“Sgt Reeves’ Lonely Hearts Mad Band”

Match: 09 / 189

Lost by 99 runs

Team	Total
R. T. Harris	175 - 5
J. Hoskins 3 - 27
FFTMCC	76
S. Dobner 18

Banned from imbibing prior to an early kick off (orders from Sgt Reeves – silly boy), the various MAD arrived at Holton where it looked as though they had the pitch ready for a football match. Consequently we demonstrated why we play cricket and not football whilst we waited for an R. T. Harris side to show up. Indeed the only excitation seemed to be trying to lob a football or cricket ball onto some 12 feet high overflow pipes. Nobody really succeeded.

With players variously wishing the game might be off or we could at least convene to a pub, the R. T. Harris players gradually turned up and waited in their cars. After some deliberations as well as drizzle and tutting, it was agreed to play a Twenty20 game and hope the rain would come down heavier.

Petty Officer Hotson (10) feigns enjoyment under his helmet.

The MAD were put in to field in the light drizzle. Despite the conditions, Squadron Leader Shorten (4-0-22-0) and Wing Commander Collins (4-0-46-0) put in some effort to try to get an early wicket, but only succeeded in running out opener A. Rafiq with a smart throw from ’La di Da’ Gunner Howarth combining with Collins for the first wicket.

The next pair of bowlers were the aforementioned ‘La di Da’ Gunner Howarth (4-0-22-0) and Field Marshall Hoskins (4-0-27-3). The latter being more successful due to a stumping by Petty Officer Hotson and two catches from Howarth, the second of which was later voted champagne moment. R. T. Harris persisted like the drizzle with W. Rahman reaching an unbeaten half century, ably supported by Z. Hamid. Our last two bowlers were Corporal Fisher (2-0-22-0) and Bombadier Leggate (2-0-34-1), who despite getting a wicket off the final ball of the innings, courtesy of a catch in the deep from Private T. Smith, was later in receipt of the infamous ‘buffet’ award. R T Harris had gone to 175-5.

Tea was a short lived affair due the weather and most of the R. T. Harris teams’ religious observances. The rain cleared up and MAD openers strode to the crease to begin our innings. Sgt Reeves (0) led from the front by opening the batting but lasted only two balls before having his stumps removed by their quickie Z. Bashir. Private Smith (2) soon followed being bowled also. Petty Officer Hotson (10) and Chief Technician Dobner (18) offered some resistance to the R. T. Harris attack but were both out from the bowling of A. Rafiq. Colonel ‘Mustard’ Morley (4) also went cheaply, as did Field Marshall Hoskins (7) and Bombadier Leggate (5).

A bloodied Field Marshall Hoskins (7) slopes off the killing fields.

It was apparent that the game was getting away from us; Corporal Fisher (1) and Squadron Leader Shorten (0) went cheaply also. Wing Commander Collins (10) was the only lower order batsman to reach double figures. ‘La di Da’ Gunner Howarth (5*) remained not out as The MAD slumped to 76 all out.

Refuge was sought in the Railway Inn who had the most business since we were there last year.

It was twenty year ago today….

‘Morlers’

*

Statto Scorecards

Far from the MCC versus R. T. Harris Played at Holton, 30 August 2009 R. T. Harris won the toss and elected to bat R. T. Harris won by 99 runs Far from the MCC debuts: none

09 / 189 20 over match

Team	R. T. Harris
#	Batsman	How Out	Total	Balls	4s	6s	FOW
1	A. Rafiq	run out (Collins/Howarth)	11				1-23
2	B. Ali	st Hotson b Hoskins	35				2-77
3	A. Hossain	c Howarth b Hoskins	31				3-82
4	D. Yousaf	c Howarth b Hoskins	4				4-98
5	W. Rahman	not out	53				-
6	Z. Hamid	c Smith b Leggate	33				5-175
7	K. Ahmed
8	F. Rafi
9	M. Aslan
10	R. Allsworth *
11	Z. Bashir
	Extras	(W7, LB1)	8
	TOTAL	(for 5 wickets, 20 overs)	175

#	Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wkts
1	Shorten	4	0	22	0
2	Collins	4	0	46	0
3	Hoskins	4	0	27	3
4	Howarth	4	0	22	0
5	Fisher	2	0	22	0
6	Leggate	2	0	34	1

Team	Far from the MCC
#	Batsman	How Out	Total	Balls	4s	6s	FOW
1	M. K. Reeves *	b Bashir	0	(2)	-	-	1-0
2	S. L. Dobner	b Rafeeq	18	(21)	2	-	4-41
3	T. P. W. Smith	b Rafi	2	(6)	-	-	2-3
4	J. C. W. Hotson +	st Hossain b Rafeeq	10	(30)	1	-	3-39
5	A. Morley	b Aslan	4	(7)	-	-	5-45
6	J. D. Hoskins	c b Aslan	7	(6)	1	-	6-58
7	I. C. Leggate	run out	5	(5)	1	-	7-70
8	J. P. Collins	c b Aslan	10	(15)	2	-	8-70
9	A. J. Fisher	c b Allsworth	1	(3)	-	-	10-76
10	D. Shorten	c b Ahmed	0	(1)	-	-	9-70
11	I. Howarth	not out	5	(7)	-	-	-
	Extras	(NB2, W4, LB2, B6)	14
	TOTAL	(all out, 16.5 overs)	76

#	Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wkts
1	Bashir	4	0	16	1
2	Rafi	4	0	13	1
3	Aslan	4	1	9	3
4	Rafiq	2	0	15	2
5	Ahmed	2	0	13	1
6	Allsworth	0.5	0	3	1

MOTM: J. D. Hoskins Champagne Moment: I. Howarth’s slip-catch off Ditta Buffet Award: I. C. Leggate’s hash sausages (with lush mash)

Opposition: V029 / 09 Ground: G027 / 04 Captain: C017 / 03