Essays | Fantasy | Friendly Cup | Matches | Memorable | Tour | Tributes
Memorable MAD Matches
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Since the Club’s inception
back in 1998 there have been many wonderful MAD memories etched in people’s
minds. Some collective and some individual. Some will undoubtedly now be lost like tears in the rain*, whilst
others remain lodged in cognitive grey matter, only now returning to
consciousness for the purpose of this interesting little shrine. This website already documents
ALL MAD matches to ever be contested, but herewith are a select few. These
are the ones that have proved to be more indelible, enduring
and unforgettable for one reason or another. The ones catalogued by the
players themselves – the ones whittled down to just a few selections from
literally hundreds. In 2016, an inaugural vote was
held at the end of season AGM, whereby those present voted on ONE particular memorable game for that season. This
canvas of opinion will now roll forwards each year until the Far from the MCC
cease to exist – or at least none of us are able to remember anything due to
advanced dementia. And if that is the case, what is the question? By clicking on Match number XXX
you will be taken to the scorecards for that
particular game and any associated match report. * - Rutger Hauer, Bladerunner - 1982 |
*
#599 –
Rain Stays Away, Pearson Shines and Lightning Strikes Twice
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09 / 07 / 23 |
v OUP |
(h) |
Brasenose College |
35 |
Won by 1 wkt |
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“It was a remarkable win, entirely orchestrated by
James Pearson (right of scoreboard). It was also entirely unexpected giving
that our worst performance of the season had come a few weeks before against
OUP in a T20 at Jordan Hill. We’re used to snatching defeat from the jaws of
victory, so to reverse that trend was very pleasant. It was only in the pub
afterwards, when it was discussed what an unlikely win it was, that one of
their team pointed out that we’d done them over in similar circumstances the
year before. Lightning really does strike twice.” - M. Reeves 29/02/2024 |
#569 –
The Producers
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10 / 07 / 22 |
v OUP |
(h) |
Brasenose College |
35 |
Won by 1 run |
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Please see the write up above
(v OUP for 2023). - M. Reeves 29/02/2024 |
#549 –
Weekender
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31 / 07 / 21 |
v Ferring CC |
(a) |
Twitten Rec |
40 |
Lost by 31 runs |
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“A truly memorable day despite defeat and one that will
live long in the cognitive banks for all those present. A day which began
with morning hangovers in Brighton and ended with broken chairs, a keeper
impaled on his own stumps, cricketing controversy and as rich a vault of
classic quotes and assorted shenanigans as you could ever hope to cover… in three
simple paragraphs. On the field of play Ferring CC clobbered 237-9 which
was way short of the 300 that they initially targetted. Mike (5-33) took a
5-for off the final delivery, Geoff totalled his stumps whilst keeping and
Salad wasn’t fit for purpose (again). In reply, a commendable run chase
(Howarth 78, Bateman 44) would be underscored by Umpire Hotson drinking his
bodyweight in cider and ale, and then undone by a questionable batting order
by barely conscious Captain Darley, and er… not enough overs in the bank to
score the runs. However, off the field, this is where the party really started,
with remote controlled wheelchairs (Hoskins), a builder so inept he tripped
the alarms on a nearby house all day, an hour lost for continued ball
searches, broken plastic seating and … the list just went on and on… such as
Geoff trying to pick up some concreted pebbles to ball count before going out
to umpire…. Truly magical.” - I. Howarth 06/01/2022 |
#527 –
Bullock and Cartwright Close the Show
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20 / 09 / 20 |
v Nettlebed CC |
(a) |
Nettlebed |
35 |
Won by 1 run |
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“What was memorable about this match was that the club
really needed it. We’d failed to score more than 100 runs in the preceding
five matches and had just come off a crunching 220 run defeat at the hands of
OUCCC. The spectre of Covid was closing in, even tighter than before and
there was a feeling of general helplessness in all things, personal, domestic and global. I don’t know how the Nettlebed game
came about but we’d had several hastily delayed fixtures throughout the
season. It’s always a risk playing a new team, especially in our fragile
state. Would they be a similar standard, and would they ‘get’ Sunday cricket
in the same way that we do? Everything went right in the match. Chris Williams was
only just back from a season long injury, so the OUCCC match aside, this was
his first contribution. The match itself belonged to Pearson and Turner with
a batting total we had finally some hope of defending. My achilleas was shot
so I was more than happy not to be called upon to bat. A dog shitting on the pitch, to the embarrassment of its owner
was hilarious, but really it all came down to the final ball, with I think
Nettlebed needing three to tie and four to win. I can’t remember whether it
was an edge or a bye, but the ball sped (rolled) towards the boundary behind
the wicket keeper. Joe was there and somehow managed to collect and return.
In that moment it seemed like our whole summer rested on actually winning a
game after so long, but in hindsight it is genuinely about the camaraderie
between teammates and opposition.” - M. Reeves 31/12/2020 |
#483 –
Se7en
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28 / 05 / 19 |
v Headington Quarry CC |
(a) |
Stanton St John |
T20 |
Won by 5 wkts |
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“A surprise winner in the category of most Memorable
match, but only because other matches were less so, or that people contrived
to vote on completely different memorable matches and thus dilute the final
vote. A T20 which had everything would see Headington Quarry thrash
their way to what appeared a dizzying total before a latter overs slump. We
then witnessed The MAD chase this total down courtesy of several
contributions and a golden duck from Mike Reeves. Amongst these telling
contributions and a duck from Geoff Carter, was a shot for 7 off the bat of
Chris Williams, an odd number, but mainly because it wasn’t even. A wonderful
evening would be made complete with Howarth and Timms scampering a winning
single off the final ball, a glorious sunset and a few pints and a moan at
the revamped local pub opposite. Lovely stuff and a perfect showcase of why
midweek slogathons can prove so very popular.” - I. Howarth 17/12/2019 |
#453 –
Insanity Laid to Rest
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10 / 06 / 18 |
v Lemmings |
(a) |
Brasenose College |
35 |
Won by 4 wkts |
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“After eighteen years of hurt and regret, The MAD
finally put one over their nemesis, The Queens Lemmings, in a pulsating and record breaking run chase at Brasenose. A historic day for
many reasons with everyone playing their part, it will be remembered chiefly
for the batting heroics of Hadfield and Pearson (Ade Fisher Performance
Trophy), and maybe Skipper Howarth’s steadfast refusal to give the ten man opposition a substitute fielder for the stricken
P. Baker (migraine). In a game which had everything, it also threw in a James
Baker hat-trick in a frenetic final over. A truly memorable match played in
glorious weather.” - I. Howarth 28/10/2019 |
#408 –
Carter Stars in Unexpected Non-Hammering
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16 / 04 / 17 |
v Horspath CC |
(a) |
Horspath |
35 |
Won by 7 wkts |
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“It’s not that
my memory is getting worse, it’s just that my life is becoming less and less
memorable.” – Anon. So, what was it about the first match of the season
that made it stick in the memories of those who were there? What elevated it
above every other match which occurred in 2017? The highs (the unlikely win
against Enstone and playing a tour game at one of the prettiest grounds in
England) and the lows (getting tonked by various ringers and nearly dying of
heat exhaustion whilst getting dumped out of the cup). Well firstly it was the sheer unlikeliness of it. In
five previous attempts we’d come no closer than losing by 126 runs, or 9
wickets, whichever is the closer. It was like Oxford United beating
Manchester United. Alright, Oxford United beating a second
string Manchester in the 3rd round of the Rumbelow’s Cup, but a major upset nonetheless. Secondly
it was the hilarious thought of just how badly they’re going to stick it to
us in future years. Even the 200 run drubbing we took in 2011 will look like
a close run thing by the time they’ve finished with
us in 2018, 2019… or however long before the committee decides that we need a
more uplifting start to the season, but too late, it’s there in green ink for
all eternity, we beat Horspath! To beat a good team, even an understrength good team
devoid of Dan Edwards and an overseas professional or two, you need things to
go your way. You need your best players to play well and inspiration to come
from an unlikely source. This is what happened, and I think all the team were
genuinely pleased to see Ian and Lee form a winning partnership,
before Dave Barlow stepped in at the end to push us over the line. So,
thanks for the memories Horspath and please go easy on us. As Gordon Strachan
reminisced when Scotland went 1-0 up against Brazil in the 1982 World Cup, oh
dear, we’ve just made them angry.” - M. Reeves 13/12/2017 |
#393 –
Sliding Bats….
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17 / 07 / 16 |
v Cholsey CC |
(a) |
Cholsey Meadows |
35 |
Lost by 174 runs |
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“That the most memorable match (as voted at the AGM) of
2016 was also The MAD’s heaviest defeat of 2016 is surely no coincidence.
Recollections of thrashing about in undergrowth, disturbing foxes, live long
after the memories of hard fought comebacks and
narrow victories have faded. For a full account, readers are directed to Jan
Webster’s excellent match report, but basically it was down to one man, Jay
Rahman. The moment which sticks most vividly is the first ball
he received from Dave Shorten. The way he just leant in to
it and with no apparent effort dispatched it ‘like a tracer bullet’ to the
boundary. His first ball, a good ball, from our best bowler had just been
casually dismissed. We were told after the game that his previous highest
score was 89. We were then told that he’d only played once before.
Comparisons have of course been made with a certain H Shallow from 2009, but
which is best? You decide. Would we like to be on the receiving end of that every
week? Of course not. Would we even like to have someone in our team who could
dish that out regularly? No to that too. However, occasionally, just
occasionally, it does make an unforgettable experience.” - M. Reeves 23/11/2016 |
#375 –
“TFNC”
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30 / 08 / 15 |
v Astons CC |
(a) |
Aston Tirrold |
35 |
Won by 3 wkts |
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“Best catch I’ve EVER taken – conditions were pretty
bloody awful (Wootton & Bladon 2013 esq) wet, dull, misty, cold and fielding at square leg I took a one-handed
blinder off the bowling of Mr M. K. Reeves to remove their very useful no.3
(C. Bonwell). It’s [particularly] memorable for me for the fact that I don’t
get Champagne Moment very often, but this one even [managed to get] into the
‘2015 Champagne Moment Awards’ nominations list!” - R. P. Turner 02/12/2015 |
#362 –
“Biff, Bash, Bonk”
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07 / 07 / 15 |
v Isis CC |
(a) |
Queens College |
T20 |
Won by 67 runs |
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“Match 362 (A) Isis CC – Many others will no doubt
point to many memorable encounters against our dear rivals Isis. For me this
T20 on a pleasant summer’s eve was the epitome of our rather successful 2015
season. Before setting the target of 162 to win (a proper T20 score!) there
were thoughts of the declaration which, as it turned out, could have come
after 11 or so overs. I won’t discuss the Isis reply because someone doesn’t
deserve that ‘recognition’ but it is worth quoting
the Isis website again; ‘FFTMCC won their third match of four (against Isis)
in the season and their first series of all time. (Where The Mad) play as a
team, socialise as a team, and should be respected as a team’. Says it all really.
Oh, and it became four out of four of course.” - G. J. Timms 17/02/2016 |
#332 –
“Padded Up”
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15 / 07 / 14 |
v Garsington CC |
(a) |
Garsington |
T20 |
Lost by 8 wkts |
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“2014 versus Garsington CC [sticks in the mind where I
scored] 52* and shared in a MAD [T20] club 4th wicket partnership record with
Spam (Ian Howarth) – quite an achievement in [that format]. It is even
memorable for the fact that I needed 2 off the last ball [of our innings] to
get my 50 and it looked [extremely] unlikely when my sweep shot went straight
to their fielder – only for him to miss-field it for 4! Shame we still lost
however….” - R. P. Turner 02/12/2015 |
#330 –
“At Long, Long Last”
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06 / 07 / 14 |
v Milton CC |
(a) |
Bloxham (Warriner) |
40 |
Won by 23 runs |
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“Match 330, away to Milton 2014. We all have our own
particular demons from playing Milton away. Mine stretch back to 2006 and my
first ever bat for The Mad, during
a season in which I scored just 9 runs. On that day, I was batting with
Thorn. I hit a very straight drive back past the bowler and called for a run.
As the umpire stepped out the way I then saw that there was a fielder
directly behind him. Run out like a numpty. Despite the myriad
disappointments this fixture was a firm favourite with everyone with no
shortage of volunteers to travel to what was almost a Tour match. With Milton
needing just 128 for victory I see that I gave away 25 in just 3 overs, however Shorten and Newman rescued the situation. There
were some celebrations in the Black Boy Inn afterwards, but somehow it felt
like the end of an era and no real surprise the fixture was dropped for
2016.” - M. K. Reeves 08/12/2015 |
#327 –
“John Carpenter’s ‘The Fog’ Re-enacted on Day of Drama”
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29 / 06 / 14 |
v Enstone CC |
(h) |
Jesus College |
40 |
Won by 18 runs |
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“The classic, everyone’s favourite matches are those
they don’t play in but have the pleasure of witnessing, right? The beautiful
Jesus College ground (less than 10 minutes’ walk from me house at the
time), blistering sunshine, pleasant opposition, great sportsmanship, a
cracking encounter, and a killer dog. What’s not to like? Defending 112
against Enstone didn’t look easy but Mr Reeves (after a brisk 29 not out) had
other ideas. A mesmeric spell produced figures of 5-12 with all five batsman failing to trouble the scorer (me). Teetering
at 9-78 and with their number 11 retiring with a nasty hamstring injury
skipper I Howarth invited number 9, D. Anthony, to bat alone. A wonderful
gesture that very nearly backfired. Shorten would eventually clean up Anthony
(23) with Enstone only 18 runs short of their target. For once the cricket
was entertainment enough but never one to step into the shadows team dog
Midge still stole the day. I’m still haunted by the howls of that poor monkjack. Blood curdling. Sorry Mike, it’s never about
you!” - G. J. Timms 17/02/2016 |
#320 –
“Records Tumble during Isis Bloodbath”
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01 / 06 / 14 |
v Isis CC |
(a) |
Queens College |
40 |
Won by 20 runs |
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“14/320 – Pearson’s sublime and
match winning century and the tide beginning to turn v ISIS CC. How could you
forget about that date in The MAD calendar? Epic.” - M. S. Rundle 08/10/2015 |
#312 –
“Isis Slain in Pantomime Ending”
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08 / 09 / 13 |
v Isis CC |
(h) |
Cassington |
35 |
Won by 2 runs |
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“A farewell to Captaincy (five years in and an amazing
ending. [Selecting just five] ‘Memorable’ games has
been really tough and if I went through them again I’d probably choose at
least 3 different games! [There are] just so many great memories from over
200 to choose from….” - M. T. Westmoreland 03/03/2016 “[How can I not include the] 2013 match v Isis CC at
Cassington? How emotions can change in seconds from the depths of despair of
thinking we had lost, only to [suddenly] discover Mr N. H. R. Wyatt had
stepped on his stumps (hit wicket) to pure elation! It’s just memorable for
the fact that it will go down in MAD folklore and be talked about for years
to come…. It may even be the
defining moment versus a team who consistently used to beat us. Oh, how times
have changed!” - R. P. Turner 02/12/2015 “A last ball
thriller!” - M. S. Rundle 08/10/2015 |
#308 –
Rundle & Timms 10th Wicket Partnership….
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18 / 08 / 13 |
v Appleton CC |
(a) |
Appleton |
40 |
Lost by 2 wkts |
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A courageous
last wicket partnership between number ten and Jack rescue
an anemic MAD batting display, and at least give
their bowlers something to bowl at. Actually, Mr. Rundle and Mr. Timms gave themselves something to bowl at – and
the impossible very nearly happened…. - Editor 06/04/2016 “(Ahem)… a MAD record 10th wicket
partnership with (Gary) Timms!” - M. S. Rundle 08/10/2015 |
#283 –
“FFTMCC Evoke Spirit of 1969 with Woodstock Festival….”
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12 / 05 / 13 |
v Wootton
& Bladon CC |
(a) |
Woodstock |
T20 |
Lost by 30 runs |
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“Match 283, away at Wootton and Bladon 2013. After this
pleasant trip down memory lane we come to the runt
of the litter, the black sheep of the family. The blood / mud bath that was
the away trip to Woodstock in 2013. It could have finished us as a club, but
instead we came back stronger, vowing to never ever play in those conditions
again. I remember Derek Hambridge trying to score in the horizontal rain and
my trip around the boundary with Ian (Howarth) being cut short as he had to
go out to bat and get a golden. Miserable, miserable, miserable.” - M. K. Reeves 08/12/2015 |
#276 –
“Money”
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01 / 09 / 12 |
v Portchester CC |
(h) |
University Club |
35 |
Lost by 5 wkts |
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“2012 v Portchester CC at University College – and my
Highest current score for The MAD. [It also realised the] MAD Record for the
3rd wicket Partnership with Moo (Martin Westmoreland). The team [ended up]
scoring what I thought was a very decent score of 216-5 off 35 overs, only
for Moo to mention while we were batting, that we were going to need around
260 plus because they had a ‘bloody strong’ batting line-up. How right he was
as we then watched their openers smash us all round the ground, one shot from
opener C. Locke (off Spam) was memorable since it ended up in the college
ground next door, travelling [as it did so] over a huge metal fence and
neighbouring trees! Needless to say, they knocked them off with plenty of
overs to spare….” - R. P. Turner 02/12/2015 |
#267 –
“Just Playing With Ourselves”
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29 / 07 / 12 |
v Harwell
International CC |
(a) |
Harwell Campus |
40 |
Won by 11 runs |
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“2012 v Harwell CC. [I was] unsure whether or not to go
in at no.3 instead of my allotted no.4 – after Spam (Ian Howarth) didn’t
believe me (after I’d tried to convince him by the by) that a certain Mr D.
M. Edwards had been skittled the 1st ball of the match for a PLATINUM Duck….
[Of course] Spam was [quietly] engaged elsewhere in the lavatory at the time,
and this game is ‘Memorable’ for the fact that I remember him saying “Oh,
I’ve got plenty of time (to have a dump) with Dan and Moo at the crease....”
Oh, for the commentator’s curse! He must also have been very very close to [being given] out Timed
out!” - R. P. Turner 02/12/2015 |
#265 –
“MAD Stretch the Fabric of Space and Time”
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22 / 07 / 12 |
v Cholsey CC |
(h) |
Jesus College |
40 |
Won by 137 runs |
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“Match 265, home to Cholsey 2012. This match is
memorable for being the only one
played in sunshine during 2012 and we didn’t play in June at all. Sundays
were characterised by morning phone calls to relate the inevitable news that
Brasenose was still under water. However, this one match happened to fall on
literally the only day of summer that year. It was played at Jesus College
and Martin (Westmoreland) scored a hat full of runs and Stevie D also cashed
in after driving his car across the outfield. We won easily, but that’s not
at all the point. For one brief moment in 18 months of gloom there was sun. I
wrote a pretty decent match report too if anyone wants to relive it.” - M. K. Reeves 08/12/2015 |
#262 –
“BBC Live Text Commentary as Old Foes Serve up a Treat”
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27 / 06 / 12 |
v OU
Offices |
(h) |
Brasenose College |
T20 |
Won by 3 wkts |
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Taught, funny
and ridiculous in equal measure, The MAD somehow engineer unforgettable late
evening T20 drama, whilst chasing down a paltry 12 runs in the final two
overs against perennial enemies the Oxford University Offices. With 6 wickets
in hand and a partially reversed batting order to draw upon, you couldn’t
really make it up…. - Editor 06/04/2016 “An amazing last ball thriller!” - M. S. Rundle 08/10/2015 |
#260 –
“Gareth Iscariot”
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01 / 06 / 12 |
v Centrica XI |
(h) |
Jesus College |
T20 |
Won by 36 runs |
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“Match 260 (H) Centrica – 2 for 14, a direct run out,
and 29 runs in a T20. Not too shabby. I’d finally made a telling all round
contribution to a Mad game. Obviously, I was captaining the opposition.
Accounting for the wickets of Shorten, Emerson, and Reeves feels even better
looking back on it now. I’m not sure I’d even totalled 29 runs in the
30 odd games I’d played for The MAD before then. ‘Is he having a fucking
laugh!?’ It will be hard to forget the look on MAD skipper M Westmoreland’s
face when I hit (slogged) my first ever 6. Oh, and The MAD won, so
everyone’s a winner. Except Centrica – they’re losers.” - G. J. Timms 17/02/2016 |
#245 –
“What Goes on Tour Stays on Tour”
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12 / 08 / 11 |
v Hayling Island CC T |
(a) |
Hayling Park |
40 |
Lost by 4 runs |
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“Whilst my other ‘Memorable’
picks have tended to be more about the match itself, this is unashamedly all
about me. Well almost. MAD Tours are always a wonderful experience and to
score a ton on Tour is even better. But to score a ton in a great game
that goes right down to the wire makes it that little bit special. Factor in
a Skipper (Gonzo) who wore a toilet seat and a bandana to the ground, and who
would later keep me company as we came so close to achieving the
impossible in an unbroken tenth wicket stand of 49* – this particular match
is hard to beat. One also remembers the agonies of Mr. M. K. Reeves trying
manfully to avoid getting out to a female (Amber Longhurst) whilst T. P. W.
Smith would execute the perfect leave – on middle stump. A brilliant day all
round, including a mid-match trip to the local pub for teas and a top-up of
alcoholic glows.” - I. Howarth 20/02/2016 |
#237 –
“The Duck of Death”
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10 / 07 / 11 |
v Blenheim Park CC |
(a) |
Blenheim Palace |
Timed |
Lost by 28 runs |
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“This remains the only game
I’ve been able to drag my wife to. Largely due to the
venue/surroundings. The wife wasn’t paying enough attention to see me bowl
someone round their legs Shane Warne style but she
of course witnessed the golden duck that left my last 5 innings as
0,0,0*,1,0. Binary! But more than that this was the day I realised what the
Mad was all about. Chasing 88 to win in a timed game when one of your team
scores 90% of the runs required shouldn’t pose much of challenge. Howarth’s
failure to shepherd the tail took FFTMCC from 4-56 to 59 all out though.
Whilst his tally of 47 looks impressive there was no doubt that he was to
blame for the loss. Not the 7 other batsman who all failed to get off the
mark, no siree. We ‘celebrated’ by going to the wrong pub, avoiding the
opposition, and never being invited back. Ah well.” - G. J. Timms 17/02/2016 “I
feel I have to make mention of a trip to Blenheim Palace to play
cricket for The MAD. How couldn’t you? It’s a total unique experience to play
at a World Heritage site famed as the Birthplace of Winston Churchill – a
place steeped in history, surrounded by beautiful parkland and a magnificent
palace – dragging your kit bags through courtyards feeling like a celebrity
star. The whole day has a magical aura, before a
ball has even been bowled. There is even an audience! A partially interested
one too, as the paying public stop by out of curiousity,
some unfurling blankets to picnic on the great lawn. Notwithstanding a particularly crap track that is underprepared due to The
Duke hating the game, all three games contested were memorable in their only
little ways. Two drawn matches notable for Mr. Westmoreland’s batting heroics
and James Hoskins’ failure to hit a winning boundary at the death in 2009,
but it is perhaps 2011’s seismic collapse after chasing a paltry 88 for
victory that really stands out for me. Sure, I scored about 90% of the team’s
runs that day, but I never thought for one moment when I cut a ball to S. Liddicot at point, at 56-3, that we, as a team, wouldn’t
score another run off the bat in that innings!?
59ao. Incredible. Right up there with the Milton debacle of 2006 and any
other insipid beauties that care to be aired. I still see Skipper Moo sat
holding his head as he sat on the scorer’s bench at the end, utterly
incredulous. The day forever framed by an excellent, off-beat match report from
the pen of Ant Mann – writing it as he did whilst sat at home in the Blue
Mountains of Sydney, Australia. Where else?” - I. Howarth 20/02/2016 |
#234 –
“(Almost) a Perfect Day”
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29 / 06 / 11 |
v Marsh XI |
(h) |
Brasenose College |
T20 |
Lost by 1 run |
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“A T20 beauty in which Dan
skippered without cobbing, Gary [Timms] batted twice and in doing so racked
up a Diamond Duck and a Golden Duck, and we ended up losing by just the one
run.” - J. C. W. Hotson 18/11/2015 |
#211 –
“Timms Guides Team Home in Record Run Chase”
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01 / 08 / 10 |
v Wootton
& Bladon CC |
(h) |
Brasenose College |
40 |
Won by 4 wkts |
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“Making my debut in what was (at the time) I believe
The MAD’s highest ever run chase against arch rivals
the Fat Boys was, in itself, memorable. Bowling four overs of military medium
for 30 runs wasn’t the ideal audition but there was better to come. With the
chase going well I was ready to remove my pads and celebrate a debut win.
However, true to MAD form I was required to go out to bat with the scores
tied. That may well be the best innings of 1 not out I’ve ever constructed.
Play and a miss. Dirty swipe. Play and a miss. Edge for a single. I was
always a batsman! No duck on debut see.” - G. J. Timms 17/02/2016 |
#207 –
“Bitterness Costs Ol’ Big Head MOTM Award”
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18 / 07 / 10 |
v Astons CC |
(h) |
Brasenose College |
40 |
Won by 35 runs |
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“After 175 games for The MAD, they all blend in to one
really. It’s all a blur of dropped catches and wasted Sunday afternoons.
Herein though is one which will never be forgotten. First up, match number
207, home to The Astons in 2010. It’s all about me of course. The 85 I scored
that day is my highest for the club and is unlikely ever to be beaten. It was
made even more special by sharing a 100 partnership with Martin
(Westmoreland). There was as well, the cruel protest vote against the Man of
the Match award, however what I really remember is one incident whilst we
were bowling. I was sure I was bowling, but rereading the match report shows
that it was in fact Jamo. Funny how time plays tricks on the brain. After my
heroics with the bat (did I mention that) I was thinking, surely
we can’t lose this game, but it looked something of a possibility as Ralph
(Smith) started to accelerate. Then he smacked the ball well over my head
(sure I wasn’t bowling?) and my immediate thought was ‘that’s four, or
possibly six’. I then saw Martin haring around the boundary and it looked
like he was going to cut it off. Then, I don’t really know what happened.
Even when it was in his hands it somehow didn’t register with me that he’d
actually caught it. However, what I remember most fondly is just looking
round and seeing everyone on our team just pegging it towards him in
something approaching euphoria. What an amazing catch….” - M. K. Reeves 09/12/2015 |
#197 –
“Emotional Baggage Blamed as MAD Slump to Milton Defeat”
|
|
|
30 / 05 / 10 |
v Milton CC |
(a) |
Bloxham (Warriner) |
40 |
Lost by 10 runs |
|
“How could I possibly forget
Milton [away in Bloxham] a couple of years back where we nearly beat them
[for the first time], but for some lanky twat holing
out to the boundary instead of sixing it. Great game though.” - A. Darley 17/10/2015 |
#196 –
“Quite Possibly the Best Comeback The MAD has Ever Seen….”
|
|
|
23 / 05 / 10 |
v OUP |
(a) |
Jordan Hill |
40 |
Won by 9 runs |
|
A wonderful
victory against one of The MAD’s oldest adversaries and one of their greatest
comebacks. With the OUP having reached an imperious 87-0 whilst chasing down
a mere 149 for victory, Skipper Westmoreland threw the ball to himself,
rolled up his sleeves, puffed out his chest, and the rest as they say is
history…. - Editor 31/03/2016 “The
OUP match #196 was a great comeback and I started it with Big Bird’s
wicket….” - M. T. Westmoreland 03/03/2016 |
#180 –
“William Tells of Scrumping Orgy in Middle England
|
|
|
22 / 07 / 09 |
v Appleton CC |
(a) |
Appleton |
T20 |
Won by 1 run |
|
“The
Appleton T20 match back in 2009, where we won by 1 run. Thornton (Smith)
bowled the final over [of the match] and the first ball was a no ball
4….” - M. T. Westmoreland 03/03/2016 |
#171 –
“MAD’s Army”
|
|
|
14 / 06 / 09 |
v Tetsworth CC |
(a) |
Tetsworth |
35 |
Lost by 207 runs |
|
“Shallow [on right]!!! A
pleasure to stand and watch. Not as much fun when Jackson broke my toe for a
Goldie. ‘Watch the turn’ was Dan’s advice!!!”
- S. L. P. Dobner 16/02/2016 “Tetsworth
2009 – Shallow’s demolition match. How can you ever forget that
one…?” - M. T. Westmoreland 03/03/2016 “A
truly unforgettable game – the one synonymous for West Indian Hylam Shallow
[pictured right in photo] butchering The MAD bowling to all parts as
Tetsworth locals took to reversing their cars out the ground to protect their
wares. Played out under rich sultry blue skies, I remember fondly as one of
my overs disappeared out of view for a disputable 34, with one ball
destroying several optics bottles after sailing into the clubhouse bar.
Darley would lose a hand trying to get out the way of one on the boundary –
and Hebbesy looked like bettering my over after his first four balls went for six, only for
the bastard to deliberately throw one down leg. Following
the home side’s touching and sympathetic declaration on a paltry 358-8,
Shallow’s stable mate, Mr. O. Jackson, then ran through our batting order
breaking Dobner’s toes in the process (now that was funny – golden as well if
I remember rightly). The whole obliteration of the senses was complete with
Dave Emerson collecting a diamond duck in the conclusion as Mr. Shallow
casually flicked the ball back at the stumps whilst bowling. As completely
hapless, one-sided, un-lubed buggerings go – this
is the true barometer for all other clubbing uber-tonkings.
Oh, and I scored my first 50 with the bat for what seemed a decade, but less
about that… because that would be leaving myself exposed for Self Importance….” - I. Howarth 24/02/2016 “…oh,
how can I ever forget Tetsworth/Antigua 2nd XI v The MAD!?!?!? THAT
game!” - A. Darley 17/10/2015 |
#159 –
“Forward Defensive Forgotten as Mad make Their Blenheim Bow”
|
|
|
13 / 07 / 08 |
v Blenheim Park CC |
(a) |
Blenheim Palace |
Timed |
Match Drawn |
|
“Match 159, away to Blenheim 2008. I’d played in
Blenheim Park before, on a pitch somewhere near the South entrance, but when
we turned up in 2008 it was the real deal, on the South Lawn in front on the
Palace. Yes, there’s no pavilion and yes, the pitch is one of the worst we’ve
played on, but there is something super special about being able to park in a
designated car park and then to haul your kit past all the tourists. I
remember virtually nothing about the game although the match report shows the
Essex boys didn’t fair too well that day. I do remember Spam telling Steve
Parkinson to go field at Palace, something which never happened at Cowley
Marsh.” - M. K. Reeves 09/12/2015 |
#158 –
“I’ve Had Better Games, But All in All I Thought I Played Okay”
|
|
|
29 / 06 / 08 |
v Milton CC |
(h) |
Stratfield Brake |
35 |
Won by 5 wkts |
|
What would
perhaps be maybe remembered as the
first win over nemesis, Milton CC (albeit at home) – could only ever be
remembered for the contribution with the bat of the much-maligned poet,
Andrew Morley. A game featuring the debuts of the Australian Collins Bros and
a routinely, pertinacious unbeaten fifty from opener D. M. Edwards (54*),
would go down in MAD folklore as the
match where members of the team tried unsuccessfully to persuade ‘Morlers’ not to go out and bat. Buoyed by a
4-pack of extra strength lager and quart of neat vodka, Morlers would flay
the hapless Milton bowling in a V over the bowler’s head – in a 20 minute period that had jaws dropping in disbelief and
scorers taking evasive action in the scorebox. A wondrous 27 runs (from 30
balls) shattered Milton spirits to a cacophony of hysterical cheering and
whooping from a delirious boundary. One of those true MAD virtuoso performances from a man always to play the
supporting cast. - Editor 22/03/2016 “Morlers comes good: this was definitely at Stratfield
Brake [Kidlington], but I don’t remember the opposition [Milton CC]. It was
the day that Morlers finally showed that a lifetime of high strength lager
could not (permanently) alter your co-ordination. Andy was one of guys that
epitomised the ethos of FFTMCC cricket. He turned up weekly, enjoyed himself,
always had a bat, rarely scored a run, rarely caught anything
and only bowled under duress, yet enjoyed himself and was a valid member of
the team. There is something special in the way that at that time, FFTMCC
continued to connect people to cricket who otherwise would have been lost to
playing the game.” - N. J. Hebbes 18/03/2016 |
#147 –
“Saffer Speedster and an 11yr Old Scupper Hotson’s Dreams….”
|
|
|
20 / 08 / 07 |
v Worthing Chippingdale
T |
(a) |
Worthing |
35 |
Lost by 30 runs |
|
“What a coincidence, it’s Jake’s second game as
captain! Worthing batted first in this 35 over encounter, and we were pleased
a tea to have dismissed them for just 136. Despite this mediocre score, they
seemed quite chipper, even confident. Perhaps they had an ace up their
sleeve. Rather than employ the pool system from two years
before, Jake decided to reverse his proposed batting line-up given that
chasing just 136, it seemed victory was almost assured. So
Mike Reeves and I wandered out to the middle of a fairly desolate field, to
be greeted by a school kid bowling to five slips, two gullies, point and
backward square leg. Indeed, as the batsman facing, there was not a soul to
be seen forward of the wicket other than the bowler himself and the umpire.
The bowler, 16-year-old Michael Straker, a South African allegedly about to
sign for Sussex, bowled with tremendous pace and slightly less accuracy in
gloomy conditions without the benefit of a sight screen, and he wreaked havoc
in our new top order taking four wickets as we slumped to 19 for 5. The four
opening bowlers took 8-25 between them, and only some late pie allowed our
opening batsmen at the bottom of the order to drag us over the 100 mark. Strangely, it seems Michael Straker never made it in
the professional game. Presumably he wasn’t good enough. But he was more than
a match for us.” - M. Bullock 28/03/2016 |
#140 –
“History Rewritten as Titanick Deliver Safely”
|
|
|
17 / 06 / 07 |
v R. T.
Harris |
(a) |
Holton |
35 |
Won by 1 wkt |
|
“The one in which Blocker
blocked while [Nick] Hebbes nudged and nurdled during a last-wicket
partnership which seemed to last forever to achieve the final runs needed for
victory.” - J. C. W. Hotson 18/11/2015 |
#124 –
“MAD
Overcome Off-Side Trap in Record Encounter”
|
|
|
18 / 06 / 06 |
v Hanney CC |
(h) |
Pembroke College |
40 |
Won by 145 runs |
|
Just a week after the FFTMCC’s worst ever collapse (by popular
opinion), the club would go on to set a record MAD score of 280-5 at their
home ground of Pembroke College. It was built on Mr. M. T. Westmoreland’s
debut ton (106*), sharing as he did so, a record fifth wicket partnership
with I. Howarth of 155. An amazing day would be coupled by an equally
engaging match report from Chairman M. Bullock. - Editor 05/04/2016 “The Hanney CC match #124 is
memorable for obvious reasons!” - M. T. Westmoreland 03/03/16 |
#123 –
“World
Health Organisation Contacted….”
|
|
|
11 / 06 / 06 |
v Milton CC |
(a) |
Bloxham (Warriner) |
35 |
Lost by 9 wkts |
|
“The MAD have always had a
certain pride and smug satisfaction when reminiscing batting collapses – an
art form which they have perfected over the years and one other teams can only aspire to. In 2006, I remember slaking my
thirst on orange juice during the mid-innings drinks break; jovially
discussing a benign pitch with Steve Parkinson that had coughed up 95 runs
for the price of a run out (sorry, Jake). It was that fucking easy – runs there for the taking. Fill yer boots! The hot and humid conditions only contributed
to a look of complete resignation on the sweaty Milton faces, as they
murmured and chuntered about having to chase an inevitable 200 plus. Another boundary straight after
the break gave no indication of what was to come – an utterly surreal,
mesmerising, perplexing 9 overs whereby 9 wickets fell for a frankly
unbelievable 9 paltry runs…. MAD all out for 108. Incredible. Staggering. To
this day I still cannot truly fathom what happened. Naturally it took
Milton CC less than an hour to knock them off for the loss of 1 wicket. And
why not? The pitch was as flat as a witches’ tit after all – exemplary
batting conditions. All this happened on my watch –
and it would set the blueprint for years to come, as demons of the mind made
up for any shortfalls in the opposition ranks. The following year was almost
as bad (for different reasons). We finally beat Milton in 2014 – eight years
later – again on my watch – and that game (#330) very nearly made it in my
Top 5 (a nigh on impossible ask as it is to ever narrow it down), but this
match is just, quite simply… unforgettable….” - I. Howarth 06/03/2016 |
#118 –
“Netherlands 1 England 0”
|
|
|
03 / 09 / 05 |
v Rood en
Wit CC |
(h) |
Cholsey |
35 |
Lost by 35 runs |
|
The only MAD match to date against totally foreign opposition and kudos
to Skipper J. D. Hoskins for organising. After struggling to source a ground
so late in the season, the club’s close ties with Cholsey CC paid dividends –
thus finding The MAD getting pissed in South Oxford
and enjoying a topsy-turvy match against a wonderfully charming team from the
Netherlands. Unfortunately we would go on to lose
after some generous decision-making, but winning isn’t everything, right? - Editor 01/04/2016 “[A memorable game] in which
the Dutch tourists arrived [in Cholsey] parking their mini-bus
amongst the Red Lion pub’s front seating area. The visitors would then
reverse their batting line-up, we brought on some occasional bowlers, and on
leaving they left us with a variety of gifts including a copy of their fines
rules booklet.” - J. C. W. Hotson 18/11/2015 |
#113 –
“No-MAD Finally get Stogumber’s Number”
|
|
|
01 / 08 / 05 |
v Stogumber CC T |
(a) |
Stogumber |
25 |
Won by 38 runs |
|
“Jake’s debut as captain on Tour led us to this famous
victory over Stogumber. After a day on the beer, we arrived for an evening
25-over thrash with Jake sporting a plastic policeman’s helmet, which he wore
for the toss. Jake elected to bat, and everyone was padded up and sat
on the side lines waiting to see at the fall of a wicket who would be sent
out to the middle. The pool system was born. And it worked. The MAD got a
respectable 178 from their 25 overs, and thanks to some late wickets from Mr.
A. G. Mann, victory was sealed.” - M. Bullock 28/03/2016 “Jake’s Stogumber Captaincy.
Pure MAD. Utterly memorable and utterly funny.” - J. D. Hoskins 18/02/2016 |
#104 –
“Winning Better Than being Mugged, Poisoned or Relegated….”
|
|
|
15 / 05 / 05 |
v Marlborough House |
(h) |
Cutteslowe Park |
35 |
Won by 124 runs |
|
A typically timeless and acutely well observed match report by Mr. A.
G. Mann captures much of what was a record breaking
win over The MAD’s then most
rancorous opponent. A 171 run opening partnership
laid the foundation for the club’s second highest total of all time. - Editor 01/04/2016 “Fancy a flake with that? Still
the highest partnership of all time….” - S. L. P. Dobner 16/02/2016 |
#099 –
“Victory is Fat for Jubilant MAD as Wootton Stumble”
|
|
|
22 / 08 / 04 |
v Wootton
& Bladon CC |
(a) |
Wootton (Woodstock) |
35 |
Won by 3 runs |
|
“The MAD’s best victory (at
that time). Maybe it still is. It was for me anyway. Personally, I felt I
came of age in this Match as a Skipper (finally actually starting to
understand the game and felt in control the whole way through – probably for
the first time (and one of the very few times)). We beat our big rivals. They
were looking like they might pull off a victory with three overs left – but
they only had one wicket.... Ant was bowling and appealing for plumb lbws
every other ball but Poolie
was umpiring and he wasn’t going to give anyone out. Now the way *I* remember
it was saying to Ant (from long off) that Poolie
wasn't going to give anyone out lbw so you’ll have
to bowl him.... I am *sure* Ant bowled the last batsmen next ball but
according to the scorecard we ran him out... it doesn’t matter... we won
anyway, and it was soooooo sweet.” - J. D. Hoskins 08/02/2016 “A
great win this one and a match that really sticks in my mind. I drove 250
miles back to Oxford after securing a golden duck in Cornwall the previous
day (for Redruth CC) – only for one of our own players (Steve Hebbes) subbing
for Wootton to drop me twice before I made double figures – both sitters as I
remember. I put over 70 on with the late (and great) Ade Fisher to save our
innings falling apart, and would later miss out on
my first MAD century (95) after deciding to go for three consecutive sixes. SIX.
SIX. CAUGHT. Dickhead. We would finally scrape home by a mere 3 runs thanks
to a superb, tumbling Westmoreland catch in the deep, and Ant Mann bowling
their final batsman after his repeated plumb LBWs were turned down by acting
home umpire, Steve Poole. A true bona fide MAD classic against one our true
nemesis. Sadly, the following year’s game was abandoned due to the weather and we would never play at this particular ground
again. Shame, as I averaged 184.00 on it, but mentioning that would be to
leave myself open to standard Club fine of self-importance... J.” - I. Howarth 04/03/2016 “The one in which
Howarth holed out going for the big one for a ton, some comment about bones
was heard, and The MAD won in a thrilling final-over finish.” - J. C. W. Hotson 18/11/2015 |
#96 –
“MAD Fail to Trespass on the Railway in Glorious Victory”
|
|
|
03 / 08 / 04 |
v Watchet
CC T |
(a) |
Watchet |
35 |
Won by 62 runs |
|
One of those
glorious and sentimental English summer days on Tour, played out under rich
blue skies with the sound of seagulls and beer cans being opened. Atop a
cliff face in West Somerset, an excellent victory was underpinned by M. D.
Clarke’s superlative 61 – who unfortunately, with an historic first MAD
century there for the taking, would be thrown under a train by Mr. Hebbes
whilst running between the wickets. Mike is still bitter to this day. Memories of the match are bound
together by an articulate and befitting match report from Chairman Bullock. - Editor 22/03/2016 “Watchet (match 04/96): Culmination of a very fine Tour to Minehead. From a personal point of view, I managed to run out new Madster Mike Clarke on 61 then hit myself in the head whilst attempting to nobble a steam train. I then batted the rest of the innings with blood coming from my head before being bandaged up. The sun was shining, we won.” - N. J. Hebbes 18/03/2016 |
#93 –
“Twinkle’s Big Day Out”
|
|
|
31 / 07 / 04 |
v Minehead CC T |
(a) |
Alcombe |
40 |
Won by 8 wkts |
|
“Minehead (the revenge – after the previous year’s
“Red Arrows” and “Westmoreland Brick” incidents) and a Captain’s knock etc etc etc. And of
course setting up Ant for the first MAD hat-trick the following day.” - S. L. P. Dobner 16/02/2016 |
24/07/03
– “Ed’s Lonely Game”
|
|
|
24 / 07 / 03 |
v Unknown |
(h) |
Pembroke |
T20 |
Lost by 666 runs |
|
The unfortunate cancellation of an evening’s T20 at Pembroke College
Sports Ground (opponent unremembered) back in 2003. All but one of the 22
players involved would receive prior warning, and all but one of 22 players
who had received prior warning would not go on to pen one the funniest
and caustic match reports in MAD history. - Editor 23/03/2016 “Match un-numbered. Ed’s Lonely
Game. Taught me a lot about Captaincy and The MAD that game did....” - J. D. Hoskins 08/02/2016 |
#066 –
“MAD back Increased Use of Japery”
|
|
|
01 / 06 / 03 |
v Marlborough House |
(a) |
Cowley Marsh |
35 |
Won by 3 wkts |
|
“Marlborough House (03/66): 2003 was my first playing
year for The MAD having been signed up via an Evening Course by Beermat (now
known as Warnie) on Beer. Marlborough House (pub and cricket team now sadly
defunct) were our rivals back then by virtue of the fact that they were based
in a pub and couldn’t play cricket, we were based in a pub and couldn't play
cricket. It was much like the Ashes of 2005 only at a different level (see The
MAD first book “Not at this Level”). This game really had it all: comedy
running, consistent low scoring, (nearly) all participants troubling the
scorecards and an unlikely hero [the pictured B. J. Mander 28* at the
finish].” - N. J. Hebbes 18/03/2016 |
#063 –
“Jesus Saves The MAD”
|
|
|
11 / 05 / 03 |
v Bodleian |
(a) |
Jesus College |
40 |
Won by 122 runs |
|
Season 2002 was purportedly the year that very nearly finished The MAD
– the club then going under the new pub name of the Far from the Madding
Crowd. As Captain Bullock’s ‘Log’ during the fall and some pre-amble by
Ant Mann [2003] would attest, being humbled week after week by ‘mediocre
opposition’ whilst struggling to get a team out would prove dolefully
dispiriting. Thankfully, a clutch of new faces breathed life into club the
year after – the transformation apparent in the very first match. - Editor 23/03/2016
“The rebirth (of the club). A
fantastic game with an influx of new players. It was probably the best I’ve
ever bowled with the ball nipping back and swinging away (no idea how). The
highlight of the game was Hoskers calling me through for another run with
their player dying by the cease!” - S. L. P. Dobner 16/02/2016 “[Definitely]
the Bodleian match – a new dawn [for The MAD], and also my first game for the
club.” - M. T.
Westmoreland 03/03/2016 |
#049 –
“Jude Warriors Lose Their Souls and the Game”
|
|
|
05 / 08 / 01 |
v Marlborough House |
(h) |
Pembroke College |
35 |
Lost by 14 runs |
|
“The Ball of Victory
photo [see above]. Most memorable of course for Jake (Hotson’s) five wicket
haul but I was adamant it was totally bad form and indeed bad luck to pose
for a ball of victory photo after tea. Of course, we lost and deservedly so
for such bad etiquette!” - J. D. Hoskins 08/02/2016 |
#039 –
Dobner / Thorn Debuts….
|
|
|
13 / 05 / 01 |
v Nomads |
(a) |
Liddington, Swindon |
35 |
Lost by 8 wkts |
|
“Debut
with Thorn after Hoskers talked me into it as the Jude were short. My bowling
figures look pretty but they hid the 7-8 wides which weren’t recorded. Oh,
and Thorn took his first catch for the club, off my bowling, talk about
giving me false hope of our catching ability.” - S. L. P. Dobner 16/02/2016 |
#027 –
“Game of Cricket Mars Otherwise Eventful Outing”
|
|
|
11 / 06 / 00 |
v The
Beehive |
(a) |
Liddington, Swindon |
35 |
Lost by 4 wkts |
|
“This was the game that had everything. Noel rented a
minibus to get us to Swindon, with Eddie charged with driving us there and
Jake somehow being persuaded to dive us home again. The journey there was
slow, the minibus struggling to make progress on the flat let alone on any
ascent, and Eddie was getting plenty of stick for his driving skills. On
arrival at the car park at Liddington, we were met by a metal bar across the
entrance to prevent high vehicles from entering. For some reason, it was
decided that Noel was the ideal person to guide Eddie through, which he did,
the roof of the bus smacking into the steelwork and leaving a large tell-tale
dent. We parked outside. On this occasion the match commenced at a sensible
hour, and as was now customary, Noel opened for the Jude. His slightly more
able opening partner, Leo Phillips, injured himself early on and had the gall
to call for a runner, which was unanimously turned down from the boundary.
Noel himself managed a career-best three singles, and when he was dismissed
Mike Thorburn and I rushed onto the field with a stretcher we had found in
the pavilion to carry an exhausted Noel from the field. The Beehive went on to win the game, but the day’s
excitement was not over. The minibus was equally as sluggish in Jake’s
control as it had been under Eddie’s, and it finally spluttered to a terminal
halt on the dual carriageway at Kingston Bagpuize.
Calls to the rental company went unanswered, so Ade Fisher, myself and a few
others pushed the bus a few hundred yards along the road to a lay-by where it
was abandoned, and we all went to the nearby pub. Despite Ben Mander’s
untimely projectile vomiting in the car park just as our taxis arrived to
take us home, we did get a ride home, but had somewhere along the way lost
the scorebook and Leo’s bat, both of which would never be found.” - M. Bullock 28/03/2016 “[Remembered
vividly as the one] in which a handily-discarded
stretcher was utilized to escort Noel [Reilly] from the crease, and the
mini-bus broke down on the way back [from Swindon], though not too far from a
pub….” - J. C. W. Hotson 18/11/2015 |
#016 – “Apocalyptic Downpour Foils Dominant Jude”
|
|
|
04 / 07 / 99 |
v Team
With No Name |
(a) |
Horspath Road |
30 |
Abandoned |
|
“At the halfway point, this game looked to be very
ordinary, but the opening spell of bowling from the Jude will be what sticks
long in the memory. The Jude had amassed just 71 all out from 28 overs when
Howard Jones and Antony Mann were handed the new ball at the start of the No
Name’s reply. Under darkening skies, Howard Jones bowled a short spell of
devastating pace and accuracy, dismissing three of the batsmen for ducks
whilst conceding just three streaky runs. Ant took a wicket at the other end,
and the No Namers were reeling at 8-4 from 7 overs when the heavens opened to
finish the game and save them from almost certain defeat.” - M. Bullock 28/03/2016 |
#011 –
“Upset Number Three for Jude - Pundits Under Attack”
|
|
|
16 / 05 / 99 |
v Isis CC |
(h) |
Cutteslowe Park |
35 |
Lost by 66 runs |
|
The very first match contested against what are now considered to be
one of the FFTMCC’s premier rivals – Isis CC, and if one were to glance at
the scorecards, you’d notice the many familiar names still playing for the
opposition today. The game was also the very first MAD match (then playing as
the Jude the Obscure) to be accompanied by a match report (courtesy of
one Antony Mann) – initiating a club tradition which has continued to this
day. If there were any precursive forays into MAD journalism before this
encounter, then his or her work never found its way onto a floppy disc
anywhere…. - Editor 18/03/2016 “My first game. There I was
peacefully supping a can of Stella on the boundary when I got called onto the
field to “join in for a laugh”... the very first
ball that was bowled was a skyer straight down my throat which I dropped...
and everyone said I was a perfect player for The MAD.” - J. D. Hoskins 08/02/2016 |
#008 –
The Jude’s First Travels out of Oxfordshire….
|
|
|
13 / 09 / 98 |
v The
Beehive |
(a) |
Ridgeway, Swindon |
25 |
Won by 61 runs |
|
Lee Davie. “This was our first game away from Oxford and was the
final game of the inaugural season, and was against one of Noel [Reilly’s]
former pubs. This was the first and only occasion that the club has chartered
a coach to take the team and its
supporters to an away match – the eleven players being joined by a dozen pub
regulars and staff for an away day over the border. We started at the Iron Horse in Wroughton, before
moving on to the Beehive where an afternoon drinking session got into full
swing. At well past 3pm, the two teams reluctantly made their way to the
ground to play the match, which was reduced to 25 overs due to the late
start. None of our dozen supporters made it to the ground, preferring to wait
for our return at the pub. The Jude’s innings was held together by debutant
Lee Davie’s 67, and then in near darkness, the Beehive were skittled for just
94, with Fred Townsend taking his first and only 5 wicket haul.
Much more celebration took place back at the pub, and we made it back to
Oxford in the early hours of Monday morning.” - M. Bullock 28/03/2016 |
