Match reports

On what has become the norm for this summer, a windy, wet day, Ivanhoe CC looked to avenge the comprehensive beating they had been given by Bamville CC the previous year. Woodcock and Parnell opened the bowling, after keeping it tight in the opening overs, Ivanhoe had Bamville with less than 50 runs coming in the first 16 overs for 2 wickets. However from then on, Ivanhoes game changes completely. Sloppy errors in the field, combined with Lazy fielding Ivanhoe let Bamville build up an important partnership, with quick singles a plenty due to some lack lustre fielding.

The partnership was broken when Skip putting himself on to bowl, opened with a magic delivery which managed to stay just low enough to not be called a no ball, but a wicket none the less. This was then followed up by some excellent bowling by the Skip providing him with the rewards of a 5 wicket haul. Evans kept it tight from the top end, and his accurate bowling helped to keep the score lower than what was once threatened. However Bamvilles innings was consistently helped by a poor Ivanhoe attitude in the field, which gave Bamville a total of 173 for 7.

The task of chasing down this total was opened by Dancer and Evans, who put on a brilliant opening partnership of 101, ending with Dancer on 41 and Evans 58. Evans then got out at 61, continuing the brilliant form he has shown all season. Having set Ivanhoe up with the hopes of victory, there was little help from the rest of the team as although R Parnell and Kenchington made a good start, both could not deliver the big score that the victory would require, so with an ever increasing run rate Ives fell agonisingly 11 runs short of a victory all out for 163.

Some may say that more passion was shown in the pub discussing the game and what went wrong, than what had been put into the game, with different criticisms ranging from needing better players to the need for improvement from the players on the day. It can be looked at the scoring 163, better than 4 an over is a very positive step by Ives and shows a big improvement. Personally I felt that we let this game slip away, as from two positive positions we failed to deliver when we should have, with a mixture of poor fielding and slow run rates combining to deliver defeat.

It has been decided that before each home games, the players should arrive one hour early to work on batting and fielding. There is no quick fix going to come, and no Matt Martin about to paper over the cracks in our batting line up. The solution has to come from within. Chris Baddeley is a prime example of someone who has put the effort into his game, and is reaping the rewards, if we could all do this, Match reports would be a lot more positive, and the game more enjoyable. However talk is cheap, so it will be interesting to see if Ivanhoe practice before games, and if this makes a difference.

Ivanhoe have the chance to avenge the loss next week, so hopefully this is a different story!

The first fixture after our tour brought us to Hawridge & Cholesbury CC. A last minute fixture but a great spot thanks to ‘The Fox’!

Not too sure now but I think skip won the toss and put us in the field. Anyhow, we were fielding first!

Hawridge’s batsmen looked as though they were digging in well with two and three racking up a decent partnership. At one point it looked like they would be finishing around the 190 mark. However, apart from a scratchy start from the field, some good bowling saw ‘Beast’ take a couple of wickets but Andy CCCCCCCC gets the hat trick! All said and done, Hawridge left us a respectable score to chase of 154.

After a fine tea, Badders and Evans were sent out to open Ives account. Evans facing, picked up some early fours from a short bowling spinner. Badders on the other hand, just couldn’t see the ball. Evans put on a respectable 24 before being bowled and Badders managed a slow and boring 15!

Collins put on a slow but satisfactory 31 but it was left to Skip to significantly boost Ives account with a hard 51. Due to the oppo scoring, poor old skip didn’t get the recognition he deserved in achieving his 50 but we made up for that later. Sorry Skip!

It seemed as though it was all over but with Ady and Beast (n.o) going for it, we needed 8 off the last over. It was not to be with Ady being bowled leaving six to achieve.

All in all, a well suited oppo of which we might like to see on the fixtures card in seasons to come!

After continual rain for virtually the whole of the previous 36 hours the chances of playing this match after the previous day’s washout looked slim. However thanks to the oppo’s artificial strip the match was able to go ahead as planned on what turned out to be a dry sunny afternoon.

Playing against a generally young Knowle side Ives batted first and after Malcolm departed early firstly Chris B (21) and Adrian 23 kept the score ticking.   The tempo was  increased by  a returning ‘for one game only’ Nick James (21) and  a cameo 32 from Andy C.  It was during this that the presence of our very own Barmy Army supporters club became apparent. Made up of non playing opposition players sitting on the boundary they kept up a continual chant in support of the Ive’s throughout the afternoon which was much appreciated by all.

A quick fire 11 from Richard and with first Tim  (12) and then Andy H (6)putting bat to ball at the end supported by Bob (19no) the  innings closed on 170-8 from 40 overs.

With the constant support from the Barmy Army, Ciaran took a wicket with the first ball of the innings and with Adrian bowling a superb opening spell of 4 for 9 in 8 overs at the other end the opposition quickly found themselves 5 down with nothing to speak of on the score board. With two wickets for Andy H (2 for 9) the match seemed over with 20 overs to go with Knowle 7 down and only 50 on the board.  However an 8^th wicket stand for looked for a time that it might upset the result until Tim (1 for 26) nipped in with a wicket and Nick James finished off the opposition with two quick wickets as Knowle closed on 107 all out and a 63 run Ives win.

On a glorious May day Ivanhoe played Jaguar CC, a late selection from the fixture list, but hopefully lesser components given their vegetarian preferences versus the red-bloody carnivores of Ives. Alas it was not be, carnivores or not, 3 bad omens soon appeared. 1. They arrived early. 2. They were practicing. 3. They were a third of our age. Skip won the toss and put the vegetarians in to bat. The start was good as often it is, with 3 cheap wickets gained (Lionel 2, Christie 1) through good catches from the Duke/Bob and the author. Later their opener fell for 32 to a cleverly disguised (well the cow in the field next door didn’t pick it) slow ball from Christie. From there on it was all downhill with some big hitting from their next 2 batsman who scored 61 and 95. Their tail-enders chipped in and their final score was 262. The pick of the bowlers were Richard (2-19), Skip (2-32) and Christie (2-35).

Tea was taken. Then Ives resolved to show the youngsters the way cricket should be played!! Laurie, Den, and Bob (0/6/0) gave textbook examples of how not to bat. Adrian showed some resolve, hit some nice 4s before falling for 13. It was left to our resident Yorkshireman, Chris “Boycott” Baddeley to show what could have been with a well constructed 35no, demonstrating patience and picking off the loose ball for 4 when warranted.

The oppos skipper cleaned up the tail cheaply with Ives all out for 95.

Oh well – the tour to follow and hopefully some better results to be had.

First game of the 2012 season, on what could be described as soft wicket and outfield.   Ives win the toss and ask Rivetts to bat in a 40 over game. Opening the bowling, Richard and Andy ccc. It’s not long before Richard strikes with a fine catch from Sid who kept busy in the field. Not to be outdone Andy cc strikes, not bad a wicket in the first game and a catch for Tim. First change sees Andy H picking up a wicket, this is backed up by Tim at the other end picking up 2 wickets . Rivetts score is boosted with two 50s from Amer and Shomas. Bowling continues with spells from Phil P , having a workout and a wicket, also Den with a wicket as well as AD from a Quick stumping from Phil K. Rivetts score ends on 162.

After tea, opening are AD and Den. AD soon departs for a duck and Den is joined by Bob the Batsman Collins. Ives score reaches 34 before Den departs for a 20 which brings Richard to the middle. Richards positive start helps the score along, and is backed up by Bob. Rich falls for 26, and the game is still in the balance . With the middle order and the departure of Bob the Batmen for 55, carrying on from his last game last season , the innings slows . A few boundaries are needed to keep the target in sight. With wickets still falling this brings the last pair of both Andys to the middle AndyCC hits a 6 then is bowled. Ives score ends on 141.

Looking forward, all bowlers picked up wickets, a solid start from Bob with a 50, a target for all of us in the top 4 to do?

Nice to see you, to see you, nice! A familiar catch phrase in honour of our beloved skipper for this match.

A beautiful setting would inspire any cricketer to perform at his best. The wicket looked well used with pot holes at each crease, however this was indeed a bats runway. With the weather threatening from the outset, Ives walked out with an unspoken expectation that this would be one hell of a work out in the field, it was.

Southills openers spared no time to dig in with putting us to the test straight away and ‘having a go’ at every ball.

Christie opened in his usual casual manner taking 1 for 58 with JB and Andy H contributing with 2 for 77 and 2 for 47 respectively. Richard ‘Lionel’ Parnel although not taking any wickets had a good spell by minimising the runs to 35 off  8 overs with 1 maiden.

As the points racked up higher, higher and injury upon injury was being inflicted on us, the ‘Duke’ took two great catches at long stop and in doing so, almost cracking his chest cavity from one! Malcolm picked up a further two with one being a superb stretch from deep mid on after ‘stump smasher’ Baddeley administered some revenge. JB collecting another great catch sweeping.

As we walked in for tea after what I’m sure was an enjoyable session for all, we cast our eyes up to those three white numbers on the scoreboard, 281, which somehow seemed a lot bigger when framed by the darkening clouds behind.

After tea and a dousing of rain, the Duke and Foxy strolled out to open our account. Had the Duke remember his spikes, he might not have ended up flat on his…..bottom. Spikes aside, it was a short, fruitless innings this time for the Duke. Foxy seemed to be settling down but alas, 2 was the total for the Fox. A promising start from Skip was interrupted by a smash on the chin after the ball popped up from the bat. The Duke was quick to react, peeling himself from the score hut and straight out to the Skippers assistance. I’m sure I heard a siren! Skipper off the field having his Brucey prosthetics attached, Malcolm was in achieving 11.

Skipper back to the crease and didn’t he do well! It was certainly nice to see him back out there, to see him back out there, nice! Pulling off some very nice cover drives and a fantastic, albeit questionable six. It looked like Skip would reach a very respectable fifty but alas, another one bites the dust at 47. Also a contribution to note was Collins on 22 and Christie held up the rear, as he likes to, for a respectable 20 not out.

All said and done, we were positively thrashed but this game provided an enjoyable work out for all, eh brucey?!

Summer’s here at last. Pity it’s arrived just in time for the last game of the season, played under a blue sky and with the sun shining.

Away to Hillingdon Manor and having won the toss Ady, knowing our sometime’s batting frailties, bravely elected to bat.  As it turned out it was very nearly an inspired decision as after Lawrence and Den fell fairly early with only 19 on the board followed by Phil P at 47, Bob and in particular Max, making a late, late, substitute appearance for Andy H, put the Hillingdon bowling to the sword with a stand of 109 in only 16 overs ,Max scoring 80, and with a ton and possibly the club  record of 131 in his sights only falling to a farcical run out when backing up at the bowlers end he was run out by a quick thinking fielder as he sauntered back into his ground failing to get there in time.  However his innings, with Bob taking the back seat during it, allowed Ady, Earle,Malcolm  and Badders to throw the bat as the innings closing on 204 for 7 with Bob unbeaten on 70 not out.

In reply Hillingdon scored steadily but with Adrian taking the first of two fine catches off Richard (2 for 33) early on and Andy C ( 1 for 48), Max ( 2 for 27), Lawrence (1 for 36), Adrian (1 for 27)  and particularly Den (3 for 33) all chipping in the 10^th  wicket fell with Hillingdon still a few runs short of the target.  Unfortunately this was by agreement, and much to Badder’s (who was already celebrating) surprise, a 12 a side match so one wicket was still required and with 3 balls to go Hillingdon crept over the line to win by one wicket.  Disappointing, but an excellent way to finish the 2011 season.

Little would anyone have thought, on arriving at an overcast, windy and distinctly cool Cavendish Sports Ground what an enthralling match was to unfold. Apart from the weather, the omens did not look good with a wicket as unkempt as Bob’s beard and as green as Andy looked on his first morning all those years ago in Malta. This was only to be accentuated by a lost toss – courtesy of our Treasurer (standing in for our waylaid skipper) who must have forgotten that the royal mint doesn’t typically produce double-headed coins ! Ivanhoe promptly found themselves being asked to bat.

Our opening pair was an experienced one – offering up over a century of cricket-playing years between them ! The new ball on the green top did its worst as Lawrence departed early, but Den dug in and along with Aidy started to steer the score northwards – ably assisted by a fair smattering of gifted extras. Just as Aidy looked likely to get going he fell for 20, bringing Bob to the crease. Unfortunately a seaming ball meant his stay was a relatively short one – albeit the score had been guided into the 70s off approaching 25 overs. As Phil P arrived at the centre, Skip spoke with his opposite number and agreed to foreshorten the game to a 35 over affair – due to a combination of slow over-rate and gathering clouds. This sparked Ives into action, with PP quickly posting 25 (including a rare six over long-on) and Den picking up the pace and ultimately falling for 37. A couple of quick wickets saw Malcolm and Andy *preserving their averages/*scampering quick singles (or sevens !) (* delete as appropriate) and the Ives posting a Skipper-pleasing 146 for 5.

Ives took to the field in good spirits and were quickly rewarded as ‘Lionel’ Ritchie made a mess of the opening batsmen’s stumps. A further wicket for Richard and one for Andy H heightened the team’s optimism. But a succession of non-sticking catches and Wealdstone’s annoying ability to keep at or ahead of the required run-rate became an increasing concern. Still, Ives kept to the task and were rewarded as Aidy tinkered with the bowling line-up. As the final overs ticked down the run-rate suddenly started to look testing for Wealdstone and with Aidy (1) and Lawrence (3) snaring victims at crucial times to leave the opposition teetering, nine wickets down, the tension mounted and an Ives win suddenly looked back on the cards. Alas it was not to be as a boundary snuck its way through to tie the game with four balls to go. Two balls later and a frantically scampered single secured the win for Wealdstone.

It was a game that hurt to lose. The chances were there to win it – another single here, a catch there etc etc. But that’s what we all play cricket for – a match that proved you should never assume the die is cast on a game and one played in the true spirit of ‘friendly cricket’.