The capricious English weather threatened to dampen spirits at Paddington Recreation Ground on June 16th, 2024. A fearsome thunderstorm delayed the start of the friendly clash between Clapham In Cricket Club (CICC) and Paddington Rabbits. However, the indomitable spirit of club cricket prevailed, with both sides agreeing to a reduced-overs contest (30 overs per side) played from one end.
Josh Shinner and David Burgess-Bellay (DBB) opened up the batting for the third time this season. It was hoped a repeat of the 96 stand vs a Rome side in April (Editor’s note: Yes, a tour report is coming isn’t it Leon!) would materialise, but alas, like against Ploughmans, the partnership was broken early, this time with Josh departing earlier than planned after edging behind for 5, and nobly walked as it seemed on himself and the keeper had noticed any nick.
DBB and Ed Gregory build a steady 2nd wicket partnership of 50, which included two very memorable cover drives by DBB, one lofted for a one bounce four, and another, a classic front footed effort that looked straight out of the textbook and earned DBB the “champagne moment” at the end of the match. Seemingly in great form and confidence, it came as a surprise when DBB played over a straight one on the first change of bowling and was cleaned up for 39 off 41 balls including 7x 4s, a score that would not be surpassed by any other batter in the match (can you tell who wrote this match report yet ) (editor’s note: I suppose this one is on me for asking the top scorer to write the report!)
Matt Williams looked confident on his back foot until the evergreen, 86 years young, Mr Nick of Paddington Rabbits, defied his age with a beautiful spell of bowling, taking 3-20, having Matt bowled for 6, Ed Gregory trapped in front for a stubborn 13 and later the skipper, Matt Goodman for 1.
Before that though, there was time for a lovely partnership of 31 between the two Smiths, Steve and James, before the latter was given LBW for a quickfire 20.
James Lynch had started well before deciding to up his chances of winning “The Most Complete Cricketer Award 2024” by deciding to step on his own stumps for 8. James “The Hedge” Royal came in, struck a boundary, and then got castled; Steve Smith’s patient knock ended as he tried to go over the top, being caught for 17 and then a very useful final flourry by Shantan (16) and Jaymin (8) completed the innings, the former lofting the last ball for an enormous 6, to set the Rabbits a testing total of 167 to win.
By the start of the Rabbits innings, all signs of rain had disappeared, having had a couple of showers during the CICC knock which had forced the players off during one point. CICC opened up with Jaymin and Shantan but the breakthrough came with the second change of bowling and Mr James Smith who’s later named newly refined “Sugar Plumb Fairy” run up took care of the 2 openers, including ‘the guy from the GoCompare ad’ for 28. The first of the wickets, including a spectacular catch from James Lynch who miraculously managed to pluck the ball from above his head at short fine leg, whilst falling backwards, dropping and re-catching the ball as he fell.
James Royal quickly took care of their skipper for the first duck of the game, whilst our own skipper Dad Goodman, bowled beautifully to rip apart the middle order and end with 2-13 off his 6 overs. Other fielding highlights including “the best catch I have ever taken” by the Hedgehog Royal, a skyer from Rishab then stayed in the air forever but Hedge judged it brilliantly, and a stumping at the 24th attempt by Steve Smith as the batters tried to push on (editor’s note: I added the Oxford Comma, if you’re anti-Oxford Commas then leave DBB alone, your beef is with me).
Curiously, we also seemed to be infiltrated by a rogue gamer using some kind of Xbox controller that was connected directly to Ed Greg’s limbs. On a few occasions Ed was moved by the gamer without his wish and at one point, collapsed on the floor as his body gave way; the gamer then switched over to Shantan who kept moving back and forth, couldn’t follow instructions of where to stand whilst field and won himself the headband as he fell flat on his ass (editor’s note: Fine DBB for the Americanism) as he chased to stop a boundary – the ball ending up going for a four!
The Rabbits ended up being bowled out for 150, to give CICC a win by 17 runs just before the heavens opened again following fines and awards. The game was played in great spirit and as usual beers, laughter and friendship enjoyed by all.
That makes 3 wins on the trot and onwards to Whalers!
About the author: David Burgess-Bellay is CICC’s answer to Daniel Vettori, the bespectacled spinner’s confidence with the bat has increased over the years, seeing him climb up the batting order, culminating in a maiden 50 in this season’s pre-season tour to Rome – the way he is going we expect many more raised bats and kissed badges from DBB.
