Big scores in brace of May Bank Holiday wins

Trinity Oxley on Saturday 24May

Richard Green reports: On a dark ominous afternoon at the park, with rain clouds threatening at every turn, the mighty tourists of Trinity Oxley arrived at the hallowed ground. A small hiccup in their logistics meant they were short of players, so up stepped our very own Bexi Harris to help them out. With the ever present threat of rain, we shortened the match to 30 overs and sent the visitors in to bat.

The opening spell from Malick and Tim M were wonderful to watch. Tight lines and outstanding fielding which restricted the visitors to 46-2 after 12 overs; the pressure was building..

Cometh the hour, cometh the 14 year old Teddy (ever so slightly proud dad, sorry!). He bowled his full 6 overs, with flight and increasing accuracy. 2 wickets, including a wonderful stumping of their opening bat for 40, by the superb Tom Pickford, and then bowled their gun batsmen for a golden duck. We were now cooking on gas.

Teddy was replaced by his fellow Green, Leo, who proceed to pick up two excellent wickets and keep their score to a modest 151 all out.

The standout bowling from the other pub end (we are now showing loyalty to the Grosvenor, as potential new sponsors) were Peter C and Tim M, both with a beautiful wicket each. Leigh also chipped in with some excellent bowling.

In summary the boys led the way with bowling and the team fielded brilliantly. It was one of the best fielding performances I have seen in a long time and real credit to Malick, who deserved a bucket load of wickets, but instead created the conditions for wickets to flow at the other end.

Tea was then taken and the spread was to die for. The crowd by this stage was large and enjoying the hospitality and all felt a win was a real possibility. Time to strap on the pads….

The target of 151 in 30 overs was required and out stepped Peter and Teddy to get us going, Peter clearly fulfilling the lead role, with the runs per over calculated out for at least the first 10 overs. After some beautiful shots from Peter to kick us off, he then gallantly handed over the run chase to Teddy after a few overs and Teddy was then joined by the hockey legend that is Tom KB. The pair then put on a brilliant 62, before Tom fell to a dubious run out;  next time he will  know to slide his bat in.  In marched Dan B and he was clear on his mission: up the run rate to remove any pressure for future batsmen.

Teddy finally fell with the score at 93-3, having scored an impressive 37 (top score) including his first six at the ground, leaving the crowd in rapture! We were then treated to a run feast by Dan and our very own wicketkeeper-batsmen legend, Tom. Sixes and fours were flowing and the run rate fell from a height of c.7 to an easy 4. Tim saw us across the finishing line with ease, gently finding the gaps and running the singles and twos with style.

A great victory and massive thanks to the injured Henry Comyn for advising the novice skipper from the scorer’s chair,  to Tim for the bar, to the team (and Bexi) for a real team effort and a superb all round performance and of course our very own Mark for another manicured pitch and wicket.

Obviously I am giving man of the match to Teddy for 2 wickets and top scoring with 37 (slightly biased, I know). Onwards the Park, to another victory tomorrow (what a batting lineup we have).

Sunday 25 May v Dulwich

Dan Brickell reports:  A strong Fonthill team took on the touring side from Dulwich. Winning the toss and batting first we looked for a strong start from a Hobbs/Moore opening pair. The Dulwich bowlers struggled for consistency and were being punished for anything offline. The clubhouse was treated to a blistering 130 opening stand from only 10 overs when Ewen (41) gloved one through to the keeper. Ed departed soon after for 78 (from only 42 balls). The reply from Dulwich was commendable given the savage way they had been treated in the first 10 overs. It was later compared by the Dulwich wordsmith to Christians being fed to the lions. Sam and Simon kept the score ticking along nicely for the next few overs,  Simon departing for 18.  From then on Fonthill lost regular wickets but Sam was a constant at the other end. A nice cameo from Freddie at the end for 26, showing us all he’s more than just a grumpy fast bowler. Sam finished the innings 71 not out. His first fifty for the club and a great knock to hold the back end of the innings together. We finished on 286-9. 

After the break the youth were asked to lead the attack with Teddy Green and Freddie Power giving Fonthill a very environmentally friendly looking opening pair. The old adage of opening batsmen hating a spinning ball was proving true. Pressure was building and when Freddie finally pulled up his trousers to find the right line he was rewarded with the wickets of both openers LBW. He followed up the last by removing the next batsmen with a beauty to clip the top of the off-trump.  He was actually seen to be happy with that one. Leigh and Howard came into the attack with Leigh particularly bowling nicely for figures of 1-33 off his six overs.  In truth the game was already gone for Dulwich.  Simon picked up a wicket from his tidy spell before Ed and Ewen returned to finish what they had started. Ewen bowled nicely but it was Ed who bullied his way through the tail. The last wicket saw the 78 year old Dulwich wordsmith playing his final ever game of cricket. Ed treated him in the only way he knew. Carting his middle stump half way to Hindon first ball.

Another win for Fonthill and a lovely afternoon had by all. Thanks to Teddy for stepping in at the last moment. Great to watch you bowling at the moment.   20 players turned out over the weekend, and two wins achieved,  so a great effort from everyone. On to the cup game on Wednesday.

Sunday skipper Dan Brickell’s versatile contributions should also be noted, playing in both games, and having to prepare the pitch himself for Sunday as the regular ground-staff were on a cultural visit to the Utilita bowl in Southampton.