“Titanick Avoids Captaincy Icebergs as Nomads
are Slain”
Match: 08 / 152
Won by 3 wkts
|
Team |
Total |
|
Nomads CC |
143 |
|
A.
Mann 3 - 19, J. Harris
3 - 40 |
|
|
|
|
|
FFTMCC |
144 - 7 |
|
D.
Edwards 24, T. Smith
21 |
|
|
The unseasonably clement spell of recent weather
provided a welcome relief for The MADsters, following the disappointment of
cancellations against Wootton and Boar’s Hill and the mighty Cholsey. The lack of recent action produced an air
of expectancy and tension as we enjoyed our pre match pint – the players
needed an outlet for the testosterone stored up since the previous season –
although Messrs Hebbes and Parkinson had both clearly found that outlet (2
more new disciples for the ever increasing Mad communion). Close inspection
of the new Dictator’s colour coded spreadsheet showed a welcome return to the
fold for The Two Manders.
A welcome
return to the fold for the Doc (right). On arrival at the splendid home ground of our hosts,
the Nomads, N. Hebbes proved To The Manor Born to this captaincy lark by
immediately losing the toss, to maintain Captain Howarth’s fine record as a Losing Tosser. On an afternoon of
scorching temperatures, it was no surprise to see the home team decide to
bat. In the distance three key members of the much vaunted Mad seam attack
could be seen to be missing the nets completely with all manner of ill
directed missiles – this boded well. Not. With no obvious outward signs of enthusiasm, it was
down to A. G. Mann and S. Parkinson (8-0-23-0) to resume their rarely
penetrative opening partnership. Nomads set off with the composed Alleyne and
Preddy Mk 1 coping well with the creaking opening salvo. However the runs
were not flowing and it was not a great surprise when A. Mann tempted Preddy
into an indiscrete lunge with the ball sailing into the twitching fingers of
Cap’n Hebbes. Alleyne, who had looked well set for a long innings mistimed a
drive shortly after and The MAD were in the game. Parkinson continued to toil
up the hill with no great luck whereas the wily Aussie was replaced by the
parabolic loop of J. Harris. It wasn’t long before Calypso joined the roll of
honour, by snaring the entertainingly positive Leighfield – who was given a
chance by the normally reliable Moo Boy – the dropped catch was regulation;
what was extraordinary was the speed with which the culprit sought to
pre-empt the fines committee, by making his excuses before the ball had hit
the deck – ‘Celestial Interference’ was the excuse proffered. Harris went on
to take an excellent caught and bowled which contributed to figures of 8-1-40-3.
Special mention should go to Ben Mander who took a quite frankly astonishing
catch to remove Harrow – stubbing out a cigarette, before sprinting 30 yards,
he launched himself to pluck the ball one handed just inches from the turf.
This whilst wearing sunglasses and chinos. The batsman had every right to
look aggrieved! Secondhand car salesman A. Darley (4-0-11-0) making his
much awaited debut for The MAD soon got into the action and bowled with ‘good
wheels’ and rhythm. He was another who, in fine MAD tradition, looks set to
earn his fair share of Opening bowler; no wicket fines.
The half time
cricket spread was similar to A. Darley’s (left) variety of bowling. Previous correspondents have sought to belittle certain
members of our attack, by labelling them purveyors of finest patisserie,
especially the cream filled variety. This accusation cannot be levelled at T.
Smith (3-0-25-2) and Mander Minor (2-0-12-0), both of whom bowled as if
launching hand grenades into enemy territory. Sure, there were times where
there was more danger of ‘friendly fire’ casualties, but it is this variety
that makes the attack so potent. Cough…. D. Edwards, came on later in the innings to quell any
hopes of a Nomad revival, his excellent bowling was rewarded with typically
good figures of 3-0-7-2. The Nomad innings was soured, however, by an act of
bullying by A. Mann (5.4-2-19-3) who intimidated an 8 year old by bowling him
first ball. The harbourer of dark thoughts called him back on the
instructions of the Best Cricketer in Cowley, (or The Hierarchy as he
preferred to be called) only to bully him once more. The poor child had the
haunted look of one who had witnessed something terrible. He had looked evil
straight in the eye. Twice. The Nomad innings closed on 143 with Mr. Extras
top scoring on 31!!!! The MAD reply began in steady fashion with Hebbes and
Edwards both looking to lay the foundation. Just when the partnership was
starting to bear fruit, Titanick (9) struck ice. He was breached below the
water line and sank. Edwards was joined at the crease by Doc Mander. Progress
in the subsequent overs was sedate, before Doc struck the ball firmly back to
the bowler’s good hand and set off for possibly the most suicidal run in
English cricketing history. Edwards, quite rightly, stood his ground and the
hapless Mander (4) was just short of regaining his ground being run out by a
mere 17 yards. Even in his matrimonial absence, Howarth’s malevolent
influence was clearly in evidence….
Running
between the wicket is a problem for most The MAD personnel. The Nomads showed a keen intellect as well as
cricketing talent, recognizing that a player entering the fray with Moo Boy
emblazoned on his shirt is not going to nudge and nurdle – three players were
immediately posted at deepish cow. Ever the pragmatist, Moo immediately
guided one through slip. Pure theatre. In typical fashion Martin got on with
it and the Good Ship Mad made steady progress towards our target with these
two in harness. It was, therefore a surprise when Westmoreland (14) perished,
bringing Thornton to the wicket. Another player who is unfazed by impending
crisis, Thorn played his natural game and was soon smashing the ball to all
corners in a very enterprising knock of 21 which ensured we remained the
necessary impetus. Edwards (24) was next to go after being the rock around
which the innings was built. Ben Mander (0) was unable to reproduce his heroics
in the field, soon departing after a mistimed pull. At this stage the
unproven partnership of old head, Beer Matt and the young thruster Del Boy
was unleashed. Both showed cool heads and no little talent. Indeed Matt
managed to exceed his 2007 season aggregate of runs in this one innings!!
Just when it looked like these two would see us over the line with time to
spare, Darley (17) showed just why the money men at the helm of FFTMCC were
so keen to seal his transfer. When served up with the largest cream horn of
the day he swiped ineffectively at a knee high full toss and was
comprehensively bowled. He will fit in well.
A. Mann
(left) finally loses the will whilst watching Dan bat. It was left to M. Bullock and S. Parkinson to see us through
to our target, despite frenzied appealing, with almost 2 overs to spare.
Bullock finishing on an excellent 20 not out and Parkinson on 17 not out. So, despite recent inactivity The MAD secured a very
good victory against strong opposition, who have always proved very difficult
to beat in the past. Thanks to our hosts for a very good game played in good
spirit. Onwards and upwards. ‘Mincer’
|
*
Statto Scorecards
|
Far from the MCC versus Nomads CC Played at Duntisbourne Abbots, 11 May
2008 Nomads CC won the toss and elected to bat Far from the MCC won by 3 wkts Far from the MCC debuts: Andrew
Darley (098) |
08 / 152 40 over match |
|
Team |
Nomads CC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# |
Batsman |
How Out |
Total |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
FOW |
|
1 |
H. Alleyne |
c Smith b Mann |
12 |
|
|
|
2-31 |
|
2 |
P. Preddy |
c Hebbes b Mann |
0 |
|
|
|
1-5 |
|
3 |
S. Leighfield |
b Harris |
19 |
|
|
|
3-57 |
|
4 |
M. Purslow |
c & b Edwards |
24 |
|
|
|
5-92 |
|
5 |
N. Preddy |
c & b Harris |
14 |
|
|
|
4-82 |
|
6 |
J. Whitaker |
not out |
21 |
|
|
|
- |
|
7 |
C. Morgan |
b Edwards |
0 |
|
|
|
6-92 |
|
8 |
J. Thomson |
c Mann b Smith |
7 |
|
|
|
7-108 |
|
9 |
N. Jayna |
b Smith |
5 |
|
|
|
8-122 |
|
10 |
M. Harrow |
c B. Mander b Harris |
9 |
|
|
|
9-142 |
|
11 |
S. Davidson |
b Mann |
0 |
|
|
|
10-143 |
|
|
Extras |
(NB7, W19, B5) |
31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
(all out, 33.4 overs) |
143 |
|
|
|
|
|
# |
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wkts |
|
|
1 |
Mann |
5.4 |
2 |
19 |
3 |
|
|
2 |
Parkinson |
8 |
0 |
23 |
0 |
|
|
3 |
Harris |
8 |
1 |
40 |
3 |
|
|
4 |
Darley |
4 |
0 |
11 |
0 |
|
|
5 |
B. Mander |
2 |
0 |
12 |
0 |
|
|
6 |
Edwards |
3 |
0 |
7 |
2 |
|
|
7 |
Smith |
3 |
0 |
25 |
2 |
|
|
Team |
Far from
the MCC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# |
Batsman |
How Out |
Total |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
FOW |
|
1 |
N. J. Hebbes * |
c Purslow b P. Preddy |
9 |
(13) |
3 |
- |
1-9 |
|
2 |
D. M. Edwards |
b Harrow |
24 |
(67) |
3 |
- |
4-63 |
|
3 |
A. M. Mander |
run out |
4 |
(19) |
- |
- |
2-23 |
|
4 |
M. T. Westmoreland |
c Whittaker b Harrow |
14 |
(21) |
2 |
- |
3-55 |
|
5 |
T. P. W. Smith |
b Harrow |
21 |
(19) |
3 |
- |
6-91 |
|
6 |
B. J. Mander |
c Jayna b Harrow |
0 |
(3) |
- |
- |
5-63 |
|
7 |
M. Bullock + |
not out |
20 |
(36) |
1 |
- |
- |
|
8 |
A. Darley |
b Jayna |
17 |
(21) |
3 |
- |
7-118 |
|
9 |
S. B. Parkinson |
not out |
17 |
(31) |
2 |
- |
- |
|
10 |
J. Harris |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11 |
A. G. Mann |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Extras |
(NB2, W11, LB3, B2) |
18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
(for 7 wickets, 37.5 overs) |
144 |
|
|
|
|
|
# |
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wkts |
|
|
1 |
Jayna |
8 |
2 |
17 |
1 |
|
|
2 |
P. Preddy |
8 |
2 |
18 |
1 |
|
|
3 |
Harrow |
8 |
0 |
20 |
4 |
|
|
4 |
N. Preddy |
6 |
0 |
41 |
0 |
|
|
5 |
Purslow |
4.5 |
0 |
30 |
0 |
|
|
6 |
Alleyne |
3 |
0 |
12 |
0 |
|
|
MOTM: T. P. W. Smith and D. M. Edwards Champagne
Moment: B. J. Mander’s superb catch Buffet
Award: T. P. W. Smith’s chocolate
mousse with extra cream topping |
Opposition:
V022 / 06 Ground: G036 / 01 Captain: C010 / 03 |