Cricket Report 2008
South East vs East Anglian Point-to-Point Jockeys. Report by Philip Hall
2008 marked the turn of the South East to host the Annual Cricket Challenge – having had the Captaincy passed to me from the fine tutelage of Andrew Hickman, there was no lack of pressure to try to ensure that this historical match maintained the standards that have been set in the annals of time.
Luckily the importance of the role was not lost on my opposite number, Alex Vaughan-Jones, who no doubt had things beaten into him by his Father Ollie, a hugely generous host to touring sides in Norfolk in previous years. The East Anglian’s travelled with a strong side (a fact regularly enforced by repeated text messages to me promising annihilation, etc), and arrived in the Swan in Dallington with the luxury of a twelfth man, full of confidence.
The South East side had not fared so well, and with Pete Bull on holiday (for the first time in five years he defiantly told me - he was missing this fixture for the first time since his debut in 1983) he was given the benefit of any doubt! Dan Dennis a key wicket taker in previous encounters had a similarly rock tight excuse – he had had a shoulder reconstruction days previously, and he wasn’t very effective with his left arm…. We also lost Sam Hanson, and Anthony Ward Thomas within the final 24 hours before the big encounter, things were looking glum – there was a danger of the match being lost before we had even got underway…. We were lucky that Brian Holliday & Ed Grissell stepped up to the plate for us.
After a couple of ‘liveners’ in the Swan, we headed off to the pitch at Ashburnham. As we headed off I received further bad news, there was complete radio silence from my secret weapons – Steve Spice and Keith Dilworth were heading over from Kent, and could not be raised – repeated missed calls, and messages and still no joy. To this day we do not know what happened – I hope they are ok? Maybe they disappeared into the ‘Bethersden Triangle’? Either way we were in trouble and moments before the start down to 9 men, at home against a strong East Anglian side of 12. This was hugely embarrassing and luckily thanks to Ian Russell who shelved his afternoon plans (to lie in the sun drinking Pimms laughing at us), the balance was redressed slightly…. We were down to a respectable 10.
The stage was set, and the teams lined up thus:
The South East X East Anglia XII
Stuart Robinson (On field Captain) Rupert Stearn
David Rose Alex Merriam
Brian Holliday David Kemp
Ian Russell Ed Turner
Ben Bentley James Owen
Nick Pearce Harry Fowler
Philip Hall (Off field Capt) Alex Vaughan-Jones (Capt)
Jody Sole Ben Rivett
Matt Braxton George Greenock
Ed Grissell Andy Braithwaite
Joe Reid
Ollie Reid (did not bat)
Umpires: Andrew Hickman, David Rhys-Jones, Dave Piele
East Anglia are put into bat
The South East won the toss and put the East Anglian’s into bat. They opened with the fine batting talents of Rupert Stearn and Alex Merriam – Nick Pearce opened the bowling, and things looked bleak as Stearn battered the first ball for 4. Not the kind of start we were looking for. That said Nick stuck to the task and patiently chivvied away, and was rewarded when he clean bowled Alex Merriam for 3.
At the other end David Rose, one of our more ‘experienced’ team members was busy grafting away, and he too was rewarded by removing the number 3 bat, David Kemp, for just 1 run. Stearn was making headway though he had hit a 4 and a 6 in his very first over, and his intent was clear.
With strength in depth within the side the EA Captain had the luxury of calling Ed turner into bat at 4. Ed had hit a fine 30 (not out) the previous year, and had family history on his side – his father was a mainstay of the EA side (he’d hit 48 not out in the first recorded match back in 1970). Ed clearly knew his game, as he came in properly kitted out, full helmet and all. He hit a cheeky single for his first ball before the over was called. At this point acting Captain, Stuart Robinson, made a key strategic intervention and threw the ball to Ben Bentley – Ben’s combination of spin and accuracy had Turner at sevens and eights, and he was clean bowled for the princely total of 1. The celebrations of this key wicket were immense – surely now we had them on the ropes?
James Owen, not renowned for his cricketing prowess was next to bat – and was clean bowled first ball – however, with the ‘not out first ball’ rule working in his favour he plugged away operating as a very effective second fiddle to the talents of Stearn.
Stearn was their first player to breach the compulsory retirement mark of 25 – he hit a 6 on 22 and retired at 28. Harry Fowler was next in to keep Owen company – he batted aggressively for 25 minutes before he was foxed by the fine bowling of Brian Holliday. East Anglian were reduced to 60 for 3, and a Captain’s innings was required.
Alex Vaughan Jones, looking every bit the Alistair McGowan look alike arrived at the crease, a bit shaky early on he got under the Matt Braxton ‘slower ball’ when on 3 and gifted a dolly catch in the direction of Nick Pearce. Either it was a) the time in the air that caused a mental crumble, b) as some suggested the sensitivity of his hands which just weren’t up to the job, c) that he was feeling historic allegiance following his big value transfer from East Anglia 12 months ago, or d) that he isn’t a very good cricketer, whichever way he spilled the catch and the opportunity was gone. (Personally I think like this team mate – he is a definite d) man!).
After that glitch and with the help of James Owen, they systematically destroyed the bowling of the South East – It wasn’t helped by the fact that the South East offered up their weakest bowling combinations – myself and Jody Sole proved rather an expensive combination! Owen retired on 27 (providing a sweet 6 for his final flourish), and McGowan Vaughan Jones a quick fire 28 comprised almost entirely of 4’s and 6’s.
After that the South East quickly moved through the EA lower order – Rivett bowled by Ian Russell for 2, George Greenock for 5 and Andy Braithwaite for 3 – both expertly bowled, by another impressive new boy to the squad, Matt Braxton.
There was some resolute play from their tail ender Joe Reid, who made a flashing 24 before being clean bowled by David Rose. The retired players made their way back to the crease, and the South East had a mountain to climb – Rupert Stearn started where he left off until the intervention of Ben Bentley who took a catch near the boundary which would not have looked out of place at Lords – cue more wild celebrations….
James Owen returned and got stronger as time progressed, adding another 16 to his total (43 not out) – Alex Vaughan Jones returned and his stay was rather more temporary – another 2 runs added before David Rose took the final wicket, a catch off Ed Grissell’s bowling.
East Anglia then all out for 177.
The South East reply
After a fine tea (thanks to the SE team’s contributions – I never knew Matt Braxton or Jody Sole were such fine cake makers!), Stuart Robinson and David Rose opened the SE batting.
The opening overs were tight – 4 scored off Ed Turner’s first over, followed by a Maiden from David Kemp, but gradually the two R’s, Robinson & Rose started to press the accelerator, 10 off the next 2 overs and then they properly opened up. On form they are both impressive with a cricket bat in their hands – David Rose was even wearing his lucky thigh pad, and so it shouldn’t have come as a surprise to see him retiring on 26, and Stuart walking after a powerful 25.
I was concerned we could be a little one dimensional, and Brian Holliday, our new number 3 had a fair act to live up to, he was joined by Ian Russell who had impressed with his bowling and could be relied upon to utilise his agricultural skills with the bat. Ian tonked his first two balls for 4 runs each, and we knew that his innings may not be lengthy but would be free scoring - he was eventually caught & bowled by David Kemp. The SE were 103 for 1.
Holliday was joined at the crease by Ben Bentley, who had told us he was more of a bowler than a batsman. Holliday was cautious as he got his eye in and perhaps finding the bowling of Harry Fowler and Ben Rivett a little oppressive, and the acting Captain was getting a little concerned our run rate was not enough. Bentley, however, threw caution to the wind – an early 4 was followed by a clean 6 and he was making headway. Clearly influenced by the swash buckling partner, the rather more senior Holliday opened up, and finished his innings with two straight 6’s clean over the road to walk on a fine knock of 29. Nick Pearce came to the crease, and nudged an early single, whilst Bentley took the plaudits – it did not take him long to exceed the 25, and he walked on 26 after an impressive debut.
We were down to the rather weaker elements of our squad - I joined Pearce in the middle, and was mildly alarmed when my partner was caught on the boundary by Rupert Stearn. He was following Robinson’s instructions to make quick runs or get out and was unfortunate. 122 for 2.
It could not be said that Jody Sole or I are orthodox cricketers – I think we were helped by some charitable bowling from our equivalent numbers in the EA squad. James Owen in particular must have missed the regular EA nets sessions, as his one over yielded 5 wides! Between us, we reduced their deficit and when Sole lost his wicket (bowled Stearn) for well earned 7, we were 169 for 3.
Matt Braxton came to the crease, before I walked on 28 and Ed Grissell hit the winning runs. The SE victorious by 7 wickets.
Then off to the Ash in Ashburnham, and many to the Brightling Ball, where undoubtedly the EA squad out performed their SE counterparts!
Man of the Match?
In the South East side, the new boys David Rose, Ben Bentley, Brian Holliday, Ian Russell and Ed Grissell had all made telling contributions – with David Rose’s bowling and Ben Bentley’s catch and the removal of Ed Turner’s wicket being highlights.
For the East Anglian’s the batting performance of James Owen has raised a few eyebrows – rumours of performance enhancers were quashed. The pick of their bowlers were Rupert Stearn (2 wickets) and David Kemp who was dangerous all afternoon.
In reality though Stuart and I were unanimous, despite being run to a close thing by Ben Bentley, David Rose was awarded the man of the match. There are rumours he may be horseless for next season, so please can someone give him a ride, just one, so he can qualify to play again next year!
A few thank you’s – Stuart Robinson for organising the glorious Ashburnham ground for us, Dave Piel, David Rhys-Jones and Andrew Hickman for their umpiring, everybody who helped provide the tea, and those that came to spectate and support then event (great to see old boy’s John Hickman – debut in 1970, and Warren Marshall – 1979).
We greatly look forward to next year’s renewal, when we will be travelling into deepest darkest Norfolk, and we hope to defend the trophy for 2009.
Philip Hall28 July 2008
