“The Stabiliser Stabilises Run Chase

After Fisher Bowling Bonanza has Shelley Stumped for Words”

Match: 04 / 091

Won by 3 wkts

Team	Total
Marlborough House	70
A. Fisher 5 - 14, J. Hoskins 2 - 11
FFTMCCC	71 - 7
G. Bridges 16*

After recent spells of dismal weather and waterlogged pitches, it was a comforting feeling to be reunited with the idyllic surrounds of Pembroke College Sports Ground – a world away from wretched Cowley Marshes and its depressing graffiti. Birds chirped under light blue skies, as a gentle wind stirred the towering trees that cast shadows over Kev in his pavilion; beavering away in the kitchen with sandwiches and air-fix kits.

Pembroke library footage.

After stepping aside the previous week due to a herculean hangover, J. Hoskins was ready to take up the Captaincy Baton once again from the now crocked Westmoreland. Unusually, and perhaps perplexingly, he lost the toss. You see, James never loses the toss, as it is all about having a positive mental attitude – which he exudes in spades. “I never lose the toss. Never. The coin was rigged.” On account of the Marlborough still waiting for most of their team to show up, they batted first.

With A. Mann opening at non-Pavilion end, James rather surprisingly threw the ball to deputy glovesman, A. Fisher. He then commanded him to do his thing…. bowl. This he did, and for an hour of seemingly surreal drama he recorded the quite incredible figures of 5-15, as his assortment of pies and flan had the Marlborough men groping in the runny brown stuff. If this haul wasn’t wonderful enough, the stumping of his nemesis M. Shelley, led to scenes of unparalleled joy and hysteria. Well bowled, Adie – a truly epic display of quality pie!

Following this most memorable spell, the Marlborough crawled onwards towards a lowly total as A Morley (0-6), E. Lester (0-5), T. Smith (1-12), and JMO himself (2-11), all tried their hand with the ball. And if it wasn’t for a brief rain interlude, which allowed premier batsman D. Edwards to arrive late for the match, the opposition could well have found themselves in even greater trouble. As it was, after reaching 19, a returning Ant Mann (1-11) had him snaffled down the leg side. A superb piece of glovesmanship from M. Bullock, and a champagne effort if ever there was one. Marlborough 70 all out.

Library footage of kitbag tidiness.

Tea. And time to resume the often debated and entirely fascinating conversation, as to why Kev’s ham sandwiches never get eaten. Why is that Kev? Why?

Chasing such a paltry total, Hoskins decided to tinker with The Mad batting order in the hope of giving some much needed time in the middle for members starved of recent runs. J. Hotson was summarily despatched out to the middle with an in-form S. Dobner, and he watched as E. Xtras and Steve combined to add a sublime 24 for the first wicket.

With Hotson ending his eight over vigil for a duck, things were compounded when T. Smith (1) ran himself out chasing a second, and Howarth (14), batting down the order, heaved horrendously across the line to leave The Mad on 46-4. This would be soon upgraded [or is that downgraded?] with A. Morley adding another bird to his growing collection. 46-5.

Whilst this dismal showing with the bat ensued, Mr. G. Bridges simply went about his business at the other end – unflustered, pinching singles here and there and generally looking totally untroubled. In harness with the revered E. Lester, The Mad nurdled along until Eddie (2) was adjudged leg before to a ball which should never have netted him the decision at this level. That decision did bring the Skipper to the crease, and after charging the bowler, he subsequently left [for a duck]. A captain’s innings if ever there was one. 63-7.

But that was as good as it got for the Marlborough as a lackadaisical A. Mann (3*) accompanied the stabilising Mr. Bridges (16*) across the finishing line. So victory for The Mad, but more so, victory for Graham. So often around the fringes of the team, welcome to the spotlight.

‘Spam’

*

Statto Scorecards

Far from the Madding Crowd CC versus Marlborough House Played at Pembroke College, 18 July 2004 Marlborough House won the toss and elected to bat Far from the Madding Crowd CC won by 3 wkts Far from the MCC debuts: none

04 / 091 35 over match

Team	Marlborough House
#	Batsman	How Out	Total	Balls	4s	6s	FOW
1	Muzzi	c Hoskins b Fisher	1
2	Rocky	b Fisher	8
3	M. W. Shelley *	st Bullock b Fisher	6
4	M. Allen	b Fisher	0
5	Danesh	run out	8
6	J. Carroll	c Smith b Fisher	2
7	S. Dunkley	b Hoskins	1
8	P. Henley	c Smith b Hoskins	11
9	D. M. Edwards	c Bullock b Mann	19
10	Matt	b Smith	1
11	D. Beddell	not out	4
	Extras	(W9, B1)	9
	TOTAL	(all out, 33.3 overs)	70

#	Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wkts
1	Mann	7	3	11	1
2	Fisher	7	3	15	5
3	Hoskins	6.3	0	11	2
4	Morley	2	0	6	0
5	Lester	4	1	5	0
6	Howarth	2	0	8	0
7	Smith	5	2	12	1

Team	Far from the Madding Crowd CC
#	Batsman	How Out	Total	Balls	4s	6s	FOW
1	S. L. P. Dobner	b Rocky	15	(26)	2	-	1-24
2	J. C. W. Hotson	c Allen b Danesh	0	(16)	-	-	2-27
3	G. Bridges	not out	16	(40)	2	-	-
4	T. P. W. Smith	run out	1	(8)	-	-	3-30
5	I. Howarth	b Shelley	14	(19)	2	-	4-46
6	A. Morley	b Shelley	0	(2)	-	-	5-46
7	E. N. Lester	lbw b Edwards	2	(12)	-	-	6-63
8	J. D. Hoskins *	b Edwards	0	(4)	-	-	7-63
9	A. G. Mann	not out	3	(8)	-	-	-
10	A. J. Fisher
11	M. Bullock +
	Extras	(NB3, W11, LB3, B4)	21
	TOTAL	(for 7 wickets, 22.2 overs)	71

#	Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wkts
1	Rocky	5.2	0	10	1
2	Danesh	7	3	27	1
3	Edwards	6	1	15	2
4	Shelley	4	1	11	2

MOTM: A. J. Fisher Champagne Moment: M. Bullock’s strangle down the leg-side Buffet Award: I. Howarth’s strawberry mouse

Opposition: V010 / 15 Ground: G011 / 27 Captain: C006 / 22