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N.C.I. IV Vs Fen Ditton
Do you remember the theory that preceded England Ashes tours Down Under that said we wouldn't win because too many players carried scars from previous series? That could have been the case for us revisiting Luard Rd after the cup game with Granta last May.
However, following our successful visit to Norfolk last weekend we were in confident mood. Invited to bat first, that seemed justified as Butler was SOLID and Goose began to find the boundary. Then things began to go horribly wrong, like a nightmare unfolding as our batters dug a hole. Goose was unfortunate with one which stayed a bit low, but then H and MVS both opened their Duck accounts for the season, Gilo made just 1 and Muppet 9. AB was looking good until, on 19, he received this seasons first "generous to the opposition LBW award". Butler fell for a well made 31 and we were soon 115-8 and our own predictions of a glorious season looked ill-founded. Then the tail wagged. Paul made a patient 15, even with the handicap of using Butlers pink liveried bat. Gav played great for 15 not out and Jacko chipped in at the very end. Our 157-9 was hugely assisted by 35 extras but gave us hope.
Ali bowled the first over of the NCI reply and struck with his second ball for Ditton. Pace and bounce causing the opener to fend to Paul. In a game played in the best of old-fashion fairness and sportsmanship, Ali took his next wicket with a plumb LBW. Another four LBW's were to follow. Jacko was tight enough at the other end until AB called for Goose and shortly after took the ball himself for some Ditton dual-spin. Our ground fielding was very good with the exception of Butler blaming a bad bounce off a rabbit corpse for alowing a bounday. AB (3-52) and Goose (1-43) looked in turn dangerous and charitable. AB brought Ali back to take three wickets in quick time, all clean bowled to finish with 5-20 (see Wednesday's Evening News) and put us in a winning position. It was then that AB took aim at foot and fired. Two waist high full-tosses disappeared out of the ground and NCI only wanted thirteen from their final pair. Cometh the hour, cometh Jacko. The final LBW sparked football style celebrations as we (insert own cliche) won by a dozen runs.
The way we found a way to win, and the excellent turnout after at The Kings Head is an illustration of how tight we are as a group. The weeks ahead will hopefully see our batters find some form and then we might start to look like contenders.
Romsey Town Vs Fen Ditton
Are you finding the format of these reports becoming a bit stale? Who batted, who bowled, who scored what and took wickets/catches. I don't feel like writing one of those today as this game followed a very similar course to last week. Also, I don't have the scores as Adam has been tardy getting them to me. Instead, here are my observations of each players contribution on 14th May, in batting order.
GOOSE - Love is in the air for our chubby boy, and I don't mean his general love of his teamates, especially Butler. Is dispensing with the helmet this season a metaphor? This was his match. Batted all forty overs for 89 not out, then took the crucial third wicket. Leads the team in fielding enthusiasm. Starred at the Kings Head in attempting to eat ten After Eights in one go (failed miserably).
BUTLER - Down the track to their opening bowler very early, scuffing the ball back onto his stumps. Plenty of time to have knocked it away but doesn't know the Laws of Cricket. Upset one of the locals before putting in a surprisingly error free fielding display. Let himself down in the pub (you know what you said Tom).
H - Can't buy a run. Must improve, soon.
AB - Quiet match for the Doctor. Tidy bowling spell and 'saved' runs in the field.
MVS - Got started but played a poor shot. Lager and After Eight may not catch on.
MUPPET - Patrolled the boundary.
CAT - Forced to use the Pink 'Un again which un-nerved him. Still keeping superbly.
McCAN'T - "You can look all you want". Not wise to keep looking at the umpire (SKIP) after you're given out LBW. No surprise that he brought his Spag Bol dinner over to the pub and livened up the evening by bringing the After Eights.
ALI - Nine wickets in two games now. Missed out on a hat-trick in 10-3-21-4 and in need of a decent nickname. Vital runs (17 n.o.) in the final overs in partnership with GOOSE.
JACKO - Not required to bat after all that fiddling around with changing spikes on his new boots. Bowled tidily as usual. Good effort in the field for a fifty year old.
SKIP - Playing with cast on left hand/arm so can't bat or field anywhere near the square. Bowling performance made the risk seem worth it.
Honarary 12th Man DOBBO - Good to see him at the pub after his Mum let him out. Hope you weren't late home!
Fen Ditton Vs N.C.I. IV
This is not a complaint, but winning this season is playing havoc with my constitution. All three wins have been close affairs, which is a bit tiring and have been followed by long celebrations at the Kings Head. Four/Five pints, followed by a large burger and chips have led to me falling asleep watching TV, then 'getting up' to go to bed. Either the Guinness or burger provide a poor nights sleep and then I have to think of something to write here on Sunday morning.
Our first home match of the season meant the Chairman's Reception before and during the game and it's worth saying again here that we're really grateful to all those club supporters. A beautifully sunny, warm day with a pleasant breeze and The Rec in pristine condition with a strip we'd roll up and take around with us. N.C.I. again invited us to bat after inevitably winning the toss. No Goose or Butler to open so AB and Gilo moved up. Other changes were first appearances of the season for Tom Thompson and club debut for Charlie. It was Charlie (32) in partnership with Ali (24 not out) that gave our third below-par batting display a bit of backbone. Others will wish to forget this and move on. Extras again lent a big hand in our total of 123. Defendable? Could we bowl and field with intensity again?
Another smashing tea provided by Don set us up for a slightly underwhelmimg start as N.C.I. moved fairly comfortably to 43-1. We hadn't done much wrong and MVS had taken a catch only he could have taken as our tallest player. We just needed something to happen for us. A double change with AB and Adam replacing Jacko and Ali had an immediate effect. AB bowled with growing control and variation and was ultimately rewarded with 5-25. Adam was quick and straight and took two wickets. The N.C.I. skipper seemed the only batter between us and victory as momentum swung our way. Ali returned to find the edge and we were assisted by some dodgy running, although MVS and Ali kept cool to effect the run out as John Baker began to run out of partners. In looking to keep the strike, he edged Ali to H and the Ditton boys had pulled it out of the hat again with N.C.I. all out for 98.
A sterner test awaits next week with St Giles unbeaten and we'll be without Ali and MVS.
Remnants Vs Fen Ditton
We arrive at Fitz for our first encounter this season with Remnants. All the players are surprisingly at the ground early enough to have a warm up with Tommy Thompson in control of the bat hitting the ball with some eventful shots, little did we know it would be one of his eventful shots that would win us the game.
Adam lost the toss again and Ditton were bowling first for the first time this season. As the players looked at the wicket Ali has the players in fits of laughter with the quote of the season "It's a proper wicket". Ali and somebody looking like Dobbo opened the attack with good pace and bounce, both unlucky not to get a wicket in their 2 overs. Gav and Gilo had their first overs of the season followed by an over from Michael and AB with some interesting deliveries. Ditton couldn't find a breakthrough so Adam turned to the master 'Jacko'. He bowled a leg side delivery which Marc stopped with his head and a quick throw to the non-strikers end allowed Adam to run out the batsman for a well played 50. He was replaced by somebody even posher than Goose (Goose wasn't happy). Our 2nd and final wicket was another run out, this time Michael with a direct hit. Gilo then decided to stop a powerful shot with his Knee, which I must admit made a loud sound and I'm surprised he got up let alone carried on fielding. The last couple of overs went through with Michael dropping a catch, then dropping another catch and kicking the ball over the boundary, both off Adam. 169-2 was a good score but we always felt we could knock this off if our batters performed.
With a good start needed Adam sent Marc and, yes, Michael out to open with Tommy T umpiring his first game. Both batsman went along nicely to start with, both hitting 4s in the first few overs. Michael was the first to depart for 11 and AB came out to help pick up the run rate. AB suggested to Marc that he should try to hit an offside shot, but when he did nobody thought it would be a 'reverse slog' for 4. AB soon departed followed by Gav. Dobbo and Marc played well with a good partnership, Marc making 35 and Dobbo 24, hitting some lovely shots and just about keeping up with the run rate. Ali and Gilo hit some good shots until they both fell. We needed 64 off the last 4 overs. It was time for the Goose. He went in and simply slapped pretty much everything to the ropes. He even had the nerve to hit a SINGLE to keep the strike, although its not the best idea to hit it straight back to the bowler. Luckily Goose survived. Goose and Jacko got it down to 1 to win from 5 balls, then Goose was caught. Our hopes relied on Tommy T who pretty much ran to the middle. I would like to say that he left his first ball outside off stump but the truth is he swung the bat and missed. He swung again at his second ball and connected with one of his eventful shots that somehow went to square leg and ran through for a single. Tommy celebrated with a cheeky dance.
It was great to be able to give most people a bowl and a bat in this friendly but its good to keep the winning start going. Lets hope we take the momentum to St Giles on Sat. Big game boys !!!!
Cambridge St Giles II Vs Fen Ditton
A big sporting Saturday, with Stevenage edging past Torquay in the League 2 play-off Final, Barcelona winning the Champions League in convincing style and the unbeaten teams in CCA 3B facing each other.
St Giles home at Dry Drayton is a very pleasant setting, being a Cricket Ground with natural boundaries rather than a multi-purpose Recreation Ground. Having won the toss (wonders will never cease), Adam invited our hosts to have first knock. Once on the field we discovered that areas of the outfield were even worse than the football pitch side of our ground. Caused by the dry weather, there's little that can be done about it, and shouldn't village cricket feature some odd bounces? For the first time this season, Ali took a bit of stick from the openers and ended wicketless with 0-41. A slip for his second spell may have taken one of three edges that flew wide of H. Jacko was very unlucky with two close LBW appeals, but this may have led to the same umpire giving AB three decisions, one of which was a solo question rather than full-throated appeal. AB should be pleased with his 10-1-39-4, as should Skip who bowled an excellent off-stump line to record 8-0-19-3 and got a wicket with his slower ball for the first time ever. Goose was a little leg-side and was swept well by the St Giles number 5 and eventually resorted to much quicker balls without signal to his 'keeper. (thanks Goose). Our field setting on a small ground was well thought out and the fielding was again good for the full forty overs. Would the batters step up, chasing for the first time, in pursuit of 163 to win?
Goose and Butler gave us just the start we wanted, picking the bad balls and putting them away for boundaries. Goose had reached his second half-century of the season and gone on to 64 when finding the fielder at long-off who took at good catch. The opening partnership was worth 91. Butler followed quickly after for a solid 21. H and Charlie were looking set to see us to victory when H, on 22, slapped one to the long(ish) boundary at cow corner where another good catch was taken. Again, one brought two as Charlie was stumped for 13 to leave AB to bully 28 not out from 19 balls, while Gilo watched from the other end to ease us to a six wicket win.
It was good to socialise with the St Giles blokes at the village pub, before returning to The Kings Head for footie and curry. Also good to see the top order looking in better fettle and that we can win with contributions throughout the team, rather than relying on Ali to blast teams out. What of the other games today? Camden dismissed for 54! Harlton and Elsworth looking like dangers and we'll find out in a weeks time whether Elsworth can threaten our run of good form. This was our ninth win in the last ten league matches. Let's keep it going.
It has been pointed out that recent match reports have completely missed some key moments, so I will address them now. A Red Kite and a Green Woodpecker have been spotted by Jacko, and no reference was made to the Pheasant which strolled across Trinity Old Field during the match with Romsey. Last Saturday both MVS and the one-handed Skip took stunning catches. There have been countless helicopters and other aircraft. Hopefully this puts to rest the discontents.
Elsworth Vs Fen Ditton
How long does it take to get from Ditton to Elsworth? How long does it take to move into another dimension? How many Ditton players can fit into the Kings Head Pool room? When we decided it was time to leave, Derek watched us file out and said it was as though the Pool room had become a TARDIS. Little did we know that things would become much, much as the day wore on.
We arrived and had a look at the pitch, which had a good covering of grass and felt a bit 'spongy'. Whilst we were all standing there, the Elsworth skipper asked Adam to call and of course, the result was the hosts inviting us to bat. Hold on, he did say "We'll bowl" didn't he? No, he didn't. He confidently said "We'll bat". I'm sure they won't face a quicker opening combo this season than Ali and Adam, but only one wicket fell as Marc snaffled a chance under the lid at short-leg off Ali. There followed much playing and missing until we changed the pace of the game with spin at both ends. Goose mixed up flight and pace to put together a fine spell of 10-3-23-3. AB has bowled worse with more success but today was one of those days when nothing went to hand and every loose ball was punished. With eight overs left, Ali and Adam returned and the score barely moved as they bowled fast and straight. Ali 10-1-19-2 and Adam 10-5-19-3 were a pair few would have fancied on a helpful wicket. Marc took a second catch, a skier this time and both Gilo and Goose might as well move on to catching bullets in their teeth. Paul was (and needed to be) at his best behind the stumps and MVS surfed the boundary with style and substance. The innings had had some 'flashpoints' and was generally 'spiky' but another great team effort had seen us restrict Elsworth to a score we felt confident of knocking off.
Tea seemed to have a calming effect on some players and it appeared that some bridges had been mended. Then we examined the scorebook. The matter of the final Elsworth total may remain shrouded in mystery but after a delay as long as the Tea break, we set about chasing 122. Goose was a man on a mission and, without losing his cool, dismantled the Elsworth bowling with a fluid, hard hitting 67. He smashed the very first ball for a big six to set the tone and Butler scored quicker than usual but perhaps needs to remember that his role is to be steady and solid. When he was out for 17 H replaced him and made a reasonable 20 to keep the pressure on. Butler dismissed Gilo, LBW for a duck to leave AB and MVS to finish things off in style as AB put the ball a long way over the boundary for the winning hit, tucked his bat under his arm and marched off. We hadn't even reached the drinks break. A six wicket win, five out of five and 100 points. Top of the table and everyone looking closer to finding top form.
Back to Ditton and Kings Head takings down as we only stayed for a couple before accepting the very generous invitation by MVS to have an evening BBQ at Casa del V-S. Good food, drink and company. Cheers Mark. Finally, it should be mentioned that Tom T again came to an away game to support us and provide water when wickets fell. That's one of the reasons this is such a great TEAM to play for.
Camden III Vs Fen Ditton
A cursory glance at the result of this game will no doubt lead independant observers to believe the match was played at Ditton on a 'sporting' wicket. In fact, the pitch at Fitzwilliam College is as good for batting as any and that's what makes our bowling display all the more remarkable. It also asks serious questions of our batters.
Discussion during the week had solidified Adam's desire to field first. I don't know if he won the toss but we were equally sure that Camden would bat if they had the choice, and so it turned out. Goose had said he might be thirty minutes late for the start but rushed on the field at the end of the first Selmes over which had yielded a couple of wides and a wicket. Ali bowled fast and had it swinging and wickets looked inevitable. At the other end Adam was almost as quick but initially had no luck with H putting a sharpish chance down at fine gulley. Other than that blemish, we were on top of our game in the field again, making Camden work for everything. Ali took a breather with two wickets to his name and spin took over at both ends. AB again bowled better than his figures suggest but picked up a couple of wickets, whilst Goose 'locked down' the other end with a miserly 10-1-17-1. Within that he was unlucky with a stumping not given and then dropped one off his own bowling next ball. Camden were struggling and could only look forward to their tail-enders facing the return of pace. Two in two balls for Adam was followed with a near-perfect hat-trick ball which missed the furniture by a coat of varnish. Final analysis for Adam an impressive 8-3-10-2. Ali also had success and knocked out middle stump to finish the innings on 93. His figures 8.3-3-19-4. The bowlers are putting it in "Good Areas" to create chances and today it was the turn of MVS to take a great catch and Gilo to pick up, throw, hit and send their most solid looking bat on his way.
94 to get and hopes of maybe a ten wicket win. Reality dawned as Camden fought back. Butler jammed one into the ground which looped rather than flew to first slip. AB interpreted Tom walking away as 'walking' and gave him out. Goose didn't allow for the lack of bounce to be bowled pulling and after a bright start, H again hit one straight at a fielder. Still, no cause for concern. Yet. The next few balls saw Marc bowled, Gilo caught and MVS play an ambitious shot at his first ball which bowled him. Suddenly nerves began to fray as we banked on Charlie and AB to take responsibility. They did it superbly with an unbroken partnership of 49 with Rupert 20 not out and AB 29 not out. A four wicket win and 100% record intact.
Post-match it was drinks and a chat with the Camden guys who were excellent hosts and all agreed the match had been played in the right spirit. From Fitz many returned to the Kings Head to record the Podcast and enjoy the company of McCann and Dobbo. A break from league action next week as we return to Fitz to play the Finnish Old Boys in a touring friendly.
Bassingbourn Vs Fen Ditton
To be fair, there was quite a lot of rain last night for a cricket pitch to deal with. Two of our intepid reporters visited the ground and confirmed it was "a bit damp". Bassingbourn turned down an offer to play the match at Ditton. By tomorrow, we'll see how many other fixtures were lost.
Fen Ditton Vs Harlton
A perfect day at a perfect setting, spoilt only by the ugly burnt circle where vandals had torched a moped during the week. Fortunately it was beyond the boundary. The pitch looked much, much better after the heavy rolling two weeks ago so we were not too worried as Harlton won the toss (obviously) and invited us to bat. Team changes saw Dobbo in for his first league appearance of the season, with McCan't making way. More tea for everyone but we did miss you Michael (as you could tell when you arrived at the Kings Head).
Twenty minutes after the start Ditton were in some trouble. Goose out in the first over for 1 and H back for 8. Adam watched two balls pass his off stump but the third one he left hit off. A duck without hitting the ball. Rebuilding job required by Butler and AB. A patient 71 runs later we were firmly back in the match. AB was looking good for a substantial score when bowled by a shooter. Marc chipped in with 11 and MVS was unfortunate to find the fielder on the Plough boundary. More runs needed and quickly, so PC was promoted up the order. Butler, having rode his luck a bit but shown great concentration to bat for thirty overs was finally out for 40 and the final slog began. PC played a blinder, nurdling ones and twos but also hitting a couple of boundary fours and a six to eventually finish on 21 not out. He was assisted by Ali and Dobbo as from poor beginnings Ditton reached a defendable 169-9, aided by 33 extras.
Don 'The Tea Boy' Paige produced a tea that made Goose salivate and set us up nicely for a big effort in the field. It's fair to say that a batting side has rarely had to fight so hard for every single as we made Harlton fight. Ali and Dobbo bowled brilliantly as Harlton reached 9-0 from 9 overs. Ali's first 6 overs had 2 runs scored from them. No wicket, but he would make up for that later. Adam replaced Ali and gave no respite, bowling his ten overs straight through for 10-3-19-1. Jacko was a touch expensive so AB was called on for some spin. Six overs later he had 5-13 and Harlton needed 8 runs per over from the last ten, with Ali soon to return. PC was having another superb game with the gloves and capped it off with two stumpings. The fielding was intense all the way through so that when Ali bowled at the tail, he mopped up 4 wickets at the cost of 1 run from his last eleven deliveries to finish with 9.5-5-8-4. Harlton, before today our closest rivals were all out for 99 and a decisive 70 run margin.
Next week will be interesting as it's Harlton again. Only St Giles will now have much interest in matters at the top. For now, it's still a three horse race.
Fen Ditton Vs Harlton
Back to grass roots village cricket and we were found seriously wanting. A pitch carved out of the middle of a cattle field with an undulating outfield and lots of grass on the wicket. Changing facilities from the 19th century and extremely welcoming hosts. A long, long way from the manicured college lawns with huge pavillions and sometimes grumpy opposition we've encountered so far this season. But this is how it always used to be and maybe we were better players in those days for the different challenges thrown up.
Batting first, our highlights were Charlie and Adam both hitting straight sixes.
The 2nd innings was equally one-sided, as we bowled too full or too short and all four Harlton batsmen waited and took advantage. Jacko put in a great performance - he remembers this type of pitch and deserved his figures of 8-2-10-1. The rest of us didn't back him up as one loose ball per over kept the run chase comfortable. Much credit to Griggs who made 57 not out.
Other sides will be troubled at Harlton who are a very good side with conditions they know. We will bounce back and St Giles will be delighted to have gone top following their eighth win. There is much cricket to be played and the title and promotion will be decided by games between the top three.
Negatives were five of the top six out caught as we failed to gauge the pace (or lack of it) in the pitch. Nobody 'got in' properly and the tail were left swinging to try to get to a defendable total. 128 was not enough.
The Harlton bowlers were very good, obviously knowing the length to bowl on and let us self-destruct.
Fen Ditton Vs Fenstanton
Fenstanton unable to field a team so 20 points to Ditton.
Fen Ditton Vs Elsworth
For other teams in our division looking at this fixture it might have been dismissed as a likely home win with little discomfort for Ditton. However, they wouldn't be aware of the aggravation in the first fixture between these sides and that appeared to lend an odd atmosphere to the attitude of the hosts, who seemed to be trying a little too hard to be polite and pleasant, losing a bit of 'edge'.
This was demonstrated when, fielding first, Ditton were oddly quiet and whilst umpiring decisions should be accepted with perhaps only a polite question, we went to the lenghts of recalling a batsman who had walked. Ali and Jacko were tight without carrying too much threat on a benign wicket until the young Elsworth opener was very unfortunate to be stumped from an Jacko delivery down leg which rebounded back onto the stumps off Paul's shin. Adam replaced Ali and Goose replaced Jacko but Elsworth stuck to the task well with two batters reaching 50. Although we only took five wickets they were probably at the right times to stop any real momentum and, as usual, the final overs from Ali and Adam were tight. 156-5 was about par and would be a good test for us.
Another magnificent Tea from Don set Goose up with the sustenance required for a long innings. But it was hard work and slow going as Elsworth bowled a tight line and the Goose/Butler partnership failed to find much timing as the wicket deteriated a bit. Butler cracked first, stumped for 18 as he tried to speed up the scoring. This had followed some comical calling (YES!!/NO!!! sorry), from Goose as he looked to get things moving with aggressive running. H faced three balls before Goose finally succeeded in running out a partner. Charlie found the pace of the wicket immediately and upped the rate, managing to 'Plough' a six which didn't come back. One shot too many though and Charlie was caught and bowled for 25. The Elsworth change bowlers were considerably more charitable and Goose reached another half-century, going on to finish 77 not out. Adam picked off five fours to compile a solid 27 not out as Ditton reached the winning post with just three wickets down and plenty of overs to spare.
Next Saturday St Giles are the visitors with the winners favourite to go on to win the league. Time to shine, as someone used to say.
Fen Ditton Vs Cambridge St Giles II
If Sky televised Cambs CA cricket, they might have chosen this as the match of the weekend. The top two in 3B, with one defeat each and seperated by 0.04 in the table promised to be a real battle with the winners taking a big step towards promotion and an Oak Shield. But not all big match-ups prove to become big matches.
As expected, St Giles won the toss but it would have been 50/50 to invite Ditton to bat with the pitch looking better since the big roller was used and the outfield looking quicker, balanced against use of the new ball. In the last Podcast Thomas Butler suggested the Ditton players missing this game (including himself) meant he couldn't predict a Ditton win. His replacement as opener with Goose was to be The Cat and an hour after play started, we'd forgotten about Butler as the century partnership came up. Paul was out soon after for a well made 32 but Goose pushed on to fifty (again) and showed no signs of stopping. St Giles decided The Only Way Is Essex but his 5 overs cost 40 runs. Eventually JEHG got tired and was bowled for 80 having put Ditton into a great position. AB (43), in partnership with McCann and then Ali guided the remainder of the innings as Ditton piled on 85 runs in the last ten overs to close on what should be a match winning 224-8. St Giles battled well and congratulations to Chris Badger on his 5-30.
It's worth noting that the omens were all in Ditton's favour. Our regular readers will know that match report themes over the past 2-3 seasons have included aircraft, wildlife and farm machinery. The St Giles innings started with a red bi-plane overhead, a combine furiously at work in the adjacent field and a flock of swifts swooping over the playing area. It was like the planets coming into alignment and some might say that what followed sorted the wheat from the chaff. For only the second time this season Ditton had all six bowlers in the side for Adam to use. He chose Ali and Dobbo to open and whilst Alex was punished for the odd loose delivery and failed to get reward for the good ones, Ali struck early to remove both openers. We like to keep a bit of verbal encouragement going in the field but never aim it directly at the batsmen so it was a surprise to find a batter eager to strike up a conversation of sorts. We weren't happy when he sledged Tommy T and that may have contributed to his stumps being knocked back by Ali. Jacko replaced Dobbo and bowled with all his guile and accuracy accrued from vast experience. His 4-25 in ten overs included an impressive stumping by Paul and his milestone 300th league wicket for Ditton. Congratulations mate!! Adam kept it tight at the other end as St Giles saw the game slipping away. As ever, Ditton were sharp in the field with Ali, Adam and new boy Ben taking good catches. AB came on to pick up a wicket but, as so often this season, it was Ali who disturbed the wickets three more times to record figures of 5-19 and dismiss St Giles for 109.
A 115 run victory is comprehensive and leaves everything in our own hands for the remaining games. While we take a week off from league cricket next Saturday, we'll be interested to see how the Harlton Vs St Giles match goes.
Fen Ditton Vs Camden III
We started very well - Dobbo and Ali bowled good opening spells, the fielding was tight and enthusiastic with Andy Fowler prominent in the action with two good catches and then combining with AB for a diving run out which left the unfortunate batsman both dismissed and squashed. At drinks Camden were something like 45-4 with AB and Jacko having started off neatly with two tight overs apiece. Then the wheels fell off. The number 6 had clearly decided to get out slogging or die trying, and started swinging at AB - swinging and missing at 4 balls an over and putting the other 2 into the bushes over the short leg side boundary. How he wasn't caught or bowled was a mystery. AB took himself off and Goose on to see if it would make any difference, and although he suffered the same fate initially, he got his man LBW for 46 in his 3rd over.
Unfortunately the flurry of 6's had made people lose concentration, and the fielding then spiralled downhill rapidly. Butler, Marc, and particularly Gav were all atrocious. One of Ali's overs went: dropped catch, dropped catch, dot, dropped catch, misfield, misfield. Dobbo also returned at the end to pick up a well deserved 2nd and 3rd wicket. Eventually they got to 145, which was 50 more than they should have done at drinks, and still 30 more than they would have done had the fielding been better in the last 10 overs.
Even worse news: Paul had done his hammy chasing a ball that really should have been Butler's, which meant he couldn't bat - and can't play next week. Hopefully he should be alright for Bassingbourn. So at Goose's suggestion, we promoted Giles to open.
Goose was given out caught behind (by Andy Fowler) in the 1st over for 0, having got nowhere near the ball. Butler, clearly panicking about batting without Goose at the other end, decided to attack and smacked two lovely 4's, then tapped a half volley back to the bowler (who was a little kid) and blamed it on the pitch. AB pushed two singles then got knocked over by a vicious inswinging yorker from Warren, the best ball he bowled all game.
Camden then brought their slow spinner on, and we knew it was only a matter of time for Gilo (who had been impressively solid until then).. and sure enough, he top edged a lazy pull and was caught at square leg three balls later. Marc came in, with instructions not to do anything stupid, and after turning down a couple of easy singles he aimed a huge slog at the spinner, so hard he almost fell over, missed it by two foot and was bowled middle stump. We were 50-5 after 17 overs - fortunately the required run rate was not a problem (still just 4 an over), but we just needed to stop losing wickets.
So Ali and Dobbo... fortunately, David Warren was bowled out, and the kiwi Gibson came on to bowl genial long hops outside off stump. They put on a steady 57 run partnership despite rather poor running (it has to be said) but hit plenty of boundaries off the loose bowling. Camden's heads clearly began to drop, and their fielding became as bad as ours had been three hours earlier. They dropped Ali 3 times and Dobbo once. Dobbo was eventually bowled for 27 with the score on 107-6 and Andy Fowler went in and was very solid, and he and Ali saw us home with 2 overs to spare. Although we never felt like there was any danger of running out of time, wickets were a concern. Dobbo, and Ali in particular, batted very well, but it must be said they were aided by the fact that Camden only had 3 even remotely competent bowlers.
Fenstanton Vs Fen Ditton
Fenstanton again unable to field a team so 20 points to Ditton.
Fen Ditton Vs Bassingbourn
Too much rain to prepare a wicket. Both games with Bassingbourn called off so we'll never know what might have happened. Other games also being called off confirmed our promotion - need to beat Romsey Town next week to be champions.
Fen Ditton Vs Romsey Town
Ditton win required for first championship since 1992. Romsey required just 2 bonus points to stave off any relegation fears. But the early exchanges would have had onlookers thinking it was Romsey at the top of the table.
In line with tradition, Adam lost the toss and Ditton were invited to bat. After an outstanding season, Goose smashed one back at the bowler who took an excellent catch and despite 420 runs for the season, Goose had secured the Duck Trophy. H made a dozen before getting out caught for the 10th time in 11 innings. Again, it was one of those catches where you have to look twice to believe it's stuck. Gilo was bowled behind his legs and Adam was then also out to a fine running catch in the deep. Ollie Rex with a five for and Ditton in dissaray with only 45 on the board. AB has shown real grit and determination in his new 5 spot this season but he too was undone by a reflex low catch by ex-Ditton man Nick Clarke. This now needed something special. Fortunately Ditton had Mark Very Special at the crease and he made a crucial 30. McCan't teased the Romsey slips in making a competent, calm and important 12. Gav played just two league matches - the first and last. In the first he made a match-winning 18 not out. Today he made an equally vital 20. The last wicket pair of Jacko and Paul (with broken toes and only able to run singles), added another dozen to take us to a defendable 145.
The desire that has been present in our fielding all season was even more intense as we set about building pressure by stopping any free scoring. Romsey were going to have to work very, very hard to make 146 on our patch. Adam and Jacko were accurate, allowing 30 runs from the bat in their 6 over spells. The bonus during those opening twelve overs was the catch taken at point by AB to dismiss Councillor Clarke. A Champagne Moment contender? Goose and AB took over with the ball and kept things tight. The fielding was faultless and the feeling that Romsey had already had "one of those days" with catches sticking was mirrored by Ditton as Gilo, Marc, Skip, AB again and H all made no mistake when opportunities came along. Jacko came back to finish his allocation but second spells at that age can't be easy and Romsey kept themselves alive in the game. Goose completed with 10-1-39-3 and Skip returned to keep our noses in front, finishing with 9-3-19-2. AB, despite some debate about what constitutes a 'height' no-ball finished things off with, fittingly a catch off the inside edge which would also have been a stumping by Paul, who has had an outstanding season with the gloves. Figures of 10-4-26-4 for AB and Romsey 129 all out.
The celebrations started with spraying some fizzy over each other befor getting down to the King's Head for much beer and a curry. Some couldn't stay too long so we'll continue at Dobbo's 18th in two weeks and again at the Dinner on Oct. 1st. These seasons are rare, so we'll make the most of it.
