An Enstone epic. There are landmark events in life that are indelibly seared in the brain. Moments such as when fear is conquered and you ride a bike for the first time without stabilizers. Another is your first kiss, hell without wishing to be too gushing, even your wedding day or the birth of a child. It has to be said that rarely does sport draw comparison with such memorable moments. Yet, without doubt or without even risking the slightest potential for an accusation of hyperbole, events at Enstone cricket ground on Sunday 18th June did achieve a likeness with those truly epic life events. Indeed, for the eleven Enstone representatives involved; whilst their time on this mortal coil may have been shortened by nerves, adrenaline or even straight mind pulping anxiety at the match’s finale, they will know that they were players, or fate plucked contributors, to an incredible piece of sporting drama that has assumed immortality.
Not that it was certain that eleven men would have the opportunity to have greatness thrust upon them. On Wednesday, as anticipation built, there were in fact only nine confirmed for action. Only by Saturday were eleven players allocated; Sam King and Alex French joining the party. In a further mischievous subplot, by then the opponents had ceased to be Astons, who could not get a team. Instead Islip – regrettably with only 10 players - would provide the fixture’s opposition on a perfect, hot June Sunday. Thus, the stage was set to determine whether Enstone could seize the day and record their fifth consecutive victory. At first the sporting gods seemed to be in a benevolent mode as fate awarded the winning of the toss to Captain Speke. The decision was made to field based on some previous tight bowling displays that had been the bedrock to the team’s winning run. Therefore, despite the baking temperature that restricted the ill phrased: ‘warming up’ to the most conservative efforts, morale was high and expectation honed. For the first session none of this optimism was misplaced. Hence, like when the sea is a cool blue mirror and a status for calm benign tranquillity favourable for you to venture upon, so the early bowling and fielding suggested a victory was merely a formality. Indeed, although Islip’s opener Epton prodded and occasionally drove convincingly, he would succumb for 15 expertly trapped LBW by Watts from a leg stump delivery. To compound this early ascendancy, Speke claimed three wickets: Crawford (6) with a fine catch by P Anthony in the slips; Sagir (4), caught by Peterson (after a decisive field change to midwicket) and Amman (1) also caught this time in the covers by Watts. Equally, Islip’s third man Thompson was removed by a fine catch in the covers by Wilson off K Anthony’s bowling. After an opening that could be summarised as a passage of shock and awe, Enstone had imposed a vice like hold. Indeed, there was no let up for Islip. P Anthony bowled tightly and was unlucky not to be rewarded with a wicket, whilst Peterson brought into the attack in the 18th over clean bowled Shahid in his second over for 12 to stifle a passage of post drinks resistance. With the visitors by this point reeling on 42/6, Enstone were now into the Islip tail and further fine performances in the field were now recorded. French recorded 2/5 with the removal of Nelson (7) and Abbas (3) both clean bowled whilst Stewart charitably stated that he had: ‘lured him [Faizaan] with poor bowling’ into conceding a regulation catch to Speke for 2, meant that the Islip innings closed on 78. Tea was taken and for the second week running it appeared as though Enstone could be home and hosed early. However, each of the following must be considered in consigning this suggestion to nonsense: the skill and determination of Islip in the field, the malevolent forces of fate and perhaps the fatigue of fielding in the heat. Whatever the truth, a deemed sporting certainty was about to be subjected to the most rigorous strain. Thus, Speke and King opened and for a time it appeared as though there was nothing to threaten the Enstone advance towards glory but with the score on 15 Speke was caught off the bowling of Sagir for 7. King followed with the score on 16 and suddenly there was a ripple in the sea of calm. Forder and Wilson moved the score to 26 before the latter was removed when caught off Amaan’s bowling. Two quick wickets followed as Gregory and Anthony were lost both without scoring. A storm of apprehension was now brewing as Enstone had slumped to 31/5. Calm appeared to be restored as progress to 41 was made between Watts and Foden. However, when the former was bowled by Shahid, the momentum appeared to be shifting to Islip as Shahid then bowled Anthony and Stewart whilst Crawford broke Forder’s resistance on 20 by bowling him to leave Enstone suddenly cut adrift in travesty’s tempest on 56/9. Victory, once seemingly assured, now appeared dashed as a now gargantuan figure of 23 was required from the final pairing of French and Peterson. Yet, this final passage of the game is what makes the occasion such a memorable one and also what makes cricket such a fascinating sport. After staring down the barrel of defeat from a former point of expected victory, French and Peterson battled with determination, heroism and fortitude akin to the efforts at Rorkes Drift when a plethora of Victoria Crosses were claimed. Thus, as the outcome of the day was confined to Enstone’s final wicket, each shot that registered on the scoreboard brought claps of approval as the heart rate of those watching and supporting the home team was temporarily eased as runs were added. Equally, each play and miss brought gasps of relief as a piece of sporting theatre was played out. Eventually, to the delight of the partisan support, French and Peterson magnificently steered the good ship Enstone through a passage of unexpected storm fury with the former recording 14 not out and the latter 9 to claim a famous, nail biting victory. Well batted gentlemen, surviving that cricket crucible – a medal as big as a dustbin lid is warranted for each of you for your redoubtable displays! Therefore, to close, as stated at the start, a fantastic performance by French and Peterson at the close but this was an epic for all involved. Many thanks must go to Islip for providing opposition after a cancellation and contributing to such a thrilling spectacle of cricket. For Enstone, forward in victory – JUST!
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There are many decisions that a cricket captain has to make on match day, dilemmas that the captain wrestles with in the build-up; snap decisions that can make or break a game; decisions that can transform a player’s season, or a team’s. These decisions are not normally made by Enstone Captain, Will Speke. Instead he normally mulls over slightly less significant decisions such as; ‘what pants shall I wear?’, ‘should I bat Peterson at 10 or 11?’, ‘squash or water for the drinks break?’, and the most frequently used ‘where the hell can I get 11 men from?’
This Sunday, in a departure from the norm some significant decisions were made which actually impact on the game. Well, one, maybe 2 at a stretch. The big one was the toss. The skipper won the toss, and after winning 3 on the bounce, twice batting first and once bowling first, it wasn’t a clear cut decision. The weather was set fair, if a little windy, so the decision was made, unusually, to bowl first. This proved decisive. Despite some textbook batting from Addy (20) and Kelly (19) the Enstone attack made light work of the OCCSCC batting line up. Watts made a couple of early breakthroughs in his opening 4 over burst, bowling Anderson-Pearce for 3 and having Shoucat caught spectacularly by Gregory for 4. Pete Anthony, opening up the hill in a bid to get rid of his hangover claimed Keighrey for a duck with a contested LBW (it hit the pad first), leaving OCCSCC 3 down for not a lot. Speke joined the fray and bowled a wicketless 8 over spell for 9 runs, while Myatt probed at the other end taking 1 wicket for 5 runs from 5 overs, including the vital wicket of Addy. A good decision looked to have been made. Following Speke’s economical but benign spell, the second significant decision was made in who to bowl next. The options were wide ranging, with Stewart loosening up like Dave Gahan in a Soho nightclub, Kev Anthony ruffling his feathers at the prospect of not being given a bowl, and everybody else avoiding eye contact from the skipper in the hope of not being asked to turn their arm over. In the end the skipper went for Kev Anthony, and a wise decision this proved to be. With the scoring rate at a snail’s pace and the wind blowing hard, the batsmen played into Budgie’s feathers. In a sensational spell of bowling Kev took 4 for 24 from 7 overs. Some solid catching from Watts, Speke, Gregory and the bowler himself accounting for Kelly, Parish, Ahmadazi and Nalir. Wilson (4-0-6-1) and Pete Anthony (8-0-16-2) picked up the remaining wickets, meaning that with 3 overs to spare OCCSCC were bowled out for an under par 79. After a lovely tea from Lesley Anthony, Enstone strode out to bat confident of hitting their target and enjoying a windy afternoon at the wicket. Speke and Burge moved things along nicely, waiting for the bad ball and capitalising on some inconsistent bowling. Speke eventually fell for 23 trying to play an ambitious drive, caught at slip. Forder replaced him and hit a strong and stable 12. Smith (2 not out) replaced Forder at the wicket and ably supported Burge (29 not out) in seeing Enstone home inside 14 overs. This allowed the Enstone team a rare early finish and some extra time in the bar. Reflections were made on the quality of the fielding and bowling, and how the skipper didn’t have any significant decisions in the win. This is as we always bowl first and Budgie was a dead cert to bowl as he has been in good form all season. Still, another successful Sunday for Enstone, played in a friendly way with amiable opposition. Old friendships and rivalries renewed The Enstone 9 had increased to 11 between 1.30 and commencing play at 2pm due to a loan of a fielder from Isis, a good sporting lot. Plus the press ganging of Ju Watts attired in Pony’s shirt/ jumper, Millhouses whites and Piers Myatt’s boots.
Skipper Speke won the toss and in good Enstone fashion inserted Isis. Watts opened from the Hoar Stone end, Pony from the Spinney end. Playing conditions Damp underfoot. Some good tight bowling led to an excellent return catch by Pony, splitting his thumb nail in the process. The sight of blood must have been too much for Umpire Ponsford who gave a first baller LBW to the incoming batsman. As Freddie Forder said would have taken all 3. Hat trick ball was well bowled, if Pony was looking for a leg side stumping. Consequently it was not successful. Overs were nearly in front of runs, the pressure seemed too much for Wiblin of Isis as he called for a single, enter Budgie who swooped like an Eagle to fizz the ball to Forder who removed the bails; an excellent run out. Speke replaced the old cart horse Watts and was getting great movement. The run out was too much for Wiblin and with fantastic bowling Speke removed him. Peterson was now on for Pony and joined the party with a stinging delivery to remove Jacobs. Danger man Ponsford was now at the wicket but the Speke Budgie combination saw him off. Budgie flew like an Eagle to catch Ponsford. The ball was following Ju around the field to fine leg. Simon Parker was in good form with his encouraging comments, he will be missed when he is off on his travels. Bullet arm Wilson nearly accounted for another wicket with a Run Out. Forders glovers were getting warm. Myatt replaced the excellent spell by Peterson as frustration took hold. With a lack of LBW decisions gong his way the Gaggingwell express refined his bowling to claim 2 wickets. Bowling Whiter and sending the stumps airborne. Pony replaced the skipper at the top end the run rate worm was sinking. Runs were at a premium but Enstone wanted wickets so the skipper turned to partnership breaker Budgie Eagle Anthony. Needless to say a well taken catch by Forder brought the result of a wicket. Watts returned to claim a half pint wicket well caught by Wilson and Isis all out for 76. Thanks to Isis for providing an extra fielder. Overs Maidens Runs Wickets Watts 5.1 0 10 1 Pony 8 2 17 2 Speke 8 5 11 2 Peterson 8 1 13 1 Myatt 8 2 13 2 Budgie 3 1 7 1 A wonderful tea followed, thanks to Mrs Forder assisted by Mrs Anthony. However rain kept coming down and the game looked to be heading for abandonment. Luckily we hung on and the conditions improved for play to start. In tough batting conditions Speke and Parker started well however the ball was not running to the boundary due to the wet conditions. Parker was LBW to Wyatt, in the meantime Speke was ploughing on. Forder joined and Enstone chipped away at the total of 76. Pressure was mounting on the umpires for more LBWs. The captain continued with fine shots to reach a well-deserved 50. As the winning total neared Enstone played some expansive shots and lost the Wickets of Speke and Forder. In came Kev Anthony to hit the winning runs, joined by Wilson. An excellent game and the spirit of cricket was the winner. Thanks too Ned, Keith and Ju for umpiring. TP for scoring. |
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