbow to the angels, helmeted head immaculately still and the ball barely leaving Clive’s manicured carpet. It was something of a surprise when he too was caught swishing for one of the most stylish ten’s you will ever see!

No matter at the other end, an innings of breathtaking brilliance was unfolding. Julian Matthews is a fearless batsman who lives and dies by his Gray Nichols blade and it was as if the Gods were on his side. His savage driving sent the ball sailing deep into the bean field whilst one murderous pull landed over 20 yards into the tennis court. His knock though was not just about raw power and an exquisite cut through point demonstrated his exceptional technique; a quickish ball got big on him just outside off-stump only for Jules to rock back on his twinkling toes before sending the ball rasping to the boundary. It truly was the shot of the day and one that even had Mr. Barran purring with appreciation.

Julian cruised past fifty in a flurry of sixes whilst Andrew Standen-MacDougal thrashed hard at the other end. The tins were rattling along at ten an over before Andrew was caught for 13. Without a run to my name this season, it was a relief to get off the mark and despite playing cat and mouse with the fielders, I scratched a piss-poor 30 odd and watched green-eyed as Julian reached a deserved and memorable century. He hit seven sixes and eight fours in one of the best innings ever played on our beautiful ground and the applause he received from all and sundry following his retirement was heartfelt. Congratulations Julian, it was a pleasure to watch and thrilling that your sons were present too.....

With 182 on the board, we were never going to lose especially as we had one of the strongest bowling attacks I can ever remember. Ben Tollworthy’s four overs were superb and he beat the bat on umpteen occasions before finding an edge that sailed through a non-existence first for four. Lord Jolliffe, revelling in the early start, put it (largely) on the spot as usual, but as often is the case, it was rank half-tracker that saw the end of the dangerous looking Hunt for a quickfire 20.

Barran replaced the inexplicably wicketless Tollworthy and sent down two miserly overs of cutters, and swingers to be rewarded by the scalp of someone who is named in the scorebook as Eke! At the other end, Andrew Standen Mac. bowled with similar variety and rolled back the years with a brace including M. Buxton for a solid 28, whilst the ever smooth James MacKenzie castled Richard Buxton with a beauty.

We were fielding superbly and the chitter-chatter was genuinely amusing as Mark Cadbury in particular became ever more vocal. However, the champagne moments of the day were provided by Rory Cadbury, just twelve and with a cherubic smile that will be his Amex credit card throughout his future life, he bowled three exceptional over’s down the hill against batsman all intent on smashing him to oblivion. The sheer joy of watching Rory run to the wicket with his starlight smile etched on his young face touched us all and it was wonderful when he found E. Buxton’s feathered edge gleefully snaffled by Matt Ellis. He then knocked over Griffiths and finished with figures of 2 for 9 from his spell reminding us all of the bygone thrill of playing cricket as innocent boys.

Not to be overshadowed by his son, Mark took the ball for the last over and promptly yorked a bemused Adrian Leng with a searing deliver that would have troubled most. Normal service was quickly resumed and he was clattered for a couple of fours enabling The Wild Oats to limp past the hundred much to the disgust of the uber-competitive Ellis behind the timbers. The finished on 110 and Babington can be pleased with a thrilling performance of attacking cricket typified by an inspiring display in the field; Matthews bagged a couple of skiers and Priscott nonchalantly held on to a hard, flat skimmer on the boundary.

It really was ‘our day’ and, as we wandered over to the House, it was a delight to take our tea alongside jugs of foaming ale with the spoils already in the bag. Anticipation in the bar was palpable as our boys kicked off in South Africa, but it was not long before most of us retired to the hazy sanctuary of the lawns preferring to bask in the sun than have our souls sunk in the bar.

With the kids running hither and thither sipping Shirley Temples, the WAGs providing a dash of glamour and the bar tab rising, we all shared a truly lovely few hours hanging out under the watchful eye of the most majestic of houses telling our stories and puffing fags.

I’ve said it before, but really, guys it does not get any better than this.....

Thanks to one and all for a perfect English summer’s day......

Oh, except for the bloody football..... Tossers!

Sixes Tournament - 31st July 2010

2010-06-24T17:22:00.002+01:00

The following was included in the Babington House July Enewsletter

Babington Sixes on the Lawns, Saturday 31 July
Join us for a traditionally English summer’s day! We’ll be hosting cricket sixes on the lawn, music, entertainment, BBQ and an exclusive Lolapalooza pop-up boutique for the ladies. Bespoke picnic hampers, complete with wine are available from £35. Bring a rug and enjoy a family day out!

Email cricketsixes@babingtonhouse.co.uk

Images From The Ditcheat Match - 20th June 2010

2010-06-21T16:46:00.023+01:00

Stephen Priscott who had a chequered day! His brilliant batting made up for a sporting bowling spell although both were characterised by the ball flying into the bean field at regular intervals!

Perfection!

Gregor, who along with the rest of the Babington staff, really do look after us superbly and tolerate our Sunday madness almost without question.

Obviously Babington is typified by cool, understated style, iconic brands and an appreciation of chic and sophistication. I therefore present to you Mr. Mark Cadbury who seems to think it is ok to dress like this in public. Mate, what you do at home is your own affair, but please - pack it in before we call the fashion police!!!

Lord Jolliffe wearing an expression that can only have been caused by Cadbury's appearance.

Honestly.....

Stewart & Silvia from Soho House who spent the afternoon watching the match unfold.

Matthew Ellis and Jason Moore getting up close and personal.

Mrs Priscott and son Boris wondering what all the fuss is about.

Caroline Weale, Freddie and Vikki chillin' out - as I mentioned ladies, filed under WAGS!

According to Sarah Ellis, the new BHCC baggy green caps are a disgrace, but we think they are suitably eccentric and strangely appropriate.

Andrew Jolliffe with his wonderful family just before the match started.

The legend that is Steven Priscott - bowled like a drain, but belted four sixes later on to seal our victory! An up and down day against his former team mates.

Another legend, this time Mr. David Horler who didn't bat or bowl but took a stunning catch and reminded us all of what a true a gent he is. Great to see him back in the fold.

Jesus - Messrs. Cadbury and David Eaton who spent the whole day winding each other up on and off the pitch. Even when Ellis and I left at 11ish they were still at it.

Giles Lunt - the one and only - enjoys sucking on a fag as part of his pre-match ritual - he must be doing something right as his direct hit from cover got us on our way and set the standard for a electric fielding display.

Images from The Tappers Match - 6th June 2010

2010-06-08T10:01:00.012+01:00

Openers' Mark Cadbury & Mark Meadows - perhaps only the pair of them know what is going on here, but it has something to do with pink rubber!

The very essence of our club philosophy.

'Rear of the Year' Award go's to??? Answers on a postcard please!

Man of the Match Nick Sinfield prepares to blast the ball to all parts....

Nick's father and Mark Cadbury both of whom have the same taste in trousers!

Chris Player, Mike Sherring and Nicola Player (scorer) take it very easy....

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

2010-06-08T09:45:00.006+01:00

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.

Images From 23rd May 2010 - Shiny, Happy People Having Fun...

2010-05-26T00:30:00.028+01:00

Back Row - Will Sherring, Richard Waters, Ben Tollworthy, Ed Weale, Michael Sherring (Captain), Nick Sinfield & Chester Ellis.
Front Row - Michael Nicholson (Chairman), Mark Cadbury, Mark Meadows, Matthew Ellis & Julian Matthews.

Mark Cadbury chats to Sarah Ellis with the wonderful Rory Ellis looking on. Rory provided my 'Champagne Moment' of the day when, having turned up midway through the match and finding out his father was out second ball, shouted to poor Matt who was umpiring at the time, "Oi Dad - you got a duck!". Priceless.

A couple of anxious looking players from Cafe du Paris seem somewhat resigned to their fate with my eldest daughter, Charlotte, apparently equally unenthralled! "Can I have another 'Shirley Temple' please Dad?" Dear God, she's only 10!

Chester Ellis - ready to take on the world; a glorious future awaits no doubt!

Lizzie - you are going to cause me no end of trouble in years to come!

Basking in the shade, Richard Waters hit one of the hardest, flattest sixes ever seen at Babbers' during his innings.

Stunning picture of Julian Matthews and his two sons just after he had retired having smashed the ball to all parts during his knock of seventy odd.

In the words of the Small Faces, "Lazy Sunday Afternoon..." - says it all really.

The ever-immaculate Cafe' captain Johnny Barran, is given a cuddle by Match Manager par-excellance Ed Weale. Despite taking a pasting, Johnny remains an essential facet of the Babington Cricket Club landscape and we look forward to him playing for us next time.

Can it really get any better than this? As ever, huge thanks to Clive (our groundsman) who produced a belter of a pitch!

BHCC v Cafe du Paris - Match Report by Mark Cadbury

2010-05-25T08:36:00.001+01:00

Eventually the sun shone on the Babington cricket ground. Having had two games washed out, it was about time the weather improved. And what a day it was, not a cloud in the sky; wives, girlfriends, friends and children thronged the boundary.

It was such a beautiful day that the car park became full by 1.30 pm and some extremely foolhardy people decided to park down the drive – they were to become target practice.

Johnny Barran’s Café du Paris team, having requested an early start had 5 members of their team ready, so Babington decided to bat anyway. And soon after the start, the rest of Johnny’s team joined in; although the cricket attire could only be seen to be believed. ‘Lee’ turning up in green shorts and a yellowy/grey T-shirt and Kris Marshall, one of the stars of My Family and the BT adverts arriving in a very fetching pair of off-pink women’s trousers bought from a charity shop!

Needless to say, the opening pair of Meadows and Sherring was able to run easy singles or even a two at one stage to either of these non-cricketers. However, it would be unfair to say that either of them was keen on running between the wickets such was the heat, and boundaries were the order of the day – 15 boundaries scored by the openers, miraculously they had managed not to hit any of the cars on the drive.

Sherring was out LBW on 40, having put on 75 for the first wicket in about 10 overs, having muscularly hit 2 sixes and 5 fours. Sinfield joined the battering fest with a six (into the tennis courts) and a few fours before being out LBW for 26. Matt Ellis followed shortly bowled second ball. However normal clobbering resumed when Julian Matthews came to the wicket. Mark Meadows had timed the ball from the first over, but lost his way later on possibly due to breaking his bat, a new one duly arrived and timing was regained. Mark retired on 78. Richard Waters then had a few overs to get in the swing of things; hitting one six that hit the tennis court netting and was still rising such was the power of the shot. Julian, having so nearly hit the cars, retired on 77.

It was now a matter of not crushing the opposition into complete submission, so Mike Sherring, captain for the day decided 257 was enough after 32 overs. The Club Captain, Andrew Pinnell, happy to observe all the proceedings from the boundary.

Marcus Codrington (?) was the pick of the bowlers, bowling 12 in total. However, most of the others suffered at the hands of the strongest hitters that Babington can muster, Kris Marshall’s interesting bowling action going for 31 off 3 overs.

After a superb tea, with doughnuts and scones, Babington were soon on the field.

Ben Tollworthy opening up from the Wigzell end, as accurate as ever considering he won the bowling trophy last year. The surprise was Ed Weale opening from the driveway end, with a determination not to get thwacked. Ben bowled so tightly that only 8 scoring strokes were scored off his 6 overs. Ed Weale perspired away at the bottom end, clean bowling the opener with an away-swinger, then receiving a bit of a thumping but bouncing back with 2 maidens. Marcus was on form with his Mongoose bat, once it’s hit with that cut down bat – the ball goes to the boundary; indeed he scored 6 fours and 2 sixes in his first 11 scoring shots.

Chester Ellis then came in from the Wigzell end and bowled with gusto and some pace, swinging the ball in the air when pitching the ball up the batsman. Will Sherring replaced the tiring Ed Weale and got Marcus out with a ball that was short of a length, skying it to cover, where Cadbury started off gazing at it not sure of its trajectory and then the jelly legs started but made a comfortable catch in the end. This was to be the start of some interesting attempts at catching the ball.

Babington were now so much in the ascendancy that the captain decided to give Matt Ellis a bowl, a rarity if ever there was one. After an interesting first over, Dad and son were now spear-heading the attack. Chester getting the No. 5, Stuart, to have a go at one outside off-stump, needless to say Dad was at first slip. The ball hit him squarely on the chest without a finger on the ball before it landed harmlessly on the grass. Chester was not best pleased. Matt continued from the bottom end, somehow getting the batsman to get a top edge, which was athletically caught by none other that Chester – showing up Dad in the process.

Next was the Ed Weale show, Chester again forcing a false stroke for Ed to not move, until shouted at, then the jelly legs began and the ball was dropped.

By now, it was time to let everyone bowl, Meadows getting hit for 6 but bagging 2 wickets. In came Johnny Barran at No. 9, with the obligatory tin-pot, to much sledging. He had to explain that it was because he top-edged it so much that he needed a helmet. And after a few balls it became obvious that was not his only batting problem, playing and missing on numerous occasions. Ed Weale dropped another and eventually caught a dolly (but not before a certain amount of panic had set in) - Kris Marshall following his bowling with a batting style all of his own.

Richard Waters, who had fielded superbly, with a huge arm, hurling the ball in from the longest boundary with no problem, was fielding directly in the sun and managed to drop two. By now we had dropped 4 chances.

Barran had gone for one shot, been dropped and by now the abuse was building up. Mike Sherring’s comment that he had forgotten how boring it was to watch him, stirring Barran to hit one straight to Meadows at mid-wicket off Cadbury.

The Café du Paris innings was wrapped up by Mike Sherring bowling leggies and Julian Matthews.

How justice is not served; the best bowler (Ben Tollworthy) not getting a wicket whereas everyone else did.

Ed Weale did a fantastic job as Match Manager and Mike Sherring as skipper ensured that everyone had a game. Babington won by over 100 runs.

What a glorious day to start the season, and a fun day was enjoyed by families and cricketers alike.

Season Twenty10 Approaches!!!!

2010-01-17T19:56:00.002Z

On the day that England suffered a right royal hammering in South africa, Babinbgton House Cricket Club published its fixture list for season Twenty10. After a long winter, the list of matches against teams new and old promises a rich summer for one and all.See the adjacent list and give some thought to availability etc.

Images From Nick Wigzell's Last Match

2009-09-08T00:12:00.017+01:00

"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.
Front Row (literally!): Mike Rowan, Matthew Ellis, Michael Sherring & Mark Meadows.

Our ever-wonderful Wendy Wimbush aka Nicola Player and Mr. Wigzell - no doubt thrilled that his days of scoring are over!!!

Foreground From Left to Right: James & Michael Nicholson, Mark Putt & Gerry Copsey with back to camera.

Mr. Sherring & Lizzie....

BHCC v Forest Irregulars - 6th Sept. 2009

2009-09-07T23:47:00.011+01:00

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!

A Fitting Finale....

2009-08-14T14:40:00.003+01:00

Well it's a very long time since the Old Offie replaced Nick W at the Wigzell End following another typically mean and productive opening spell, and it seems to me that I just have to be there to take part in the finale of a legend.

So the whites will be dusted down and, if selected, I will be honoured to play.

I have no idea where it will go when I let go of it and so I am relying on my mates amongst the older players to assure the young guns that the Old Fella trying to land it on the cut bit used to be a reasonable bowler.

So unless the medical profession gets to hear of my plan I will be on duty on the 6th - there won't be a dry eye in the (Babington) House.

Gerry Copsey

Last Match of the 2009 Season

2009-08-08T10:04:00.004+01:00

Nick Wigzell preparing to bowl from the 'end' that will forever bare his name.

On Sunday 6th September we play our last match of the season against the Forest Irregulars and we have agreed to field a side including as many young players as possible. This is a lovely long-standing fixture against a bunch of guys committed to youth cricket and we need to play the game in an appropriate manner.

The match is especially significant as Nick Wigzell's is hanging up his well-worn Puma bowling boots after the game and the club owe him a huge debt of gratitude for his invaluable contribution over the past decade or so.

Please let me know who is available for this game and one is particularly keen to hear from the younger members.

Thanks as ever.....

North Bradley - 26th July 2009 - Match Report

2009-07-26T23:32:00.006+01:00

For all the tales of beautiful summer afternoons frolicking with bats and balls within the stunning confines of Babington House, there has to be another side to the story and our fixture against North Bradley was sadly it. A low scoring games was played largely in persistent rain that rendered the ambiance as sodden and uninviting as a wet weekend in Cleethorpes. Frankly, it chucked it down from about 3.30pm and only the commitment and dedication of all 22 players ensured that the match was finalised at all.

Of course, when Andrew Pinnell lost the toss we could not have predicted the rain to come and Babbers' took to the field with an unfamiliar side comprising many welcome guests including a couple of debutant's.One of those, Peter Catarinella (2 for 11) who often plays against us for the Wylye Valley, opened the bowling from the Wigzell end and proved a handful right from the start.

Up the hill, the legendary Johnny Barran (2 for 11) of Cafe du Paris fame shared the new ball and North Bradley were soon in trouble. Opener Powell became increasingly frustrated and in desperation heaved wildly across an inswinger from Barran that knocked over his middle stump whilst his partner was comprehensively castled by Catarinella in the following over - the latter dismissal memorable as the off bail flew some thirty yards behind keeper Nick Sinfield.

Captain Ben Howe held his imitation Pietersen Adidas bat high on the handle and played everything through point as a consequence. Pinnell placed Matt Ellis and Julian Matthews side by side in the gully and poor Ben duly edged the next ball off Catarinella straight into Matthews hands! An obvious piece of captaincy really, but nice all the same.

Enter MacKenzie who's technique was the direct opposite of his captain as he displayed a penchant for dragging to leg where Pinnell soon pouched a regulation catch off Barran perhaps unnecessarily diving for the make-believe cameras in the process.North Bradley were in the mire and the opening bowlers were replaced by the ever-improving Chester Ellis and Chris Hand (1 for 23) - his Uncle turning out on a rare visit to the UK from Dubai.

Chester has bags of potential and tremendous enthusiasm that brings joy to us all. As ever, he bowled beautifully and was unlucky not to pick up a hat-full. Finding the inside edge repeatedly, Chester's (1 for 17) first four overs went for just 12 runs and he finally got his reward in his second spell when Catarinella held onto Eade's savage pull at mid-wicket. At the other end, Chris Hand settled into a nice groove and found Colebrook's edge snaffled by Sinfield performing with unlikely agility behind the timbers.

Matthews (1 for 22) floated up his leggies in the rain and bowled Howe with a beauty that spun somehow off the sodden pitch, whilst Mike Sherring (2 for 11) picked up a couple of cheap wickets despite being thumped for a few fours. The score limped apologetically past the hundred before Matt Ellis, yes Matt Ellis, bowled Crangle with the second ball of the final over.

Our visitors were all out for 103 and we took tea in the library watching the rain intensify. We were determined to play on as we were all soaked anyway and of course we would knock off the runs in no time. Yeah right! Sherring (18) despite looking good was first to go bowled by Williams and poor Chester dragged on his second ball.

Richard Buxton's bright yellow cap could probably seen from the moon, but his patience failed him as he drove Crangle to mid off for a dozen. Simon Spillsbury had excelled in the field and hit 14 quick runs before holing out and Julian Matthews whacked his first ball for six and promptly nicked his second to the keeper. North Bradley, drenched, were fielding superbly and clearly enjoying the madness of the situation.

When Matt Ellis was bowled for 1 even Sinfield thought about putting his pads on, but we needn't have worried as Johnny Barran was batting beautifully at the other end. There is an elegance to Johnny's technique that harks back to a golden age and his repertoire of sublime drives, timeless late cuts and almost lazy flicks off his pads ooze style. He is a joy to watch even when demonstrating textbook defence and he can read the game like a book (probably written by Neville Cardus). To make such a classy half century in such conditions rightly earned him the Man of the Match award and a free lift back to Bath Spa from Pinnell.We lost Chris Hand (6) before Johnny fittingly hit the winning runs with a characteristic on-drive and a crazy match came to a victorious end.

Thanks must go to North Bradley for fielding so stoically in filthy conditions and for the Cowshed staff for putting up with 20-odd cricketers desperate for a warm shower.

Perhaps not a match that will live long in the memory, but lovely to have given debuts to some new faces and to meet the guys from North Bradley. Next season they are forming their own team under the name of Boomsbury and we wish them well in their endeavours. Hopefully, next year the sun will shine on them in more ways than one!

Match Summary
North Bradley - 103 All Out
Babington - 104 for 8
Man of the Match - Johnny Barran (56no and 2 for 11 off 7 overs)
Champagne Moment - Matt Ellis bowling Crangle - a genuine rarity!

BHCC Won By 2 Wickets

Images From Free Foresters - Sun 5th July

2009-07-08T20:48:00.016+01:00

The Free Foresters flag flutters on the five-a-side goalposts adding a reminder to the heritage, traditions and pedigree of this illustrious wandering club.

The obligatory 'babe shot', this time of three committed partners of various Free Foresters who refused to be driven indoors despite the chilly wind and less than sunny conditions.

Messers Standen McDougal, Jolliffe and Tollworthy taking it easy after a long stint in the field and a truly magnificent lunch courtesy of the Babbers' chefs. Ed Weale maintaining his 'suspicious policeman' stance in the background whilst the ever-dedicated Nicola Player studies her scorebook meticulously.

Three victorious Free Foresters celebrate in the Babbers' bar proudly adorned with the clubs' colours - Mark Williams (centre) and Nick Baldwin (right).

Oh dear! Richard Moffat managed to pour a glass of red wine all over his good lady who just happened to be wearing a pair of very white trousers. The Babington staff had the trousers laundered within an hour highlighting the exceptional service the House offers to one and all including errant cricketers!

The charming Mark Williams delighted after his match-winning spell of 6 for 61 which destroyed the Babington batting line-up. Flight, guile and a touch of luck combined to skittle Babbers' for 179. A great effort!

Lord Jolliffe returns sheepishly to the hutch after a duck following an immaculately timed forward defensive stroke was pushed perfectly into the hands of Ben Lyons at short cover. Never mind Andrew, it happens to us all believe me!!!

(From left to right) - Matt Perry, he of England and Bath rugby fame, Mark Williams and our very own Mark Cadbury enjoy a cuppa and scones during tea taken in front of the old chapel.

Father and son Ben and Eddie Lyons enjoying their cup of tea after their contrasting innings. Ben was caught by a blinder at slip by Jonathon Boulton for a Golden, while Eddie compiled an invaluable half century proving that age really doesn't matter! A lovely picture.

Various Free Foresters having a natter under Babington's whispering tree's to quote Sassoon.

(From left to right) - Mark Williams, George Bretton - captain of Free Foresters - and Daniel Simson basking in the fact that FF scored 230 for 6 setting Babbers' a challenging run chase after tea.

Every inch the classical wandering cricketer, Nick Baldwin adopts an almost Corinthian pose.

James Fear, the undisputed Man of the Match after a fabulous innings of 136 characterised by rasping drives, effortless flicks and searing pulls. It was a delight to watch and a lesson to Babington fielders who miss half chances from batsmen of James' calibre at their peril.

Images from BHCC v The Tappers - 14th June 2009

2009-06-17T08:29:00.011+01:00

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

2009-06-17T00:32:00.019+01:00

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

2009-06-12T11:25:00.013+01:00

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

2009-06-07T22:40:00.012+01:00

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

2009-06-05T11:43:00.008+01:00

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

2009-06-01T23:24:00.009+01:00

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

2009-06-01T23:07:00.007+01:00

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

John Moore Sports - Bath

2009-05-31T10:04:00.003+01:00

BHCC has agreed a lucrative sponsorship deal with those delightful people at John Moore Sports in Bath. Any players purchasing equipment from the shop will be given a 10% discount if they just mention that they are a BHCC member. John Moore stock a fabulous array of equipment including the range of Newberry bats so popular with our batters'.

A Perfect Day in Pictures

2009-05-25T02:09:00.013+01:00

Should have bought a Ford Fiesta!!!!

From Left, Jack, Mark & Harry Cadbury who along with Rory (not pictured) enjoyed a lovely day proving that it really does run in the family!

The respective Sinfield and Weale families enjoying the sunshine.

The Mells 'barmy army' on tour!

Nick Sinfield gives his captain that familiar scowl!

Smile!!!!

Mike Sherring looking chilled after his fine half century; strangely, he shares a similar physique to the adjacent tree!

David Horler, another half-centurion on his welcome return to the fold. David was one of the founding fathers of the club and captain for many years.

The Wags - Lindsay Cadbury and Sarah Ellis on a perfect, lazy Sunday afternoon.

Pre-match chinwag between Matthew Ellis, Matt Greenless (House Manager) and Ed Weale (Babington Senior Pro)!

A lovely image of Will MacKenzie (left) and Dad, James - just what it is all about!

Yeah Man! Arnie takes it easy before the game. A great stalwart of Mells cricket and welcome visitor to Babington every year.

Babington v Mells - 24th May 2009 -Match Report

2009-05-25T01:41:00.006+01:00

What a difference a week makes! After the Wiltshire Queries wash-out, Babington played a delightful match against Mells under a azure blue skies and in blazing afternoon sunshine. Cricketers dream of such days, but so few have the genuine privilege of playing at a place like Babington which is at its most picturesque in high summer. The avenue of majestic trees swayed gently in the light breeze casting long shadows across the green outfield still sprinkled with daisies creating a magnificent hazy vista.

As one might expect the weather helped add to the Bank Holiday atmosphere and our mood was only enhanced by winning the toss (again) and batting first. In the spirit of the Fathers & Sons theme, James and Will Mackenzie opened up against the excellent bowling of Richie Rogers and Mells captain Julian Saviour. Rogers swiftly did for them both bowling James and catching Will each for 2.

After ten overs we were crawling along, but Matt Ellis and Michael Sherring are both formidable characters especially in a crisis. Sound technique ensured they saw off the opening bowlers and soon began to gain momentum with a series of powerful blows. Ellis, in great form, pulled and cut with alacrity before dancing down the track and whacking Nigel Griffin for six into the shimmering trees, while Sherring somehow contorts his ‘Peter Willey-like’ open stance to drive murderously through the covers.

The scoreboard began to rattle along as both men gorged on some friendly bowling. Ellis was dropped in the deep by Rogers before reaching his deserved fifty with a succession of pulls through mid-wicket. Ellis was run out somewhat surprisingly when a century beckoned but his 70 was a great knock for the team and provided rich entertainment for the watching galleries bathing in the golden glow. The pair shared a stand of 116 for the third wicket.

Sherring (50)reached his much-coveted half century before giving his wicket away stumped off Seegobin’s leggies, but David Horler (59 retired) was flaying the bowling to all parts revelling in his guest appearance. He played beautifully off his legs and timed the ball effortlessly unlike Pinnell at the other end who heaved with little effect. Horler too passed fifty and like Pinnell (28) retired to enable 12 year old Harry Cadbury (3 not out) and Ollie King (12 not out) to make their respective Babbers’ debuts. Both batted very correctly and remained not out at tea with Babington delighted to post an imposing score of 240 for 4.

Tea was taken on the lawn under the watchful eye of the old chapel from where the true beauty of the setting can be fully appreciated. Nestling in lavish, manicured grounds with a glistening lake, the House stands serene and stately providing a joyous backdrop for those chilling out on the lawns. Frankly, we could have happily joined them, but we had forty overs to get through before we could relax.

Will MacKenzie bowled straight and true from the Wigzell-end and match manager Ed Weale swung his ‘bananas’ effectively up the hill. The first wicket provided a lovely moment for the MacKenzie family as Arnie Seegobin drilled Will’s full-pitched delivery straight to mid-on where his old man took a nonchalant catch shutting up Mark Cadbury in the process – no easy feat I can tell you.

Pinnell mixed up the bowling with everyone having four overs and it really then turned into the Cadbury show. Harry bowled superbly and knocked over Peter Rogers in a tight spell rounding off a great day for Harry who also fielded with great commitment. Rory Cadbury, at 10 even younger than Harry, brightened everyone’s day by bowling with a beaming smile on his cherubic face and picking up three wickets in the process. Two were caught by James MacKenzie while the other was impossibly grabbed an inch off the turf by Dad Mark diving somewhat like a seal at mid-off!

In between times opener Neil Harber batted stoically for 62 and played (technically) the shot of the day driving James MacKenzie sumptuously through mid-on. Julian Seegobin showed spirit for 23 and Julian Saviour hit a mammoth six of Matt Ellis before holing out to Ollie King attempting a repeat; it was a stunning catch by Ollie as the ball came down ‘with snow on it’ as Julian uses a three pound nine ounce bat with edges akin to that of a railway sleeper.

And I must mention a vintage Sherring moment. With Babbers' strolling to victory and trying to give the Mells youngsters some invaluable experience in the middle, one of their batsmen probably only 10 or 11, was run out by a ferocious direct-hit from Mike who could not resist the opportunity to hurtle the ball at the stumps from cover. It was a brilliant piece of fielding which adds fuel to the Sherring legend, but perhaps more appropriate in tougher matches to come old chap!!!!

Fittingly, Jack Cadbury rounded off a great day for his family when Sherring snaffled last man Richie Rogers at extra cover. Mells were dismissed for 147, but the result was of little consequence. The young players from both sides were the real heroes and all showed a great desire to play attacking cricket while respecting the etiquette and traditions of this wonderful game. To see the young guys striding to the wickets under their helmets, or running in to bowl with such enthusiasm reminds us all what we are striving to achieve at Babington.

Many people to thank for contributing to such a splendid day; Ed Weale for match managing so effectively, Nick Sinfield for a cool stint behind the timbers, the attitude of Mells captain Nigel Griffin and senior-pro Julian Saviour, the friends and families on the boundary edge, plus of course the staff at the House who’s increasing interest in our endeavours is truly appreciated.

As good as it gets....

Results Summary

Babington House – 240 for 4

Mells – 147 all Out
Babington won by 93 Runs

Man of the Match – Matt Ellis

Mells Man of the Match – Neal Harber

Champagne Moment – Mark Cadbury’s catch off Rory Cadbury

Rain Stop Play!

2009-05-19T23:48:00.003+01:00

Long gone are the days when we had to sit shivering in a desolate pavilion watching the rain at a dreadful ground inevitably located in some wasteland near Swindon! The assembled Babington and Wiltshire Queries players almost look chuffed that the game was abandoned as they watch England slaughtering a forlorn Windies team at Durham (where the sun was shining!) on the box. Thanks to all who helped out with the tab! Marketing agencies are suffering too you know!

The Legend that is Mr. Barry Aitken

2009-05-19T23:17:00.007+01:00

This fabulous photograph of Barry was taken in the Babington reception on May 18th. It was my intention to take a picture that might adorn the walls of the Long Room or a fine Country House drawing room in recognition of Barry's 25 year contribution to running the Wiltshire Queries. In my head the picture was designed to be authoritative, distinguished and somewhat formal. Given that it was the last shot I had until my camera battery gave up the ghost, it was perhaps fitting that Pino took centre stage and banished any notions of my pretentious nonsense.

Instead, what we have is a picture more akin to a scene at Fawlty Towers of Manuel and the Major. (No offence to either splendid individual intended!)

"Hampshire won Fawlty" - "Did it?"

Club Update - May 19th 2009

2009-05-19T22:54:00.007+01:00

Wiltshire Queries Match Cancelled

Sadly, our anticipated match against the Queries was cancelled due to rain, but the two teams enjoyed a leisurely afternoon in the bar regardless. As ever, the service was superb and it was lovely to make new acquaintances and meet up with a few old faces.

Particular mention must go to the wonderful Barry Aitken who has driven the Queries for a quarter of a century with an enthusiasm and passion that is a joy to behold. I had the pleasure of playing regularly for the Queries in a past life and it was an honour to invite them all to Babington even though we didn't play.

We have invited the Queries to play in this year's Sixes Tournament and are also hoping to organise a 20:20 later in the Summer. Both clubs share a quintessentially English approach and, if nothing else, we have established the fixture for future years.

Subs
Mr. Cadbury is on the prowl again and it would be great if you could all cough up a mere £40 (seniors) for the privilege of playing at one of the finest settings in the country. Need I say more?

Babington CC v Babington House

Matt, the wonderfully supportive House Manager, has challenged the Club to a 20:20 match against a team selected from the House staff! We are suggesting a Friday night sometime in June and needless to say, we will never, ever live it down if we lose. Once the date is agreed, a pre-match early night curfew will be made compulsory as will a ban on alcohol for a week prior! Can those interested in playing please let me know please. Also, any suggestions for a suitable trophy or prize - perhaps a set of engraved cocktail glasses!

Hinton Charterhouse Fixture
Thanks for all those that expressed an interest in playing a match at Hinton in the coming weeks. It seems an evening match will be most suitable and I will keep you all posted as to a confirmed date.

Mells Fixture
Congrats to Ed Weale for getting three father and son combinations together for the forthcoming fixture against Mells. The only ones playing without sons are Mike Sherring, Weale himself, Nick Sinfield and Yours Truly and we will be batting 8, 9, 10, Jack! Over to you Cadbury's, MacKenzie's and Ellis'.

Lots more News over the next few weeks.

Midweek Fixture @ Hinton Charterhouse?

2009-05-10T20:54:00.002+01:00

We have been kindly invited to play Hinton Chaterhouse in a midweek fixture in June or July at their lovely ground by the evergreen Mark Fricker. Fricks' is a excellent bloke and I played with him at Warminster for years; I met him playing for Hinton at Bath today and I think it would be great if we could muster a team to rekindle the fixture between the two clubs.

Could I ask for expressions of interest or support please?

Thanks in advance

Andrew

Pictures from Wylye Valley Match

2009-05-07T01:09:00.018+01:00

Harry Cadbury hugged by Matthew Ellis resplendent in brand new wicket keeping mits!

Julian Matthews with Andy Penn having a sneaky fag in the background!

A panama'd Paddy looking pukka in pink!

Andrew Studholme preparing for an all too short stay at the crease!

Another hug for Harry this time from Chester Ellis resplendent in his new sponsored Newberry kit - lucky boy that he is!

We will get you wearing Babington sweaters before the end of the season Mr. Penn!

You see what we have to put up with!!!!

A blazered Nick Bunday, Lindsay & Harry Cadbury and Matthew Ellis.

And finally, Mark Cadbury himself and lifelong friend Alistair Smellie.

Babs' Beat Wylye Valley By 21 runs

2009-05-06T22:51:00.009+01:00

Babington House XI V Wylye Valley - Sunday 3rd May
(Back Row L to R) Andy Penn, Andrew Jolliffe, Andrew Pinnell, Ben Tollworthy, Ed Weale, Chris Player (Injured!) & Will Sherring.
(Front Row L to R) Alistair Smellie, Mike Sherring, Matthew Ellis, Mark Cadbury & Jeremy Player.

Match Report
The sun shone and Babington looked a picture as our illustrious eleven took to the field of play for our first game of the season. Wide-eyed with the sheer joy of striding out onto the hallowed turf so lovingly manicured all winter by Clive Hamblin, the team was in good spirits and welcomed the friendly and familiar foe that is Wylye Valley. The micro helicopter standing menacingly on the boundary edge put thoughts of the credit crunch into perspective and prompted gasps of amazement from the juniors and glances of envy from some of the seniors still wrestling with Brown’s Britain Monday to Friday!

Good natured handshakes and back slapping could not disguise the competitive nature of the fixture which has now become the traditional curtain-raiser for each new season. To use football parlance, bragging rights is a much desired prize among the players many of whom share long-standing friendships and commercial relationships off the field.

Unbelievably, Andrew Pinnell won his eleventh consecutive toss and despite a moment of hesitation, chose to bat following a 30 year instinct to get runs on the board. Sure the pitch was tinged with green and the new ball might swing a touch, but Babbers’ batting line-up looked strong on paper at least. The instinct slightly wavered when it became apparent that the line-up in question might not actually be worth the paper it was written on as we were soon precariously placed at 85 for 7 in the twentieth over.

Mark Cadbury failed to heed the advice of his captain in the nets the previous week and cut uppishly to Barney Stratton at point despite a promising start whilst Alistair Smellie was sent back to the hutch by Matt Ellis’s trigger finger just as he got going. Chunter, chunter in the Cadbury quarter!

Mike Sherring, he of broad shoulders and a wide-open stance, looked impressive and his ‘block one, belt one’ philosophy is reminiscent of Marcus Trescothick. Perhaps that is where the similarity ends as even after he on drove too early to the impressive Peter Catarinella, his trudge back to the deckchairs was phlegmatic and his attitude philosophical. No mental breakdown or wavering of his inner belief here. Sherring, you will score many, many runs this year especially when the pitches harden.

Jeremy Player was keeping his end up nicely and there seemed no need to panic, but Will Sherring was castled by Catarinella for a ‘golden quack quack’ and Player suffered a similar fate to David Leng for 15. Ed Weale who it is rumoured had not left the Babington House premises since the end of last season, strode to the wicket with instructions to have a whack. Sadly, his intimate knowledge of the grounds did him no favours and Leng knocked him over for a couple. When Pinnell played a shot hitherto unknown to any coaching manual let alone himself, we were in the mire and there were mutterings about an early tea.

Never fear, Matt Ellis and Ben Tollworthy are not men to bottle it and both batted superbly to give us a fighting chance. Ellis had not spent half the winter on the phone organising the bloody fixtures just to give it away and Tollworthy curbed his attacking instincts in the cause of survival. The score crawled past the hundred courtesy of many singles and a couple of cracking shots from Ellis; one pinged off his toes exquisitely for four quickly followed by a rasping pull that screamed defiance. It was a shame that he was bowled by a beauty from the immaculately attired Nick Bundy for 26, blue blazer and pressed flannels, as he looked in cracking form.

Tollworthy remained unflappable and nurtured the tail superbly to add another priceless thirty-odd runs. The two Andrew’s, Penn and Jolliffe did their bit too and the latter was under extreme pressure from the presence of his five daughters and his wife watching expectantly from the boundary edge.

Brilliant bowler and genuinely diamond bloke that he is, Lord Jolliffe as he is affectionately known, bats so rarely that his text book forward defensive to his first ball prompted girly squeals of delight from his lovely family and loud cheers from the rest. He even managed a single and a two before being run out in the last over. Take a bow Mr. Tollworthy who finished his knock with a couple of blasts to the boundary to end with 33 not out.

Babbers’ took tea on the front lawn somewhat relieved to have mustered 155 all out. Pinnell sensed this was enough, but said nothing to no-one. Wylye Valley seemed confident, but we have been in this situation many times before. The resumption was slightly delayed as the aforementioned helicopter whirred its way skywards leaving a trail of devastation in its wake as newspapers, glasses and cricket kit was blown to all parts.

Tollworthy and Jolliffe set the tone with three consecutive maidens with our Lord rewarded with the vital wicket of Andrew Studholme bowled all over the place by impeccable line and length. Brother Alex was given a working over by Tollworthy who beat the bat repeatedly before bowling a straight one that clattered into the stumps and Wylye were 4 for 2.

Suave and debonair, Charlie Barkshire struck one beautiful drive for four and David Leng was striking the ball cleaner than anyone on the day. Player and Penn replaced Tollworthy and Jolliffe earlier than many expected, but Pinnell had a cunning plan. Player took a little stick and the plan looked Bauldrickesque, but Sherring took up the reins and Penn was bowling beautifully.

First candidate for Champagne Moment duly arrived when Will Sherring held onto a screaming cut from Barkshire at point off a wide long-hop (obviously) deliberately bowled by brother Mike. It was a gem of a catch and one that inspired the whole team. Not to be outdone, Mike then orchestrated the run-out of Paul Clarke and Smellie bowled Bunday with a peach of an inswinger down the hill.

We now entered the crucial phase of the match as David Leng was batting superbly, driving with power and aplomb against tight bowling from Penn and Smellie who kept nagging away. Paddy Forwood was obstruent at the other end and Wylye were scoring steadily if not dramatically. As ever, Babbers’ fielding was superb despite Sherring M’s obsession with hurling the ball at the stumps at any given opportunity!

Tollworthy returned and quickly removed Paddy for a excellent 28, but Leng moved to a lovely half century courtesy of a huge straight six into the trees and a couple of lusty thumps off Penn’s last over. No matter, Penn’s figures of 0-30 off seven over’s do his spell no justice and he ultimately had his revenge holding onto a searing drive at deep long-off to end David Leng’s excellent innings for 56. Julian Matthews, unsure of whom he was actually playing for, huffed and puffed but Smellie blew his house down as Tollworthy clung on to a swirling skier. The same bowler bowled Barney Stratton before Ellis, perhaps fittingly, caught Catarinella off Tollworthy ending Wylye’s innings on 134.

Many excellent performances on both sides and particular praise must go to the Babington bowlers who really did perform wonderfully. Jolliffe - accuracy personified, Tollworthy - pace and bounce, Penn – line and length with a hint of movement, and Smellie, swing and experience. All four were instrumental in our victory, but don’t forget the match-winning partnership of Ellis and Tollworthy which gave us a fighting chance in the first place.

Babington House CC Won by 21 Runs
Man of the Match – David Leng
BHCC MoM – Ben Tollworthy
Champagne Moment – Will Sherring’s catch at point.

Outdoor Nets - Every Tuesday Night

2009-04-24T16:01:00.003+01:00

Gents

We will be meeting for Nets at the ground on Tuesday 28th April starting around 6ish and it is the intention to keep these sessions going throughout the season.

It would be great to see as many of you as possible as it will also provide an opportunity to clear out the 'pavilion' and have a few beers.

Look forward to seeing you.

The Joy of It All!

2009-03-24T01:25:00.002Z

The Future Looks Bright....

2009-02-24T23:23:00.003Z

So, do you really think you will be able to beat this lot in ten years time? No, nor do I.

Sixes Tournament 2005 (I think!)

2009-02-24T22:45:00.012Z

Johnny Barron receives the Sixes trophy from House Manager Steffi and David Horler.

Players listening intently to David Horler's speech.

The victorious Cafe de Paris who deservedly took the trophy.

Mark Cadbury (left) and David Horler leave the field of play holding hands!

Messrs Nicholson, Barber, Boulton & Sinfield take it easy.

The one and only Rupert Cloak leaves this fine image as a testament to his short, but unforgettable cricketing career!

Club Dinner - February 2009

2009-02-24T09:58:00.020Z

The Annual Babington House Cricket Club Dinner is something of an institution eagerly awaited by the Members every year. Past events have been characterized by an assault on the bars' cocktail menu although Expresso Martini's now seem to have become the Club's drink of choice. Our own version includes a liberal splash of Bailey's which gives a velvet-like texture as well as an extra kick only fully realised the following morning.

18 Club Members gathered in the House's ultra-cool Log Room complete with roaring fire casting flickering shadows across the sparkling mirrors and brushed steel lampshades. Intimate and seductive, the atmosphere crackled with the cutting wit of Messrs. Mark Cadbury and James Mackenzie who clearly use the event as an excuse to transport themselves back to their obviously public school days! Poor Phil de Glanville, he of England rugby fame, seemed to bore the brunt of Cadbury's sledgehammer approach to humour.

Now in our tenth year, the Club is glued together by an innate respect shared by all the players regardless of age or ability. The passion we share for both the great game and the Club we are creating is palpable and ensures the spirit of the evening is wonderfully positive and inspiring. We are a Club without cliques, hidden agenda's or tittle-tattle. The players know we are blessed with a wonderful opportunity to build a Club of longevity for the common good of those who don the whites, their families and, essentially, the children who wish to learn the traditions and nuances of the game.

It is against this rarefied backdrop, that Club Chairman Michael Nicholson leads proceedings. Mike has a delightful touch as master of ceremonies and his printed out statistics lovingly prepared through the winter months are devoured over glasses of bubbly. Before dinner is served, anecdotes are shared as we take our places. Matt Ellis, our most dedicated of Fixture Secretaries, reads out the itinerary for the coming summer and we are all delighted to have a match against Wiltshire Queries scheduled for early May. The illustrious Free Foresters have agreed to play an All Day game which promises to be a great challenge for us all. Matt's pivotal role has been instrumental in the Club's progression and he is warmly thanked by us all for his sterling efforts.

After a feast of roast beef or fish, apple crumble and a cheese board with a Chernobyl-like pungency, the highlight of the evening is of course the Awards. There were numerous candidates for each coveted engraved glass tankard and trophy, but in the end, we rewarded those who demonstrated both cricketing prowess and that little extra something that mirrors the spirit of the Club. The winners and other nominations are listed below:

Player of the Year - Jonathon Boulton
Also Commended Andrew Standon McDougal

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Batsman of the Year - Mark Meadows
Also Commended Mike Sherring, Jonathon Boulton & Nick Sinfield.

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Bowler of the Year - Andrew Standon McDougal
Also Commended Andrew Jolliffe, Nick Wigzell, Chris Player & Rioh Alexander
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Special Award - Nicola Player

For her dedicated support of the Club and for being Mum to two of our most exciting and charming young players, Chris and Jeremy with whom she is pictured with her husband, Mark.

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Champagne Moment - Nick Wigzell
Nick, not known for his catching ability let alone in the slips, took a blinding one-handed catch off the express bowling of James 'Rocket' Stephenson against The Strollers. Bothamesque, the catch was truly outstanding and made all the more remarkable as he had never ever fielded in the slips before this one particular ball. Mobbed by the rest of the team, none of us will ever see a better catch and it was fitting that the Champers went to one of the genuinely nicest blokes around and a founding member of the Club. Nick, we collectively applaud and thank you.

There were many other highlights of the season recounted over the metaphorical port; Boulton's dance on the lawn after defeating the Free Foresters, Cadbury's fitst-ball six into the trees, Mackenzie's five dropped catches in one afternoon, Sherring's batting, Sinfield's boundary catch, Ed Weale's devastating spell of swing bowling, Chris Player and Rioh Alexander's bowling against the FF and Chester Ellis' first wickets for the Club against Mells. The list is endless and illustrates just how much the season means to all of us. Great achievements and great memories.

As ever, the evening ended in the bar with wistful thoughts of the forthcoming summer. Of course it will be a scorcher and the pitch will be laden with runs, England will win the Ashes and we will give the Free Foresters another thrashing! All in the future, but one thing is certain, the Club will continue to flourish as the commitment and the devotion of those present at the 2009 dinner presents a genuine tour de force.

Thanks to one and all for a lovely evening as ever.

The Spirit of Babington House CC

2009-02-14T03:19:00.000Z

Sixes Tournament 2006

2009-02-14T02:58:00.002Z

Winners - Babington A
L to R - Mark Cadbury, Chris Player, Andrew Standen McDougal, Andrew Pinnell, Adrian Leng & Michael Nicholson.

A victorious Adrian Leng being photographed by Matt Ellis.

Mark and Jack Cadbury being photographed by Matt Ellis.

David Horler (drinking), Michael Nicholson (left), Adrian Leng (right), Chris Player & Andrew Pinnell in the background.

Tappers - 20th June 2004

2009-02-14T02:43:00.000Z

A strong looking Tappers team arrived at Babington from London on a sunny day if threatened by the odd dark cloud. Tappers elected to bat first on a wicket livened by a light shower and got off to a brisk start against the combined family attack that is Nick & Jack Wigzell. Nick went for ten off his first over but Jack made the breakthrough having Griffith caught at short mid-off. Turner and Roberts brought up the 50 in the tenth over, before the latter was bowled by Nick attempting one pull too many.

The innings turned with the introduction of Gerry Copsey from the top end and he mixture of genuine, flight, guile and experience soon changed the tempo of the match, Beaven was bowled playing down the proverbial Bakerloo and the free-scoring Turner was dismissed by probably the best moment of cricket in the match. Having creamed Copsey for four, the bowler held his nerve to float the next delivery higher and slower inducing a full-blooded lofted drive; the ball was propelled vertically miles in the air and a rock-like Nicholson never looked like dropping it.

Harry Fentum was clapped to the wicked be it in funereal fashion and didn’t stay long as Copsey bowled him with an “arm ball” – allegedly! Andrew Jolliffe picked up the wicket of Ruxton but the champagne moment of the match was reserved for Copsey. Another floted delivery deceived Wijeratna in the flight inducing a checked drive to Copsey’s left; the bowler dived, extended his arm and the ball lodged unerringly in his open hand.

Potter got rid of Neate and a chaotic run out left the stage set for Copsey to bag his five week haul when he had Brittan well-held by Burridge. A target of 145 seemed under par and Babington took tea in expectant mood.

The innings got off to a poor start when Boulton was castled early on, but Nicholson, in fine form, and Pinnell, not in any form, took the score to 40 odd before the latter was ‘plumb’ LBW. Croucher pulled his first ball into the wheat field and proceeded to crash 37 including two more sixes and three fours giving the innings much-needed impetus. David Horler was equally aggressive and saw the total to 116 for 5 – no panic obviously.

Babington though have a curious knack of making the simple seem impossible and wickets began to tumble; Croucher, Jolliffe and Nick Wigzell departed in quick succession and Copsey was unlucky to be caught at mid-off from a stinging drive. Six runs were needed with Potter, seriously bruised hand, and Jack Wigzell at the crease. Jack showed wonderful calmness and his forward defensive strokes were technically superb as he resisted the Tappers thoughts of victory. Potter, unflappable, encouraged him and a couple of singles left four needed for victory.

Brittan hurtled in from the top end and let fly and wild delivery which sped down the hill for four byes earning Babington a famous victory by 1 wicket. The closeness of the match was fitting as the game was played in a tremendous spirit with both teams content to enjoy the lovely surroundings and the simple joy of playing cricket on a Sunday afternoon.

Mells - 13th June 2004

2009-02-14T02:38:00.000Z

This was yet another tight match which went right to the wire – the last three balls, in fact. Simon Potter drew the short straw and had a bit of a nightmare getting a team together. In the end, we fielded a combination of six Babington members, one U13 from Frome and four Downside pupils, including a couple of extremely handy South African cricket scholars.

Mells turned up with a much stronger line-up than the one we bowled out last year for 87. We batted first, which was just as well because Garfield rang to say he would be late. Apparently, he’d tried to roast an oven glove instead of the chicken and was having to make tea for half the Somerset Fire Brigade. Nigel Lewis opened with Matt Warriner, one of the SA ringers, and they were pinned down by some accurate bowling. After the first ten overs, four of which were maidens, we’d made only 23.

Then the runs started to flow: Nigel began to time the ball and Matt was clearly a classy bat, falling finally for 34 to a sharp caught and bowled. Nigel was run out for 41 by a throw from the outfield which not only hit the stumps but also broke one of them, and Nick Sinfield thumped a huge six before he skied another and was caught. Ollie Mellotte, skipper of Downside firsts, looked like he was heading for a big score before he was unluckily run out backing up after the bowler managed to get his finger tips on straight drive by Andrew Gilfillan at the other end.

Andrew continued to push the score along with some timely boundaries, as did Garfield, but out total of 158 never looked like being enough.We also had injury problems. Simon Potter, fresh from a lunch engagement, came on as sub for Nick Sinfield, who had been struggling manfully with a painful hamstring.

However, the transfusion of young blood into our bowling attack raised hopes and we started with tight, accurate spells. Mells were 11 for 3 off 11, with their most dangerous bat, skipper J Seviour, already back in the hutch after hammering a straight drive and being caught one-handed by yours truly. Dayne Naidoo, the other cricket scholar, removed their number four with his first delivery (a wrong’un) and at that point we thought a win was definitely on the cards. But their middle order contained some hard hitters and we spilled a couple of difficult chances in the deep.

They needed nine off the last over and I’m afraid to say I probably bowled too straight, allowing their number nine to hit two sixes in a row to win the match.By now, most of you will have heard about the debacle in the bar after the match. To try and avoid this happening again – viz the embarrassment of a visiting team being told they can have one drink and then leave – we’re asking match managers to check with bar staff during tea that a sudden influx of cricketers around 7-7.30 pm is not going to cause problems. If the answer is yes, then we could suggest they draw off a certain number of jugs of lager/ beer/cider before we arrive and add it to the tea tab. Alternatively, if the bar is likely to be as crowded with, say, shy and retiring footie supporters, as it was last Sunday, then we might decide to go instead to a nearby pub, such as the Vobster Inn. We could try The Talbot, but that might depend on how Mells CC react in the next couple of days.

The Deverills - 6th June 2004

2009-02-14T02:34:00.000Z

Spare a thought for Giles Pritchett.

Giles who? He’s the Deverills No3 who almost had to be helped off the field after hitting a strength-sapping 156 in the blazing sun – and who still ended up on the losing side. Cricket’s a funny old game, as Mrs T might have said.

This was the second match in a row where the odd-on favourite limped in last and what seemed an impossible climb ended up as a stroll in the park.The only sure bet was that it was going to be a run fest. Groundsman Clive Hamblin had produced an absolute belter, the kind of true-bounce featherbed that makes bowlers feel sick (thanks, Clive). Jonathan Boulton, the man with the golden hands and dodgy knees, who cruised back into our lives with a typically cultured but muscular 46, put it in the same league as the pitches he played on at Cambridge.

Deverills skipper Tony Child said it was the best strip he’d seen in years. Matt Ellis won the toss and chose to field because we seem to be better at chasing than defending. It turned out to be a wise choice. We were already one bowler light and then Nick Sinfield pulled a hamstring and couldn’t use up his allotted seven, although he fought through the pain to continue fielding. We got an early breakthrough when their opener fended at a couple before drilling a catch straight to Tom Ellis at mid-off in the first over. He was followed soon after by his partner, who failed to get back into his crease and fell to the first of three lightning stumpings by Mike Rowen.

Then in came Pritchett, fresh from a hundred for Warminster the previous day, and it turned into a one-man show. Spinners Andrew Gilfillan and last-minute recruit Bill Harris managed to get some turn on the dry and dusty track but Pritchett was unstoppable until he ran out of steam just before the end. Bill was the man who bagged him, and followed it with another stumping next ball. He almost got a hat trick when his third delivery found an edge and bounced off the batsman’s head.

Deverills had amassed an intimidating 242 off 35 overs, so no prizes for guessing which was the chirpier side at tea. It later turned out they suspected it might not be enough but a required rate of almost 7 an over was still a hugely daunting task. It required a positive start but no one was prepared for the onslaught mounted by Mike Nicholson and Jonathan, who both found the middle of the bat from the off. They didn’t so much rough up a mediocre attack as kick seven shades of shit out of it. By the time Jonathan was caught at cover in the eleventh over, he was only four short of his 50 and we’d made 85.

Worse was to come for Deverills, however, because next man in was Mike Rowen, whose Strauss-like average for Babington stood at 123 (previous stats: 106 not out and 17). Even those who have had the pleasure of watching the likes of Pinnell, Cadbury, Boulton and Standen McDougal have to admit that no one hits the ball harder or further than Mike and this innings was an exhilarating display of power and clean hitting. Mike Nicholson stayed with him until he dragged a wide ball onto his stumps, having made a fine 59, and he was joined by Bill Harris, who could only watch in wonder from the other end.

They shared an unbroken partnership of 82 and Bill’s contribution was three. The highpoint was Mike’s three straight sixes in four balls, the last of which took him past the hundred mark. His acceleration took everyone by surprise: at 169 off 24, it still looked tight but we made it with five overs to spare. Mike was 116 not out at the end. No prizes for guessing which was the chirpier side in the bar.

Just for the record: Highest individual score on this ground: 156

Second highest total of runs scored in a match: 486 (highest v Mells, 2002: 501)

Highest batting average, Mike Rowen: 239 (?)

The Griffin Inn - 23rd May 2004

2009-02-14T02:29:00.000Z

First, apologies for not writing a match report last week. I did suggest delegating reports to match managers last year but that idea got an underwhelming response and was binned after Cadbury filed an arcane biblical piece on the Forest Irregulars game, written partly in aramaic.

So you’re stuck with me until someone else puts their hand up and, when it feels like a chore, I’m just not going to bother. There: I’ve said it.This week, however, it’s an absolute joy. Babington last won a match at the end of August 2003 and it was starting to feel like we’d lost our winning ways.

Last week was frustrating because we’d posted a respectable score (185) but just failed to defend it, with Ditcheat scraping home with two balls to spare. Yesterday’s game was one of the closest and most exciting that I can remember. We won against the odds, which made the victory all the sweeter – and it’s always a pleasure to give the Griffin a good kicking, lovely lads though they are.

They chose to bat on a hard, baked strip that’s probably seen more sun than Stringfellow. The omens didn’t look good when the Pullan brothers both opened their accounts with boundaries and Nigel Lewis’s first two balls bounced twice. However he soon found his length and was hitting the gloves with a healthy thwack and Wigzell senior had David caught behind, but only after Matt Ellis tried juggling the ball to show off his glove-work.

Wigzell junior cut James in half with one that both swung and seamed and then had him caught off a skier. Their number three, a hard-hitter with a good eye and a charmed life, was the man who did most of the damage, although he had trouble coping with Andrew Gilfillan’s leg-breaks. He lost partners along the way – Andrew Jolliffe’s hooping in-swinger that did for their number six was a beauty – but he’d made 60 by the time Garfield Austin finally bowled him. Their total of 204 off 35 overs seemed well beyond our reach.

On paper, we were not a strong batting side and things looked even bleaker when the Griffin struck early. First to go was Mark Cadbury, batting with a runner after tweaking his knee in the field. He was looking good until one cut back and made a mess of his stumps. He was followed shortly after by Nigel, who was just settling in when he was undone by a yorker. We were 27 for 2 off 8 and it didn’t look good.

However, appearances can be deceptive, as the Griffin found out when Andrew Gilfillan walked to the crease. Their slip took one look at his battered floppy hat and glasses and marked him down as a rabbit. We made the same mistake last week over the guy with the cockatoo crop. Andrew started to hit the ball powerfully and, with Mike Nicholson continuing his good form at the other end, the two laid the foundations for an unlikely assault. When Mike was out for 39 we still needed more than 8 runs an over; it couldn’t be done – could it?

Matt Ellis joined Andrew and together proceeded to lash the bowling all over the park. Both hit towering sixes and crashing fours but particularly impressive was their aggressive running. They put the Griffin under constant pressure and the wheels started to come off. Catches were dropped, overthrows conceded and tempers frayed as it gradually dawned on them that the impossible might happen. When Andrew was finally out, bowled for 92, we still needed 21 off three; the balance had swung in our favour but there was still drama to come.

David Horler came in and made a quickfire 15 but then Matt was caught for 36 off the second ball of the last over. Bit of a nightmare for Andrew Jolliffe, who was next in and had been pacing up and down like an expectant father. Two more singles and the scores were level but the teams started to come off because they thought it was all over. Back they went and the winning run was a scrambled bye off the last ball. It just doesn’t get any better than that.This was definitely Andrew Gilfillan’s day – a superb innings made under extreme pressure which turned the game on its head – but he had fantastic support from both Mike and Matt. Mike also took two fine catches, one of which knocked him off his feet, and Andrew Jolliffe had an excellent match, taking two wickets and two catches, including a tough one in the deep.

Wylye Valley - 2nd May 2004

2009-02-14T02:25:00.000Z

Wylye Valley are usually Babington bunnies. In fact, it was back in the last century when Wylye Valley Wanderers, to use their proper title, beat us for the first and only time. It was also BHCC’s first real match and Wylye won thanks partly to a fresh-faced lad by the name of Cadbury, who hit a cavalier 48 and took two wickets.

How times have changed. Yesterday Wylye, as an American friend of mine would put it, cleaned our clock. We were lucky to get a game in at all, given the recent bad weather, and the heavy rain had left the pitch soft and damp. Groundsman Clive Hamblin had done a terrific repair job after some members had played football on the outfield the day before and had apparently brought a herd of cows to watch. Thanks, guys.

Adrian Leng and his team, bolstered with a one or two new faces, were clearly pumped up and determined to win. We batted first and it was a struggle from the start. The pitch was slow and low, the bowling was tight and accurate and it took us 12 overs to reach 20. By that time, Matt Ellis had finally lost patience and was caught in the gully chasing a wide one, and Mike Nicholson, who began how he left off last season, lost his stumps to a jaffa from David Leng.

Gordon Croucher was going really well until he drilled one back at Adrian Leng, who decided to catch it rather than wear it, and Andrew Pinnell was so surprised to get a straight ball in an over of wides that he missed it.Andrew Standen MacDougal bravely agreed to bat despite a bruised back and briefly reminded us what we had missed last year, but after that we just faded away. We were all out for 101, eight overs short of the allotted 40.

It was always going to be tough to defend such a small total and we were probably a couple of seamers short, but at 50 for 2 off 15 there was a glimmer of a chance. An over later, Mark removed the No 4 with his “quicker one” and then Andrew Pinnell bowled a full toss at their lanky opener, who top-edged it into his face and had to retire hurt on 42. A couple more quick wickets and it might have been a different story, but skied shots either didn’t go to hand or were dropped and Julian Matthews decided to break the habit of a lifetime and score some runs at Babington.

It wasn’t one of our better days and Wylye ran out worthy winners by six wickets. And the Champagne Moment? No one could seem to think of one, although my favourite was the animal-loving Wylye fielder who failed to stop a four because he ran round a family of ducks on the boundary. There’s a cricket joke in there somewhere, but frankly . . . .

Forest Irregulars - 7th Sept. 2008

2009-02-14T02:16:00.000Z

Our last match of the year was unusual for a number of reasons.

First, there was the reappearance of The Invisible Man. All season, rumours had been rife about our chairman, Mike Nicholson, and why he had failed to don his whites. There were stories about a pile of clothes left on a beach, a canoeing accident and even unconfirmed sightings in Australia. Occasionally, an email purporting to be from Michael would arrive, written in that familiar blue text, but he remained elusive. So it was with a mixture of delight and relief that we watched that familiar figure making his way towards the pavilion, clutching the usual bag of surplus cricket jerseys.

On the pitch, it was a bit of a bloodbath: one Forest Irregular split his lip when the ball hit him in the face as he dived forward for a catch, and another broke a nail – a particularly nasty injury which refused to stop bleeding, even when his finger was encased in ice. The home side didn’t escape unscathed: Andrew Pinnell suffered a bruised hand and Ed Alexander had to leave the field at one point, suffering the after-effects of food poisoning from the night before.

Even more unexpected was that Pinnell, normally the safest pair of hands in the West (see above), dropped three catches, two of them off successive balls (sorry: had to mention that because it was off my ‘bowling’), and Jonathan Boulton, one of the most urbane men in cricket, showed mild dissent at an lbw decision.

But perhaps the most surprising thing about the match was that it took place at all. Somehow, while people in South Wales were being dragged from their drowned homes by rescue teams in boats, groundsman Clive Hamblin managed to prepare a strip in between torrential downpours. Our opponents couldn’t believe how good the pitch looked, given the conditions, and declared it better than most tracks Cheltenham CC had played on this year.

So, on an overcast afternoon, brightened by occasional blasts of hot sunshine, Pinnell won the toss for a record tenth time in a row and, as usual, chose to bat. Ed Alexander, who fielded like a demon during the Free Foresters match but didn’t get a chance to bat or bowl, looked mildly startled when he was asked to open with Jonathan Boulton but exuded confidence from the word go. Jonathan, still glowing from his Free Foresters triumph, carried on from where he left off and made his intentions clear with a four and a six off consecutive balls in the third over.

The bowling was friendly but boundaries were hard to come by on an outfield too wet to cut during the previous week. Several times batsmen took a leisurely first run after a well-struck drive or pull, only to have to sprint a second as the ball plugged or stopped well short of the line. Jonathan survived an assassination attempt by Andrew Jolliffe, who gave him out leg before despite a faint bottom-edge. Jonathan was visibly disappointed and the Irregulars sportingly called him back. Ed fell to a good diving catch by Mark Guest and was replaced by Ben Tollworthy, who looked in good nick before Guest bowled him a beauty which moved six inches off the pitch.

Nicholson began in his usual no-nonsense style, going for his shots, but struggled to time the ball; not surprising, considering this was his first innings for almost exactly a year. Only two runs had been added before Jonathan, forced to go the aerial route, was caught in the deep by the ubiquitous Guest, having made a typically elegant 42.From here on, Mike anchored the innings, securing one end and scampering quick singles like a man half his age (many of the fielders WERE half his age) and sharing excellent partnerships with two fine shotmakers. The first of these was Richard Waters, a Babington member making his club debut, who quickly showed his class with a succession of textbook strokes. Initially pinned down by that man Guest again, he started to score freely and had raced to 32 with a succession of boundaries when he was smartly stumped by – yes, you’ve guessed it – Guest, who had swapped places with keeper Luke Sellars.

The fact that Mark Meadows was next in at number six speaks volumes about the depth of our batting these days. Anyone who saw his chanceless, unbeaten 77 against the Tappers in June will be familiar with his style – classically correct with a full, flowing, follow-through – and this was another masterclass in how to bat on a damp, slow wicket. He peppered the boundary with sixes and fours and one shot in particular, when he was beaten in the flight but used his feet to clip the ball effortlessly through midwicket, had Pinnell purring with pleasure. By the time he was bowled for 59, the damage had been done: he had shared a 91-run stand with Mike and we had amassed 204 off 35 overs. Mike was 37 not out which, as the number-cruncher who compiles our stats, he must have found doubly gratifying.

Perhaps it was the size of the tea, but the Irregulars made a disappointing fist of chasing a fairly challenging total. Wigzell did his level best to give them a head start by sending down more than his usual quota of leg-side full tosses but the openers seemed unable to take full advantage. Jolliffe didn’t help matters by taking two wickets in his first over, bamboozling the batsmen with his hooping swing and metronomic line and length. Luke Sellars, who hit a hundred here a few years ago, was out for a duck and Lewis, the only Irregular to reach double figures, was run out by Jeremy Player, who hit the stumps with only one to aim at.

Then Chris Player came on, did a Jolliffe by taking two wickets in his first over, and that was pretty much that. It was even too late to bring back Wigzell to let them score a few: by this time he’d exceeded his allocation of seven and technically forfeited the match. The batsmen who remained certainly didn’t enjoy Ben Tollworthy steaming in down the hill and, perhaps fittingly, it was Jonathan who wrapped things up with his perfectly-flighted spin. At least the bowlers could celebrate with some extraordinary figures: Jolliffe 3 for 6 off 7; Chris Player 3 for 6 off 3.

Man of the Match

Mark Meadows (59 and three catches)

Champagne Moment of the Match

Mike Nicholson’s smile as he left the field on 37 not out

Wylde Oats - 29th June 2008

2009-02-14T02:09:00.000Z

Babington won an enthralling match by 23 runs in a 35 overs game against the Wylde Oats on a sunny, but blustery afternoon with some claiming they could hear the noise from Glastonbury on the wind. Having witnessed Amy Winehouse on the box the previous evening, this would have seriously put off most of us but the festival weekend added to a party atmosphere throughout the day (and night Mr. Wigzell!).

Fielding a strong team, Pinnell had no hesitation in batting first despite the distinctly two-paced nature of the wicket and by that I mean, slow and very slow. No matter, Mark Meadows and Jonathon Boulton effortlessly put on twenty for the first wicket before the former was given out Lbw by the ever-willing Mark Player standing at the Jolliffe end. Pinnell heard mutterings under the thespians breath as they crossed paths and mused on the irony of his exit - stage left.

Boulton looked in fine form as ever after yet another Eddy Merckx-like arrival at the ground resplendent in fluorescent garb and striking red helmet. Pinnell at the other end was slowly remembering what it is like to stay at the crease for more than five minutes although splitting his trusty Newberry had more to do with a lack of timing than the bats imperfection. The pair survived various dropped catches to put on seventy combining watchful defence with the occasional whack to the boundary.

Rupert Gouriet was bowling exceptionally well from the Wigzell end mixing line and length deliveries with a beautifully disguised slower ball which ultimately accounted for Boulton caught at the wicket. A feathered edge was enough for ‘uber man’ to walk even though umpire and bowler were both in some doubt. Enter Andrew Standen McDougal nursing a hangover but he was soon into his stride hitting powerfully mostly to leg.

Pinnell was finally caught at mid-wicket and Matt Ellis joined A.S.M and the pair rattled off a fifty partnership in no time. The latter hit four towering sixes on his way to an excellent half century before Ellis holed out going for quick runs. Andrew followed in similar fashion and it was left to Ben Tollworthy and Mark Cadbury to take the score beyond 200. Mark danced down the pitch to hit his first ball for a mighty six high over long-on while Ben’s innings, uncharacteristically comprised just singles and twos knackering an increasingly flushed Cadbury in the process.

Tea followed unusually on the front lawn where I have to question Boulton’s project management skills; while orchestrating the serving of the actual tea something got lost in translation between slightly confused Polish waitresses unfamiliar with English etiquette and JB’s desire to for maximum ‘time and motion-like’ efficiency . Crockery was being dispatched hither and tither and even the moving of tables was muted at one point! Regardless, we enjoyed the feast basking in lovely sunshine surrounded by quizzical hotel guests many attending a Christening and others returning from Glasto. The juxtaposition of cricket whites, ladies in best frocks and others in wellies provided a contrast to behold.

In the absence of a poorly Andrew Jolliffe, James ‘Rocket’ Stephenson took the new ball with Nick Wigzell and their differing styles soon had the Wylde Oats languishing at 37 for 3. Rockets’ pace and accuracy was a joy to behold and he deservedly had two Lbw decisions affirmed in a seven over spell that conceded just nine runs. Captain Richard Buxton was run out by a brilliant piece of fielding by (Jonty) Wigzell before ‘Buzz’ Hornett (brilliant) and Gouriet began their respective innings circumspectly.

Seeing off the opening pair, they slowly began to accelerate with 125 required off the final fifteen overs. Buzz drove ferociously over long-off while Rupert displayed a penchant for the square cut. Chris Player took the initial brunt perhaps unfairly bowling three overs up the hill, but he showed great maturity returning later having changed ends. Andrew Standen McDougal took the pressure with Ben Tollworthy as both batsmen began attacking with gusto. The field was pushed back and each and every one of the Babington team stood-up to the ensuing onslaught superbly. Great stops, accurate throwing and relentless encouragement intensified the pressure on both batsmen as the need to score at eight an over took its toll.

Hats off to Andrew and Ben who bowled undaunted and sooner or later something had to give. Almost inevitably, both Buzz and Rupert were run out and each dismissal involved Jonathon behind the stumps. Firstly, his quick thinking saw off Rupert backing up too far and then his direct hit did the same for Buzz. The partnership yielded 115 runs and both batted beautifully.
With their departure, Babington breathed a sigh of relief and there were deserved wickets for Andrew and Chris as the Oats reached 180 for 7. Despite winning by 25 runs, the result was in doubt until Buzz’s dismissal and the spoils of victory were all the more sweeter having been involved in a real battle.

Ultimately, Babington’s collective spirit was the difference between the sides, but we thank the Wylde Oats for giving us a wonderful match. We returned to the lawn for lively chatter over a few jugs of an alcoholic nature, although there was plenty of the other variety on view too. Spain won the football and live coverage from Glastonbury followed, entertaining the stragglers over a mixture of cocktails and cider.

In the words of Lou Reed, “just a perfect day”.

Babington Man of the Match
Andrew Standen McDougall for a great knock and timely bowling spell.

Wylde Oats Man of the Match
Rupert Gouriet for a fighting half century and testing six overs with the ball.

Champagne Moments
Mark Cadbury’s first ball six smashed over the road.
JB’s run out of Buzz Hornett – someone mentioned Eric Bristow!

Cafe de Paris - 11th Aug 2008

2009-02-14T01:57:00.000Z

Slate grey skies and sheets of rain on the wind blowing across the pitch did not deter Jonathon Boulton or Michael Sherring who rattled along at almost ten an over for much of their opening partnershiop against Johnny Barron’s Café de Paris. In truth the bowling was ‘mixed’ and JB was particularly sever on anything that enabled him to pull to leg. Indeed, he hit five sixes, most into the corn field, during an innings of 95 only denied a deserved century by the decision to change the game to a 20/20.

Sherring was his usual muscular self, toying with the bowling and effortlessly milking the strike until he was bowled off his pads by Giles Williams – a guest of Giles Lunt who ended up guesting for de Paris – if you know what I mean. From hereon in Boulton dominated the innings and his timing was incredible given the slow, soggy pitch. Driving with great power and no little finesse, Boulton was at his ‘uber best’ as he almost single-handily took the score beyond 150.

Nick Sinfield was disconsolate at being given out leg before after a few lusty blows and, much to the amusement of Mark Cadbury, Phil de Glanville was bowled for 1 and Matt Ellis castled by a pearler first bowl, both to the persevering bowler who’s name could be Marcus or Marks depending on which column of the scorebook you believe. Debutant Rioh Alexander and Jeremy Player tried in vain to assist Boulton reach a century, but the innings ended on a credible 168 for five after 20 overs.

Barron’s winter bravado evaporated as the visitors pedestrian reply effectively batted Café de Paris out of the game. Chris Player bowled gun-barrel straight down the hill whilst Ed Weale thrilled us all with four overs of excellent swing bowling. He knocked over both openers in a spell of 2-12 culminated by two maidens and the wicket of Khan with his last ball. Chris too knocked over two batsmen including the stylish Giles Lunt in four overs that conceded just 14.

With the game in the bag, we mixed up the bowling and kept the field in inviting de Paris to at least make a token gesture at chasing the runs. With Barron still in the hutch with his pads on, obviously intimidated by the prospect of facing Jack Cadbury and Rioh Alexander, de Paris mustered little more than a hundred between them.

A special mention to both Jack Cadbury and Rioh who bowled superbly against good batsmen and troubled them all. Rioh is an excellent addition to the club and he and his brother Ed, are both playing next week. For the old heads in the side, seeing the emergence of Jack Cadbury, Chester Ellis, the Player brothers and now Rioh, is a joy to behold.

We continue to play attacking, entertaining cricket and the blend of youth and experience is truly creating a spectacular team spirit and it is a rare honour to captain such an enthusiastic outfit.

Free Foresters - 17th August 2008

2009-02-14T01:47:00.000Z

The Free Foresters are one of the most illustrious wandering cricket clubs in the land having been formed by the Rev. W.K.R. Bedford in 1856, Forest of Arden. Their history and traditions illuminate every ground they visit and it is lovely to see the crimson, green and white striped blazers, hooped caps and ceremonial flag (draped over the five-a-side goal posts) grace a slightly sodden Babington ground on Sunday. They embody the beauty of our summer game and bring with them a heritage that is the very soul of “traditional cricket”; their motto is ‘United but United’.

It was particularly pleasurable then to win a 35 over game by 53 runs in which Babington again displayed the characteristics that are increasingly becoming the bedrock of our club; experience combined with youthful dynamism have meshed with the lingering League cricket mentality of those who still play on a Saturday. All of these elements gelled perfectly as we decided to bat first having won a seventh consecutive toss.

Match Manager Jonathon Boulton took to the wicket with Mike Sherring and both had to be circumspect against Swetman down the hill. A classic action and quick arm action propels the ball at great pace and his list of current clubs includes the MCC and Stragglers of Asia (another illustrious wandering club). Both did well to survive, but Sherring soon departed caught at mid wicket off Turk to a ball that might have ‘stopped’.

Boulton was joined by fellow Cambridge Blue and surgeon Mark Alban, selected after the pair bumped into each other in Waitrose on the day before. Both batted beautifully through the ‘V’ and Alban in particularly drove superbly thumping a brace of sixes into the trees. It was something of a surprise when he was caught off Thomas for a fluent 35 and the innings reached a crossroads when Giles Lunt was caught and bowled playing slightly too early to the same bowler.

Boulton pushed on allowing Pinnell to play himself in and seemed destined for a big score before late cutting once too often caught at the wicket off the glove. It was another delightful innings from JB who augmented his awesome power with deft dabs and cuts to see the score past 100. One flick through wide mid-on after going forward then back, was a true treat and one of the (technically) best shots I have seen all season – Pietersen-esque.

With overs running out, yours truly eyed the shortish boundary to leg and decided to have a whack; once in a blue moon these days it actually works and I must thank the bowlers for a succession of leg-side half volleys that had ‘tennis court’ written all over them!. Chuntering behind the wicket, but it only fuelled the fire.

Rio Alexander smacked a four and a six, Chris Player ran hard and Simon Potter played two glorious square cuts off the returning Swetman to help the skipper post a very credible 198 for 6 at tea. JB and I looked each other in the eye almost not daring to think that that would be enough! Could it be our day?

It was reassuring to have Nick Wigzell and Andrew Jolliffe taking the new ball as you just knew that they wouldn’t bottle it. Sure enough, against class players like Ahluwalin and Thomas, intelligence plays a big part and both Nick and Andrew bowled excellent seven-over spells restricting FF to just 54 for 1 off 14 overs. Wigzell (1 for 21) was rewarded with the wicket of Ahluwalin snuggly pouched by Potter behind the stumps, while Jolliffe (0 for 33) created no-end of half chances. The first change bowlers had a tough act to follow especially as Thomas was hitting the ball incredibly hard and Ben Lyons was obviously as classic a batsmen as you would ever wish to see.

Take a bow Rio Alexander and Chris Player as you two guys actually won us the game. Both bowled dead straight and immediately tested the techniques of both batsmen. Lyons was a delight to watch; twinkle toe feet and one of those front elbows that touches the heavens, his driving was almost poetic. Player got him though caught behind after beating the outside edge by a whisker the previous ball – it was a defining moment.

Rio Alexander was flying. An exemplary cocked wrist is his greatest asset and a long bowling future awaits. He mopped up Thomas attempting the I.V.A Richards trademarked leg-side pick-up only to see his stumps shattered by Rio’s unwavering accuracy. More was to follow; a nonchalant caught and bowled off a searing drive from Jacques, cleaning up Charlton with a beauty and having Swetman caught behind by the Panama-wearing Potter. In the meantime, he also caught the dangerous Moffat behind square giving Chris a deserved second wicket. Both bowlers stuck to the time-honoured principles of ‘line and length’ and their figures stand as testament to their maturity and spirit. Rio – 4 for 33, Chris – 2 -36, both having bowled seven overs.

The last rites were carried out by the gnarled pairing of Giles Lunt and Mike Sherring who would never let an opportunity for victory like this slip. Tough as old boots and chirping away in my ear all afternoon, these guys know the game inside out and knew exactly what was required. As soon as George Bretton heaved Sherrings ‘lollipop’ into the off-side and I saw Boulton circling beneath, I knew the game was ours. George was the guy who smacked yours truly for three consecutive sixes over the trees in the first fixture between the two sides and is a brilliant bat. Sherring (3 – 8) duly knocked over Baldwin and had Turk caught by Lunt (0 – 8) leaving the FF innings in tatters at 145 all out in 32 overs.

Defeating Free Foresters is no mean achievement and I can’t help but think we beat them at their own game a touch. The energy of the younger players in the field backed-up the bowlers who all excelled against frontline batsmen. This was personified by Ed Alexander who neither batted nor bowled, but fielded with great gusto and is assured of an opening batting slot in our last game of the season against Forest Irregulars.Thanks Ed.

So, a great day for the club and thanks to one and all who contributed to a glorious victory against lovely opposition. The site of JB doing a jig on the lawn as the last striped blazer trudged back to the car park was a delight and summed-up the collective feeling of the team.

Brilliant!

Mells - 2nd July 2006

2009-02-14T01:41:00.000Z

Babington, still smarting from a last-over defeat by the Tappers the previous week, more than made amends by bulldozing Mells with a powerful all-round performance. The day saw a possibly record-breaking partnership of 158, the welcome return of Simon Potter and the birth of The Ragman.

Mells put us into bat, which was a mistake on two counts. First, it meant they had to field in the searing heat of the afternoon before the rains came. Secondly, it gave Jonathan Boulton time to arrive from work - or the golf course, as it’s also known in medical circles. The Chairman opened with Tom McClellan, a classy 1st XI ringer from Downside who’d already shown his prowess in the sixes against Café de Paris. The two made a steady start against some tight and accurate bowling from Mells and Tom was driving handsomely until he mistimed one and skied a catch.

Skipper Andrew Pinnell strode to the crease, determined to make up for last week, when he was bowled by a jaffa without troubling the scorers. It wasn’t to be: he managed one boundary before lofting drive to mid-off and returned to take it out on his coffin. Next in was 16-year-old Jeremy Player, also making his debut in a proper match after impressing in the sixes, and he settled down for a sensible innings.

Mike Nicholson started to hit boundaries at the other end but was out shortly afterwards, bowled for 28.Nick Sinfield took his place and soon made his intentions clear with a towering six. However, we were only scoring at three an over and it was beginning to cause concern. Mutterings could be heard and there was much restive flapping of Sunday papers. Jeremy was finally out caught, having made a valuable 15, and made way for JB.Storm clouds were beginning to gather, in more ways than one. Jonathan was dropped early and it proved a costly mistake.

From then on, he and Nick tore into the bowling and the run rate took off like a shuttle launch. Having come together with 87 on the board, they doubled the total within ten overs. Needless to say, this was no slogfest: both are textbook players, technically correct and natural timers of the ball who play with that easy elegance which makes batting look irritatingly easy. It was a pleasure to watch and breathtaking at times. Nick moved from 50 to 80 in eight shots and for a while it looked like he might make his maiden hundred for the club. Even a cloudburst during the last six overs failed to dampen proceedings and we ended on 245, with Nick and Jonathan unbeaten on 89 and 74 respectively.

Set such a formidable target, the opposition had to score at six an over and our skipper decided to give everyone a bowl to help make more of a game of it. Mells had a nightmare start: their opener played across the line to a straight one from Nick Wigzell and was bowled; their number three was run out thanks to some quick thinking and a direct hit by wicket keeper Simon Potter; and Andrew Gilfillan, switching to seam with the rain still coming down, produced the ball of the day to remove their best batsman, skipper Julian Seviour, for nought. His brother Chris had a good eye and started to score freely through the midwicket area but lost his partners in a steady stream.

Bowling wasn’t easy in the wet but Sinfield elected to help keep the ball dry with the help of a towel and henceforth will be known as The Ragman. Ed Weale bagged his first two wickets for the club thanks to catches by Sinfield and Pinnell. Jeremy bowled an immaculate line and hit the stumps three times, one of his victims being his brother Chris, who had kindly agreed to make up the Mells numbers. McClellan got the wicket he deserved thanks to another catch by Sinfield and JB wrapped things up in style by bowling the last man with his first ball. Mells had subsided to 94 all out, leaving Chris Seviour unbeaten on 59 and the only man to reach double figures.

Champagne moments? It’s a tough call between JB’s first-baller, Simon’s direct hit and the sight of Jeremy Player tirelessly sprinting round the leg-side boundary during the overs when he wasn’t bowling and securing the best figures of the day – 3 for 9 off 4. Either way, it was great to see Potter back, bouncing around behind the stumps like a spring lamb and diving selflessly onto his bad arm to save byes we could easily afford.Thanks to Lord Jolliffe for persuading the vassals to turn up, and special thanks to the Player family – Nicola, Mark, Jeremy and Chris - for providing two players and most of the home spectators. It’s great to have such active and supportive new members in the club.

Groucho Club - 1st June 2008

2009-02-14T01:22:00.000Z

A lazy, still Sunday heralded the start of June, and all that was missing from this joyous English sporting tradition between hardened adversaries was a blazing sun burning in an azure sky. No matter that the clouds were leaden and the wicket mottled by damp, The Groucho Club, perhaps still Babington’s fiercest adversaries, proved a difficult foe for a team still smarting from two defeats.

No time to cry as the old song goes, and Babington took to the field in determined mood after being surprisingly asked to field by Stephen Porter. It was truly lovely to welcome two new additions to our fold and Matt Greenless and Mark Meadows were warmly greeted by one and all. Matt will need no introduction as he is the (seemingly) unflappable Manager of the House, whilst Mark is an actor, or in the words of the irrepressible Mark Cadbury – “a luvvie!” One Mark will no doubt quickly become accustomed to the characteristics of the other as the season progresses!

The game began sedately with Chris Player and Andrew Jolliffe’s accuracy only intensifying the batsmen’s mistrust in the wicket, aided by a hint of movement both in the air and off the plasticine-like pitch. The ‘umbrella’ field sensed blood and only added to the pressure with a series of great stops and a cacophony of chatter. With Mike Rowan standing up to everyone and giving a master class of the wicketkeeper’s art, a sense of claustrophobia gripped the batsmen.

Time for a change and enter Messrs. Cadbury and Andrew Standon-McDougall – players chiselled by decades of league cricket. Not the most obvious choices of first change bowlers I grant you, but both Andrew and Mark revelled in the conditions. Cadbury, skiddy and unpredictable, gives a wonderful running commentary as he bowls, chuntering, swearing and cajoling. It’s enough to drive any batsmen to distraction, let alone a wearisome captain in prime ear shot at mid-off!

But it was Andrew who took the first wicket, teasing the stylish Sam Porter into a lofted drive pouched by a momentarily silent Cadbury at mid-off. Enter John Morton, making his debut for The Groucho only to be run out for a duck by Marcus Corbett after facing just one ball; a debut to forget, particularly considering a two hundred mile round trip from London. It quickly got worse for the visitors as Cadbury caught and bowled Howard, and Jim Chowdray, inexplicably, construed to run himself out following smart thinking by Nick Sinfield throwing to the keeper’s end.

At 40-odd for 4, Standon-McDougall turned the screw. Wheeling away up the hill, he bowled with great alacrity, subtly varying his line and length. In truth, he was virtually unplayable and deserved the leading edge of the dangerous Jim McGhie which flew to Sinfield in the covers. Figures of two for nine from eight overs tell their own story, but Andrew’s spell dictated the rest of the match.

Matt Greenless took his cue and yorked top-scorer Corbett with a beauty that took out leg stump, before Chris Player cleaned up Jesh; brother and birthday boy Jeremy had Sadgrove well held by Jolliffe and knocked over Whiteside. However, the champagne moment of the match award goes to Nick Sinfield for a stupendous tumbling catch in the deep after a shocker of a long-hop from Cadbury.

Groucho were all out for 90 in 35 overs and we took tea in the playroom alongside the WAGs and wonderfully boisterous children gleefully eyeing up the lip-smacking spread. Matt G – you will have to play more often!

Suitably fed and watered, Mark Meadows opened with Matt Ellis and the former’s classy technique repelled the excellent pace bowling of Whiteside. A high elbow and sure footwork promises many runs to come, but it was Ellis’s funny bone that had the misfortune to intercept a beamer from Jim McGhie with painful consequences. Matt had just smitten him through mid-wicket for a delightful boundary, but the blow clearly affected him and he was castled two balls later. A row between Groucho’s captain and best player ensued as Stephen Porter berated Jim Chowdray for not catching the ball off Matt’s elbow. Chowdray is a cricket man through and through and his response was both unprintable and deserved!

The same fate soon befell Sinfield, bowled by a Whiteside snorter which would have done for most. Enter Cadbury at his most pugnacious only to be quickly given out LBW by Lord Jollife umpiring at the Wigzell end. Of course, Cadbury was convinced the ball was too high, and he was miles down the track and it wouldn’t have hit another set. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. You get the picture. Two things stick in the memory about the dismissal; firstly, Joliffe raising the finger in a quick authoritarian fashion, much like a station master seeing off a train, and secondly, Cadbury’s face when Meadows later told him that he was ‘plumb’. Two moments of silence in one match from our beloved Cadbury!

Undeterred by the swift departure of Chris Player, Meadows showed admirable temperament, taking us to within sight of victory before Whitseide bagged his man. Jeremy Player batted brilliantly scoring 29 not out, combining elegant drives and wristy sweeps to keep the scoreboard ticking. Mike Rowan smashed Howard into the corn field high over mid-on and that was that. Babington ran out winners by five wickets.

A tremendous performance by the whole team who excelled in the field and batted with grit and application. The spirit of the side was palpable in the bar and a languid few hours were spent on the lawn celebrating our first win of the season.

Man of the Match: Andrew Standen McDougall

Champagne MOM: Nick Sinfield’s catch off Mark Cadbury.

Babington House Cricket Club: Introduction

2009-02-14T00:05:00.000Z

Welcome to the online home of Babington House Cricket Club. Formed in 2002, the Club celebrates all that is wonderful about country house cricket and mirrors the philosophy of the joyous place that is Babington House Hotel and Members Club

This Blog captures the very essence of the ethos that fuels the Club's continuing development and also documents our progression (or otherwise) on the field of play. Unashamedly, the personalities of those who drive the Club are given due coverage as are the contributions of past players.

The Club is first and foremost a social organisation dedicated to developing both sporting and social relationship's between our Members, their families and of course our most welcome opponents. The spirit of cricket's Golden Age extends beyond the field of play and the involvement of wives, girlfriends and the children is central to the Club's longevity.

We hope you enjoy this Blog and please feel free to post a comment or submit any relevant ideas or information.