harpenden cavaliers cricket club

Match reports

Players and Jesters Cricket Club - Away 10/09/2006

It was a day of firsts at the Harpenden Cavaliers last game of the season. To kick of the 'firsts' it was the first ever Cavs home match to be played in the beautiful surroundings of Mentmore CC. Secondly, with the Cavaliers only able to muster 10 players Mrs. Suzie Wise became the first ever lady to don the cavaliers colours and turn out for the lads!! She took the field following captain Jay Wise's loss of toss with the away side electing to bat.

Jay gave his last rallying call to his troops demanding a strong finish to a very successful season. Opening up from the green mist end was Mr Simon Foster, a lad surrounded in rumour that this would be his last gave for the Cavs with the impending marriage to his childhood sweet heart Julia Iball on the near horizon. A tidy opening spell of four overs were followed by a demand to the captain to be taken off with complaints of rheumatoid arthritis (or some other elderly complaint). Steaming in from the 'field of cows being routinely shagged by a single bull end' was Jimmy Hat. The lad had been feeling under the weather all weekend but dosed up with Dioralyte he turned in one of his best bowling performances of the season and he finally achieved reward for a season of relatively little success.Perhaps it was the fear that he may follow through when he followed through.

The Hat took the first wicket with a thick edge snaffled by Lloyd behind the stumps. A second wicket was soon achieved with a run out from Bazmario at gully. The batsman will know not to take on 'the specialist's arm again. With these all important early breakthroughs the Cavs were hoping for a batting collapse sadly this wasn't achieved.

To mix the bowling up Jay turned to Hatfield MOM Toothy McFrancis for the breakthrough but his 5 overs got some tap. Elbo and Luke Firmin were called into action but from their 5 overs still the P&J's partnership couldn't be broken. So at the drinks break and to carry on the somewhat 'festival' feel of the day the Cavs regular stumpman Gareth Lloyd was relived of his keeping duties to take his place in the field for the first time. As soon as the pads were off Lloyd was called into the bowling attack and here sees the next 'first' of the day. Much to the amazement of all, especially Lloyd he bowled 6 overs and took three wickets. The first a great stumping by Todd Baines, the second a catch from Jay Wise and lastly a played on dismissal of the batsman. Sadly these 6 wickets were all that the Cavs could muster from their 35 overs in the field and the P&J's ended on the very good score of 213.

Fuelled by a Jimmy Hat tea Jay was safe in the knowledge that he had an almost first choice top 6 to choose from plus an awareness that in last week's clash the tail had 'wagged'. The P&J's openers bowled a lively and accurate spell but as has become common place this season Toddle 'Spoons' Baines got the side of to a flyer until he was well caught on 23. Soon after Jay Wise was given out LBW by umpire Jim Hat which left the Captain not best pleased. Surely the Dioralyte was having an effect on his eyesight!! Rob Wise soon departed for a duck which left Hat and Baz at the crease. The pair looked good with both playing fluid, powerful shots but with Thorpe's departure for 12 it spelled a collapse from the Cavaliers. The next 5 wickets fell for just 7 runs with a particular low point of a golden for Lloyd. But all the time this was carrying on Handford remained batting his way to his best performance of the season with 74 not out.

With the Cav's all out for 153 in 31 overs the P&J's left the field to cheers of 7 in a row for their side. Surely the Cavs will be up for revenge next season. Oh, and before you ask, Mrs. S Wise didn't bat!!

The day was rounded of with the last 'first' of the day when a hot air balloon landed on the pitch. A lovely sight in lovely surroundings. Roll on next season.