“New Broom Leads by Example But Old Problems Remain”

‘Reevsie’

“New Broom Leads by Example

But Old Problems Remain”

Statto Scorecards

Match: 11 / 231

Lost by 10 wkts

Team	Total
FFTMCC	93 - 6
J. Hotson 23, I. Leggate 14

Isis CC	94 - 0

Did I tell you I once scored a century on this ground? Do you know that it seems about as far away now as something which can only be seen by the Hubble Telescope or described by Professor Brian Cox? This run of abysmal form is affecting many key players (yes, I still consider myself a key player, my head hasn't shrunk that much) and it was no surprise that The MAD staggered to their ninth straight defeat, equalling a record set in the days when players were press ganged from The Jude five minutes before a match started.

Such a run of defeats had obviously led to questions being asked and answers had to come right from the very top. Captain M Westmoreland decided that the burden of skippering two games per week was too much (or was he pushed?) and therefore decided to hand over responsibility for the 20/20 games to J Hotson, who had impressed during a defeat five days earlier.

Corporate restructuring has seen J. Hotson take the T20 helm.

Jake's first act as skipper was to lose the toss to a friendly and well organised Isis team. Surprisingly their first act was to put us in. Although there was only a mild threat of rain and it was near the longest day of the year, surely this was a tactical error and The MAD could capitalise, leaving their opponents to bat in the gathering gloom.

Jakes second act was to send out J Pearson (9), accompanied by former skipper Martin (0). How would the former leader fair now he wasn't shackled by the responsibilities of captaincy. Would it be Botham at Headingley in 1981 all over again, a marvellous, match winning, career defining, knighthood guaranteeing innings, one match after handing over the reins? Unfortunately, the words 'arise Sir Martin, for services to pub cricket' were blown away along with his middle stump on the second ball. Next up was M Reeves (0). Could he recreate that magical innings from about a year ago that saw us home against the Marsh on this very ground? Or the even more magical century he scored batting for the Marlborough against The MAD fifty billion trillion years ago? Not if he tries to swipe across the line at a straight one after just five dot balls.

2011Jun15b

Library footage of M. Reeves (left) preparing for his latest duck.

Matt Bullock (12) interspersed careful observation of anything straight, with lofty blows to anything that wasn't to move the score on to 27 before also departing. This bought D Emerson (11) to the crease to partner J Pearson. A hush went around the Cutteslowe ground, for this was the same pairing which had been involved in THAT run out from five days earlier. Would Dave stitch his friend up again, or would James exact his revenge. To everyone's marginal disappointment, the two batted quite sensibly together, running a series of smart singles. James was soon castled by a ball pitching about a foot outside off stump and taking a wicked bounce from a pitch which previously had not shown any life at all.

C Roberts (7) sparkled briefly producing one spanking off drive for four, but along with Emerson became the fifth and sixth Mad players to be bowled. For yet another match, there was a sigh of relief as the magic “at least this match won't feature is the list of crap innings on the records section of the website” 50 was passed but 63 for 6 has become an entirely predictable Mad score of late.

Step forward Jake (23 n.o.) and Ian Leggate (14 n.o.) Captain Jake led by example, cutting, pushing and nurdling for a wonderful 23. He was ably assisted by Ian, who until recently was the quintessential number 11. However he now regularly gets in to double figures. Careful Ian, soon you'll fall in to that trap which has snared so many before you, namely thinking that you can actually bat. Request for movement up the order will follow. That way self-doubt, despair and dark thoughts lie. Keep enjoying it where you are.

Library footage of some old crock watching afar at Cutteslowe.

So, The MAD finished on an almost respectable 93 for 6 (all bowled). Jake threw the gloves to Matt and started to set his field, running hither and thither in an attempt to close every hole in the outfield. The bowlers could not be inspired with D Emerson (4-0-11-0), J Pearson (4-0-25-0), G Timms (3-0-23-0), C Roberts (4-0-20-0) and M Westmoreland (1.3-0-13-0) all failing to take wickets. In truth our heads never dropped and shouts of 'one brings ten' could be heard up until the conclusion. Congratulations to O Walter and L Whitby who showed how an opening partnership should bat.

The only question remaining was “Reeves or Westmoreland who was the shittest?” Both recorded ducks, both dropped sharp chances, but Martin picked up the buffet. Cast your votes for the LVP award. Next up is the Lemmings, a team we've never beaten. Come on guys, one brings ten.

Westmoreland

Far from the MCC versus Isis CC

Played at Cutteslowe Park, 15 June 2011

Isis CC won the toss and elected to field

Isis CC won by 10 wkts

Far from the MCC debuts: Rob Arkell (119)

11 / 231

20 over match


Team	Far from the MCC

#	Batsman	How Out	Total	Balls	4s	6s	FOW
1	J. W. Pearson	b Wyatt	9	(25)	-	-	4-30
2	M. T. Westmoreland	b J. Ponsford	0	(2)	-	-	1-1
3	M. K. Reeves	b K. Ponsford	0	(6)	-	-	2-6
4	M. Bullock +	b Wyatt	12	(22)	2	-	3-27
5	D. Emerson	b East	11	(14)	1	-	6-63
6	C. D. Roberts	b Wyatt	7	(11)	1	-	5-40
7	J. C. W. Hotson *	not out	23	(22)	1	-	-
8	I. C. Leggate	not out	14	(18)	1	-	-
9	R. Eaglestone
10	G. J. Timms
11	R. Arkell
	Extras	(W10, LB2, B5)	17
	TOTAL	(for 6 wickets, 20 overs)	93

#	Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wkts
1	K. Ponsford	3	0	9	1
2	J. Ponsford	4	0	9	1
3	Wyatt	4	0	13	3
4	Hardy	4	0	17	0
5	East	3	0	18	1
6	Jayna	2	0	20	0


Team	Isis CC

#	Batsman	How Out	Total	Balls	4s	6s	FOW
1	O. Walter *	not out	32		3	-	-
2	L. Whitby	not out	50		8	1	-
3	P. Jacobs +
4	N. Khawaja
5	D. Henry
6	S. Jayna
7	J. Ponsford
8	A. East
9	N. Hardy
10	N. H. R. Wyatt
11	K. Ponsford
	Extras	(W6, LB3, B3)	12
	TOTAL	(for 0 wickets, 16.3 overs)	94

MOTM: J. C. W. Hotson

Champagne Moment: M. K. Reeves’ amazing fielding with his boot

Buffet Award: M. T. Westmoreland’s overpriced cream éclairs

Opposition: V009 / 05

Ground: G001 / 31

Captain: C012 / 06