Scorecard

Berkhamsted Cricket Club 3rd XI v Old Elizabethans II on Sat 04 Sep 2010 at 12:30
Berkhamsted Cricket Club Won with 6 overs to spare

Match report It seemed like yesterday we arrived at Abbots Langley full of joie de vivre and other exotic foreign spirits and yet having battled through many comfortable victories on the way, in the words of Paul Anka, we approached the final curtain having travelled many a byway in Hertfordshire. In Ed’s case probably a few in Essex as well but the poor man has a dubious sat nav.
Demonstrating the arithmetic talent of the squad, there was a range of permutations about the league and about 5 different points targets that we needed to secure promotion and eventually we agreed that it would be good to bat first and score 200 and then we all have a nice tea to line the stomach in advance of many beers later.
As has been said before, the shambolic tosser shuffled off and came back to report that he had lost the toss and yet we were to bat anyway. With normality returned to availability, the usual dream team of Alex and Mark made their way to the top square (not quite above the tree line) and started very positively. A very tidy opening stand meant that we were well on our way to 50 before Mark had a rush of blood and tried to put the opener into the field. Enter Buckley and as usual he stood admiringly at the other end as Alex made it look very easy. Alex’s usual impeccable timing was a bit out and having played too early at a good length ball, lost his off bail. Nonetheless he had scored 35 and overall scored nearly 500 league runs at over 80. His appetite for runs will hopefully remain undiminished next season.
With the groundsman now out in the middle, Buckley continued his observances as Puddles carried on where Alex had left off. Puddles raced to 50 and even began scoring to order. A muttered comment about trying to hit the little owl resulted in a delightful straight six that ruffled a few feathers.
It is fair to say that the OE’s fielding was poor. One of their guys even made Chas look sprightly and catches were spilled all over town. Buckley’s nurdling saw him dropped at least 3 times.
Puds having got to 50 then decided it would be decent to give the others a chance and he played all round one of the very few straight deliveries in the OE’s overs. Enter Chrispo. With the Portuguese tan still shining through, he had a look at the first ball and then for the second hit it straight to extra and set off. It is a good job that Buckley retains his lightning speed over 22 yards as he was off like a greyhound. In a crash of stumps, bails and oaths, there was an almighty appeal and fortunately the umpire decided in favour of the aforementioned greyhound. Before he lost the ability to speak, Fish declared that Buckley was well out and he was on the bottom pitch. Anyway, it was all in the gathering of the ball and the umpire’s decision is final so the Buckley and Chrispin partnership lived into the third ball.
It then all became rather easy. OE’s rather lost their way and runs came quickly. Having past the magic 200 run mark the boys relaxed and having past 50, Buckley was then dropped a few more times before one of the bowlers hung on and he departed the top square to leave Ed to face about 3 balls. His first was a head high full toss that had it not been for Ed’s athletic prowess would normally have resulted in a trip to A&E and probably the dentist. To Goodwyn’s credit he hooked it off his nose.
At 49 overs Chas declared and with 237 on the board, we had a total to bowl at and 51 overs to winkle them out.
An excellent tea and credit to Greg and the tea team as the fare has been excellent this season.
Out we strode to see if we could snaffle a win to end the season on a high note. The wily Ezard had a few balls to warm up and then the faintest tickle to the keeper had the opener eventually back in the hutch. Eventually as he stood his ground and despite the noise being heard all around. Clearly he did not believe in the spirit of walking if you hit it.
Will Clayton pounded in from the top end and in over number 2 had the other opener back in the hutch. At this point, we were contemplating an early finish but Mr. Hylton had other ideas. Not technically gifted but he had a superb eye and hit the ball very hard. He scored about 50 out of the OE’s score of 65 and with him at the crease, we were looking like coming second.
Desperate times call for desperate measures and Charles threw the ball to Ed. The great bamboozler had the batsmen in all sorts of bother and his fourth ball turned a mile and hit the middle stump with the batsman offering no shot.
The new batsman clearly supported Mr Hylton’s style and the scoreboard moved along nicely. Fortunately Ed managed to get them to go airborne once too often and an excellent catch by Will Clayton put us out of our misery. It put Will in some misery as he spilt his hand in performing the catch but after some excellent medical care and a couple of pints on the terrace watching the firsts he was soon back. Another looping delivery saw another catch in the deep and with Romit Patel bowling beautifully again, there were signs that we could finish off the tail.
The perpetually cheery and smiling Goughie had his pep talk from the boundary and with barked instructions from the mascot eventually got a wicket. A couple of overs of generous buffet bowling from Alex and another blast from Ezard and we were almost home. The climax of the season loomed and with one hand heavily bandaged Will hung on to a sharp chance and we had won. Cue relief and handshakes all round.

Editorial note.
Many thanks to Charles for herding the cats all season in truly unique style. Thanks to Mickey for umpiring and Jo and Chloe for supporting throughout. For his wickets and contribution to the bowling cause, Martin Gough was awarded man of the season although special mention to Alex again for runs and to Mark Burgess for runs and catches behind the stumps. Credit to the groundsman for producing a superb track all season and thanks to all who contributed to another most enjoyable season. Ian Dent should also be recorded as playing a huge part in ensuring the teams were all in the right place at the right time.
£111.20 in the fines pot means the 16th October should be a cheap night out. Details to follow.

Berkhamsted Cricket Club 3rd XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 4 wickets
0
237		        
Alex Hardwicke b Raz 35
Mark Burgess b Mali 24 1
Tim Buckley ct and b Mali 69 1
Ian Putman b Tamerisa 52
David Chrispin Not Out  35 2
Edward Goodwyn Not Out  1 1
Will Clayton   2
Charlie Hussey  
Romit Patel   1
Martin Gough  
Jon Ezard  

Old Elizabethans II Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
I Mali15.0264232.004.27
S Godfrey4.003000.007.50
I Raz11.0133133.003.00
R Dunn6.012700.004.50
P Silva7.013800.005.43
P Tamerisa5.0027127.005.40
J Smith1.00800.008.00

Old Elizabethans II Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 10 wickets
0
197 (0.0 overs)		     
J Fitzgerald ct M Burgess b J Ezard 2
J Akthar b W Clayton 4
G Hylton ct W Clayton b E Goodwyn 59
W Montgomery b E Goodwyn 9
R Dunn ct T Buckley b E Goodwyn 53
S Godfrey ct E Goodwyn b R Patel 11
I Mali ct D Crispin b M Gough 28
F Raz ct D Crispin b R Patel 9
P Tamerish ct and b R Patel 0
J Smith ct W Clayton b E Goodwyn 7
P Silva Not Out  9

Berkhamsted Cricket Club 3rd XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Jon Ezard10.0134134.003.40
Will Clayton8.0031131.003.87
Edward Goodwyn11.3157414.254.96
Martin Gough9.0140140.004.44
Romit Patel5.02933.001.80
Alex Hardwicke2.001800.009.00