“Bullish Bullock Defiant
After Bullying the Marlborough”
Match: 05
/ 116
Won
by 110 runs
|
Team |
Total |
|
FFTMCC |
173 - 8 |
|
M. Bullock 35, D. Edwards
29 |
|
|
|
|
|
Marlborough House |
63 |
|
D. Edwards 2 - 0, J. Harris
2 - 25 |
|
|
Asked after the match to explain his
bullying tactics on the day, No-MAD Chairman, M. Bullock, stated
categorically “no opponent deserves an easy ride. The fact that our arch enemies
are but a pale shadow of their former selves, is no excuse to lower your
guard. We have experienced many a low against this lot over the years, so
payback is always nice. Also, getting the game over in double quick-time,
allows for a far greater time at the bar.” With those rather curt and
dismissive words, he screeched away from the Pembroke car park in his
gleaming TVR.
Another sun baked game to watch at Pembroke. Sunday, August the 21st was a
gloriously hot and sunny day, so much so that regular No-MAD skipper, J.
Hoskins, had opted instead to cox some ladies rowing teams by the Head of the
River, and later to mix it up with the University luvvies over bubbly and
vol-au-vents. He did, however, attempt to communicate with his team later in
the evening via text messaging, to enquire as to the result of the game [when
guilt kicked in], but nobody was able to translate “hg it@s jAmer.
Hmw did wee gdt om 2dax?
Am pjs*&d racht up!” Another notable absentee
was the antipodean novelist, A. Mann, although he did make an entrance
later in the day, venting his frustrations on his 6 year old son [Zac], by
bowling a series of hostile bouncers from round the wicket in the nets. Nice
guys these Aussies.
Zac takes cover from his old man’s bouncers. In the absence of Mr. Hoskins, the Captain’s
armband was passed on to Mr. Howarth, who after losing the toss, noted the
decidedly ramshackle nature of the opposition, and cleverly convinced his
opposite number [Mr. Reeves] that in the best interests of cricket the No-MAD
should bat first. [i.e try and make a game lasting longer than 60 minutes….] The No-MAD began their innings cautiously
against the young Marlborough attack, and the innings was not more than four
overs old when J. Hotson (3) edged a nice off-cutter to slip to say farewell.
M. Westmoreland (11) followed soon after [bowled], and when S. Dobner was
caught for 8 and A. Morley bowled for 4, it was left to M. Bullock and recent
recruit, G. Carter, to try and repair the damage.
D. Edwards (centre) realises what a lucky escape he had joining the No-MAD
ranks. The score had progressed serenely to 87,
when inexplicably G. Carter (7), awarded himself out after apparently gloving
the ball down the leg-side. At the nod of the keeper, who had pouched the
faintest of brushes, Geoff strode back to the pavilion without a glance to
the umpire. This was cricketing chivalry of the highest order – a fine piece
of sporting gentlemenness, and in complete contrast
to that observed at The Baldons in the fall of 2004. [Geoff would be
subsequently fined for excessive humility at the fines committee]. After firstly embracing every member of his
old team in a passionate clinch, D. Edwards now joined Mr. Bullock at the
crease, and they nudged and nurdled the score along without undue alarm. With
the scoring rate dropping, Bullock (35) would eventually get out playing
across the line, whilst Edwards (29) smacked a wide one into the gut of
Marlborough skipper, M. Reeves. T. Smith came and went, too – fannying around
for 8 balls before leaving for yet another duck. It all left Skipper I.
Howarth (24*) and N. Hebbes (15*) to protect their averages as they swatted the
No-MAD to the respectful score of 173 for 8 [Their unbroken partnership of 43
from the final 5 overs securing a No-MAD record partnership for the 9th
wicket]. Tea.
Mel and Kim – and not a pop song between them. Not being the most daunting of totals to
chase, it was soon proving a herculean task, as the Marlborough House lost
their openers to an opportunistic piece of fielding from J. Hotson, and
timber-rattling bowling from N. Hebbes (4-1-10-1). Their skipper [Reeves] did
offer some resistance, including a clubbed pull for six, but he struggled to
find a partner as wickets continued to tumble around him. J. Harris enjoyed
plenty of spin and bounce whilst returning figures of 7-1-25-2, whilst T.
Smith (7-1-10-1) made up for his abject batting display by surprising all
with his controlled off-spin including the prize scalp of the aforementioned
Reeves (28) – bowled by a beauty. Such was the shambles
of the opposition’s batting; even M. Bullock was afforded a bowl – his first
in 7 years [apparently]. And together with his runs, and a couple of catches,
he duly disturbed the wood with his leggies to record figures of 2-0-10-1. It
was left to S. Dobner (3-0-5-1) and D. Edwards (1.1-1-0-2) to finally clean
up the mess and leave the Marlborough spent on 63.
The rather pathetic looking Marlborough reply…. Victory was ours. Victory was Bullock’s. But
it all felt kind of hollow. The spirit and ability which the Marlborough once
had, the competitive rivalry that once was, was all seemingly gone…. Footnote:
it is with obvious sadness to report that this was the last match contested
between the Marlborough House and the No-MAD [in all their guises]. The
Marlborough would eventually fold during the winter due to a lack of players
and interest [as did the pub several years later]. But, on a positive – the No-MAD
did poach their best players, and more were to follow…. ‘Spam’
|
*
Statto Scorecards
|
Far from the MCC versus Marlborough House Played at Pembroke College, 21 August
2005 Marlborough House won the toss and
elected to field Far from the MCC won by 110 runs Far from the MCC debuts:
none |
05 / 116 35 over match |
|
Team |
Far from the MCC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# |
Batsman |
How Out |
Total |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
FOW |
|
1 |
J. C. W. Hotson |
c Reeves b W. Henley |
3 |
(18) |
- |
- |
1-18 |
|
2 |
M. T. Westmoreland + |
b Dunkley |
11 |
(23) |
1 |
- |
2-28 |
|
3 |
S. L. P. Dobner |
c Henley b Patel |
8 |
(20) |
1 |
- |
3-47 |
|
4 |
M. Bullock |
b W. Henley |
35 |
(54) |
4 |
- |
6-116 |
|
5 |
A. Morley |
b Patel |
4 |
(9) |
- |
- |
4-72 |
|
6 |
G. Carter |
c Dunkley b Alberto |
7 |
(15) |
1 |
- |
5-87 |
|
7 |
D. M. Edwards |
c Reeves b Alberto |
29 |
(35) |
4 |
- |
8-130 |
|
8 |
T. P. W. Smith |
b Alberto |
0 |
(9) |
- |
- |
7-119 |
|
9 |
I. Howarth * |
not out |
24 |
(11) |
4 |
- |
- |
|
10 |
N. J. Hebbes |
not out |
15 |
(18) |
2 |
- |
- |
|
11 |
J. Harris |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Extras |
(NB5, W29, LB1, B2) |
37 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
(for 8 wickets, 35 overs) |
173 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# |
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wkts |
|
|
1 |
Dunkley |
7 |
0 |
42 |
1 |
|
|
2 |
W. Henley |
7 |
0 |
34 |
2 |
|
|
3 |
Patel |
7 |
2 |
19 |
2 |
|
|
4 |
Reeves |
7 |
0 |
30 |
0 |
|
|
5 |
Alberto |
7 |
0 |
46 |
3 |
|
|
Team |
Marlborough House |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# |
Batsman |
How Out |
Total |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
FOW |
|
1 |
Alberto |
run out (Hotson) |
0 |
|
|
|
1-3 |
|
2 |
W. Henley |
b Hebbes |
3 |
|
|
|
2-3 |
|
3 |
M. Reeves * |
b Smith |
28 |
|
|
|
5-40 |
|
4 |
S. Patel |
c Bullock b Harris |
3 |
|
|
|
3-26 |
|
5 |
D. Wilson + |
c Bullock b Harris |
0 |
|
|
|
4-39 |
|
6 |
P. Henley |
run out (Howarth) |
1 |
|
|
|
6-42 |
|
7 |
J. Carroll |
b Dobner |
1 |
|
|
|
7-43 |
|
8 |
D. Norris |
b Bullock |
2 |
|
|
|
8-54 |
|
9 |
S. Dunkley |
b Edwards |
2 |
|
|
|
9-57 |
|
10 |
G. Lal |
not out |
6 |
|
|
|
- |
|
11 |
Salim |
b Edwards |
0 |
|
|
|
10-63 |
|
|
Extras |
(NB4, W13) |
17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
(all out, 24.1 overs) |
63 |
|
|
|
|
|
# |
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wkts |
|
|
1 |
Hebbes |
4 |
1 |
10 |
1 |
|
|
2 |
Harris |
7 |
1 |
25 |
2 |
|
|
3 |
Smith |
7 |
1 |
10 |
1 |
|
|
4 |
Dobner |
3 |
0 |
5 |
1 |
|
|
5 |
Bullock |
2 |
0 |
10 |
1 |
|
|
6 |
Edwards |
1.1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
|
|
MOTM: M. Bullock Champagne Moment: T. P. W. Smith’s ball
of the century Buffet
Award: M. Bullock’s strawberry
mousse with chocolate chippings |
Opposition:
V010 / 19 Ground: G011 / 35 Captain: C007 / 05 |