IT'S 3.35am and I wake up on the sofa. Jacket still on. Club tie remarkably still in place. Where have I been? Hazy memories of the previous day start to trickle back. It can only have been the Horspath Feast match - and once again I seem to recall it lived up to everyone's high expectations. Writing a report may be a bit trickier this time, though, with my crumpled notepad notable only for how blank it is. Help is at hand, however. Scoring maestro Mick Warren has filed all the details on Total Cricket Scorer. And website wizard Graham Plested has produced a YouTube highlights video of not just the game - but also the after lunch speakers. So here goes. President's XI captain Clive Ricks incredibly won the toss for the 18th successive year - which he is to later reveal will be his last at the helm. Having elected to bat for the 18th successive year, the runs - much like the drink consumed by those watching - flowed freely. Lunch arrived with the President's XI on 153-3, following a morning session, which was most notable for Robbie Eason claiming the wicket of Sam Jones, caught by Robin Pykett at slip for 26, during a spell of 1-12 off five overs. With the Village Hall full, members and guests sat down to an excellent lunch provided by Colin, the new chef from the Queen's Head, Horspath. Entertaining speeches followed from Max Eason, on behalf of the club, and Clive, for the President's XI, together with club chairman John Hilland. Max reported that Oxford Marquees were ending their run of 13 years as Horspath's main sponsor, and the club's grateful thanks go to the company's owner, Peter Walker. Talks are ongoing with a "blue chip" company to take over, so watch this space. Another long-standing link also came to an end as Clive related how he was stepping down as the President's XI captain. News that Neil Megson, the Banbury stalwart and a great supporter of the Feast over the years, is to succeed him was warmly received. John then presented a can of Foster's and an Aussie hat with corks to Will Eason ahead of his flight the next day to play down under over the winter, before giving an alternative explanation of how the game of cricket works, and then inviting the players to resume the action under the watchful eyes of umpires Bob Chamberlain and AJ Smith. It seems lunch has had a greater impact on Horspath than the President's XI. Will rang the changes, using ten bowlers, but with little effect as Joe White goes on to complete an excellent century, before finally departing for 107 from 105 balls, which included two sixes and 17 fours, while there were handy contributions from George Tait (25) and Carl Thompson (23no). However, when it comes to declarations it seems Captain Ricks is definitely more Captain Cook than Captain Root. The President's XI marched on to 254-6 before they were finally waved in when Wes Morrick is somehow stumped by Dave Ward for 16. Father and son Chris and Dan Jones opened the Horspath batting, and the pair both fall to Jim Blackford, alkthough not before the junior member of the partnership had briefly outshone his dad, making 19. Lloyd Belcher found himself at the lofty position of No 3, and made 31, before being one of two victims for Richard Hart. Mark Jefferson chipped in with a brisk 29, before Stephen Green hit three sixes in his 37. But the wickets fell at regular intervals, and Dave Ward departed in petulant fashion after being given out lbw to left-arm spinner Joe Thomas, who finished with 3-39. Will was last to go as Horspath are bowled out for 191, leaving the President's XI winners by 63 runs. So that's the season over. It's time to retire to the bar. See you in 2018.
Posted by: Russ
No comments:
Post a Comment