Cricket Notes No 5

Match Report: St Peters (Oundle) vs St James (Thrapston) at Oundle School, 18th July 2012

Dodgy weather and a brief, light rain shower fortunately did not prevent a full 20-over game from being completed on a good pitch in a delightful setting between two very sporting teams.

Oundle won the toss and surprisingly inserted St James into bat.  Mark Palmer set about Oundle's opening bowlers with great gusto, hitting 5 boundaries in a sensational innings of 30no which ended with a towering 6 to reach the maximum possible past the mandatory retirement score of 25.  Certainly St James' champagne moment of the evening.  Mark was ably supported by his opening partner Paul Dowling (22) and, between them, put on 60 in the first 9 overs.  The prospect of a large total was dashed however by Oundle's first change bowlers who alternated between frustrating floaters to fast and accurate deliveries.  Scoring dried up with only 9 runs added in the next 6 overs.  In a desperate attempt to lift the run rate, three batsmen were run out and, at the close, St James limped to 90 for 5.  On a good pitch this always felt a low total but at least runs were on the board to defend.

Oundle's opening batsmen started slowly with Alex Marsden (0 for 21 off 4 overs) and the ever impressive Ian Page (3 for only 15 off 4 overs) bowling a tight opening spell that contained Oundle to 36 for 3 off the first 8 overs.  However, as in the earlier game in the season, three young Oundle batsmen (P Campbell, D Potts & M Sutterby) got their eye in and reached the 25 retirement mark with clean, hard hitting.  This enable Oundle to pass the winning target with virtually 4 overs to spare.  On a positive note, Vince Davy performed flawlessly as wicket keeper for St James without conceding a single bye.

As usual, Oundle provided super refreshments and fellowship after the game and it was good to see Sally and Arwel Hopkins again, and Jeremy Firth looking so well after his battle with cancer.

 

Cricket Notes No 4

Match Report: St James (Thrapston) vs St Andrew (Kettering) at Islip on Wednesday 11th July 2012 

This was an enjoyable new fixture and, fortunately, the rain held off to permit a full 20-over game to be played. 

Kettering arrived with a full team and an impressive group of friendly supporters.  They won the toss, elected to field and went on to use 9 bowlers.  Although none of the bowlers were fearsomely quick, many balls were held up by the pitch creating variable bounce and pace, making it somewhat tricky at times to judge the delivery.  This accounted for the St James openers but a strong innings by Charles Jefferson (25no) and a sparkling innings by Mark Palmer (27no with 5 boundaries) set the game alive.  The middle order chipped in with some more runs and the 23 extras from erratic bowling enabled St James to reach a competitive 101 for 5 off 20 overs. 

In reply, Kettering's top order were tied down by really economical bowling by Michael Dowling (2wickets for only 5 runs in his 4 overs) and John Pickles (2 wickets for 6 runs in his opening 3 over spell).  Paul Dowling followed up impressively with 1 for 10 off 4 overs and both Martyn Fisher (0 for 23 off 4 overs) and Oliver Sones (2 for 23 off 4 overs) kept the scoring rate just under 6 an over in their spells.  St James appeared to be cruising to a comfortable win but a blistering innings by Kettering's Kiwi captain, Kane Taylor (21) and their number 8 & 9 batsmen brought their innings to within 7 of the target (94 for 7 off the 20 overs).  Vincent Davy performed well behind the stumps, conceding just the 1 bye. 

Thus ended an enjoyable game just before the rain started.  The champagne moment, for all the wrong reasons, was Mark Palmer's second dropped catch, neither of which were difficult, proving that even the best can falter. 

A great thanks to all players for the help with kit, teas etc.  St Andrews, who appear to be a really friendly team are keen to play two games next season and participate in the triangular tournament if this is started up again.  We look forward to the encounters.

 

Cricket Notes no 3

St James (Thrapston) vs St Peter & St Paul (Moulton) at Islip on 4th July 2012

 

We were incredibly lucky to get a full 20 over game in given all the rain around.  The result however did not favour St James.

After winning the toss, Moulton elected to bat first but were kept quiet by the St James opening bowler partnership of Ian Page (only 13 runs conceded in his 4 overs) & Michael Dowling (1 for 17 off 4 overs).  After 6 overs Moulton had only scored 20 runs but, crucially, had not lost a wicket and then they increased the tempo and plundered St James' second change bowlers, trebling their score in the next 6 overs.  Some order was restored with John Pickles bowling a very economical spell of 4 overs for only 8 runs plus 1 wicket.  Moulton finished with 104 for 5, a competitive total with the ball keeping low at times, a slow outfield, and fading light.  For Moulton, the two young Taylor brothers both passed the 25 runs mark and had to retire (28no and 27no).

 

In reply, it was clear that St James missed two of their most consistent top order batsmen (Gordon Marsden & Mark Palmer) with only two batsmen managing to just creep into double figures: Charles Jefferson (14) and Ian Page (10).  Slow batting and a regular fall of wickets left St James limping to 67 for 8 off their 20 overs.  It has to be said though that the light had faded significantly for much of St James' innings and Moulton fielded three very quick, young bowlers.  Under the circumstances therefore, St James did well not to fold quickly.  Credit is also due to Chris Piper who performed well behind the stumps with only 2 byes conceded when St James were in the field.

My thanks to Michael Dowling & David Shepherd for standing in for those that had to pull out.  A big thanks too for everyone who helped with the boundary markers, ropes and rods marking out the pitch, tidying the kit away, putting the refreshment tables and plates out, washing and drying the plates after the tea, cleaning the tables and sweeping the church hall floor.  It is often the same guys who do this for each home game and I want to take this opportunity to say how grateful I am for this help.

As usual, it was good to share fellowship with Moulton and we wish all the best to their new rector who starts later this month.

A few spots of rain on arrival at the ground had everyone studying the sky but it quickly turned into a lovely evening and allowed a full 20-over game to be played.  St James won the toss, elected to bat and, thanks to some fine batting by Mark Palmer (28 no) and Todd Whitby (17), a good total was looking on the cards.  However, a clatter of wickets left St James limping to 100 all out with 3 overs spare.  No other batsmen made it to double figures.

A tough challenge to keep Moulton in check lay ahead and the St James' bowlers rose admirably to this.  Opening the bowling, Alex Marsden (3 wickets) and Ian Page (2 wickets), bowled with pace and variety respectively and both with good economy (each conceding only 13 runs in their 4 overs).  This was backed up well by Martyn Fisher (1 for 21 off 4 overs) and John Pickles  (0 for 13 off 4 overs).  Oliver Sones and Todd Whitby also chipped in with 2 useful overs each.  Although Moulton's middle order made a charge, led by P Collins (32 no) and the junior and senior D Taylors (11 and 14), the effective bowling, good fielding and overall management of field placing and bowling changes eventually restricted Moulton to under 90 for 9 in their 20 overs.  Another notable effort was Chris Piper who kept wicket really well for St James with only 3 byes conceded.

So, a genuine all-round performance earned St James a well fought victory.  It is tough to name a champagne moment.  Some of Mark Palmer's lusty boundaries and other deft shots caught the eye, as did some of the wickets and Todd's quick running between the wickets.  One of Ian Page's wickets, for example, sent a bail way back over the wicket keeper's head.  However, just when the junior D Taylor for Moulton was getting into his stride and starting to score at will, Ian Page delivered a slower ball to fox the batsman out, clean bowled trying to hit it out of the park - a potentially crucial wicket when Moulton seemed to be making a charge.  This, for me, edged the champagne moment.

Thanks to Gordon Marsden for umpiring and to David Shepherd and Todd Whitby who kindly agreed to stand in for the injured Gordon Marsden and James Shepherd.  We hope their injuries heal quickly.  Thanks too to everyone who helped with the scoring, kit, benches etc, always a great help.  Young Denis Palmer (only 9 years old) made his debut - for Moulton who were short of a player - and did well in the field.

It was great sharing the refreshments after the game provided by Moulton and to catch up again with their team and supporters.

On a gloomy evening, and after a brief shower of rain, play got underway with St James electing to field first.  Another heavy shower came shortly after commencement but, to the credit of everyone on the field at the time, players stuck it out and amazingly managed to complete a full 20-over game.  The light was distinctly poor at the end but, by then, the result had already been decided. 

Oundle brought their strongest side ever, including several talented youngsters.  After their captain was removed cheaply, five young lads laid into St James' bowlers and eventually rattled up an impressive total of 142 for 5 in their 20 overs.  Most of St James' bowlers were punished but Ian Page delivered the most consistent performance, conceding only 16 runs in his 4 overs. 

In reply, St James lost both opening batsmen relatively cheaply.  Although Gordon Marsden's 27no was the backbone of the innings, other than Paul Dowling' (14), no other player managed to get into double figures and St James limped to 72 for 9 after 20 overs. Thus, a sound defeat for St James but congratulations to Oundle for a well executed win.  If I had to pick a champagne moment it would be James Shepherd's catch.  Although it had little bearing on the outcome of the game, it was spectacular in that the ball seemed to be going over his head when, with a flurry of arms and legs, James somehow managed to take the catch. 

As ever, it was good to share fellowship with the Oundle team afterwards in our Church Hall.  Thanks to everyone for their help at the ground and in the hall.

A list of fixtures for 2012 is given below. Anyone who is interested in playing please contact John Pickles 01832 734909