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!!!
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