Match reports

Silsoe Cricket Club - Away 12/08/07

Scorecard

After a narrow defeat against Theydon Bois a week earlier, the Cavaliers arrived at the stately surrounds of Wrest Park, for their annual clash with Silsoe, feeling confident having won both previous encounters.

However, with neither skipper Nick Brindley nor his deputy Lance Boyd-Clark available, nor for that matter dependable performers Tim Foster, Simon Foster, Tim Firmin, Gareth Lloyd and Paul Wise, stand-in skipper Todd Baines’ side looked a little thin, particularly in the bowling department. Baines was therefore pleased when, despite losing the toss, the Cavaliers were asked to bat first, and Baines and Ellis Thorpe – who’ve blossomed in to a fine opening partnership this season – given the opportunity to establish a solid foundation. The skipper looked in fine nick, as has been so often the case this season, while the normally fluent Thorpe was unusually becalmed and seemed content simply to hang on in and wait for the change bowlers. Unfortunately for Thorpe, his somewhat pedestrian innings came to a close just as he seemed to be finding some rhythm, taken smartly at first slip.

This brought to the crease Cavs all-time leading runscorer Jamie Wise, back from semi-retirement and feeling rather aggrieved not to reclaim his openers position. It was as if he’d never been away, with some cover drives and measured defence against some pretty decent bowling. He lost Baines from the final over of the pacey Silsoe opener’s spell, for a fine 30, to be replaced by Jim Handford. Handford required just 4 runs to become only the second Cavalier to score 2000 runs, second only to Wise. A dreamy drive through the covers brought up this landmark, and the partnership soon raced beyond 50. However, Wise was soon undone by a shooter that umpire Russell Timms had no option but to give lbw, and the old one-brings-two adage was never more apt when the very next ball, to youth product Dave Best, popped from nowhere and found an edge to slip.

With 15 overs remaining, it was time to accelerate, and Handford duly obliged, registering his 14th Cav 50 in the process. He was ably supported by Kevin Moxham, who hit some fine leg-side shots in his 28 runs – an innings 28 runs higher than his two previous innings for the side. Handford played on for a fine 56 but Nick Francis saw the 200 up with some lofty blows of his own before being castled for 15. Next in was Fraser Tant, who played himself in as only he can by launching his first ball back over the bowler’s head for 6. Firmly adhering to his new nickname ‘The Match’, he once again flickered brightly for a short while, before fizzling out for 11. Rusty Timms came and went for1, and Jim Burton and Ben Rankin nearly saw out the 40 overs, the former holing out for four with Rankin the not out batsman. Rankin need not have worried too much- his time would come after tea…

So, with 227 on the board, the Cavaliers were full of confidence. However, at 100 without loss after 18 overs, with golden-arm Handford wicketless and bowled out and fellow opener Tant proving fruitless and expensive, things were looking much less rosy. McLean, the Silsoe opener, was particularly fluent, and seemed likely to follow up his 6 wickets in the Cavs innings with a century, having amassed 70 of this opening partnership alone. However, a spell of wily off-spin from Rankin was to change the course of the game. First, his wrong’un caught (Julia) Iqbal’s leading edge and Handford’s hands were safe at extra cover. Next ball, a googly was drilled to Baines at midwicket and a couple of overs later the dangerman was back in the hutch, undone by Rankin’s ‘one-that-goes-straight-on’, which went-straight-on-took-an-inside-edge-and-removed-the-off-bail. 103/0 had changed to 108/3 and Baines’ men had the upper hand.

Silsoe weren’t to give up, though. The middle order had some clean hitters, and managed to keep up with the required run rate, despite a good spell from Moxham (8.0.35.2)). The Cavaliers took regular wickets, but with 5 overs left Silsoe needed only 30 runs, with 4 wickets left. Skipper Baines brought himself into the attack and claimed 2 crucial wickets to fine catches from Handford and Burton, while the returning Tant got under a miscued slog off his own bowling and made no mistake. With just one over remaining, Silsoe required 7 to win, the Cavs one wicket. To add further excitement, Silsoe’s last man hobbled to the crease with a runner having injured himself fielding. With obvious death bowlers Handford and Tant bowled out, the ball was thrown to Jim Burton, and the field set. The batsman took an almighty swing at Burton’s first ball and launched it many a mile, in the direction of Francis at long on. After an eternity, the ball crashed into the Des Lynham lookalikes grateful hands and the victory had been sealed. A thriller!

Man of the Match: not voted for but Handford, Moxham and Rankin would have battled it out.
Orange Cap of Woe: ditto, but Ellis’ 10 off about 15 overs and Bestie’s golden are the obvious candidates
Champagne Moment: The Buzzard-Toothy match-winning combo.