Antelopians vs. Bohemians, 18th September 2011

Match Report by Chris Owens

On a day when the forecast wasn’t favourable, the matched reduced to 35 overs and the Antelope had out one of it’s stronger batting line-ups for the season, the toss was vital to win.  Owens taking over skipper duties for the absent and in-form Laycock, lost the toss but to his delight was luckily put into bat.

With Owens and Thomas opening, the pair were looking to continue the opening form of France the week earlier with dual century retirements.  Getting off to a flying start once again, Owens saw red mist and danced down the pitch a little too far looking for consecutive sixes and was duly stumped to Archdale (again) in the 4th over – out for 22 (5 scoring shots off 10 balls).

Sanders joined Thomo at the crease and these two continued the onslaught.  Thomo particularly cashing in on anything slightly pitched towards leg to the short boundaries.  Colonel going along nicely and the partnership going beautifully until he tore his calf muscle on about 30.  With true Aussie grit, rather than retiring, he continued with a runner (the longest time Gilmore spent at the crease).  Under skipper orders to keep the score ticking (due to the supposed depth in batting) both batsman brought up 50’s with no fuss.  The race was on to a century and it was Sanders who duly obliged (off 66 balls) and promptly retired hurt.  A 171 run partnership.

Antelope 1-206 with 13 overs to go.   What happens next should have actually been expected based on the Antelope history.

With McFarlane joining Thomo, the later promptly fell soon after Colonel’s retirement for a well-crafted 75 including some huge shots and upsetting numerous tennis players.  Ben Barr in next and with the right attitude was looking to keep the scoring rate up before eventually falling for a fast fire 24.  McFarlane was joined by Jackson – both in an unaccustomed role.  McFarlane fell soon after, followed by Gilmore, Chuck, Rocket in a momentous mid-order collapse.  Jacko watching partners fall with Stu Head putting in a fine number 10 effort for double figures (also following his fine France batting performance).  Jacko falling in the next to last over (who also recorded the only 2 runs of the innings – the remainder singles, fours or sixes) bought PT to the crease and unfortunately never got face a ball as Head fell looking for fast runs in the last over.

Antelope All Out 243 – losing 8-37 in 13 overs!!!  Classic.  Feeling at tea was that we missed a trick aiming for 300 plus earlier and a target of 7 an over on a small ground, fast field and batting track offering nothing to bowlers will be touch and go.

Head and Gilmore opening the bowling and both knew what was expected.  Pitched up and straight or you will get punished.  In what was an top opening combination spell, after 10 overs the opposition were 1-40.  Requiring 200 off 25 overs at 8 an over, the opposition batsmen then decided to have a go.  McFarlane replaced Head and Rocket replaced Gilmore.  With Scotton keeping the bowling very tight from one end, it didn’t give the batsmen much choice but to go after the other bowlers.  McFarlane bowled quite well but did drop the odd ball an over in short or too full and it was promptly punished.  James got better and better as the spell went on and picked up a couple of key wickets at critical times.  Scotton also getting in on the act and McFarlane taking an outstanding catch in the deep.

In the absence of any photos from the match, here's a picture of Renoir's 'The Bohemian'

The Antelope bowlers were picking up key wickets and key times made the game a seesawing affair and the run rate always hovering between a manageable 6 to 8 an over.  Thomo replaced McFarlane and was outstanding from the Southern end.  Keeping the pressure up and the bowling tight, Thomo turned the screws perfectly and in the process helping himself to 4 wickets.  Gilmore then Chuck bowled a couple each from the other end (Chuck taking a superb caught and bowled) and Head returned for his final 2 overs picking up the final wicket on his last ball of the season – and apparently his first wicket since May…..

The fielding and catching was exceptional by the entire team and Chuck kept wicket as a master class, over-looking an early drop off Gilmore (who himself dropped the only other one at fly slip).  The key to victory was picking up partnership breaking wickets at critical times by all of the bowlers.
Bohemians All Out for 206 – Antelope won by 37 runs.

The game was a lot closer throughout than the final score suggests and played in the right spirit with the Antelope even calling back the opposition skipper (with praise from the Bohemians) for a disputed catch.

Next stop, last game of the season in Suffolk vs Gazeley and last chance to update those all-important averages and achieve failing personal goals.  There is still availability so please contact AP to express an interest.