Barford Cricket Club

Barford Cricket Club

A friendly cricket club based in Warwickshire

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Match Report – Barford v Barford

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Simon International writes:

Just a quick one to say thank’s to everyone who turned up today and took part In what was a great afternoon of cricket.

The shortened version of events are as follows –

Team Cutler batted first with Griffin and Morris opening. On 13 Griffin knocked one up to the juggler known as Jolly who on the 7th attempt finally managed to hold on to the ball. A great knock of 20 from the in-form Morgan junior and a 6 ball 17 from the attacking Gill before a captain’s knock of 28 from Alistair. A few more from Hawkins and Morris before team Cutler were all out for 123. Two wickets apiece for Paul Robbins and Morgan Senior with one each from Howes, Jolly and Cook.

Team Jolly then batted second with openers Farquhar and Peirson. Jake was firing on all cylinders and quickly retired on 30 whilst partner Peirson retired hurt with a bad back on 12. Unfortunately there was an injury on the field and Alistair was taken to hospital with what has been confirmed as a dislocated and fractured finger. Our best wishes for a speedy recovery are sent to Ali from everyone in the club. PJ was his usual steady self knocking the ball around with ease and finished on an unbeaten 26. Morgan Senior wasn’t around for very long before knocking one up In the air and straight into the arms of a waiting Farquhar. Delight for Morgan junior as he was the bowler. “It’s great to get my dad out”, was a quote from Will. Cook scored 2 whilst Howes didn’t manage that many as the Hawk struck with the first of his two wickets. Ben Cook came back to have another go as Paul Robbins had taken Alistair to the hospital. ( Thank’s for that Paul, you are a star ). Rain stopped play for around 30 minutes before we all returned to the pitch and Ben and PJ steered team Jolly to a victory.

It was an excellent afternoon of cricket played In a very sporting manner, firm but fair and enjoyed by everyone. Well that’s how I remember how everything happened.

Cheers,
Simon International.

Match Report – Old Moseley v Barford

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Chief Paparazzo Paul Henderson writes:

Old Moseley Arms Fit Men v Barford Cricket Club Unfit Men match report

Firstly, never trust the weather forecasts, it was great credit to OMAFM that not only did we get a game on (thanks in part to their excellent artificial wicket), but a whole game at that, barely interrupted by potentially apocalyptic conditions swirling around.

So on a ground where a young Moeen Ali scored 195* (in a T20 game…) could Barford repeat last year’s success, with the advantage of 11 players this time? Well success at the toss and it was time to pile on the runs with the opening pair of Sandy Peirson and Kevin Tobin. When it comes to piles, Sandy is your man, but unfortunately in first over, he succumbed to Sharif’s slippery spin, bringing the man in form Ben Linfield to the crease.

Kev and Ben set about blunting the OMAFM attack, which was made harder by the ‘out-of-bounds’ area on the short boundary which meant that if the fence was hit or cleared it was 6…but out. On the other side of the ground the enormous boundary and damp outfield yielded a handful of boundaries all day, so plenty of running had to be done. This played on the minds of batters throughout the day, and Kev was caught in two minds (literally) off the bowling of Healey in the 5th over bringing in Jake Farquar to the crease.

Top-loading the batting order with heavy hitters didn’t work this time as Jake was bowled for the second duck of the day. This meant that the batting colossus and super sub Will Morgan came to the crease with the score wobbling at 16/3. In a new performance related pay system, Kev foolishly promised some monetary rewards for runs from young Will and boy did it work! He patiently complied runs with Ben in exactly the way his dad doesn’t. Seeing off the dangerous Healey and Sharif Ben and Will unfurled some sumptuous shots and ran the 3’s as the ball time and time stopped short of the boundary. Will was out at the half way point having rescued the innings with a superb 68 run partnership and the score on a much healthier 84/4. As skipper for the day I knew we had to push on, but I reckoned any score over 150 would be tough to get and watched happily from the other end as Ben press the accelerator and move effortlessly to within sight of his second century.

Unfortunately a mini collapse saw us fall back to 132/6 with Ben out for a great 91 and 14 overs left to get us up to a really competitive total. Ken and Tom went about this keenly and a put together a rebuilding partnership that steadied the ship. Rob went about punishing the bowling too and made a vital 22 runs at No 9, leaving Simon ‘The Finisher’ Hawkins chalk up another not out to close the innings with a very defendable 197 runs on the board.

Another top tea with warm samosas and hot tea that warmed us up, and after a slight delay for a passing monsoon (our only stoppage of the day), we went out determined to make the most of our batting effort. And what a start from the metronomic Hawkster striking in his first and second overs with Anderson-like accuracy leaving the Mo’s reeling on 12/2. at the other end, tempting the batsmen with heaving Timms over the short but deadly boundary was working to a certain extent after an expensive first over, but the experience OMAFM batsman used the shorter straight boundaries cleverly , but more great groundwork from Will (fielding in exactly the way his dad doesn’t), Jake and Ben stopped the Mo’s running away with it.

Will also came on to replace the Hawkinator (bowling in exactly the way ……you get the idea) and Tom Hase has also provided some control at the other end. more importantly he made a crucial breakthrough thanks to a catch-of-the-season contender at square leg from Ben Linfield diving full stretch, one-handed to remove Frost for 27.

This left the game very delicately balance at drinks, bang on the target run-rate at 99/3 but with only 10 men there were only 6 more wickets to get…. Time for another change of bowling and to see Ben start contributing properly to the game after ‘only’ getting 91 so far and taking a brilliant catch. He reeled off over after tight over, which was a good job because at the other end your skipper was being a tad more expensive before snaffling a couple of wickets including top scorer Mo for 75 with a pinpoint catch by Simon H. Kenny G got in on the act with the first of 2 solid catches and some great chasing down the laser-like throws at the stumps.

Tension began to ratchet up, 118/5, but runs still coming at a decent rate for OMAFM, every run bringing them closer to what would be a fine victory. Magnificent diving efforts in the field from the likes of Sandy and Jake just evaded their bucket-like hands and Ben decided not to rely on his fielders and nailed another Old Mo LBW. 126/6 in the 28th – 62 required off 12 …

Rob did his best to provide an even closer finish and into the 35th over, just 40 needed off 6, a few lusty blows and we were in danger of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory , but Kenny G hung onto another corking catch off Rob’s bowling and the pressure began to tell. Ben bowled the dangerous Sharif in the next over and Simon finished off the innings with a plum LBW to bring him his 3rd wicket of the game.

34 runs was the margin, but it felt a lot closer than that out in the middle and everyone contributed to an enjoyable win on a day which could easily have been lost to the weather. It’s hard to look beyond Ben’s 91, catch and 2/18 bowling for MoM, but his son wisely slept through most of it so he will just have to tell him some bedtime stories of another Barford end of season win.

One more match to go, good luck!

Cheers, Paul

Match Report – Rugby Oakfield v Barford

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Simon International reports:

So before the game started the Barford 9 became the Barford 8 after we had another withdrawal from the team. Now we have received many a good hiding over at Rugby Oakfield In the past and that has been when we have taken a strong 11 so you wouldn’t expect too much from a team of 8 except maybe another thrashing?

Well not today, as Ben stole the show and steered us to a glorious victory. No not that Ben and no not that Ben either. The other Ben, little Ben, Ben the 3rd.

Let me tell you how It all happened. Skipper for the day Paul Johnstone lost the toss and we were asked to field. In fairness to Oakfield they donated some extra pairs of legs so that we could fill the gaps In our field and throughout the day Mark Warner’s son Alex also acted as a backstop for us and probably saved us 20 runs in doing so as his keeper dad for the day let one or two go by him, ha ha.

The shortened version of our fielding Is this. The wickets were shared out as Simon Hawkins, Ben Cook, Jon Lambdon and Tony Timms all took a wicket each whilst Tom Hase was the pick of the bowlers taking 3 for 20 off 7 overs. this included a hat trick opportunity only to send the ball whizzing down leg side, jug avoidance I think. Simon Hawkins took a catch, but dropped a dolly, while Jon Lambdon ran out an 11 year old (nothing to be proud of Jon). After a solid all round performance In the field Oakfield’s Inning’s was restricted to 152 for 8 off their allocated overs.

After a lovely tea, In what can only be described as perfect conditions to bat in, openers Johnstone and Warner strolled out to the wicket and quickly set about the task in hand by knocking the ball around the ground. Drinks were taken and we were 88 for none. However thing’s soon changed as Paul was trapped in front of the stumps after making 38. This bought James Patterson to the wicket and the
start of the comedy of errors, lol. Mark Warner was soon run out on 48 (another case of jug avoidance methinks) and in came Ben (the 3rd) Cook and we were 98 for 2 off 22. A couple of comical runs later, my colleague at square leg Tony Timms says to the lads if you two don’t get run out I will eat my hat. Well no hat eating for Tony as 2 runs later James was heading back to the pavilion after you
guessed it, getting run out.

No need to panic just yet as we had the H bombs waiting in preparation. Hase and Hawkins. So the first of our Preparation H boys, Tom came to the wicket and we still needed around 50 runs. In all fairness Tom didn’t need to do much as young Ben the 3rd was smacking the ball all around the field. The overs were ticking away as Oakfield changed the bowling attack and when only needing 10 runs, Tom was finally bowled. Enter the second H bomb, Simon Hawkins. As we entered the final over and needing 3 runs to win Simon slashed at one that raced away for a boundary and a victory but it was young Ben the 3rd who had starred for us as he finished on 46 not out. Our final candidate for jug avoidance, ha ha.

It was another great all round team performance which I am proud and also pleased to say that I was there to witness. Well played guys you were great.

Well that’s how I remember how everything happened. Cheers.

Simon International.

Match Report – Barford v Snitterfield

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Simon International reports:

After watching my son get married at the weekend (he is now someone else’s problem, ha ha ) I decided to cut short my holiday in Cornwall to travel home to watch, Inspire and motivate the guys in this must win midweek battle against our hosts Snitterfield as a victory would mean that we would finish our midweek campaign with more wins than defeats. So the story begins –

I am not sure who won the toss but when I arrived It was clear to see that Barford were going to bat first as Kenny Boy Gill and debutant Struan Robertson were walking out to the wicket. From the off the intent was clear for all to see. We are Barford, this is a 20/20 and that means go big or die trying, ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK, ha ha. Ken was swinging his bat at everything. Unfortunately for Ken though he was swinging in all the wrong places and when the straight one finally came, Ken departed without troubling the score board. Enter Kevin Tobin who had a look, smashed a four but then went to next ball. 6 for 2 off 2 overs was not the start we had hoped for. PJ came in to join Struan and they started to settle the nerves as they started knocking the ball around. PJ was retired on 25 and in came Chris O’Reilly who again after having a look started playing his shots. It wasn’t long before Chris and Struan were both retired after reaching 25 and the score board started to look better. That left Alistair Cutler and Ben Griffin at the crease though it seemed as though Ben didn’t want to be there as he smashed the quickest 25 of the season off only 9 deliveries. James Beavan joined the attack and tried to add a few at the death. Alistair was caught and Paul Stacey came in to face the last couple of balls as our innings came to a close with a great total of 162. Well done to Struan, PJ, Chris and Ben an all getting 25. 

So were the guys going to play it safe and try to defend the total, or were they going to have a go? Simon Hawkins was given the ball and asked for a change to come down the hill. Not the best of starts as the first ball was smashed back over his head for 6. On the run rate we were now losing, lol.  Alistair Cutler took the second over and the breakthrough soon followed as Chris took a great catch off Ali’s bowling.  Snitterfield’s 2 and 3 got stuck in and started scoring runs and after 6 overs they were right In the game. Both were retired and two new batsmen came to the crease. Unfortunately for them though we were about to Introduce Mr Angry Into the attack. It wasn’t long before Paul was celebrating as he bowled one before Chris took another good catch. Simon Hawkins was bought back into the attack and he also bagged a couple. Two brilliant pieces of fielding by Ken and James Beaven bought us another two wickets in the form of run outs.  Ken was then asked to bowl and despite being smacked for a few found himself half way through his second over and on a hat trick after Kevin caught one behind the stumps and he clean bowled another. The field closed in and Ken sent one down which rapped the batsman’s pads. Everyone went up in unison and turned to umpire International for a verdict?  Not Out. 

Sadly for Ken, Snitterfield had introduced a no LBW rule for the game, but Ken hadn’t been told. Taking all of these wickets was In one way great, but it now meant that the first of the retired batsmen could return. If we were going to win we would have to do it properly and get them all out. We had a secret weapon though In Jon Lambdon. A few twists and a few turns and a couple of wickets later it was all over. We had bowled Snitterfield out for 136. 

It was time to get changed get a drink and grab one of those infamous Snitterfield burgers that were ready and waiting for us. I now know who won the toss and why they chose to bat second, ha ha. 

It was a superb all round team performance with everyone contributing with the bat or ball or in the field. Well done guys you certainly did me proud in making it a successful midweek campaign. 

Well that’s how I remember how everything happened, ha ha. 

Match Report – Barford v Stoneleigh

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The Hawk writes:

Barford today notched up our second remarkable victory on the bounce, with an excellent 8 wicket win over Stoneleigh. Opposition skip Neil Carter won the toss and elected to bat; the Stoneleigh openers made steady progress despite James Beaven and, subsequently, Paul Stacey repeatedly beating the outside edge. The first wicket fell on the stroke of drinks and with the score on 73 when Paul finally got justice for his efforts and staring with an LBW decision. Jon Lambdon, for whom the situation was written all over, then quickly dismissed the dangerous Stoneleigh number three with a caught and bowled. Paul got in on the c&b action with a very sharp return catch to end with figures of 8-2-21-2. Gary Dunn arrived late, which gave Andrew O’Reilly the chance to make his Barford debut as a substitute fielder. He made some excellent stops and throws and will definitely be a big player for the club in the future.

With his whites freshly on, Gary was almost immediately into the action bowling and sent down a really good six over spell – he was unlucky not to get a wicket (Layla we need to talk about how run outs are recorded in the book) although there was a run out following some sharp PJ fielding. Ben Linfield bowled through to the end with his 7 overs conceeding only 10 runs (the less said about a couple of dropped catches the better) but the remaining Stoneleigh opener (72 not out) and their number five (50 not out) farmed the strike well despite the usual ferocious Timmys onslaught. They ended on on 187-4.

Tea was a lavish fajita based affair provided by Mr and, to a very much greater extent, Mrs Lambdon (making a cricket tea basically equals a common law marriage contract). As the last tea of the season it was a strong contender for the club’s most prestigious award.

Skipper O’Reilly and Ben Linfield opened the batting and made brisk progress until Chris fell to an extraordinary left handed diving catch by Stoneleigh’s Saturday skipper. That bought PJ to the crease. Over the years many of us have been tormented by trying to keep up with Paul’s quick running between the wickets so there was a certain pleasure to be had in watching him receive a dose of his own medicine as Ben pushed for threes on a slow outfield.

As the total passed three figures and Ben passed 50 a carnival atmosphere developed amongst those of us watching, with only one question on our lips – would George Linfield get to see his Dad make a ton on his first visit to the ground? The answer was yes as Ben cruised to his maiden Barford century. It was a fantastic knock notable for a lot of powerful hitting down the ground. George celebrated by getting hiccups. With only a handful of runs needed PJ (42) fell to another amazing catch by the same fielder who’d caught Chris, leaving Jake the unenviable task of finishing things off. Ben ended on 109 not out as we reached the target in the 33nd over. For once the middle order power house of Gill, Beavan and Stacey were not needed.

Paul and Ben’s partnership was worth 128 (joint 15th highest in the club’s history, partnership stats fans) and Jon subsequently worked out that they must have run over a mile each.

Quote of the day was from Jon who said “I’m polishing the crown” as he vigorously rubbed the ball on his groin. What a time to be alive.

Match Report – Barford v Rugby Oakfield

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This all started on Tuesday night to be honest. Simon Drage dropped the bombshell that he had dropped me as Captain for the weekend as Ben Griffin had put himself forward to play. Yes, the same Ben Griffin that used to be club Captain but now is our fixture secretary, somehow ousting the Vice Chairman of the club as Sunday skipper.

Well, I took it well on the night, and then Ben Griffin failed to turn up on the Tuesday night leaving the Tuesday team to battle the 20/20 match with just 10 men. Apart from guaranteeing himself the TFC award on the night, he clearly failed to lead by example. I mentioned it once or twice to the Club Captain who was hobbling round the boundary encouraging the troops to no avail. I had been replaced, and I had to accept it.

Move forward a few day, and I turn up today ready to be in my playing role, only to take a phone call from the Sunday Captain and current holder of the TFC award that he was ill and was unable to play. He suggested I might like to Captain the team. Feeling slightly put out I accepted the role as there is no “I” in team.

Wandering out to the crease I mentioned to the Rugby Oakfield skipper that we only had 10 and may need a fielder. He declined my request on the basis that his entire team had raging hangovers and were in trouble. I then proceeded to lose the toss and we were to field.

The game started with James Paterson given the new ball. A tactic discussed with my senior bowlers. He looked horrified at the prospect but then proceeded to bowl some variable length and lines to keep the batsmen guessing. The jaffer ball came and the opening batsman was bowled middle stump. Amusingly Patty turned to the umpire and asked “Howsat?”. Patty’s over would have been a wicket maiden if it hadn’t been for the 2 wides in the over. Tim Jolly then opened from the other end and backed up Patty’s great start and before we knew it wicket 2 had fallen as the stumps/bails fell again. Barford had them 2 for 2. So Patty bowls again and before you know it a flicked shot saw a wonderful catch by Kenny G and Oakfield were 2 for 3. Barford were on top! Good crys from the field from Phil Robinson reminding us all not to get complacent saw a really accomplished all round fielding performance. No easy singles, constant pressure and Rugby Oakfield were struggling.

Tim and Patty bowled incredibly well and had 2 wickets a piece after 9 overs and the score was about 25 for 4. The Oakfield Captain was scoring runs, but not freely, and the bowling changes worked. Simon Hawkins and Ben Cook bowled next. Simon Hawkins managed to find the spot in the pitch where the ball changed pace and beat the batsman, meanwhile Ben found a great line and length early and Rugby were in all kinds of trouble. One fella caught beautifully by Patty out on the boundary and with encouragement from the senior players some really good field placing meant that our 10 in the field played like a 12.

Both bowlers bowled incredibly well, Ben bowling 6 overs 2 wickets for just 10 runs, and Simon Hawkins getting 3 wickets including a full tossed middle peg bowled which was mildy entertaining.

The final bowling change required was TT and Richard Jones. TT bowled a beautiful straight line which had their clearly talented batsman baffled. Determined not to get out to TT it cramped his style so much that when he was shown the spin of Richard Jones he couldn’t handle it. He slogged out to cow corner where Richard had cunningly placed Jamie Paterson to take a good catch and he was back in the pavilion.

Richard was ripping the ball off a good length and backing him TT was giving nothing away. Richard finished off the rugby Oakfield batting attack with a ball that found the top edge of the young batsman and Kenny G caught it to get a jug full of catches (3). Jug rolled over until Wednesday!

Barford didn’t have a clear batting order that could pick itself, so the skipper took advantage to give youth and experience a chance. Phil Robinson and Kevin Tobin were sent out to open. They were both playing beautifully and Barford were 10 for 0 off 3 overs and looked very comfortable. The first wicket to fall was Phil, who played, what looked like a good shot but was caught with a wonderful low catch. He was very unlucky, to fall to this wonderful catch but he gave youth a chance. The excellent Patty was sent out at 3. He played beautifully and clearly has ability, and with some good coaching could be a really good player for us in the future. He stuck around as Kevin set about the opposition. He was struggling to find the boundary initially as the outfield played slow, but he did try, and even tried to throw his wicket away twice, being dropped at Mid On twice! With 30 odd runs added Patty finally fell for 4 well earned runs and Barford were 40 odd for 2. Kenny G strolls in and tells us all he will hang around and play straight. He played a good shot to get off the mark and he was off and running. Kevin was scoring freely at the other end and the scorecard was rattling along. Kenny finally lost his wicket but not in the traditional way. He was looking for the ball having missed it, sadly for him it was in the wicket keepers hands and as he stepped miles out of his crease he was stumped. In you come Kenny G!

Tony Timms was sent out. Normally our number 11 he rarely gets the opportunity to show us his skills. Sadly playing him at 5 didn’t help either. He was given out LBW in the standard Barford way. Playing at it, hitting it (allegedly) he was not impressed by Phil “the trigger finger” Robinson’s decision of out. He picked up his bat and suggested that he had hit it to the umpire, yielding without doubt a warning from the disciplinary committee and Judge Jolly. LBW (having hit it) for 0. Ben Cook comes in and again supports Kevin carry on and get runs. However time ran out for him on 43 (jug avoidance) and Kevin was bowled by the youthful bowler.

Simon Morgan comes in and Barford are 64 for 5. 16 runs to get with 5 wickets remaining as Ben Griffin TFC had failed to turn up. Well, the opening ball and one clipped away by myself to get off strike and off the duck. Ben however was not so fortunate and the Off Spin Bowler and skipper of Rugby Oakfield had his third wicket. Simon Hawkins strolls in to the crease and plays with a disciplined straight bat. We get a bye and its two off the over and were on 66 for 6.

Next time round with the spinner it was my turn. I played a forward defensive shot to the jaffer ball. It somehow goes between bat and pad and my bails are off. We’re in danger of a collapse. In comes Richard Jones. He strikes 3 runs whilst Simon H gets off the mark and we are 72 for 7. Surely we can limp home from here…… Next over and Richard Jones plays around the straight one and he’s bowled 72 for 8. 8 runs required and only 1 wicket remains. Tim Jolly, comes to the crease and back Simon Hawkins as he swats away a 2, followed by a bye and its 75 for 8. Next over and Simon launches a shot straight down the throat of Mid off and he drops him, Simon gets the single -phew!

The scores are level after Simon and Tim get a single each and then utopia comes as Tim clips away a full toss and the game is won.

The Skipper was delighted, Rugby Oakfield were a fun cricket opposition, the game played in an excellent spirit and the tea from Mrs Kenny G superb. Although fielding after it would have been a real problem. We won this game in the field and no player on the field gifted the opposition a single run they hadn’t earned. A superb effort in the field, and a very relieved and proud captain.

I look forward to the next time!

TFC – Ben Griffin AGAIN (cried off sick)
MoM – Kevin Tobin 43 of our 80 runs saw us home
Jugs – Kenny G 3 catches rolled on to Wednesday
Tea – Super curry soughed out the opposition thats for sure.

Simon Morgan

Match Report – Barford v Marton

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It was an overcast but dry start. The Aussie Marton Skipper and I went to the surprise grass wicket prepared for us and the call of tails yielded yet another defeat for me as Captain in a 2 horse race. We were to field.

Knowing we struggle against this accomplished team I opened with Simon Hawkins down the hill and Ben Linfield up it. It didn’t take too long for the current bowler of the year, Simon Hawkins to make his mark. However, his wicket came courtesy of some excellent quick thinking wicket keeping from the new rising star Kevin Tobin, who quickly rolled the ball onto the stumps from the gloves for a clear “stumping”. He looked a good batsman and so we were thrilled. Soon after the Hawk split the stumps with a terrific display and Marton were 2 down for just the teens.

Rain stopped play for about 1.5 hours and the match was reduced to 35 overs each. We enjoyed a lovely Mrs Lambdon tea early during this break.

A fine batsman came in at 4 and quickly set about a few runs. It took a bowling change or two to see the next wicket fall. An excellent catch by James Paterson in the gulley off Lammy’s bowling.

Whilst the fine batsman was hitting runs in came another fella that’s been a thorn in our sides before. Skipper’s responsibility taken seriously he bowls himself after a great little stint from the Son & heir. With some helpful fielding advice from Lammy a man was placed strategically in cow corner – squared – and young Ben Cook caught the man in the deep.

Seeing the Aussie skipper come out bought about a game changing plan bring back the strike bowlers. So on came the supreme Ben Linfield and the Hawk. A terrific ball saw not only the bails flying but the Hawk’s signature celebration as the Aussie was sent packing reasonably cheaply.

A quick run out by Ben Linfield in the field and good keeping again saw them reduced to their last 3 wickets given they were playing with only 10 men. Ben then bowled a jaffer for a well deserved first wicket and we just had the wagging tail to go.

On comes the go to bowler. Tom Hase first ball top of off stump gets a great wicket and after some rubbish gets the last too LBW. We are to chase down 177 all out.

The batting order was a little unorthodox but a twist Barford style. Young Ben Cook after his 3 ducks in the 6 aside was sent in to open. He did terrific, and batted with maturity beyond his years – for a bit anyway. At the other end Ken Gill quickly rattled off a 2 and a 4 followed by the swipe to a straight one and bowled.

Batting 3 was James Paterson. The two lads started off with great maturity, playing defensively to the straight ones and taking quick ones and twos to the offside. Sadly a rush of blood saw young James returned to the pavilion playing across the line to a straight one!

Tom Hase at 4 was struggling with a niggling Achilles but had some lovely finishing poses. Then Ben clubs a ball over square leg for 2. Following up with a drive to mid on – airborne – to lose his wicket.

Ben Linfield at 5 comes in. I’ll come back to him.

Tom sadly loses his wicket only to be told to hurry up getting his pads off as he needs to umpire. In comes Kevin Tobin. The two lads looked good, Kevin clubbing several quick runs including a four and Ben majestic at the other end. It wasn’t to last and Kevin was sent back again playing across the line to a straight one on just 9. So it was up to the skipper. I came in with so many thoughts and good intentions, a bad ball seen and cut away for 2 runs. Followed by a straight one which I played a beautiful forward defensive shot to. Sadly I missed it between bat and pad and away go the stumps again.

Simon Hawkins was next to steady the ship. With Ben still rattling off the runs. He looked in decent nick and was in a while for his duck. So Lammy, can you save us again. Simply put no! He also stuck at it and celebrated his duck as the first wicket that wasn’t bowled. He was caught by a good catch at slip. TT under pressure to stay in for Ben. He did just that but not before clubbing a ball for a brilliant 4.

Ben got his fifty and soon afterwards the game ended with TT unluckily caught behind in the slips. Barford were all out for 100 runs some way short of our target, but Ben got a terrific unbeaten 50 and we enjoyed ourselves.

Of note, they really are too good for us BUT they did not understand the relationship between the rain and the height of the swallows flying above us. We obviously had TT at hand to educate the youth, on the reasons why you should never take the covers off too early especially when swallows are flying well above the tree line.

TFC – Marton because they are just too good for us.

MoM- Ben Linfield for a terrific innings, but Simon Hawkins should also be celebrating a terrific bowling performance that only Ken knows why he’s not buying a jug.

A fun spirit, a youthful side fell short but should be proud that we believe we have bowled out Marton for the first time in our history.

Well done chaps.
A proud and honoured skipper

Simon M

Tour Match Report – Ropsley Baboons v Barford

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Finally, the word is in from Hendo

Ropsley Baboons vs Barford, Saturday 1st July 2017

For those who were not nursing a sore head before the British Lions magnificent victory, then the performance-enhancing ‘breakfast-of-champions’ (of a pint of Carling at around 9am) was the best possible preparation for another crucial game on tour. After the ‘miracle on grass’ performance of the previous evening, it was sadly time to say goodbye to man-of-the-match Kenny G, so the captain was left wondering where the star-performers might come from in the fixture… A quick tour of Newark in the sunshine was followed by a splendid lunch in Green Man (so long as you avoided Captain Morgan’s scratchings of Doom) and some pre-match warm-ups in the garden.

In contrast to the gloomy conditions of the evening before, the sun shone and clouds scudded across the sky and a youthful looking Baboons team promptly won the toss and kindly agreed to a slightly shorter game to ensure we could be on time for our Tour dinner.

So into the field we went and the ball was immediately and confidently tossed to the Tourmeister Mike Ireland, who once again showed everyone what we miss for the other 364 days of the year when he’s not propelling his deadly accurate tweakers towards the opposition’s timbers. One (double-bouncing) loosener was all it took to get back into rhythm and he bowled a water-tight spell of 5 overs for 16 but somehow contriving not to pick up a wicket. At the other end, the pace of Captain Morgan was used in a tactical burst of 3 overs for a miserly 7 runs. Keeping the pace options fresh, James Beavan was quickly brought into the attack, keeping the opposition interested, but quiet. The pressure told and when Judge Jolly was brought on to replace Mike Ireland, his impact was immediate, snaffling the dangerous looking opener Gilbert for 29 with a superb catch by ‘Tiger’ Tony Timms.

James was unable to make the breakthrough finishing with a fine 5 overs for 22 but he’d be needed for other exploits later, so the ball was tossed to Ben Griffin who tightened the screw with a remarkable 5 overs for 3. At the other end, the Judge was, as usual, in no mood to be profligate and doubled up on his wicket tally by knocking over (a) Guinness for 5, finishing with the fantastic figures of 5 overs 2 maidens, 2 for 3!

From one golden arm to another and Tony Timms rolled back years and made an immediate impact by holding onto a return catch from the other opener Booth in his first over, and never let the batsmen get after him.

Into the last 10 overs and although the Baboons had wickets in hand, with just 66 on the board they needed to start swinging to put up a competitive total on a great wicket and fast outfield. PJ and the skipper finished off the innings each claiming a wicket,with O’Reilly completing a neat stumping off PJ leaving the Baboons 98/5 after their allotted 35 overs.

Excellent fielding and tight bowling made it look like a chasable target, but Barford have done less with more, so tea was enjoyed but a lack of opening options forced the captain to accompany Jake Farquar to the crease, who immediately set about the task striking a couple of beautiful boundaries before being caught behind for just 8. Your captain for the day also perished early and the game was definitely on when tour veteran Pete Fisher (off the telly) was out for 2. 27/3 in the 6th over and James Beavan was joined by Ben Griffin to rebuild the innings. And rebuild they did, like Sandy receiving a call from our little porky friends asking for a rush job that needs completing before the big bad wolf comes complaining about some scratchings of doom he’s just eaten….

Clean strikes of the ball from James and telepathic running between the wickets brought up the fifty partnership in double quick time after just 14 overs. Then James, clearly wanting to get back to the hotel for his starter, pressed the accelerator, smashing his own 50 and finishing the job 3 overs later to wrap a up an enjoyable win against a side who play the game in the same spirit as we do.

On another day (perhaps in a year’s time) the result could easily be other way round, but cracking weather, top nosh and fun in the field in beautiful surroundings on a great wicket meant we could repair to the hotel for our fines session contentedly. Thanks to our hosts and we hope we can come back again next year and renew our rivalry over another beer or two.

Further tour photos are available here

Tour Match Report – Upton v Barford

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Hot of the press from Captain Morgan

Upton vs Barford, Sunday 2nd July 2017

So here we are at the end of a truly marvellous tour in a microbrewery pub. Just an hour before the game we are knocking back another couple of pints – as if we hadn’t had enough – and Pete Romyn is suggesting I use the used pint glasses and bottles as a template for my field positions.

As we sit there in the pub, we take joy from the warm sun and think how nice it would be to bat first having lost the first two tosses.

We arrive at the quaint ground of Upton Cricket Club and are greeted by their skipper Tom. A friendly chap who is interested to know in which spirit we would like to play the game. I suggested Rum but apparently that wasn’t the question.

We presented the Upton Captain with our beautiful new ball as is tradition, and I walked out to the wicket to conduct the toss. The kind skipper asked me if I’d like to bat or bowl, and I stated clearly that if I won the toss I’d bat. He tossed the coin, I called heads and to my relief Barford had won the first toss of the tour.

The standard of tour performances had been so high that to date the duck suit had not yet been used. Captain Morgan had no alternative but to appease Club Captain Drage – who had paid for the suit to be dry cleaned – to try and ensure it was used. So open with Richard Jones a stalwart number 11 and Paul Robbins, a tour virgin yet to bat.

Well it was not Richard that wore the suit. He majestically fought his way off zero, but poor Paul I’m afraid fell for the skippers trap. A tour Duck followed by a fine display of quacking around the boundary made all Club Captain Drage’s hard work worth while.

Jake batted at three, and immediately set about a fairly strong bowing attack. He made short work of the short boundaries and quickly rattled off
the runs. At the other end Richard’s steady progress was halted pretty much immediately after avoiding the duck suit, and he played on (bottom edge) bowled for one run.

In came Simon Drage who initially looked in good nick. Having got over his running between the wickets on Friday, he set about the boundary with aplomb. However a comical dismal, bowled on 13 saw the end of the club skipper who seemingly refused to walk initially after being clean bowled, he came up with some random claim that the wicket keeper had thrown himself into the wickets instead of the ball.

PJ batted at five, and so an umpire change made sure that didn’t last long. PJ on just 2 runs danced 9/10ths of the way down the wicket, struck on the pads and an audacious appeal saw quick draw Simon Hawkins raise the ugly finger for a LBW.

So all of a sudden we have the last two recognised batsman of Paul Henderson and Jake. Let’s face it James Beaven’s 60 not out the previous day had ensured a golden duck for him!

Both Paul and then Jake fell cheaply and although Jake had scored almost all of our runs we were in trouble. Phil mighty tight arse Morris and young Captain Morgan were charged with seeing us home. Well maybe not myself dismissed for 1! So maybe Tim Jolly could steady the ship? Phil fell for a decent score of 14 and Simon Sachin Hawkins and Tim had to bat out 6 overs.

Tim could not and instead chose the duck suit and Barford were all out for 114.

The game was far from over, a few quick wickets would sort this out. Despite aggressive appeals from Simon Hawkins and some good tidy bowling from James Beaven things didn’t go our way. Eventually a wonder catch, yes a wonder catch from Simon the eagle eyed Hawkins got the break through that gave us all hope. The game was all but won for Barford when Phil took a catch behind the wickets of Uptons star batsman on just 4 runs.

Only to throw the ball from the gloves to the floor
Meaning he could stay in.

That same batsman went on to destroy a bowling attack of Simon Hawkins, paul henderson, James Beaven, Tim Jolly, PJ, Paul Robbins and Richard Jones. Thanks Phil!

Upton could have won easily but chose to prolong my agony to the 34th over. In a fine spirited match we came second. But a fun fixture it was and I hope to be given the chance of revenge next season.

A top tour, was had by all – the walking wounded played in Sunday to the best of their abilities and three duck suit parades were enjoyed by all. With hindsight we should have gone for a run chase but you live and learn.

Thanks all. See you best year.

Man of the Match Jake
TFC – Phil Morris for dropping their star on 4! And because I know this will annoy him.

Captain Morgan

Sent from my iPhone

Tour Match Report – Balderton v Barford

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First match report in courtesy of El Trez

Hares hare to a hair-raising draw with Bald(erton)
Balderton Cricket Ground, 30th June 2017

The match was in jeopardy when a squally shower passed over the district just an hour before the scheduled start time. Barford CC impressed their hosts with some early drinks in the bar whilst the skies cleared. Chat in the bar was around what to do if Barford won the toss. The sensible money was on bowling first, although some wag (Pete Romyn) suggested having a word with the groundsman first, to see whether or not the match would be going ahead [thanks Pete].

Skipper Morris was offered the option of not tossing the coin and batting first. Never one to look a gift horse in the mouth he negotiated to bowl first, two overs a man and to retire on 25 – all potential match winning decisions – and to keep it to 16 overs, not 20 due to the postponed start.
So we prepared to bowl. Skipper offered O’Reilly the gloves to keep wicket. Chris, possessing a typical keeper’s extrovert (some may say, gobby) nature, jumped at the chance, and rewarded the team with an excellent performance behind the timbers.

Rumour had it that Balderton had one of those female types playing for them. The rumour sent shivers through the batsmen at the thought of being “outed” by a woman. So, Hawkins stepped up to open the bowling and kept it tight against two good openers. Then Robbins took overs 2 and 4. Paul was rewarded with figures of 2-0-2-16 which were pretty good against strong opening batting.
Morgan took overs 3 and 5. A mildly suspect LBW shout was rewarded with the umpire’s trigger finger. She was promptly taken off but the scorebook never lies. There was no way Morris was going to withdraw the appeal. If the Ump thinks it’s out, then it’s out. Morgan ended with 2-0-14-1. Pace and strike man Tony “more accurate than a special forces sniper” Timms took over 6 and tied them up, before being rested before they worked him out.

Sandy “the arm” Pierson was then asked to take over 7 and he struck straight away with the very nifty stumping of their number 3 batsman by O’Reilly. Sandy’s second ball was a comedy of errors. Firstly, he fell arse over tit on his delivery stride. Then his (lack of) pace had the batsman in the corridor of indecision. He swiped at it and edged it behind. O’Reilly however was creased up at Sandy on his backside and let the bugger go over his shoulder!

Sandy was clearly irked. His next delivery was equally unplayable. The Batsman spooned it up to mid-off. Skipper Morris raced in to pick it out of the sky but sadly ended up picking it up off the turf. Sandy was clearly even more irked. “Oh do me a favour Phil!” he grumbled, his competitive nature coming to the fore. The remainder of his spell passed without incident, save for a shocker of a wide, but 2-0-12-1 says a lot.

On came Lord Farquhar. Seven off his first over then a wide and a single before their No 3 smashed it straight to Morris running in from long off. Staggered at this rare event “Hmm and outfield catch to Morris not often that’s in the scorebook.” Said one wag [thank you Hendo], the team was temporarily elated. Jake finished his spell with 2-0-10-1.

Drage was next to be handed the leather. “What? Me? Are you sure?” he said to the skipper. “Well it’s either you or me!” replied Morris. “Ah, OK.” Drage said as he took the slightly wet and soggy cherry. Superb semi-death bowling followed with dot-1-dot-1-dot-1. Balderton’s young Tansley came in following the retirement of their opener, Ross. He needed no balls to work out Timmsy’s flight and smacked it over midwicket for 6, then 4, then 6 again over from where Morris had just moved the man. Timmsy came back with a vicious dot, then his spell ended with a scampered single and 2-0-25-0. At this point Hendo was starting to jump up and down, minion like, inwardly shouting “me, me I can bowl, don’t forget me!”

Drage finished his spell with 2-0-13-0 having seen Tansley retire on 26 off far fewer balls. Hendo came on and kept it tightish. At the end of the 14th Balderton were 98-3. Hawkins and Henderson then bowled death-style straight from the heart of the Grim Reaper. Their No 10, the dreaded female came on and hit a nice midwicket drive for a scampered single. It also earned an only slightly patronising “Oh well done!” from our esteemed Chairman, for which a fine was well administered the following evening. O’Reilly took a good catch and another great stumping before their star batsman was out LBW (or possibly LB nothing) off the last ball. Balderton’s innings finished 111-7, Hawkins ending with 2-0-8-2 and Henderson 2-0-13-2.

Tour style, Morris invited Ken “Kenny G” Gill to open the Barford batting. Initially Ken declined, having had four pints. However, eventually valour got the better of him and he succumbed to the invitation. Good job too as he faced down the opening girl’s bowling, and hit her for four over mid-on. O’Reilly knocked a single before being caught off their no 2 bowler.

In came Lord Jakey Farquhizzle and hit it around as well. We were well ahead of the rate and cantering along at 45-1 after 5 overs. Jake was bowled for 16 to bring in Henderson. Ken retired on 25 and in came the not insubstantial batting unit that is Simon “Skipper” Drage. Hendo spooned one to a safe pair of hands and in came Morris. Two runs later, and a Duck suit well avoided, out was Morris to a jaffa of a spinning ball, caught by the keeper. 76-4 in the twelfth over.

In came Hawkins with Drage still at the other end. Some flair-batting followed before Hawkins played on, for 11 and we were 87-5 in the thirteenth. The also not insubstantial batting unit that is Simon Morgan waddled in, quacking nervously. No need to be nervous though as he and the larger Simon set about them; 100-5 off 14 and only twelve needed off the last two overs. 105-5 off 15 and seven needed to win. Dot, two, two off the first three balls and it was looking rosy. Balderton’s Tansley wasn’t to be phased though and two more dots followed. Three needed off the last ball to win. Simons little and large (or large and larger) ran one and nearly stopped there until they realised only a second was needed to tie the game. Sprinting like Bolt and Christie’s fat, lame, white cousins, they scraped home for the tie and the never-ending appreciation of the Skipper.

Man of the match had to be Kenny G for his magnificent 25 not out.

The TFC would be shared between Morris, Timms and Pierson for, respectively, a dolly of a drop, conceding a few more runs than is polite (sorry Tony, although he was a good batsman) and for outwardly expressing disappointment at being let down by the field when a hattrick went awry (occasional bowling makes it difficult to get used to drop after drop eh Sandy 😉).

Thanks to my team for a great performance and to Balderton for a very enjoyable game.



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