BAS - bowling

BAS - batting

MCC - bowling

MCC, Girton, June 10, (Friendly, H)
On Tuesday 10th June on the one glorious day of the summer so far, MCC took on the might of BAS to contest the Geoff Cripps Memorial Trophy.

MCC lost the toss and were sneakily put into bat first by BAS, allowing at least nine of our team to be tempted by the perfomance-reducing substances on offer, i.e. beer and crisps.

Nonetheless, we amassed a glorious score of 116 for 6 wickets, despite some ferociously on-target bowling, and for once "Wides" was not our best batsman. Not shy but retiring high scorers were Nige "the Butcher" on 22, Rob "Power to the" Pople 21 and Tristan "Tuk-Tuk" Tyrell 20. True to our ornithological links we also produced two clean-bowled ducks.  MCC scorecard

After an epic struggle involving some good catches (Aidan? Tristan?) and tight bowling (Jez, Tris) BAS finally amassed 117 for 4 wickets on the second ball of the last over, i.e. with 4 balls to spare, to end a thrilling contest.  BAS scorecard 

Special thanks to Dirk for organising the match, the beer and overlooking our extra fielder, and to our beautiful cheerleaders.

Champ, Fitz, June 16, (League, Away)
If you could not make last night's match you missed a fantastic game of cricket! Dick won the toss and elected to bat on a good pitch, but some tidy bowling soon had us in all sorts of bother with wickets going down all too regularly. Fortunately the tail wagged furiously with Jon Shanklin and Ali Graham adding valuable runs at the end. Even so, a total of just 71 was well below par against a very strong batting side.

Indeed, CHAMP seemed intent on putting us to the sword immediately after starting their innings, with a flurry of boundaries early on. But BAS' bowlers soon found their rhythm with Messrs Grant, Hillyard and Goodall (jnr) proving to be accurate and too quick to hit. Soon the runs dried up and wickets began to fall (shared out between the quicks) as a procession of talented CHAMP batsmen got in and then got out.

With 3 overs remaining CHAMP needed 12 runs for a hard won victory, but they had not reckoned on the accurate "death" bowling of Goodall (snr). In fact it took a couple of agricultural boundaries off the last over of the match to wrap the game up with just 3 balls to spare; Dan Hill's leggies not quite bemusing the chap who hit the winning runs (perhaps because he happened to be a left hander). Next time Dan!

So our first defeat but we can be mighty proud of the team. They bowled and fielded magnificently and were well lead throughout by the equally excellent Dick Boulton.

Comberton, Tues June 24th at Girton College

Last night Dick Boulton and his merry band of BAS cricketers notched up their second league win of the season, this time against the mighty Martin Collins and his Comberton team. This was yet another nail biter, but in the end victory was achieved because Martin could only (b)ring 10 players...

Batting first, BAS posted an innings total of 104 runs for 4 with a classy contribution of 24 by opener Mick Grant and a belligerent one of 59 by man of the match Guy Hillyard (their long partnership setting up the contest).

In the field both teams were equally committed with Dick's unique brand of sledging adding to the entertainment. But one stunning catch by Hillyard to dismiss Comberton No 2 Glasse was arguably the stand out moment. With Grant (4 overs, 2 for 10), James Smith (2 overs, 1 for 17), Ali Graham (2 overs, 1 for 21) and that man Hillyard (4 overs, 2 for 23) accounting for the earlier wickets, "come back king" Dan Hill (1.3 overs, 3 for 10) then strangled the tail. So Comberton were all out for 97 in the final over, in spite of good batting from captain Collins in particular (26 n.o.) and excellent support from Walsh (21) and Ricky "the on loan chef" (14).

Suffice it to say that two more boundary strikes from the middle of Matins bat (with 5 balls remaining) would have seen Comberton home if the non playing BAS umpire had donned pads for the opposition at the fall of the 9th wicket. But in the end Captain Collins settled for defeat, having correctly surmised that Captain Boulton would have something pithy to say.

As ever the match was played out in an excellent spirit where special thanks are due to Martin and Dick for almost contriving an enthralling game of cricket. Nicely done.

ARM, Monday June 30th at Girton College

For the record, this was BAS’ second League defeat of the season but the performance at least was one we should take pride in.

Put in to bat, Dick Boulton’s eleven produced a solid display of batting with Mick Grant, Jamie Tratalos and Sam Goodall all contributing good scores in the twenties. But something about Eddie Ashfield’s ARM team in the field suggested that our total of 115 for 3 might not be quite enough. And so it turned out, in spite of some fine bowling from Grant and Boulton. Strong batting from ARM saw them home in the penultimate over for the loss of 5 wickets. So near yet so far.

But in sum, and not for the first time this season, a terrific nerve jangling game of cricket. Well done to both sides.

Girton, Wednesday July 2nd  at Girton Rec

Our 2008 season hit its first major problem last night when we came up against a Girton team that was a cunning mix of old hands and youthful endeavour.

After losing the toss, we were unsurprisingly made to field first on an outfield that had been made lightning quick by an afternoon rain shower. The Girton top order started strongly and the rest of the batting order followed suit, laying down an imposing total of 8/181.  To say we bowled and fielded without luck would be an understatement - there were plenty of near misses - but at the end of the day, the Girton bats were far too strong for our unique brand of streaky bowling and body-on-the-line fielding. Highlights for BAS were Ricky Timms' direct hit and run out from deep gully and an outstanding spell of spin from Dan Hill (2/33) that lead to a very sharp stumping (well done Jamie Tratalos). This bowling effort also saw Dirk Briggs' name enter the score book (1/4) for the first time this season! For Girton, the highlight was a masterclass in punishing the "occasional" loose delivery by T. Thornton (73): unarguably the man of the match.

The improbable chase quickly became impossible as the top order crumbled under the pressure. It fell to the middle and lower order to add some respectability to the score - a task accomplished with success. Philip Goodall (2) and Susie Grant (7) thwarted the Girton attack and although few runs were scored, their long time occupying the crease frustrated the bowlers and gave BAS a minor moral victory. The lower order of Simon Morley (9), Robert Johnson (11, top score), Dan Hill (10no) and Dick Boulton (4no) played admirably in the face of adversity - their adventurous but controlled hitting dragging BAS up to the total of 8/69.

At the end of the day, we were simply outplayed from the start by Girton. There's no question we could have beaten this Girton team on another day, but everything that could possibly go wrong did so. So now we've got that poor performance out of our system, let's get ourselves back into form for the next match against Madingley Mulch!

Madingley Mulch, Tuesday 8^th July at Girton College (League match)

We were informed that the ‘Mulch’ side was a team of students.  So either they were going to be young, eager and competitive or drunk.  Worryingly when they turned up they were the former.  Captain Boulton won the toss this time and on a pleasant evening took the BAS team into bat.  Some tidy Mulch bowling meant that dot balls peppered the scorebook and with a run out here and a bowled there wickets kept tumbling all too regularly.  James Smith decided it was either a dot ball or boundary affair as he top scored with 20 all in fours.  Captain Fuller of Mulch reluctantly put himself onto bowl and delivered up some odd looping, spinning kind of deliveries that soon had him claiming a fifer as five of the BAS batsman disappeared back to the pavilion (picnic bench) for ducks.  So as Goodall (snr) dashed gazelle like for a quick single with only 3 balls of the innings to go and didn’t quite make it home in time, we were all out for 75.

With not a massive score to defend we had to be on our toes in the field.  As Hillyard opened the bowling and tore in ala Michael Holding circa 1979 the first ball of the innings popped off the bat to give the Skipper (Boulton) a chance of an easy dolly.  Which he dually shelled.  Thankfully the Mulch batsman (R. Allen) decided 2 runs later to go on a kamikaze run and the ‘on the toes Shanks’ ran him out.  The sigh of relief from the Skipper echoed round the field.  The BAS fielders as always threw everything, their bodies and the occasional kitchen sink behind the ball as they scampered round the outfield.  Unfortunately the Mulch batsman decided that they were not over keen on dot balls and with (J. Allen 22.  Dorres 21, Hyras 19 not out) gently cruised to 76 with 6 overs to spare.

Another enjoyable evening dressed in white with a suitable stunning sunset.  

BWSCC, Tuesday 15^th July at Girton College (League match)

The mighty undefeated league leaders came to our picturesque ground.  The league’s jungle drums had told us that earlier in the season they had smacked 260 against Ridegeons and the lowest they had got was 158 against the team that had gently tonked us the week before.

With the boys ‘conker rules’ in our heads we wondered what was in store.  Dirk had given the battle cry of ‘bear your teeth’ but also win the toss and bat first!  With Rosencrantz and Guildenstern musing in the background the coin was tossed and Captain Boulton duly lost the toss and Captain Gittos decided his big hitting fellows would like a bat.

“Play Gentleman” and in came the steaming combo of Grant (aka Thommo) and Hillyard off his long Michael Holding run up.  The BWSCC openers of Patil (42) and D. Poole (36) decided that ‘cow corner’ was the place to be swishing the ball. Any one of a handful of shots fell annoyingly close but not to any of the gallant BAS fielders.  With luck not on the opening bowlers side on came Clilvard (doing a fantastic impression of Dennis Lillie in his pomp) and Hill (aka Abdul Qadir) bowling his leggies.  Backed up by Captain Boulton doing a flying impersonation of Gus Logie and this time holding on to the catch with Hillyard in the deep doing his now customary diving sliding catch, Timms doing a ‘Jimmy Anderson’ catch at point.  Wickets started to tumble and slowed down the run rate. On his way to a five wicket hall for 25 runs Clilvard also found himself with a possibility of a hat trick as he cleaned bowled a couple and had the middle stump cart wheeling.  Hill also got in on the act and bagged a brace.  And by the end of their innings they had only got 123-8.  We were in the game.

BWSCC’s opening bowlers were very tidy and had it nipping around. Grant (28) and Clilvard (26) were kept pinned down for the first few overs and as the clouds broke so now making it possible to see the ball, they ‘had a dip’ After being behind the run rate the ball started to disappear to the boundary culminating with Grant spanking their fast bowler back over his head for a marvellous straight six. Irwin chipped in with a useful contribution but as the overs were running out the big hitting Timms and Hillyard were at the crease. 

Two overs remained and 40 runs were needed for victory.  And bang!  Timms (21 not out) latched on to one and it went that far no body even bothered trying to find it, so on came the replacement ball.  Hillyard (26) as ever joined in the big hitting parade and the field scattered to the boundary but still the ball careered around.

One over to go and now only 18 needed to win.  Could we nick it?  And beat the league leaders?  Crash and wallop and 9 more runs were added but time and the amount of deliveries left were ultimately against us and we pitched up a tad shy on 114-4.

We had played brilliantly and given em a good run for their money.  And as ever the sunsets are beautiful at the Girton College cricket ground.  

Single wicket competition held at Girton College on Tuesday, July 22nd

Some of the highlights and the scoresheet:

Timms (+36 pts) v Boulton (-31 pts)

Ricky won the competition (Sheffield Utd proving too much for Dick's Grimethorpe Athletic). Well done Ricky.

Hillyard (+26 pts) v Grant, M (-13 pts)

Guy won the clash of the titans, his broadsword proving more effective on the day than Mick's rapier.

Pibraka (+21 pts) v Whalley (-4 pts)

The battle of the debutantes (sic) was won by Pibara. No handbags, just good honest cricket. Justine's impeccable ground work earned him 10 style points (nobody in the BAS team has seen proper fielding before...).

Staniland (+13 pts) v Morley (-8 pts)

The "my goodness I just took my first ever proper catch" award goes to Simon, but Iain "I can't bowl, that's why I keep wicket" Staniland's impressive all round contribution included a big 6 and an almost lost match ball (from only the second delivery of the competition).

Johnson (+7 pts) v Withers (+5 pts)

Not much to choose between these 2 evenly matched opponents, but Robert's outstanding catching (he took 3) just made the difference. John (another deb) marked his first appearance in BAS cricket colours (a rather fetching grey top) with the competitions most misery bowling.

Tratalos (+2 pts) v Briggs (-2 pts)

Another well matched contest saw Jamie triumph, but a held catch by Dirk (he dropped a clanger) would have seen the result reversed. If only. Equally good or equally bad? You decide.

Finally some interesting trivia.

230 runs were scored off the equivalent of 32 x 6 ball overs at a strike rate of 120% (that's better than KP!). If we can repeat this in the League we will score 144 runs when we square up to Robert Sayles. Or am I dreaming? Furthermore, 18 wickets were taken including 12 catches. Those John Lewis boys should be quaking in their cricket boots.

Thanks are due to Dick for expertly marshalling the batters (so that nobody had their pads on when they were supposed to be bowling), and Mick for umpiring when he could have been taking catches.

So well done everybody, especially Ricky who won the "match" ball. Don't forget to put it back in the bag when you're done looking at it ;-)

Mott MacDonald , Tuesday 29^th July at The Leys (Friendly match)

Full of vigour from our single wicket comp, we fronted up to play a friendly against Mott MacDonald on a sparkling evening at the Leys school.

Mott were the first to take advantage of a true pitch and short, inviting boundaries as they knocked out a score of 6/125 (two retired.) off their 20 overs.  BAS bowled and fielded exceptionally well with nearly every BAS player bowling a couple of overs in this friendly, and very few extras being given away.  Highlights were Dan's Warne-esque leggies, Guy's sharp run out from the deep and Dick's dive-at-silly-mid-off-to-stop-a-single-and-throw-down-the-stumps-at-the-other-end-whilst-lying-on-his-back run out.

BAS set about their target full of confidence - 125 never seemed like it was going to trouble us.  BAS rhyming openers of Dick (25no off 26) and Mick (28no off 23) immediately put Mott on the back foot.  Their retirement brought saw the introduction of the heavy artillery, with Ricky (18 off 9) and Guy (16 off 7) peppering the boundary and spectators alike.  Their combined efforts saw just 2 runs that didn't come from a boundary!  In the end it fell to the experienced hands of Dan (14no off 12) and Ali (11no off 5) to steer the ship home with more than two overs remaining.

 Thanks Mott for the very enjoyable match, and congratulations to BAS for a fantastic performance!

Robert Sayles , Monday 4^th August  at St Catz (League match)

With the sun shinning and a brisk wind, BAS started their last league match of the season at the nicely picturesque, if well hidden, St Catharine’s Cricket Ground. For a change our skipper (Boulton) won the toss and we opted to bat. Alas our skipper, having used up his luck, was also unlucky enough to have corker of a second delivery, to have edged it and for their keeper to decide to catch it. Unperturbed Goodall Jnr, played some fluent shots through the off side field, on his way to 25 before been run out. Though at the other end their opening bowler getting some fine movement though the air, his four wickets sparking a middle order collapse. So just over halfway through our innings, 8 wickets down with little over 50 on the board, it looked pretty bleak for BAS. We need not of worried, an unbeaten 50 partnership between Briggs (28, dominant on the legside) and Shanklin (20, assured on the off), not only gave our total some respectability, but indeed set a very defendable target. 

With the momentum our way, the new ball partnership was fearsome, with edges careering through the slip cordon, Grant bowling through for fine figures of 1- 15 and Goodall Jnr spell of 3 overs returning 1 –17. There were not many more wickets, though bowlers well backed up by their fielders kept it tight. So when Goodall Jnr returned to clean bowl their free hitting skipper (and end with figures of 2 – 26)  and Timms diving for a run out of their classy number 4, the pressure was definitely on them. Unfortunately, 12 runs needed in the last two overs and 4 runs in the last were just too few to defend. Though a gritty battling performance by BAS on the back of some fine performances in the league, should set them up as one of the sides to beat when the league comes round next year.