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Baggo’s new fixture, the summer solstice cup such a success that this forty over match was added to the CtC roster for 2018. This game was excitingly to be played on Whitgift’s First XI pitch - a First Class ground that has hosted numerous Surrey games in the past, and not a bad place for the club to have an outground. After Baggo had a long negotiation with the groundstaff following heavy rain the previous day, eventually the game was declared on, but with a shorter game starting after lunch. This allowed Dillon to wake up (his 11 am wake up would have meant he would have missed the start if we’d started on time), but perhaps more importantly for Baggo allow Whitfgift staff to ensure the services after their West Indies Under 19 international who had finished his morning A-Level revision session to make it for the later start. Despite the overnight rain, Pearson spots a good track and wants first use of it. CTC have a bat. With rumours circulating about the Windies gun clocking high 80’s in the Under 19 World Cup, Pearson sends in Rudkin H & Hammond, shifts himself down to 4 and pushes Pemberton up to his usual gun bat slot of 3. To which Pemberton accuses him of “doing a Root”. Dillon of course in at number 5, where else, for the ginger genius? CTC start slowly, with Windies quick too good. Hammo successfully farms the strike to ensure strike off the lad with the yips at the other end. Rudkin H then doesn’t see a full toss from the yipper and loses his stumps. Hammo plays some nice shots before departing after a cameo. In comes Pemberton. Brilliant backward defence to World Cup gun, but he doesn’t last long. Pearson in at last at a timely moment and begins to fill his boots with some brilliant shots. Dillon nursing a big hangover together with no cricket kit of his own, walks in saying “brilliant, I can’t play left armers”. Two balls later the ginger genius returns to the pavilion with a wry smile. Pearson made 67 before falling to grandmaster Baggo, sharing a partnership of 40 with Sherwin and 68 with Rutt, who was the only other batsmen to contribute with 40, helping CtCCCC to a competitive looking 200-9 from 35 overs. With Sherwin & Fairbank taking the new nut CtCCCC believe this is defendable. However what follows is a complete onslaught with the Windies gun going berserk and making the CtC duo look like slow-medium journeyman. Chances are offered though with numerous going down in a sloppy fielding performance. Special mention to Dillon for almost an inspired one-handed leaping grab (once a backward point always a backward point). The game drifts away from CTC very quickly after this flying start from the West Indian who has them going at about 10 an over. Meanwhile his partner is barely off the mark when the West Indian had been retired and had already taken the game away from CtC. In this innings, the first ball of Rutt’s spell was hit straight over his head for an enormous 6. CtC quite simply had no answers and Baggo was being accused of bringing the fixture into dis-repute. Some spirited bowling from the likes of Rutt, Gimson, a return spell from Fairbank, Rudkin R and Pearson follows, but the game has lost its edge and became akin to a testimonial match. Notably Baggo came and went quite quickly and Pearson decided to bowl some leg spin that coincided with the arrival of the Chairman (the Club legspinner). Whitgift cantered to the win with an ugly looking 50 being reached just before victory which was secured with 5 overs left and 5 wickets in hand. A brilliant fixture though so thanks to Baggo for facilitating. Henry Rudkin, Director of Cricket CtCCCC convened for a fourth renewal vs The Moose XI, at a gloriously sunny Barn Elms Oval in optimistic mood, despite a chastening loss to a West Indian Under-19 gun last time out. Spirits were further buoyed by the prospect of “The Big Three” turning out together for the first time since school (Ed - Coe not playing, for avoidance of doubt, Hammo not 'big') and the memories of a glorious victory vs The Moose last year.
Dean strode out for the toss, on a pitch was which could be described as "green, seriously green in places". “Tails never fails”, except when it did. We were to bat first. The Seamers Stable of Davidson, Gimson and Rutt chomped at the bit, the prospect of bowling with 300 runs on the board felt a certainty. Facilitating this the powerful union of Hammond and Shaw made their way to the crease only for Shaw to fall early, having wafted at a lot and middled not much. A predictably short and sweet innings from Cassels followed, no doubt he was caught MOMO, batting at 3 still not enough to sort out his enormous swede. The Big Three would come through for The Stable then. Hammond was the first of the triumvirate to fall, for 18, missing a straight one. Hesketh and Pearson combined and started to travel well. Hesketh’s innings was typical of the main making it look very easy as he flayed the supposedly First Grade Indian to all parts, only to fall short of a comfortable looking 50, “if only he’d applied himself” someone muttered (Ed: Coe, still nowhere to be seen). Pearson’s innings was similarly typical, making it look very easy as he caressed the ball to all parts. After the fall of Hesketh what followed was surely too cruel. Roberts run out from the first ball he faced for the second time of his CtC career. This correspondent feels it unnecessary to say any more, apart from that it was probably Davidson’s fault, despite Pearson being at the other end. What followed certainly was Davidson’s fault, his extremely dour 17 off 41 in the final furlong failing to capitalize on the the excellent position the middle order had put us in. Stablemate Rutt joined Pearson after the loss (read grateful loss) of Davidson, showing the sort of lusty hitting a man with a great salad is capable of. Stablemate Gimson was left in the stable, no doubt with his nosebag on. CtCCCC finished with 232 from their 35 overs. After a meagre tea the boys took to the field, The Stable fondly recalling days gone by when they routed batting line ups without the likes of Sherwin or Fairbank. These memories clearly clouded their vision as The Moose came out the stalls like a rocket. The Skipper cracked his whip and fired Gimson up the hill, combined with a change of ends for Davidson meaning some control was restored, though a distinct lack of threat prevailed. Desperate times. Dean, supposedly suffering from the yips, and eager to "move upstairs" brought himself on and immediately burgled a much-needed wicket. Davidson dropped another one. More shuffling of the pack. Cassels bowled a tight over. The spin twins of Pearson and Rudkin, R were brought on and managed to shut the stable door, with Pearson picking up a couple and Rudkin, R a single wicket and both bowling well, but the moose had already bolted. Rutt and Davidson returned to try and make up the gap, Rutt picking up a solitary wicket, but the gap was too large. The inevitable win for the Moose came in their 33rd over, deserved winners. Numerous dropped catches, missed run outs and probably being 20-30 runs short of something defendable were all to blame for another loss for CtCCCC. It is with great sadness that CtCCCC learned last week of the passing of Rwandan batsmen Prince Uwimanishaka at the age of 21. Pictured above Rwanda Cricket Association (RCA) General Manager Emmanuel Byiringiro presents a donation on behalf of CtC and the RCA to Prince's family.
Prince played three times for The Rwanda Schools Association against CtC, scoring memorable 70 in the first match - and was also a lovey lad off the field. His talent had been recently recognized with appearances for the Rwanda senior side, and he undoubtedly had a very bright future ahead of him. Our thoughts go out to Prince's family and all at the Rwanda Cricket Association in this difficult time. |
AuthorGeorge Dean. Archives
October 2023
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