A close fought match ended in defeat for brave Enstone in thick sea fog… the Enstone captain Will Speke put Astons into bat having arrived late and having decided that he didn’t have time to put his pads on. Astons had been bolstered by the addition of three fine players from Islip. Enstone had called on the youth team to fill the ranks and were pleased to welcome Marcus Croft and Sam Eykyn both still at primary school but whom were soon to show the “old boys” like Freddy how to field! Enstone opened with Ed Croft, who took on the “attack leader” mantle and decided he would take advantage of the slope, he duly earned his right to lead by returning figures of 2 for 17 from 8 overs and may have had more were it not for some uncharacteristic drops in the slip cordon. Pete Anthony at the other end was also very tidy taking 1 for 38, figures which were slightly spoiled by a few late boundaries and a number of expletives which can’t be published. With Kev Anthony missing Tom Peterson decided to slow down his bowling to great effect for 2 wickets, including an excellent stumping. Sadly it was clear that with 92 for one of the Astons senior batsman, their score of 165 was always going to be tough. This was not before a fabulous last over from young Marcus Croft, in which managed to hurl down a maiden of the highest quality! So to the run chase, which commenced after very cheesy lunch provided by our resident Hollywood celeb “manly” Dan Stewart, whom was recovering from a long walk in the peak district. Enstone's batting lineup had a new look to it, with Adam Smith being welcomed back for his first game of the season and Alastair Eykyn (of BBC Radio 5 Live notoriety). After an early bath for Speke dismissed for 9 and a leg side strangle for Freddy for 8 runs a very nice partnership developed between the new boys. Adam Smith went on to make 19 including a sumptuous straight 6 which went into the Paddocks! His exit brought my good-self to the wicket and with promises of taking it easy to support Alastair in his innings, Paul promptly smashed his first ball to Cover and was caught for a golden duck…which was rather irritating. Alastair went on to score 40 including some very tasty boundaries, briefly joined by Tom Peterson who contributed a few lusty blows to take the team within 60 runs off the last 9 overs. “Big” Ed Croft was by this stage handing out a Churchillian speech on the boundaries about “everything being do-able…until it isn’t”. He sent out his son Marcus and his school friend Sam to do his dirty work for him and to their significant credit garnered 3 and 8 respectively. Ed Croft strode to the wicket eventually as our last hope, lever’s whirling like some giant threshing machine….sadly Freddy "the Finger" Forder was umpiring and he promptly gave him out for 1 and that was the end of that. Paul Newton
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It was with high spirits that Enstone arrived at Queens College Cricket field after their resounding, stonking win against arch rivals, Wytham (y-TH-u-m). Once the whole team had arrived after two players went via Oxford Station, they took to the field under a glorious blue sky and hot 23 degree sun. Would the high temperatures come into play as the game wore on? Our skipper chose to field first, for a change. J.Wazzer Watts and P. Pony Anthony opened the bowling and although there were no early wickets the Isis attack was very muted in the face of some fiercely accurate bowling on a wicket that was not offering anything, very unusually for the Queens ground. They commenced battle with the constant, unceasing, tireless, encouragement from D. The Finger Stewart. Not all of it had any coherent narrative and only some of the words could be found in a modern English dictionary but it had the desired effect and the overs ticked along nicely. Unfortunately for our brave openers there was again some Estonesque fielding and the opening batsman was dropped early twice. This would prove costly as the same batsman went on to score a healthy and game winning total. For one stout hearted fielder, he was just glad the ball was not coming towards him at midwicket and some one else could face the withering looks of his teammates. A breakthrough was made however after an astonishing catch in deep gully from P. Anthony off E Crofty Croft. After 15 overs Isis had been being kept to a relatively low run rate when our brave skipper took the baton. However Will-monkey-gareth-southgate-Speke began to tire in the glaring mid-afternoon heat and struggled a little. Never-the-less, his gallant spirits were kept high by the endless, incessant, continuous, interminable cheering from Finger Stewart. Finally it was too much, and after being hit for another sharp boundary, our Skipper beseeched Stewart to cease his eloquent words of encouragement as he felt himself not worthy. Stewart resolved that from this point on he would never allow his noble captain again such self doubt and modesty. He determined to redouble his efforts and forbid his comrade to become so downtrodden every time he got smacked for 4 through the covers. At the other end Croft had his eye in without any further luck while Anthony had now two very attractive maidens. The game was poised on a knife edge but still Isis’ opener stood firm and started to amass quite a total. As the batsmen became even more confident, the skipper went for a change of pace and brought in P. Olivia. Newton and K. Budgie. Anthony. It proved to be decisive and almost immediately Anthony. K struck with another of his unplayable ‘bombs’ that shaved the leg stump following a wild, awful swing by the Isis batsman. Then Newton sank another whose eyes lit up only for it to be snatched out of the air by a catch of the highest order from Croft. His first of two that he made seem easier than they were. Isis were quick to learn however and backed off the slogs and rapidly scored singles and twos. The brothers Anthony struck again as always and as the 40 over break loomed Enstone snatched one last wicket and left the field needing 185. After tea Speke and Anthony marched to the crease and after an opening delivery near disaster they went on for 14 overs and were unbreakable notching up a clever 38. Speke was the first to fall though and Freddy “Henry” Forder replaced him. He too found the wicket horribly slow and the outfield even slower. Patience was the order of the day but the run rate began to drop behind that of Isis. Forder fell and was replaced by S. Enrique. Wilson who more than made amends with a flashing bat. And then, calamity. Enstone lost 5 wickets for just 4 runs. Stewart was completely tied up by a wicked delivery from Isis’ spinner which swung away from leg stump and then spun ferociously back at off. As he shouldered arms and sulked from the crease he overheard comments that the delivery might have been as good if not better than a certain S. Warne’s “Ball of the century”. And indeed Mike Gatting could have fared no better against such a monstrous delivery. A sterling rear guard action was mounted by a fierce Wilson and Croft who put on another incredible 50 between them. But finally Croft fell to a catch from a player who might need help bending down to tie his shoelaces due to old age let alone a sharp drive through mid-wicket at ankle height. Enstone’s stalwart keeper brought up the final bat and seemed quite comfortable until a horribly controversial LBW was given by Umpire Forder. Stewart must surely feel that a return to his place as an opening Umpire is not too far off. Easton had made 109 and lost by 75 runs and 3 wickets. |
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