Match Report : Barnes Common vs Antelopians, Sunday 10th July 2012

Dave “Night Bus” McCairney coped well with variable bounce at Barnes

WANTED : HOT BATSMEN WITH COOL HEADS

The weather in England held off just long enough on Sunday, after two weeks of solid rain, to allow us to sneak in a match.

The pitch at Barnes, uncovered and unprepared did not leave much for the faint hearted, especially when even your opening bowlers are afraid to bowl on it.

However the opposition where trying their best and had the roller out trying to even out the dry and wet spots, and the valleys and rolling hillsides.

Anyway (Thommo) skipper for the day due to another dubious pull-out from club legend John “chiv” Laycock, lost the toss and the Antelope where put in the field, minus a David “Night Bus” McCairney and Iain Brown, lost in Barnes apparently.

The keeper and skipper had a word and odds where set for Browny to turn up in the 4th over and the Night Bus was expected, late

Thommo topped-scored again, but this time with just 29 to his name

as always, in the 10th over.

Still, Head and Gilmore paid no attention and opened up with some good lines and rhythm, keeping the score to 22 off the first 8 overs, before a double change introduced the combination of Browny and Harry Polhill.

Browny struck immediately, removing Barnes captain Graeme with a ball that jagged back sharply from a foot outside off to remove the bail, leaving the batsman dazed not attempting a shot.  Enter Sanjay, Barnes club legend, and Browny immediately went for two fours.

Polhill, watching this wisely, kept it tight from the other end to keep Sanjay off strike. The Brown had the ball in his hands again and some skilful captaincy saw 4 blokes on the boundary for Sanjays 3rd ball, which he duly hit straight down the longest boundary to our tallest bloke, Gilmore, who swallowed it.

Antelopes had their tails up.  Browny then followed up in his 4th over with a ball that jagged off the pitch at chest height  to skipper Thommo standing at second slip, to take probably the Antelope’s only slip catch of the season. (We will see).

“The Doctor” deals with a shooter

To everyone’s surprise Browny took himself off, 4 overs – 3 for 20. This allowed McCairney to come into the fray to bowl a perfect 4 overs for just 5 runs.

Polhill continued from the railway end with good turn, flight and an arm ball that defied both batsman, stumps and keeper. However his bowling was finally rewarded, taking the opening bat Fred with masterful spin to bowl him through the gate.

Polhill finishing with 7 overs 1 for 33. Enter Clark and Jaydeep. Clark unlucky with a dropped catch in the deep from Stu Head, completed 2 overs for 11, and Jaydeep, a little nervy to start with, claimed his maiden wicket : Jaydeep 3 overs 1 for 33.

Head and Gilmore returned. Stu (“Sahara”) watched the rains in Africa break, with top quality bowling to nip one back and remove the top of off stump. Head finished with 7 overs 2 for 12 and Gilmore 6 overs 1 for 23.

Antelopes restricted Barnes to 149 for nine from 40 overs.  Barnes noted Antelopes’ good fielding with special note to Harry Polhill, “the doc” Walker and Porter who dived everywhere to restrict the byes to 4, a man inspired.

Enter the Antelope’s batting.

Thommo and Jacko opened up. Jacko saw out the 1st over, and Thommo upped the run rate with 13 off the second.

Jackson then spooned one for the first duck of the day and was shortly followed by McCairney – same shot but dropped, only to be run out ball-watching for 6.

Thommo foolishly chased a ball that had only just landed on the strip and was caught, out for 29. Antelopes 3 for 55 off 10.

Enter the Antelopian collapse.  Walker out for 15, 4 for 55; Clark 0, 5 for 55; Brown 0, 6 for 55.  Gilmore 4, Polhill 2, Jaydeep 13 and Head 0.

Leaving Porter stranded. Antelopes all out for 83 and off to the pub.

Stephen (Thommo) Thomas.

Match Report – Teddington Town vs. Antelopians, Monday 4th June 2012

IS THIS THE YEAR FOR DR. PEPPER ?
 
Match report of Teddington Town vs. Antelopians played at Bushy Park on Bank Holiday Monday, 4th June 2012.

Antelopians lost the toss and were put into bat on a green track dampened by various Jubilee weekend downpours.

Tommo and Clark put on a tidy 51-run partnership, though some of Jody’s swings and misses knocked him cleanly off balance. So much for training in the nets to improve technique.

Tommo holed out in the deep on 34 and spent the rest of the Antelopian innings in the changing room cursing his shot selection.

Gilmore hit several lusty blows before missing one on 27.

Norts was a bit rusty for 3, but the Antelopian run rate was being slowed down by tempting slow bowling. Junior tried to force the pace but was caught mis-timing a drive on 24.

‘The Pepper’ got a move on, with a fine cover drive drawing applause from neutral spectators, but only as far as 32.

Rocket gloved one to the keeper who grabbed it on the second attempt, leaving PT and Kumz to push for singles in the final overs. Antelope 180 – 7 after 40 overs.

Historically not enough against ‘The Town’, but a lively bowling line up gave skipper Laycock plenty of options.

So, he gave ‘The Pepper’ the new ball; a mark of respect from his audacious 8 – 31 from the week before.

And what do you think happened ? He did it again – it wasn’t a flash in the pan (as some had ungenerously intimated !)

Incredible outswing bowling gave him 8 overs, four maidens, three wickets for just six runs.  Two clean bowled and one caught to the keeper. After just three games Dr. Pepper already has 12 wickets in the bag and clearly has his eye on the Big Prize.

Unfortunately, other Antelopian bowlers couldn’t match his accuracy or movement.

Rocket was wicketless for 50 runs, despite his early season promise.

Nick Gilmore was unlucky, with one dropped catch (AP) and one not given.

Kumz, Addinsell and even Tommo tried to peg Teddington back, but they made the runs quite comfortably in the end with four overs to spare, and six wickets in hand.

Still, the weather was kind to us that day, and we got the chance to marvel at some vintage swing bowling.

He even looks like Jimmy Anderson !

Andrew Porter

Match Report – Antelopians vs. Princes Head, Richmond Green – Saturday 26th May

On a stunning clear day, perfect skies and a slight refreshing breeze, we were all left wondering if indeed the cricket Gods were smiling today – little did any of us know they certainly were for somebody…..

With the skipper Laycock pulling out of the fixture ill after a night of Karaoke, Thommo assumed the role of captain for day based on his history of this fixture.  With the Antelope down to 10 players, fortunately the opposition only had only 10 as well.  The stand-in Skipper lost the toss and the Antelope were sent in to bat on what looked a very unpredictable wicket.

Thommo and Temple opening and got off to a flier consistently scoring runs and at a rate of 7 an over. Both batsmen seemed comfortable with the opening bowlers but is was the change bowlers that caused any trouble.  Thommo eventually tickling one behind and out in the 20’s.  Owens came in and didn’t last much longer after a couple of early big shots falling to a sucker slow ball.  The Doctor joined Temple at the crease and steadied the ship until the drinks break in what was becoming an increasingly difficult pitch with balls rearing up or keeping very low and nothing offering consistent, true bounce.

After drinks, wickets began to fall with Temple (an excellent top-scoring 44 in the circumstances), The Doctor for 20odd, Henry Pepper (deceived by a slower ball and playing all over it) then debutant Purvang making a second ball duck by edging a delivery that we see time and again going unrewarded by cutting and seaming across the batsman.  The type of delivery that only a decent batsman gets a nick to so hopefully good things to come from Purvang in the future.

With the Lopes in trouble at 6-125 with 4 batsman to come, Ben Barr and another debutant Jaydeep knuckled down, rode a little luck and pulled out some fantastic strokes in what proved an invaluable partnership.  Jaydeep eventually falling for 20 odd.  Barr stuck to his task with firstly Harry Polhill (who had a date malfunction but got to the game eventually – with the kit bag) and PT to see out the final overs.

Antelope 35 overs complete 8-199.  A respectable score thanks to Temple, Barr and Jaydeep with support from the tail.

None of us suspected what was to come.  History in the making.  What happened in the run-chase will go down in Antelope folklore.

Knowing the score was defendable and wickets the key, Thommo set an attacking field for the opening bowlers.

Pepper and The Doctor to open the bowling knowing their pace and accuracy should be enough to get an early breakthrough or two.

Pepper picking up 2 wickets in his 2nd over and on a hat trick.

Pepper then continued to pick up wickets every over and every ball was potentially a wicket taker.  With excitement from behind the stumps from a beered-up wicket-keeper (who did an exceptional job) the question was are we going to be able to give everyone a bowl. After his 5th wicket with 2overs remaining, Pepper was given the option to continue or not – decision was made to continue with the carnage.

The Doc was replaced by Ben Barr (who has 3 catches put down in his 1st over) but all of this was irrelevant as the day belonged to Pepper.  He picked up the final 3 wickets in his final 2 overs.  Princes Head all out for 56 in the 13th over.

Pepper bowled out the entire opposition card (unlike Frankie Dettori there was no flying dismount).  Ran through the opposition batsmen like Junior’s breakfast after Karaoke.  With 10 opposition players and one not batting as he had to leave early, there was only 8 wickets to take.  Pepper finished with match figures of 8-31.  A Club Record and first bag of 8 in the Antelope history (and first to bowl the entire team out).  6 of the wickets were bowled, one LBW and one caught and bowled.

With the match over by 5.30pm all of the players got to enjoy the hospitality of the opposition team, tea and many beers (which Henry kindly paid his dues and kept the beers flowing for some time late into the evening.  In was a truly memorable match, it was a pleasure to witness such a treat and a pleasure to part of it all.

Congratulations once again to Henry on a remarkable performance.

[Editor’s Note : there is only a single instance in ODI cricket of a bowler taking 8 wickets in a match, WPUJC Vaas 8-3-19-8 vs. Zimbabwe in 2001. In ‘List A’ cricket, which is all limited overs cricket, both national and international, taking 8 wickets in an innings has been achieved 10 times]

Match Report – Awards Special

Nick Gilmore - Player of the Year 2011

Nick Gilmore reclaimed the mantle of Antelopian Player of the Year at the recent end of season Awards, taking back the honour he first won in 2003. Eight years between wins is not quite a club record – Chris Owens still holds that with the nine year gap between his ’96 and ’05 wins – but it’s still some achievement.

Earlier, there was a lingering trace of the distant Summer in the evening air as the crowds gathered for the annual Antelopians end of season dinner. The bar was thick with tension as the squad and their guests assembled ahead of the main event. Stories of the season gone echoed off the walls as every wicket, run and catch was relived in exquisite detail.

Finally, a little after eight, the masses drifted upstairs for dinner and the awards presentation. Thanks are due, as ever, to the team at The Antelope pub, who had out-done themselves once again. This year, the club enjoyed the added privilege of the Head Chef of Fullers Brewery preparing our food. The upstairs ‘clubhouse’ looked fantastic and, with an excellent three-course meal and some great wine, we were ready for the off. A big thank you to our hosts at the Antelope!

The evening’s proceedings were kicked off by AP, snubbing the attempted high-tech approach of recent years in favour of a trusty projector and screen. He began with a rousing speech, a rallying call for battle-wearied troops at the end of a long season. The gathering was shaken out of its post-dinner slumber and the anticipation built once more.

One Antelopian, no less than a former Player of the Season, received a particular mention for misplacing a crucial piece of club memorabilia. More on that in a future post!

The first order of business was a report on the season, a real curate’s egg with 10 wins but 9 losses and 5 abandonments. AP was merciless in his assessment of the club’s performance and it was suggested that prodigious attendance at the forthcoming winter nets at the Oval be considered a must.

This honest judgement of the year’s results was tempered by sincere thanks to all our supporters, the match captains, our partners, wives and girlfriends, and of course to Katie and all the staff at The Antelope. Thanks also to the club sponsors, Fullers. This was accompanied by some fantastic photos capturing key moments from the season, with particular roars reserved for images of some lusty blows from Angus Gloag and Chris Owens.

AP didn’t gloss over some of the low points of the season, with the loss of both the Anthill and Yorkshire Players Cups to be corrected in 2012.

But, amidst the gloom, there were rays of light. Four Antelopians were highlighted as having achieved notable career milestones. Iain Brown, later to be honoured for his lifetime of service to the club, became only the 13^th player to pass 100 games for the club. Nick Gilmore, another winner this year, passed 2,500 runs, to join the illustrious company of Laycock, Temple and Owens. Jody Clarke and PT received honourable mentions for passing 500 runs. Finally Stu Head has joined the all-time list for wickets taken. The overall leaders in batting and bowling remain the formidable duo of Laycock and Gloag, with little sign of any serious imminent challenge.

Then, the review over, AP handed over to Junior for the detailed statistics and the Awards themselves.

These came thick and fast :

Top Wicket Taker : Nick Gilmore

Best Bowling Average : Matt Kamstra

Most Economical Bowler : Stu Head

Best Individual Bowling Performance : Matt Kamstra – with a particular round of applause for his hat-trick

Top Run Scorer : Steve Thomas (429 runs)

Best Batting Average : John Laycock (67.00)

Highest Individual Score : J. Macfarlane (107*)

Highest Number of Sixes : Steve Thomas (24)

Best Partnership : Sanders & Thomas (166)

Most Ducks : Chuck Lees (3 goldens) – always a popular award, greeted with a loud cheer

Most Catches : AP (8)

Champagne Moment : Jody Clarke

Lifetime Achievement Award : Iain Brown

Best Newcomer : Matt Kamstra

The throng then moved downstairs to the bar to await the Player of the Year Award. There were many strong contenders but ultimately the award went to Nick Gilmore. The Colonel handed over his title with grace and Nick marked his 2^nd Player of the Year award with a spirited effort at ‘The Knowledge’.

Slowly the squad dispersed into the night, to hibernate through the long dark winter with only the promise of January nets to brighten their cricketing gloom.

But the Summer will soon be here and the opportunity for someone to cement their position in Antelope legend at next year’s awards beckons…..

Antelope vs. Gazeley, 24th September

MATT KAMSTRA RESIGNS BUT VOWS NEVER TO PLAY FOR THE CHURCHILL

The Antelopians’ final game of the season, versus the ‘village’ team of Gazeley in Suffolk, was one Matt Kamstra will never forget.

The sorry scoreboard

The left arm Kiwi spin doctor took a nasty tumble at deep long off.

Shaping up nicely under a huge lofted drive, he took the catch cleanly with both hands.

But then fell over backwards, bruising his coccyx and bouncing his head violently on the sun-baked deck.

Concussed, he sat out the rest of the game with a sore arse and a massive headache.

Two days later he was admitted into Chelsea & Westminster for overnight observation.

No noticeable brain damage, but punters soon realised all was not well.

Matt has taken the Assistant Manager job at The Churchill Arms. But only on condition that he plays cricket for the Antelope. Churchill management are understood to have assigned Matt to weekend duties, so that he never gets to play cricket ever again.

All of which is obviously designed to draw attention from the worst Antelopian defeat of the season.

Skittled by Gazeley for 46 runs from 25 overs, having won the toss and chosen to bat.

A repeat of 2009.

Gazeley cruised to the target in seven overs for the loss of just two wickets.

To make up for the embarrassment, a good Twenty20 match was then played.

Which the Antelopians also managed to lose, but only by 11 runs chasing a target of 151.

Max Murray top-scored with 46 not out to put a bit a bit of pressure on Gazeley at last towards the end.

The Gazeley wicket is lovingly prepared and they do put out some very useful players late in the season.

So beware 2012. This is no ‘village ‘team.

(Matt, semper damma – sic, Latin)

Andrew Porter

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.

Antelopians vs. Yorkshire Players, July 30th 2011

ANTELOPIANS VS. YORKSHIRE PLAYERS
Trevor Bailey Sports Ground, Dulwich
Saturday 30 July 2011

To be fair, the Yorkshire Players didn’t turn up for this annual Cup clash.

It was left to the Antelopians to recruit an Invitation XI from its own network of friends & family.

It was great to see our ‘Irish’ vets, Jonathan Capper and Ed Simpson return to compete with Antelopian legends Justin Ross-Bell and Horry Money.

The return of Antelopian favourite J Capper

Playground selection produced one or two controversial signings, with Simpson and Money assigned to Yorkshire for the day, as both teams scrambled to accumulate 10 players. Though it was agreed that individual performances from both teams would contribute to Antelopian career stats.

Tommo won the toss for the Antelope. He and Jody put on 40 for the first wicket. ‘JC’ Capper looked comfortable, after all these years without a bat, hitting some powerful fours before he was snared behind by Norton.

Clarke went on with a typical swashbuckling innings and was disappointed to miss one on 68, when Archer had arrived at the ground and immediately brought on to bowl fast and straight. Eyebrows slightly raised at that point.

PT partnered Barr for his 14 until Bell crept through his defences.

Ben Barr playes and misses with fatal consequences

Ben’s hamstring produced some laughable confusion between his several runners as he compiled 47, while wickets fell at the other end. He eventually played a rank delivery onto his stumps from Junior’s third ball.

Next over Junior somehow managed to keep one straight to Stu Head and was awarded an lbw, to end his spell with two overs, two wickets for five runs.

No such luck for Bubbles, whose one over required nine deliveries and conceded 16 runs.

Antelopians ended 35 overs with 229 for 7 on the board.

In reply for Yorkshire, Bubbles got off to a flyer by pulling and driving Addinsell for fours and sixes. Attempting the same carnage to Kamstra brought his early departure on 40 via a fine catch in the deep from Stu Head.

Tommo had to vary the bowling every time a Yorkshire batsman got stuck in.

Bell hadn’t batted for years, and his bat is an old as the club, but he found conditions favourable for his 18 runs.

The end of Jody's innings...

Simmo hit a six before a controversial stumping sent him packing. Was his foot grounded behind the line as the bails were removed? Not according to the umpire. Simpson, stumped Porter, bowled Capper is a beautiful piece of Antelopian history.

Also sweet was the sight of Laycock tucking his bat under his arm and turning briskly back to the pavilion, silently acknowledging his thin edge to AP from Tommo, for just four runs.

And it was only Tommo’s bowling that emerged with any credit at the end of the day, finishing 5.2 overs, two maidens one wicket for just 16.

The others were mauled by an unbeaten 103-run partnership between Archer (88 not out) and Norton (35 not Out) to reach the required target of 230 in the 31st over.

Much to Horry Money’s disgust, who had been padded up waiting for his opportunity at 7, for over 15 overs. (Sorry mate !)

The mysterious Archer would easily have been adjudged Man of the Match and awarded a bottle of scotch, but even before the clearing up had begun he was under domestic orders to return home.

Obviously not a Yorkshireman !

Jody still searching for that elusive bat sponsor

Andrew Porter
07770 873 881
porter.andrewporter@btinternet.com

Antelopians – Undefeated in the West Country

The West Country Tour was always going to be tough with 10 men, 2 of which were recovering from injury.

A cream tea similar to the one had by the Antelopians in Dorset... probably

Fonthill

The first hurdle was everyone arriving on time for the 1.30pm start.
Fighting the London traffic is no mean feet on a Saturday morning, and finally after over 2 hours of driving (avoiding
Stonehedge) we arrived at the Fonthill ground.  The concrete jungle of London soon forgotten we were bathing in green country surroundings of Fonthill cricket club.  (one of our favourite grounds).  Within half an hour even Chuck, Kumz, Dave and Kerrin had arrived and everyone was accounted for bar Head who was still drowning in traffic somewhere on the M3

So 9 players ready to take the pitch the idea was to win the toss and bat to give Stu a chance to catch up.  The idea went out the window with Davies losing the toss and made to Field.  Fonthill had arranged for an extra player (Howard) and lent us one of their players in the field.

With no AP, Chuck assumed responsibility behind the stumps.  After inspection of the kit bag we found only on wicket keeping pad. (thanks AP).
Fonthill again came to the rescue and loaned us their pair.

So with the only bowler in the squad who can unleash a ball at over 25km per hour (straight Chris)

Stonehenge ... as seen from the car window en-route

still on route, Collett and Robinson opened the innings.   From the first
delivery it was obvious
that the pitch, although looking surprisingly hard was slow, very slow.
After a couple of loose deliveries early on both Collett and Robinson found their rhythm by adjusting their length.  Robinson getting the first breakthrough with a comfortable catch taken by Collett.  Collett was unlucky but finished with decent figures 11 runs off 5 overs including 2 maidens.
With no sign of Stu, Davies was first change and having immediate success with his first delivery, cleaned bowled.  Deceived by the pace – or lack of it.  Another early wicket by Davies with a clean catch taken by Owens.
Robinson bowled out his 7 overs returning 1 wicket for 32 runs.  McCairney was brought on and bowled very tidy indeed getting swing and movement off the pitch, the run rate by Fonthill died.  McCairney returning figures of 7 overs, 2 wickets for 22 runs.  Kumz was brought on for some spin and immediately found some turn, which bought in the field. Amazingly two of Kumz wickets had nothing to do with turn but full tosses which were played on.  Kumz eventually returned figures of 3 wickets for 23 runs of 5 overs.
Head finally found the ground and had finally finished his warm up and was thrown the old ball.  Head proved too good for the lower order batsman and returning 1 wicket for 6 runs off 3 overs.

Fielding as a whole was very good (especially with the sloping wicket) with only a couple of catches not taken and the rest taken clean.  Highlights in the field was Robinson attempts at fielding the ball, spinning and return of throw in one sweeping motion.  The result was a roll, drop to the knees and retiring the ball in the style of a girl (or wrong handed guy if any girl is reading this).  The ball ending up at square leg.  However the class act was McCairney with a lovely ballet dive with arms and leg perfectly extended after the ball had zipped by him.  Fonthill ended with 142 for 9 after 35 overs.

After some cake Temple and Howard opened the batting to begin the chase.
Things did not start well for Temple as he scooped up a slow delivery straight to the close in fielder before he could get a accustomed to the wicket. Out for nada.  It was then realised that 142 although a low total will take some effort on this pitch as it got slower and the ball (only 1 ball for the match) getting softer.  This left Howard and Owens at the wicket which resulted in a decent partnership.  Howard holding up one end and Owens scoring from the other. After smashing a second tonking 6, Owens follow-up attempt was not as fruitful and was york-ed on the second bounce which just de railed the bail – bowled. Owens returning 33 off 21 deliveries including 2 sixes.

Robinson next in with one thing on his mind – hit the ball as hard as he can.  To give credit he kept up with that mind set throughout his innings which returned him 2 sixes.  In fact Robinson’s swing was so savage on one occasion he lost his grip which resulted in his club flying in the air out towards the covers clearing the inner circle.  Robinson out LBW for an entertaining 23.

Howard still plugged away at one end.  Chuck was the next batsman and started turning over the score board with well placed singles.  Howard was finally out LBW making 7 runs of 78 deliveries.
McCainey in next and set about setting up a partnership with Chuck.  Things were getting a little tight.  Runs started to flow with Chuck and McCairney ticking over the score board with well placed ones and twos.  McCairney and was bowled for 11 just as he was coming to terms with the wicket. The game was evenly balanced.  Davies and Chuck continued to tick over the score board with singles, twos and the occasional boundary to put the Antelopes noses in front, until Davies (22) top edged and was caught behind. A potential tight finish was put to bed after Russell casually strolled to the wicket, sticking the ball cleanly including 1 easy as you like maximum into the neighbouring paddock. Game Over.  Russell scoring 10 off 4 balls.
However Chuck held the 2nd half off the innings together with a not out 30 (all ran I think).

Shapwick

After a rather boozy evening from the Fonthill match, a short journey towards Glastonbury saw the team arrive at Shapwick for the second tour game.

There was not a sober player in sight and the Shapwick hospitality of plying us with local home- made cider before the match was probably not a good idea in hindsight.  We were welcomed with open arms by our friends from France and especially big hugs from Jerome (or “Stu’s Dad” for those unfamiliar).

With skipper Davies winning the toss, the Antelope decided to get it over with and get in the field first.  In the absence of AP, it was Dave McCairney’s turn to don the keeper equipment (excluding pads).

In what can only be described as probably the most lack-lustre fielding effort in the Antelopian history (maybe the cider had something to do with it), mis-fields, dropped catches, everyone hung over – it was terrible.
Even Owens dropping a sitter that made Chuck none-too-happy.

To top off a woeful effort, skipper Davies even miss calculating the overs and brought back Stu an over late which probably led to Stu cracking it in the 34th over and complain how badly the fielding, as he was now bowling.
Kumz picking up another couple of wickets to take his weekend tour tally to 5.  Not much else really to report except the lovely scenery.  Shapwick making 164 for 7 – a decent score to chase on a sluggish pitch.

After a fab tea, Davies decides to reverse the batting order from the previous day to ensure everyone has a bat on tour.

Kumz and Stu opened the batting – the market was being set for the loss of the first wicket.  Kumz ticking the scores along and playing some very accomplished strokes and Head not at all out of place in the dizzy heights of up the order.  A decent 30odd partnership until Head fell LBW for 15 – including a towering 6 off a no ball.

Collett joined Kumz and these two kept the momentum moving and with the score up nearer 80, Kumz eventually fell for 30.  Temple joined Collett at the crease and was back shortly after for 1.
After a disastrous tour, at least Temple saved his dignity of not going home with a tour pair.

Collett continued as Russell joined him at the crease.  Some top shots by both batsmen kept things going nicely until Collett fell for 32. What happened next is part of what to expect of Antelope teams of old – a succession of wickets, given away irresponsibly in an attempt tosnatch defeat from the jaws of victory.  Owens, Davies, Chuck (Golden Duck) all going very cheaply.  McCairney joined Russell and kept going and just as it looks as though this pair will see it home, McCairney fell with still 16 required, plenty of overs but down to our last wicket – setting up a thrilling, mad scramble of a finale.

With Robinson joining Russell at the crease, Russell very assured and playing very nice strokes.
Robinson wanting to knock the runs off quickly to get more cider into him, what can only be described as organised mayhem ensued.  A couple of almost run-outs followed by some power hitting, these two eventually eased the touring home to an extremely close victory in a thriller to make the touring record 2 wins.  Robinson finishing not out in double figures and Russell 30 not out.

With everyone looking forward to hitting the road for our drive to London with two victories under our belt, we hang around for a few more ciders with our very hospitable opposition.  More big hugs to all from Jerome and a fond farewell to our new friends and all looking forward to seeing each other again in a few weeks time in France.

Match Report : Antelopians vs Brondesbury Casuals, July 10th

Win the toss and bowl, stupid ?

Henners is beaten by a slower ball

Antelopians turned up with ten bowlers to play Brondesbury Casuals on Sunday.

So why AP won the toss and decided to bat remains a mystery.

Progress at the top of the order was slow, facing accurate but only slow-to-medium paced bowling. Pepper faced 17 balls without scoring until he played over a slower ball. MacFarlane accumulated 14 off 36.

Chuck’s first scoring shot was a six over mid-wicket, and he top-scored with 21.

Wickets were falling at regular intervals until the Antelopians found themselves on 74 for 6 off 25 overs.

Long catches in the deep were held, but both Clark (5) and Brown (16) were bowled.

Then on came ‘Len’ Deighton to bowl moon balls incredibly slowly. Lower order eyes lit up and, of course, the inevitable happened.

Clark misses an important one

Big ‘Len’ ended with figures of 6.3 overs, 4 wickets for 18 runs, accounting for Brown (16), Gopi (1), Kamstra (1) and even Porter (who really should have known better), for 0.

Leaving Simon A stranded on 16 not out with only 110 on the board from 36 overs.

Looking to attack with such a limited total to defend, Antelopians persisted with openers Warr and Gilmore. But both were expensive and wicketless off their six overs – Bron’s openers were far from “Casuals” – their League class showed as they drove both Antelopian quicks down the ground on several occasions.

Time to take the pace off the ball brought on Matt K, Simon A and Chuck.

Only Simon found a feather edge to the keeper.

James keeps his head

So a team of ten bowlers used only five of them and Antelopians lost by nine wickets.

Probably the only match in Browney’s long history with the club where he didn’t even get a bowl.

Blame the skipper. That was a toss to lose !

Andrew Porter
07770 873 881
porter.andrewporter@btinternet.com

More Photos from Cutty Sark Game

Here are some more photos from the Cutty Sark game – keep an eye out for the Antelopians Flickr stream, coming soon! :

Gilmore lets fly!Jackson resolute in defence

Nick loses his stumps after a good knock