Match
reports
So the Annual Cavaliers
Cricket Tour, for so many the highlight of the year let
alone the cricket season, began in the picturesque grounds
of Cheshire’s gothic Cholmondley Castle, without question
‘the most beautifulist ground we’ve ever played
at’ according to Elbow. The sun was out, spirits were
high, the Cavaliers’ strong side picked itself (largely
because only 11 players were there at the outset), and skipper
Lloyd’s rousing pre-match teamtalk sent the team out
to field brimming with confidence, pride and stella from
the pre-match stiffener at the Cholmondley Arms.
The first over set the tone; a wicket
maiden in which Tanty had one opener – fresh off a
ton the previous Saturday – held by the safe hands
of Jimmy Hat at extra cover. From the other end, Timmy F
was also on the money and the Cavs opening’ combo
were unlucky not to claim further scalps as both batsmen
played and missed regularly. However, despite the introduction
of Brindo and Royboy, the second wicket to an eternity to
come, with both batsmen passing 60, batting sensibly at
4 an over and not really giving their guests a sniff. 130
runs after the first wicket, the second eventually came,
Roy inducing the error. This turned the tide, and a succession
of Cholmondely batsmen headed back to the hutch, including
Ed Middleton of Shire Sports fame, who has organised the
Cavs tour fixtures for a number of years and is the spit
of Dead Ringers’ Jon Colshaw. Thanks for your help
over the years, but the Cavs attack shows no mercy to anyone!
Wicket takers included Toothy (2, one with his first ball
on a cavs tour) and Jimmy Hat, with Snr doing his usual
trick of bowling three overs of dibblydobblies and picking
up three cheap buffet wickets to boost his averages. Cholmondely
finished on a respectable but eminently gettable 170/8 off
40 overs, and the Cavs were confident of victory.
Elbow and Jay Wise strode out to
open, relishing the only opportunity of the weekend to bat
without a raging hangover in Jay’s case and a raging
horn in El’s. The Thorpedo, however, had made only
four before a ‘hit weed’ incident saw a good
length ball bounce only a couple of inches (ie, waist high
to El, ankle high to Brindo) and hit the stumps. Sean O’Brien
may have been unable to make the tour, but had evidently
sent some weeds from the Gayton track for us to remember
him by. In strode tour virgin Azza, and he and Jay set about
putting the match beyond the hosts. Azza fell for 36 when
his first Cavs nifty looked a shoe-in but the Great Gaymondo
had opened his shoulders and eased past 50 and towards the
illusive first Cavs ton. With the scores level, Jay was
cheekily (and incorrectly) advised by the watching Cavs
that he needed 6 for a ton; he hit a four to secure victory
but actually ended on an immaculate 89no, with Hat not out
15.
So, a good win, a great start to
the tour and another man-of-the-match award for Jay. With
the game firmly adhering to Lloydy’s season mission
statement ‘enjoyment in victory with every cavalier
contributing’, there was no awarding of the Orange
Cap of Shame, so the decision was made to give it to which
ever of the latecomers Burton, Firmin or Rankin did the
most stupid thing in the evening that followed.
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