Big Night Out and July & August Match reports

The Gods of Wind and Rain relent..

As we retired to our beds on the Friday evening the threat of rain hung over the South coast of England and in the dawn our worst fears were realised with the skies above releasing their untimely burden. Although brief in duration the threat of more persistent rain hung over the start of the day and as the wind rose, fear of a repeat performance of ‘Big Night Out’ weather grew. As the day wore on and marquees sprang up on the high bank, the weather continued to threaten. Then as the afternoon drew to a close the wind fell away and the sun for so long hidden slipped from behind the clouds and bathed the bowl with its soft gentle light. The ‘Big Night Out’ was a tremendous success raising approximately six and a half thousand pounds towards the building of the new facility and demonstrating to potential supporters the strength of the clubs intent to bring the building of the new pavilion to fruition. The work of the committee led by Chairman Garry Taylor must be applauded for their drive and effort in making the evening the great success it turned out to be and of course our thanks to the Gods of Wind and Rain for their conciderate solicitation. I believe all those who attended had a wonderful night and we must express our thanks for their attendance on the night. I must venture to suggest to those who were not there that they may regret their absence as those who were not there on St Crispin’s day regretted their absence from that particular field. Perhaps next year they may accept our warmest invitation to join us.

Selsey came to visit on the last Sunday in July.  Madehurst opened with the pairing of Jezza Martin and Escoffier Rule(11) Unusually, Rule chose what for him was a novel method of exit from the crease, LBW to the bowling of J.Stock. Johny ‘Jaguar’ Lee (39) then came to the crease, his confidence bolstered by his re-found mojo. Martin(26) was looking good when he flashed at a ball, top edging it to be caught behind again of the bowling of J Stocks. Then to the crease came Mike ‘Wanna Buy a House’ Tod,(62) In aggressive mood he quickly set to his task striking the ball solidly from the middle of the bat scoring 21 in his first over. I Stocks this time now removed Jaguar Lee with a questionable LBW decision bringing the ‘Scribbler’ to the wicket. Confidence and training saw a quick single. In the next over disaster. Setting off for another quick single, the Scribbler started to hop down the wicket, much to the other players amusement. Sadly this was not a case of cramp but was later diagnosed as a 3.5cm tear in the calf muscle, fortunately for the Scribbler, the fielding side were still trying to stop laughing and he was able to ground his bat thus protecting his wicket and his averages. However unable to continue he staggered supported by tem mates from the field of play, cursing the passing of the years and his failure to warm up sufficiently. The balance of the innings brought up a further 29 runs including a fine arial boundary from Jim Urquart Madehurst went to tea  with the score on 195 for the loss of seven wickets. After tea Selsey  set off in pursuit and although losing two wickets steadied and got on with the job. Field(63), Miles(48) and Cripps with an unbeaten 32 made a match of it but finally ran out of steam just ten runs short after their forty overs.

The following week saw Madehurst away to old friends Walberton in a timed game. Walberton winning the toss elected to open the batting and by Tea  had set a challenging total of 182. Following tea Madehurst opened with Escoffier Rule(25) and  Alex ‘Up on the Roof’ Francis(7). After a strong start Francis, sadly was caught behind by J Bist. Replaced by ‘Mighty Big Ben Clilverd (65) allowed Madehurst to stabilise and fight back. Rule was lost to the bowling of Lockwood and was temporarily replaced by Mike ‘Wanna Buy a House’ Tod, who in spite of wearing a helmet was forced to retire injured after collecting a ball to the side of his head. Johny ‘the Jaguar Lee’ managed 14 prior to being removed caught. At this point the youthful Oscar ‘the Stratocaster’ Koronka stepped up to the plate. Now came the moment that Madehurst had long hoped for. The callow youth whom we had watched grow through the colts now took up the challenge. Batting with maturity and good sense Koronka drove the score forward and even when Cilverd fell Koronka, kept his head to finally overtake the Walberton score with Madehurst finishing on 184.  

The Slindon game was called off due to Slindon being unable to field a full team, presumably due to many of their players being on holiday.

Scheduled for the evening of 10th the twenty/20Taverners match was cancelled due to inclement weather, however quick thinking re-scheduled the match for the following evening. Taverners lost the toss and Madehurst elected to bat first and in a game of 15, nine ball overs, set a target of ninety –four for five. The Taverners set off to chase down the Madehurst total. Inspite of a spirited effort Taverners were unable to reach the Madehurst total and the match finished with the visitors fifteen runs short of victory. It may be worth explaining that the practice of bowling longer but fewer overs in some matches, particularly where loss of daylight may be a problem is well established. Although more balls may well be bowled as in this case, the reduced number of overs reduces loss of time in the over changes. Therefore in this match, each side were able to bowl/face 135 balls giving a full game to both sides.

On the 15th of August and in blustery conditions Purbrook returned to the bowl. Having received a drubbing last year, they came well prepared. Madehurst batted first and in the face of indifferent bowling established a total of 173 for the loss of eight wickets. Ashley ‘Escoffier’ Rule(51) together with Mighty Big Ben Clilverd(31) provided a fine contributions, ably supported by Simon ‘Dancing Bear’ Smith(20) and Richard (My Wife’s the Editor) Hampshire(17). Following tea Purbrook took to the crease. The opening pair established their presence quickly with both players being fortunate in the early part of the innings surviving by the skin of their teeth a number of attempts to catch them. However, with the opening pairing broken and dismissed, Purbrook brought out their South African oversees player, Klasson. Madehurst were about to be taught that Cricket can be and oft times is a vengeful mistress. Missing two or three opportunities to take this young man’s wicket early, Madehurst watched as Klasson put on a demonstration of exhibition style batting which included eight 6’s and four 4’s. In just one over, scoring thirty four runs. Purbrook were revenged, with 14 possible overs remaining Purbrook overtook Madehurst with Klasson putting yet another arial shot over the boundary.          

Old Balls and New Bails

Sunday 22nd         Watersfield                      Home 2.30 pm

Saturday 28th         Ferring                            Home 2.30 pm

September

Sunday 5th         Arundel Town                      Home 2.30 pm

Saturday 11th        Andrew Barnes Eleven              Home 2.30 pm

Sunday19th        Arundel Castle                  Home 2.30 pm

Those wishing to join the club as either playing members or social members or seeking further information regarding the club and its activities should contact Simon Smith on 07968- 021723