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.
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