Scorecard

Berkhamsted Cricket Club 1st XI v North Mymms II on Sat 08 Sep 2012 at 12.30pm
Berkhamsted Cricket Club Lost by 5 wickets

Match report Well, here we are. As the cool evenings draw in and the leaves on the trees turn from green to a multicolour blend of reds, yellows and browns, Autumn is on its way and with it the end to the cricket season

For our last league game the high flying North Mymms 2nd XI stood between us and a strong finish to the season. With the team firmly positioned in mid-table the result was irrelevant on paper but significant for the further development of the team. Unfortunately I should have mentioned this to the team as the skipper was one of 3 people who wasn't ridiculously hungover. A combination of birthdays had seen to the majority of the players. This led to the normally mild mannered captain expressing his displeasure in a rant which consisted mainly of 4 letter words.

The ironically warm weather and hungover team led the captain to elect to bat first after winning the toss. With the returning Jez accompanying Joycey at the top of the order the team were confident to sit back, watch and sober up. Unfortunately this wasn't the case as the rather sharp Mustafa and Harry Windsor quickly disposed of both openers. This brought together Hamish and Luke. The pair batted well together and built a very useful partnership taking the score to 120/2. Similar to Chipperfield a few weeks ago Hamish the aggressor with Luke the accumulator. Unfortunately what happened next changed the outcome of the match. With Hamish well set in the sixties he smashed a very high full toss straight down deep square legs throat. With no reviews left on DRS the decision was left to the onfield umpires who had adjudicated the ball was legitimate. Some say it was a poor decision, others (read me) said he should have hit it for 6, in any case it was out and we collapsed to 159 all out.

In the end the contentious decision didn't matter. A lot of bad shots accounted for our wickets and it was disappointing given we had batted well for most of the season. Anyway the skipper was left high and dry and mention should go to his sweep shot for 6 into the field.

With a change of strategy, Berko took the old ball with the hope Huw could get some turn and bounce out of the pitch. He did but alas to no avail so the skipper turned to the new ball. This had immediate success with Leon accounting for the good Prince, fresh from his 5 wicket haul and stint with a couple of slappers in Vegas. Joycey dismissed the other opener with a ball that swung so late it was like someone turning up at 2am to a wife swapping party.

Unfortunately their Aussie and captain forged the decisive partnership that took the game away from us. No doubt without his runs this season they wouldn't have been anywhere near the top of the table. Let's hope immigration don't revoke his visa.........

Anyway after the match it was time to sign off the season in true Berko style. That's right, get dressed up, dished out some awards, have copious amounts of larger, strawpedos and vodka red bulls, droll at the sight of Premier league footballers and have a late night argument with some Doris in the kabab shop over how posh you are.......

So disappointing to finish the season with a loss. However it has been a very enjoyable season and I feel the team has really come together as the season has progressed. I believe there is now a core with which we can go on and get promoted next year. Indeed consolidation with a new team thrust together by the loss of so many players in the off season can not be sniffed at. Don't forget we also made the semi final of the Gazette cup.

I am pleased to say that everyone who played for the team during the season made a contribution and it wasn't the case of relying on 1 or 2 individuals. To name all would put me too close to the allowable word count but thanks to all that played.

However I would like to pick out two players that really stepped up this year. Luke O'Dair and Andrew Joyce. Luke averaged over 50 for the season which is an incredible feet for someone who is only 18 years old. He is clearly a star for the future and I for one is looking forward to him progressing further and providing the core of the team in years to come. All the games the team won, Joycey was playing and making an impact. Whether scoring runs, taking wickets or holding on to catches he was there. You could also find him at training, in the bar after the game and helping with any admin the club needed doing. In the end this swayed the vote for player of the season in his favour. But congratulations go to both him and Luke for their fantastic performances this season.

Before the scribbler goes and hibernates on the golf course for the next 6 months I would like to also thank Ben and Sarah for scoring, Micky, Richard and Guy for umpiring and Puds, Derek and Ollie for their ground work. Also to Hamish Lewis for his team bonding drinking session. You have truly made it fun to be a member of Berko cricket club and will be missed next year.

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Berkhamsted Cricket Club 1st XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 10 wickets
0
159		        
Andrew Joyce b Mustafa 4
Jez O'Neill b Hicks 3
Hamish Lewis ct Rathbone 63
Luke O'Dair b Mustafa 26
James Wyatt ct Hicks 2
Douglas Foster ct Rathbone 7
David Smith Not Out  18
Larry Eaton b Hicks 4
Huw Barnett b Hicks 0
Joseph Atkins ct Hassall 4
Leon Roberts lbw Hicks 0

North Mymms II Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Mustafa12.0421210.501.75
Hicks9.432154.202.17
Crawford5.002200.004.40
Hassall6.0043143.007.17
Thomas3.003100.0010.33
Rathbone0.00824.000.00

North Mymms II Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 5 wickets
0
160 (37.5 overs)		     
Clements lbw Joyce 4
Hicks ct Roberts 13
Crawford ct Atkins 82
Mather ct Wyatt 22
Thomas Not Out  25
Anwar b Atkins 1
Black Not Out  6
   
   
   
   

Berkhamsted Cricket Club 1st XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Huw Barnett5.503200.005.49
Leon Roberts12.0529129.002.42
Andrew Joyce4.0114114.003.50
James Wyatt9.0051151.005.67
Hamish Lewis5.001800.003.60
Joseph Atkins2.001125.505.50

  • Umpire :
    Micky
  • Scorer :