Following a comprehensive victory over Merkage squad in the semi-final, CtC have gone one better than last year in reaching the final of the Kennington Park Thursday LMS league against Chasing Tails.
Last Man Stands captain and Director of Cricket Henry Rudkin said "I'm delighted the boys have qualified for the final for the first time, and it's richly deserved on the strength of their performances in the second half of the season. We undoubtedly go into the final as underdogs having lost twice to Chasing Tails, but I've got faith that the boys selected can get the job done". The team for the final is: 1. Rudkin, H.P.O.* 2. Conway, M.A. 3. Dillon, N.J 4. Davidson, R.W. 5. Gimson, N.H.S. 6. Hammond, W.R. (Wicket-keeper) 7. Rutt, J.M. 8. Sherwin, T.P.
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Well known children's author-illustrator, and CtC honorary president, Rubin Pingk has once again provided CtC with an illustration to mark the marque tour of the season. As well as the illustration, Rubin sent this motivational message: "Greetings heirs of Zeus, Many days have passed since word of your travels have reached these Yankee shores. I am sorry to inform you that without the infusion of valor, which tales of your cricket prowess inspire among us, we of the Stars and Stripes have made a terrible blunder in choosing our leadership. I am certain that had the minstrels sung the songs of the Sons of Thunder, we would have made better electoral decisions. Alas, in our hopeless and weakened state, we did error, confusing bluster for gallantry. And so it is with renewed hope that I learn of your march upon Brittany. I look forward to hearing the tales of might and wonder that so often follow you. May you bat with the ferocity of Aries and bowl with the swiftness of Hermes. Bring light to a darkened world! Yours across the pond, Rubin." You can buy Rubin's book here Brittany is CtC's 7th tour and the second of this fallow year as we prepare for Rwanda early next year. Though inevitably thoughts are turning towards our first inter-continental tour, Brittany looks set to be an outstanding trip. We have an excellent squad of seasoned tourists, with just one debutant to welcome in Oli Fairbank. Credit particularly to those on their second tour of the year in Brennan, Heath, Pemberton, Shaw and Rudkin. There appear to be some interesting cliques on this trip, with three bristol wvnkers, Pembertons weird mates and a new Leeds axis.. The Perse axis of Monatour seems to have died as quickly as it rose - and i’m sure many will be grateful for that.
The most interesting aspect to the squad is surely however the breaching of the long held two cannon limit for foreign tours, with regular heavyweights Pemberton and Dillon facing new competition from Brennan off the field, and at least two of the rest of us required to split the cannons in the batting line-up. In more positive news, for us if not the postcard sellers of Brittanny, this is our first tour without any Cassels in attendance. For once we have sufficient bowling, but we are chronically short of batting. Fighting for the new ball will be our pace bowling battery of Davidson, Fairbank, Gimson and Heath, with Baggo providing some medium pace variation in the all-rounders role and Brennan the designated sixth bowler. With the bat we go with the aforementioned three cannon strategy in Dillon, Brennan and Pemberton supplemented with Dean, a batsmen only by virtue of a bowling preventing injury, and the in-form tourist Henry Rudkin. This is the first time we have toured without a recognised batting gun in the shape of Pearson, Hesketh or Coe, which means it is time for the little people to step-up. Simon Shaw is our keeper. Despite the obvious deficiencies the touring squad, CtC have had a strong season. Following the pre-season victory over Riviera CC with victories over Moose, Whitgift Staff and And That’s Lunch to give a 100% red ball record. In LMS, CtC recovered from a shocking start to the season to qualify for the play-offs, the semi-final taking place the night before tour. As ever, little is known about tour opposition, but the frequency with which they entertain UK touring sides suggests they may be stronger than we are used to. Forensic internet research suggests that Rana, Ackroyd and particularly Balla are batsmen to watch out for, whilst Mustapha is a distinctly nippy opening bowler. Off the field, we swap the bright lights, supercars and glamour of Monaco for the campsites and dairy produce of Brittany, which seems much closer the roots of the club. Indeed we will be very close to the route of the eponymous Cambridge to Casablanca cycle which spent nights three and four in historic Dinan (an unscheduled rest day taken due to swelling on Pemberton's knee), a mere 20 miles from our base for this tour. Spending an evening on a vast camp site is also very much in keeping with traditions and something I know those original tourists will relish. CtC qualified for the semi-finals of the LMS Kennington (Thursdays) league in some style, finishing the season with three wins in four games to set up a semi-final vs. Merkage squad on August 24th. This strong end of season form means that the cycling cricket club have won six from their last seven games, a remarkable achievement after the disastrous start to the season which saw them fail to win in their first three games. The return of Hammo has definitely made an impact, with the out of shape all-rounder scoring 16*, 53*, 31, 54, 29 and 46 since his return. Round 10 – CtCCCC 226-4 beat Donald Badman 158-7 by 68 runs On a cold and gloomy evening CtC were wary of a Donald Badman outfit who had beaten them early in the season… however nerves were settled thanks to a rapid 52* from 18 balls from Ben Cassels. Further runs came from Pearson (53*), Dillon (46) and Hammond (46) to set an imposing total. DB never looked like chasing, with Davidson (2-28 from four), Hammond (2-6 from 2) and Rutt (1-22 from 4) keeping the score in check Round 9 – CtCCCC 162-6 lost to Chasing Tails 163-4 by four wickets with 7 balls to spare Batting first against league leaders Chasing Tails CtC batted first but finished probably 20 runs shy of a defendable score at Burgess Park as seven batsmen made it to double figures but only one went past 30 – Gimson with an excellent 37 from 20 balls in the Sunil Narine role at the top of the innings. CtC bowled and fielded well, credit particularly to an excellent catch at mid-wicket from Dillon, but never quite got the wickets they needed. Davidson the pick of the bowlers, his three going for just 15. Round 8 – CtCCCC 248-4 beat Fulham Compton FC 117-6 by 131 runs CtC raced to their highest ever score thanks to runs from Hesketh 62* (including a home run); Baksh 46, Hammond 54* and Rutt 53*. Fulham never really threatened to chase such a monster score, Sherwin conceding just 12 from his four overs and Carew taking 2-19 from his three. Round 7 – CtCCCC 165-6 beat Merkage Squad 164-4 by 2 wickets with three balls to spare Tight bowling led by the large sweded pair of Carew (4 overs for 26) and Cassels (4 overs, 1 for 18) restricted Merkage to just 164. CtC however struggled to get going in the chase, with only Dillon (41) scoring big. With the game in danger the big hitting of Sherwin (27 from 12) and calm head of Shaw (11 off 6) eventually saw CtC home with just three to spare. |
AuthorGeorge Dean. Archives
October 2023
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Cambridge to Casablanca Cycling Cricket Club
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