2016
AVCC v Keevil
Well, I thought I would let the autumnal weather kick in before doing the final match report of the season…giving you something to miss, besides cricket, for a good few months. Today’s offering will warm your heart, lift your spirits and make you dream of leather on willow until Spring’s rays warm us again. Indeed, many records have been broken! Read on.
Well we played our last game of the season, at home, against the mighty Keevil, who sent a strong team down to Rushall to play us. it was good timing for them. We had had our annual Barn Dance the night before, and most of the team were full of burgers. sausages, sore feet and alcohol. Actually, the Zimbabwean contingent (Matt and Jeremy) were still pretty inebriated from the the night before. We celebrated Middlesex’s Championship win and felt good, and sad that it was the season finale.
If, as an omen, the heavens opened 20 minutes before the scheduled start and soaked the pitch, making it soft and spongey despite the best efforts of Nigel Wookey.
Not to be deterred, captain Campbell won the toss and put us into bat. Much grumbling from VC, Graham, who pointed out that we had never beaten these guys batting first.
We only had 10 players - although the junior Campbell brood turned up mid innings. But it was strong. Simon Borthwick and Angus Harley went out to open; confident and loose. Unfortunately, Simon returned shortly after in the first over for a duck, 5-1 being the score. Not the start we hoped for. It was a long afternoon for Simon umpiring, and a long winter to the next knock.
Matt Boothway (can finally spell his name as Jeremy kept the book) went out to bat, quite drunk and very loose. No messing around, a couple of 4’s to open up with and off we went. 25-1 off 4 overs as Matt opened up and then unfortunately, Angus was caught in the 5th over for 8 off the same bowler (Garrett) who had Simon caught. Sad; Angus had looked steady.
Greg Caswell joined Matt at the crease and mayhem commenced as the pair of them hit out and tonked Keevil around the ground. For a top league side, these two showed no respect. Unfortunately, Matt went for a fine 29 in the 11th over, with the score on 65-3. he hit 5 fine 4’s.
Then entered the 2nd of the Zimbabwean twins of terror - Jeremy Richards. More drunk than Matt. He looked technically correct but clearly was too worse for wear to run, and at one point looked like he was going to throw up after a single. Not his normal gazelle like running today. No worries! Instead, Jeremy played his finest and (personal record) top-scoring innings for AVCC and bludgeoned 79 off the bowling with 11 good 4’s and 3 mighty 6’s. Beats running any day. Great innings. Not sure how many balls he was seeing out there, but he hit all of them until he was caught.
Captain Campbell strode in, surveyed the scene, flexed his shoulders to continue the momentous hitting, and came back shortly afterwards for a duck; very unexpected. Ben Jones came in and held his end up for a quick 15 at the end, but still there, quietly adding to his runs was Greg who made 77 not out (a personal record for AVCC I believe). Great innings, and not even inebriated unlike most of his batting partners.
227-5 the innings ended. For you “state’s” out there….a record 35 overs score for AVCC. Also, this is now the NEW GROUND RECORD by AVCC. Yes…taking it back, from believe it or not….Keevil. Well done and magnificent performance.
Tea was had. Great chocolate cake from Nicki, and we were ready to take the field as we had something to really defend now.
Felt hard at front as their openers hit everything hard and long, and they were quickly 60 in the 8th over, before the first wicket fell to young Alex Richardson - caught and bowled. Having seen some of our drunken fielders, it was wise decision to catch off your own bowling as though Jeremy could hit 2 balls at the crease, he was clearly having trouble picking the right ball in the field to get to.
Once we had broken the partnership, Simon Campbell bowled a tasty spell and got their other opener on 44. After that, they slowly capitulated as the blowing tightened. Ben Jones tool 2 wickets, bowling a good line and a mix of balls; Matt Boothway got his first 3 wickets for the club at the end with a 2-3 spell (most excellent), and young Jack Campbell took his maiden club wicket, as well as a good catch…thus contributing more than his dad that day…I am sure that would have been a good talking point at home. Graham Newland picked up the other wicket with a smart stumping from Bruce Carter.
Keevil finished on 160-9 and we were winners for our last game by 67 runs.
Good season; sorry to see it end. We were unbeaten in May, clear winners and champions in September, and unlucky to lose all in between. We have had many individual scoring records this year (including 2 in this match), and twice we have broken our innings scoring records for 35 overs..including setting our home ground record with 227 in this match. Graham achieved 25 wickets..a first for the club…in the season…..so overall much to celebrate and look forward to next season…