Firstly apologises for a report almost as late as one of my attempted pull shots. We arrived in Bampton sometime in July (due to the lateness of the report I have no idea exactly when) with heavy sky’s and little prospect of a full 40 overs per side match. After some deliberation and negotiations with the opposition skipper we decided we would join the T20 revolution and opt for the shorter, dynamic and sexier game of t20 cricket between the now renamed Enstone Exiles and the Bampton Ballistic. In a change from the norm, we decided to bowl first hoping that Duckworth Lewis would play a part in the run chase. Enstone strode onto the field full of purpose, with surely our youngest ever debutant James Anthony at the age of 8 full of energy as he prepared to run from fine leg to fine leg for 20 overs! Things started well with a good tight start from the Skipper and TP resulting in an excellent run out by the former of their opener for 4. Will followed this up with the wicket of a small child for a duck and things were looking rosey for the Exiles. Unfortunately this brought some bigger hitters to the crease and despite some valiant fielding from Tom & young James the score increased at an alarming rate. Eventually one of Budgies teasing deliveries did for one of the Batsman for 46 but the relentless hitting continued until the last over which was bowled by James and went for a very respectable 9 runs and he was unfortunate to not pick up a wicket or two. A brave effort from the boys in the field as the Ballistic finished on a powerful 209-3 off the 20 overs (scoring at 10.45 runs per over) Will with 1-22 & Budgie 1-37 the wicket takers. After deciding to forgo Tea due to the impending biblical storm Simon & Will strode to the crease while the rest of the side built an Ark. All this biblical talk seemed like for some time it would inspire a miracle as Will with some powerful pulls and cuts (mostly off the same child he had earlier bowled out) propelled the Exiles score on at a rollicking rate. With Simon at the other end accumulating runs nicely it looked like we could actually pull this off. Just as the momentum was building and with the Exiles just behind on Duckworth Lewis the heavens opened and we retreated to the dressing room. The rain then relented but the momentum was lost and Will has cleaned bowled for a rapid 72 before firstly Simon for 48 and another debutant Ayam both fell LBW to the Ballistics young leg spinner. This left Freddie and James to play out the last couple of overs with Freddie not out 13 and James not out 1 as Enstone finished second on 156-3 from the 20 overs. An enjoyable if moist afternoon with Enstone finally dragging themselves into the 21st Century and embracing 20/20, as always though Cricket was the real winner.
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Smells like victory. It is said that the ‘good things come to those that wait’. This cricket report is probably not one of those. But needless to say your humble reporter will try to capture the incredible highs and lows not mention feats of heroic daring-do despite having almost recollection of what I did last night let alone nearly 6 weeks ago. Nevertheless, I will regale you all, dear readers, with the most important facts.
It was a very warm day as our team arrived filled with anticipation for the days battle in the filed against local rivals, Great Tew. The latter had conjured a team of seemingly small children and semi-professional South Africans and no skipper leaving them with just 8 players. Unusually, Enstone could field a full squad of actual players however, there was certainly some trepidation at the thought of being smashed around by one of ‘Tew’s loanees. Our skipper surprised us all by electing to field first. And at this point, dear reader, please allow your humble narrator to somewhat stall as I try to pluck the events from a memory somewhat pickled in beer and swimming with lines of current theatrical enterprises. But I recall our dander being somewhat up at having overheard the Tew opening children bragging about how many sixes they would hit and our sometime colleague Sam laughing as he spoke of our woeful abilities. They would have been best to keep quiet as their first was soon gone for just 11 whilst trying to massively take the piss out of J.Watts bowling. He may or may not have been caught by T. Peterson. It is hard to tell as the Tew children keeping score seemed to have absolutely no idea what they were doing and have credited several wickets to an Enstone player called Pench. I believe they meant French. Their number 3 also fell quickly, clean bowled for 7 from a wicked delivery by our skipper W.Speke, who had decided to actually aim for the stumps as opposed to hurling neck high bouncers at 12 year old children. He dismissed the next child for a duck caught and bowled. And the next, bowled for two. However, the South African semi-pro was next to the crease and he played with elegance and style. He and their opener who was refusing to go built a very healthy partnership of 152 with J.King getting 101 before retiring. The springbok was eventually caught in typical Gregory style. Dear reader, this narrator will never tire of B.Gregory’s antics. One can only deeply enjoy the way in which he tricks the batter into thinking there is now way in hell he could be caught only to be crushed by Gregory’s unbelievable ability to gather the ball safely from three feet behind him. Truly remarkable. Tew saw out the innings and advanced their score only by six more. They left the field a respectable 182 all out. Speke was the stand out of 9-1-23-3 Nine overs being a bit controversial and T. Peterson claimed the inexperienced children had nicked his maiden over. Tea was excellent, and I believe it might even have been provided by S.Parker. Enstone went out to bat confident but also wary that the children might be a little more handy with the ball than the bat. Parker and Speke strode to their respective creases, but despite the formers confidence he was caught out mid-wicket (can’t believe I can remember that) for just 8. F. Forder took his place. And there, dear reader, really, ends the story. Speke and Forder were indomitable. Despite being very good bowlers, the children found our two heroes impenetrable. Their bats flashed in the Oxfordshire sun and even Forder’s legs were a blur of speed as he batted to an Enstone career best of 83 and Speke 67. Enstone were victorious over 8 children and a semi-pro. And I, dear reader could leave my season not having embarrassed myself too greatly and safe in the knowledge that this team is firing on all cylinders. Many more victories await them and I look forward to the reports of great sporting feats (In probably a more expeditious manner than I could achieve). I shall miss you all and my Sunday afternoons in your exceptional company. Report by Dan Stewart |
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