Mid-July and the matches for Clapham in CC are coming think and fast. The rain has finally abated, making way for some lovely cricket weather and on the back of wins against The Mighty Wanders and Plastics CC (Editor’s note: we drew that one), Clapham In travel to regular hosts Marlow Park.
“A lovely ground, right on the Thames you say? A team who are competitive but with great banter you say? A hot sunny day you say? Teas provided and a bar on site you say? Sounds like a ‘field first, then fill up on tea and beers’ kinda day. I’m in!” Said 12 of CICC’s finest. “What’s the catch?”
“It’s bloody miles away.”
Being oversubscribed has become a theme for CICC this year, as has Smithy being the man to lose out on enjoying a delicious tea a fun day’s cricket. So 11 of the 12 checked the trains, and the traffic conditions, and off we went to West west London
President, Councillor, St James of Prague Frecknall, first of his name, being the generous soul that he is, offered to pick those traveling to nearby Maidenhead up from the station. Once en-route via the London Orbital Car Park, he announced “Maidenhead crew, I’m gonna be late, I’ll take your fines.” It did not go unnoticed that this offer did not stipulate only ‘late fines.’ Little did he know how much of expensive day it would prove to be for him.
With all 11 players arriving ahead of the start of play, all eyes turned to the toss, hoping for a Goodman win and dreams of full tea-time bellies and plenty of beers from the bar. The news from the middle, announced as ever by CICC’s commentator and chief scorer, Mr James ‘Hedge/Richie Benaud’ Royal, was that CICC had won the toss!!! Get in!! Aaaaaaaand had decided to bat. The fines were starting to rack up!
And so to the middle went Messrs Ferreira and (Steve) Smith, the partnership that had so well seen off the opening bowlers to allow Frecknall to knock of the required runs in 2023, after a superb display with the ball by CICC. “A few locals watching the match,” announced ‘Richie Royal,’ as the commentary began. Unfortunately, the Partnership did not last so long this year, with Smith falling early on for 4, then Riaan for 16. Both falling to sharp catches by the keeper, standing up to the medium pacers. Some excellent keeping on display. Gregory was next to fall for 19, and so started the partnership of Leon Crowley and Sam Dooley. ‘Richie Rpyal’ astutely noting that “we might need to pick up the scoring rate here,” before breaking for the shipping forecast.
Leon and Sam got the score moving and took CICC past 100, with some good attacking shots, diligent running of 2’s as the ball fell agonisingly short of the boundary, and some watchful batting against some very accurate bowling from Marlow Park CC. Dooley’s patience was eventually to wain with a flurry of aerial shots, accumulating a few quick runs before falling to a good catch in the deep for 27. Despite his obvious heat exhaustion, Leon stayed patient whilst putting away the bad balls and taking himself to 50 not out, and to his maiden half-century for any club! A very well played 50, both in terms of physical and mental ability. After a number of good scores in the last few years, including 7 not outs from 16 innings,* we knew it wouldn’t be long before the 50 came, to this classy and talented young batter.
Next over, 6, 1, out! Leon departing on 57!
Speaking of classy batters, next to the crease was PCSJOP Frecknall, FOHN, who put the afterburners on and scored a rapid 15 off 10 balls, before one too many quick singles forced him to the ground, after a “pop” in his calf. Unfortunately, that was to be the end his day, we pray not his season.
Clapham batted out their full 40 overs and set Marlow Park a total of 166 to win the match. Less than we would have liked, but defendable on this slow outfield, it was decided.
Tea was hotdogs and whilst nice, you didn’t miss anything Smithy.
With Frecknall blaming his injury on bad karma after taking the piss out of Ed for his “cramp” earlier in the season, and adding one more name (glass body) to his list, our hosts were gracious enough to give us a rolling sub fielder, and so we took to the field.
Opening the batting for Marlow Park was a father and son partnership and when Jaymin ‘and friends,’ had the father nicking off on 5, Steve Smith was unable to hang on, despite moving well and getting both hands to the ball. A bad drop which would prove to be costly. CICC’s opening bowlers were tight, Tom Bage going for only 6 off his opening spell and Jaymin continuing to bowl well. The Captain brought himself on to try and break the partnership, and thought he had his man when he nicked off again. This time Smith having to dive low one handed to get to the ball dropping in front of first slip. Again, unfortunately, putting it down. Dooley followed up with a sumptuous 4 over spell of inswingers, that had the batters playing and missing a number of times, with the stumps constantly threatened. If anything, he was too good for the father and son pairing, but the breakthrough was not forthcoming. Matt looked around for the club’s leading wicket taker, before remembering that he’d been relegated to the commentary box.
The (lucky to still be there) father went to his 50, and shortly afterward so did his 16 year old son, with his maiden 50. Unlike his father, I’d say he deserved it, for his stoic defence against some good bowling and hitting the bad balls when they came.
So to the attack came James ‘Richie’ Royal, perhaps buoyed by the presence of another Aussie in the team, or perhaps he spotted that Marlow were on Nelson (111) and un-sportingly wanted to take advantage of this being unlucky for the English. Maybe he just wanted the moral victory. Hedge immediately dismissed the father of the pairing. The very handy wicket keeper was next to the crease and Royal had him caught behind, first ball!!! Hedge was on a Hatrick! Nelson had done the job.
With hedge on a Hatrick the field came in. You could feel the anticipation burning your skin, (or that could have been the roasting hot sun). Hedge runs in off his characteristic short runup, all the power coming from his shoulder……………… Decent ball……… The batter swings, and edges…………… but not to hand. Fine for Hedge! Hatrick avoidance!
Marlow Park were in the mood to finish the job quickly, with plenty of wickets in hand. But there was hope left in CICC yet, “we’re still in this,” came the calls, mostly from Leon. And we almost were, but for a couple of drops, including a comical (“oh shit it’s mine”) one, from the opposition captain, Sub fielding for the injured Frecknall. Bhavik unlucky not to get a wicket after a good spell.
The opening bowlers returned and again bowled well. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be, and by the time Hedge picked up his 4th wicket, finishing on 4 for 29 off 6 (Editor’s note, pretty sure one of the wickets went to Sam Dooley), the match was gone.
Marlow Park knocked off the runs with 7 overs to spare. Turns out, catches win matches.
Despite the loss, a good day was had by all. The oppo were good spirited the weather was hot, and the beers were cold. We hope and pray for more days enjoying cricket and beers, in the sun with our mates, and for the swift recovery of one President, Councillor, St James of Prague Frecknall. Long may he rein!!
*correct as of end of 2023 season
About the author: Steve Smith is always beach-body-ready and eager to show you. In the rare occasions that he is dressed, Steve is a gifted gloveman, regular winner of the most catches award and an opening bat who sells his wicket dearly. Armed with a late cut and an obdurate defence, Steve was 2023’s highest run scorer and, hit his highest CICC score this season in the first match v Whalers.
