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
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