Tuesday, 8 September 2009
Images From Nick Wigzell's Last Match
Monday, 7 September 2009
BHCC v Forest Irregulars - 6th Sept. 2009
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!
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!
Friday, 14 August 2009
A Fitting Finale....
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
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
Saturday, 8 August 2009
Last Match of the 2009 Season
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.....
Sunday, 26 July 2009
North Bradley - 26th July 2009 - Match Report
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
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
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
Images From Free Foresters - Sun 5th July
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Images from BHCC v The Tappers - 14th June 2009
BHCC v The Tappers - 14th June 2009 - Match Report
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.....
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
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
Friday, 12 June 2009
BHCC v Babington House Staff - 11th June 2009
Sunday, 7 June 2009
Images From The Groucho Match - 7th June 2009
Front Row - Matthew Ellis, Chester Ellis, Jeremy Player, Johnny Barran and the ever camera-shy Mark Meadows.
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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)