|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
21-Apr
|
Marlow
|
Drawn
|
183-7
|
|
230
|
a/o
|
|
14
|
0
|
12
|
46
|
24
|
53
|
13
|
21*
|
|
|
|
P
|
Jenner
|
75*
|
|
D
|
Harte
|
Apr-91
|
|
|
|
42
|
ov
|
47.3
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marlow win the toss and bat on a glorious day.
|
|
The players could not ask for better weather on the first day of the season
|
|
Asif carries on where he left off last season by arriving late and Peter Jenner shocks all by arriving early
|
|
Steady bowling from Peter Isepp and Owen Oldroyd (captaining for the first time for Stage) restrict Marlow early on.
|
|
Peter Jenner get an assist by standing up to Peter Isepp producing a wicket with the next ball
|
|
Despite this good start and a superb spell by Dominic Harte taking 4 wickets, Marlow pile on the runs on a good track finishing on 230 for 10
|
|
Stage never looked like getting the runs with only Jenner 75 Oldroyd 36 and Davis 21 making any form of impact.
|
|
The game finally petered out to a draw with Stage at 186 for 7
|
|
28-Apr
|
Chingford
|
Won - 8 wkts
|
187-2
|
|
186-7
|
|
|
89
|
60
|
38*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A
|
Padhani
|
89*
|
|
R
|
Barrett
|
Feb-20
|
|
|
|
35.3
|
ov
|
46
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The summer has seemed to have disappeared, the traffic is awful (7 players are late blaming the North Circular) and Stage lose the toss for a second time.
|
|
Chingford decide to bat and declare on a good batting strip for 186 - 7
|
|
A superb spell from Denzil Owen of 9 overs for only 18 runs restricts Chingford early on and they never really get motoring.
|
|
Stage get off to a good start with Mustaffa Nasser scoring a convincing 43. Will Chitty slaughters the bowling with a quick fire 25 and Asif Padhani is not out 89.
|
|
A convincing victory for Stage shame about the socialising as only 3 players make the bar.
|
|
05-May
|
Chenies And Latimer
|
Won - 9 wkts
|
160-1
|
|
159-9
|
|
|
135
|
25*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J
|
Moffatt
|
67
|
|
A
|
Williams
|
Mar-31
|
|
|
|
30.1
|
ov
|
41.1
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On a bitter day Stage had a convincing win with only 9 players
|
|
(Moffatt on loan from Chenies and Simon Goodall turning up to watch in bright orange trousers is loaned some whites and makes his unexpected debut for Stage)
|
|
Owen Oldroyd losses the toss again and Stage take the field
|
|
The skipper opens the bowling and proceeds to shake up the openers with the ball rising on a length
|
|
He is ably backed up by Roger Barrett whose spell of 10 overs only concedes 32 runs
|
|
Tim Hyam took his first wicket for the club and Adrian Williams causes huge problems for Chenies taking 3 for 31
|
|
Jeff Davis failed to take a wicket yet again
|
|
Despite Stage dropping 4 catches, Chenies are dismissed for a mere 159
|
|
Stage cruise to a victory. Moffatt 67 retired and Asif Padhani 66 not out dominate Chenies bowling and frustrated Jenner who is chomping at the bit having not batted since Marlow.
|
|
06-May
|
Knebworth Park
|
Lost - 5 runs
|
229
|
a/o
|
234-6
|
|
|
19
|
59
|
45
|
20
|
0
|
18
|
68
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
R
|
Barrett
|
58*
|
|
D
|
Owen
|
Mar-55
|
|
|
|
44
|
ov
|
43.5
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The toss is lost as usual and the opposition decide to bat on what turns out to be a very lively track.
|
|
Denzil Owen and Owen Oldroyd open the bowling and proceed to put the openers under pressure and produce three quick wickets.
|
|
Stage are feeling very confident but are soon chasing the ball to the boundary with Holmes 110 and Folwell (Slogger) 71 taking Knebworth Park to 234 for 6.
|
|
Nasser and Padhani open the batting and look comfortable until Nasser gets a nick to the slips. Padhani is steady as usual and eventually departs on 54 which brings in Roger Barrett who relishes such situations and takes stage too within reach of a superb victory.
|
|
Unfortunately he runs out of partners despite a brave attempt by Stages latest recruit Alex Kechiche from Tunisia who is trapped LBW on the last ball with Stage 6 runs short of victory.
|
|
|
08-May
|
Worcester Park
|
Won - 68 runs
|
146
|
a/o
|
78
|
a/o
|
|
2
|
18
|
42
|
34
|
1
|
27
|
13
|
0
|
0
|
9
|
|
O
|
Gibbs
|
78
|
|
A
|
Padhani
|
04-Dec
|
|
|
|
48
|
ov
|
31.4
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The sylvan delights of the London School of Economics Cricket Ground in New Malden, provided a majestic backdrop to this clash of the titans between Worcester Park extra A and the Stage Midweek XI. A wicket that resembled nothing more than a 50's school dinner version of "Spotted Dick" made batsman struggle at the start of the game. None more so than skipper Asif Padhani, who struggled so much he could not even manage to run the full 22 yards for his first run and was run out. The Stage innings continued in this half-arsed fashion with some lusty blows from Oliver Gibbs (78) who was aided and abetted by lesser
|
|
contributions from Mustafa (30), Barclay(less than 30), Hoare (even less) and sundry other fellow travellers. The Stage finally managed to arrive at the less than grand total of 146 All Out. Worcester Pk. found themselves under the screw of the Stage's young tearaway opening attack of Jackson and Hoare (combined age of 143 years) and could only muster 32 when the last 20 overs was posted. At this point, after some judicious bowling changes by Padhani, Worcester Pk. found themselves in the vice-like grip of the bowling of Barclay and the captain himself. Despite some less than satisfactory catching by Davis, but some excellent catching by the rest of the side, the Stage finally prevailed. Padhani and Barclay both finished the game with two wickets in two balls. Who will be first to the hat-trick?
|
|
Penned by the Bamboozler (just in case, you wondered)
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
12-May
|
Stroud Green
|
Drawn
|
115-5
|
|
195
|
a/o
|
|
28
|
46
|
7
|
4
|
12
|
18*
|
|
|
|
|
|
M
|
Nasser
|
31
|
|
A
|
Williams
|
Mar-25
|
|
|
|
42
|
ov
|
47
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The day was overcast and the reggae was loud. The toss was the usual result and Stroud Green decided to bat on a good track. It was slow going with Stroud Green reaching 195 all out at 5 o’clock. All Stage bowlers performed well, Adrian Williams finishing with 3 for 25 and Dominic Harte 2 for 23 off 12 overs.
|
|
|
Stage’s reply started well Mustaffa Nasser 31 and Owen Oldroyd 30 but then came to a grinding halt. Eventually the game finished with Stage on a mere 115 for 5. The day was brighter now and the Reggae was still loud and Birmingham City FC were now in the Premier League.
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
16-May
|
Montenotte
|
Lost - 120 runs
|
134
|
a/o
|
254-5
|
|
|
17
|
0
|
21
|
21
|
13
|
25
|
10
|
0
|
5
|
22
|
|
P
|
Jenner
|
54
|
|
J
|
Barclay
|
Jan-24
|
|
|
|
40.3
|
ov
|
43.3
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This game, played under a sky the colour of which, would not have looked out of place on the back of a Man. City central defender, playing at home, was less than pulsating in its ebb and flow. (If you can work out the syntax of this sentence you are a better man than I am, gungadin!) As far as the Stage was concerned it was nearly all ebb. Unpunctuality, poor navigation and general inefficiency led the Stage to take the field with 8 men and 3 "borroweds", this did not augur well, for what is usually a well-oiled machine finely tuned to the task of winning games of cricket. Most notable absentees at the starting post were Barclay (Commercial casting) and Rochford (lost). Nevertheless, the Stage took the field with their usual ferociously intimidating open bowlers in harness: namely, Jackson and Hoare. On this occasion, however, no significant early inroads were made into Montenotte's batting. In fact, quite the reverse occurred. The Stage found their bowlers put to the sword by the swashbuckling batting of Montenotte. Davis (today's Stage supremo) decided to rely on his own bowling to stem the haemorrhage of runs. Unfortunately, Davis' bowling had much the same effect as severing a main artery and the runs continued to flow. In desperation, Davis turned to Barclay (one of the architects of last week's humbling of Worcester Park Extra A) but even this tactic was to no avail. Only Olufawo, guesting for Montenotte, succumbed to Barclay's flight and guile holing out to a cunningly drifting off-break which dipped late and spun viciously, forcing Olufawo to hit the ball to square cover. Montenotte's total was errrr.....quite a lot. About 250.
|
|
|
Stage set off for this massive target in a desultory fashion. It was not unlike watching one of Richard Branson's Virgin Inter City trains set off for Birmingham, not really too bothered whether they reached the advertised destination on time or even arrived at all. Only the arrival of Jenner and the effervescent Barclay actually managed to introduce any urgency into the situation. Both batsmen, however, died by the sword, both lofting the ball into the covers to be caught out. Jenner scored a lot, Barclay considerably less. Rochford was third top score (he asked me to say this). The Stage's demise was witnessed by two ducks, one of each gender. The male had "Lady in Red" by Chris de Burgh on the turntable, but the female was already in the cloakroom, looking for an early night. It was that sort of game.
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
29-May
|
Ruislip Victoria
|
Won - 7 wkts
|
183-3
|
|
182-6
|
|
|
59
|
63
|
44
|
17*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
W
|
Chitty
|
72
|
|
J
|
Barclay
|
Apr-57
|
|
|
|
36
|
ov
|
48
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BAMBOOZLER REAPS HARVEST!
|
|
|
"We band of brothers, we happy few"
|
|
|
Stage CC were several sandwiches short of a picnic this afternoon. However, their combined efforts in this match were not unlike those of the Magnificent Seven (plus Jeffrey Davis, who distinguished himself in the field, by arriving two hours late and then somehow contriving to drop the ball at mid-off with his first touch of the ball). A less generous
|
|
|
correspondent might choose to dwell on this incident and give it a greater significance than it perhaps deserved. After all, Jeffrey informs me he has dropped no less than four catches already this season. But I will not dwell on this unfortunate state of affairs, more than is necessary, except to say that Jeffrey's faux pas arrived at a most inauspicious moment for the Stage, who had got themselves into a position of some advantage at this point. But enough of this badinage:
|
|
|
let us turn to the match!
|
|
|
Leading his men like an intrepid Yul Brynner, Asif Padhani led the team into a possible Mexican hacienda of death, destruction and horror, this afternoon, in the shape of the Ruislip Victoria Cricket Club. Asif opened with those two old gunslingers, Harte and Martin (Robert Vaughan and Steve McQueen). When Hoare (Rod Steiger) and Barclay (looking, for all the world, like a young Horst Buchholz) came on to bowl, the Stage started to make inroads into the Ruislip batting. Barclay sniped and snared the bandidos of Ruislip to such paralysing effect, that at one point, they were reduced to a paltry 80 for 6 (Bucholz/Barclay had, at this point, no less than 4 notches on his gun). The arrival of skipper Burns, however, enabled Ruislip to recover to a respectable total of 183 for 7 declared. Barclay was left nursing a bruised but not fatally wounded bowling analysis of 15-2-53-4.
|
|
|
When the Stage batted, Padhani and Huffer came out and let the Mexicanos have it from both barrels. Eventually both succumbed, but not before placing the Stage in a healthy position. Chitty took up the cudgel and batted like the original rhinestone cowboy with some blistering drives and pulls (including one 6 which bruised the hydrangeas of number 46, Birkbeck Avenue). Chitty's unseemly haste was partly explained by a reservation he had previously made at the Hokkaido restaurant in the Ball's Pond Road for 8 o'clock. Although Chitty (50) holed out at deep long-off with a handful of runs needed, the magnificent 7 held on to complete a halcyon victory with 8 overs to spare. The hapless Davis has asked me to say he got a few at the end, and was not out.
|
|
|
not written by Edmund Blunden
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
02-Jun
|
Horsley & Send
|
Lost - 61 runs
|
168
|
a/o
|
229-4
|
|
|
0
|
60
|
38
|
0
|
19
|
8
|
15
|
22
|
3
|
3
|
|
R
|
Barrett
|
56
|
|
D
|
Gordon-Smith
|
Jan-26
|
|
|
|
49.5
|
ov
|
51
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
19-Jun
|
Dulwich
|
Drawn
|
169-6
|
|
220-7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
T
|
Gemmill
|
63
|
|
C
|
Collingwood
|
Feb-23
|
|
|
|
49
|
ov
|
43
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
23-Jun
|
Tiffin Tercels
|
Lost - 139 runs
|
80-9
|
|
219-5
|
|
|
0
|
2
|
32
|
0
|
1
|
5
|
25
|
15
|
0
|
|
|
P
|
Isepp
|
21
|
|
R
|
Barrett
|
Mar-24
|
|
|
|
38
|
ov
|
40
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
25-Jun
|
Wembley
|
Won - 5 wkts
|
209-5
|
|
203-5
|
|
|
11
|
0
|
0
|
48
|
125
|
25*
|
|
|
|
|
|
M
|
Isepp
|
150*
|
|
A
|
Kahria
|
Jan-21
|
|
|
|
34.4
|
ov
|
48
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J
|
Hoare
|
Jan-21
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
27-Jun
|
Uxbridge
|
Drawn
|
181-4
|
|
199-3
|
|
|
34
|
25
|
29
|
33
|
60*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P
|
Jenner
|
57*
|
|
J
|
Hoare
|
Jan-21
|
|
|
|
42.5
|
ov
|
46
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
30-Jun
|
Brentham
|
Lost - 16 runs
|
183
|
a/o
|
199-3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P
|
Moorthy
|
65
|
|
D
|
Harte
|
02-Aug
|
|
|
|
37.2
|
ov
|
46
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
10-Jul
|
Flycatchers
|
Won
|
179-6
|
|
178-7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J
|
Davis
|
42
|
|
A
|
Padhani
|
03-Oct
|
|
|
|
39
|
ov
|
42
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
14-Jul
|
Chipperfield
|
Won - 176 runs
|
257-5
|
|
81-9
|
(a/o)
|
|
121
|
26
|
23
|
35
|
52
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
T
|
Gemmill
|
67*
|
|
J
|
Davis
|
Mar-20
|
|
|
|
44.3
|
ov
|
23.3
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
17-Jul
|
British Airways
|
Drawn
|
186-5
|
|
190-7
|
|
|
46
|
16
|
88
|
14
|
12
|
10*
|
|
|
|
|
|
T
|
Gemmill
|
74
|
|
J
|
Hoare
|
Apr-31
|
|
|
|
32
|
ov
|
36
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
21-Jul
|
Merstham
|
Won - 8 wkts
|
164-2
|
|
160-8
|
|
|
11
|
25
|
128*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A
|
Padhani
|
82*
|
|
T
|
White
|
Mar-26
|
|
|
|
30.4
|
ov
|
42.5
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
25-Jul
|
South Hampstead
|
Won - 32 runs
|
211-5
|
|
179
|
a/o
|
|
26
|
1
|
119
|
17
|
9
|
39*
|
|
|
|
|
|
M
|
Nasser
|
64
|
|
M
|
Isepp
|
Apr-37
|
|
|
|
42
|
ov
|
37
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
28-Jul
|
Adastrians
|
Lost - 29 runs
|
178-9
|
(a/o)
|
207-9
|
(a/o)
|
|
82
|
1
|
10
|
5
|
54
|
5
|
10
|
9
|
2
|
|
|
T
|
Gemmill
|
42
|
|
B
|
Jackson
|
05-Jun
|
|
|
|
48
|
ov
|
52.2
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
08-Aug
|
Winchcombe
|
Drawn
|
147-5
|
|
185
|
a/o
|
|
6
|
19
|
45
|
55
|
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P
|
Drennan
|
43
|
|
J
|
Barclay
|
Apr-33
|
|
|
|
BAMBOOZLER WREAKS TRAIL OF DEVASTATION IN GLOS COUNTRYSIDE
|
|
|
Set deep in the softly verdant whale-backed acres of deepest Gloucestershire, the Winchcombe Cricket ground provided a fine setting for this pipe-opening game of the Stage's epic cricketing sojourn around the highways and byways of the Cotswolds. The honey-stone walls of Sudeley Castle provided a fine backdrop to this re-run of so many previous battles fought between Roundhead and Cavalier in these environs. Indeed, the Stage's swashbuckling style of play led one to wondering whether we were watching the activities of the sealed knot organisation rather than a cricket match. This effect was further enhanced by the fact that the Stage could only muster 4 players. Phrases like "we few, we happy few" would readily spring to mind were it not for the fact that the yeoman of RAF Quedgley and sundry other local imports, allowed themselves to be enlisted to the cause of Thespian cricket.
|
|
|
The game opened with Winchmore's early batsmen establishing a clear ascendancy. With the score at 92 for 1 skipper Barret turned, in some desperation, to the Bamboozler to weave his web of tantalizing flight and guile. Regulars readers of this column will know that such a move rarely turns out to be an unwise manoeuvre by a captain courageous and today was no exception to this rule. In his very first over the Bamboozler clung, limpet-like to a sharp caught and bowled chance and then proceeded, with the help of Barret at the other end, to reduce the Winchcombe batting to a mediocre and crisis ridden 115 for 7. The Bamboozler, (as he is known on four continents) tantalised, tempted and tormented the Winchcombe batsmen down the primrose path of self-destruction and no less than four members of the opposition succumbed to his devious wiles. Using a cunning mixture of full tosses, long hops and his own version of the "Murali" special, the Bamboozler wrought havoc in the "engine room" of the Winchcombe middle order. Having bowled 7 overs, taken 4 wickets and conceded 33 runs, he was taken off. Along with the mystery of the Marie Celeste and the enigma of the Bermuda Triangle, this will remain one of the great unsolved puzzles of our time. Winchcombe's later batsmen were not slow to take advantage of skipper Barrett's beneficent gesture and eventually finished with a total of 185 all out. A. Boore belied his surname with a pugnacious 31, coming in at No. 9. The Stage's reply was marked by a series of misunderstandings and confusions involving such experienced cricketers as Howarth (run out 0), Barrett run out 42. Singh and A. Brown were the guilty (or innocent, depending on who you talk to) parties involved. Nevertheless some fine rustic smiting by Drenham (43) and some slightly more cultured batting by the captain had the Stage set for victory at 147 for 5 with 7 overs to go. At which point it looked as if the Bamboozler would be called upon to give us one of his cameo innings and reveal his skills with the willow. It is a little known fact that the Bamboozler is regarding by some aficionados of the game as something of a renaissance man in Cricketing circles: a Leonardo da Vinci with both bat and ball. But it was not to be, in a cruel twist of fate, just as the Mona Lisa was about to be revealed to an incredulous world: the heavens opened and all was moisture, dampness and decay. We can only speculate on what kind of cultural delights the Bamboozler may have left to us all. The game ended in a draw.
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
09-Aug
|
Gloucester Gipsies
|
Won - 3 wkts
|
276-7
|
|
273-6
|
dec
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R
|
Barrett
|
72*
|
|
R
|
Barrett
|
Apr-54
|
|
|
|
52.5
|
ov
|
54
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
When William Wordsworth wrote those immortal lines: I wandered lonely as a cloud. he cannot have been present at today's match between the Gloucestershire Gipsies and the Stage. The clouds on show today were the most gregarious bunch of blokes you could hope to meet. All day they hung around in great big gangs of gunmetal grey cumulo-nimbus over the arboreally resplendent Stowell Park Cricket Ground. Only once, however, did the clouds unleash their moist cargo for a brief shower and that occurred during the tea interval. The word "shower" would not be inappropriate if used to describe the cricket played by the Stage prior to the luncheon interval. The Gipsies lunchtime score (137-0) accurately reflected this somewhat mediocre performance by Stage. Even the Bamboozler, normally a paragon of parsimony, was savaged with relentless disdain by the Gipsies opening batsmen. After conceding 43 runs in 3 overs, the words: "Thank you Jim" from skipper Gemmell were received with rapture by the other 9 members of the side, as the Bamboozler was removed from the attack. It has to be said, however, that several other more illustrious members of the Stage's bowling attack were also put to the sword as the Gipsies relentlessly pushed on towards their monolithic total of: 273 for 6 declared. Keith Daniels excelled with a robust and uncompromising century.
|
|
|
The weather, after tea, went into a paroxysm of schizophrenia by raining and sunning at one and the same time. The Stage's innings began to develop the same undertones. Mike Howarth, who was sporting a rather louche red and white neckerchief which made him look not unlike an ageing roue extra in the 1950's Rodgers & Hammerstein hit "Oklahoma", opened the Stage's assault on this K2 of a total by pulling and driving the ball with vigour and purposefulness. Alas! This vignette of an innings was cut short when Mike sashayed down the primrose path of self-destruction and was caught at slip. The Stage's innings then languished for sometime in a vacuous torpor of aimless wandering around the foothills of the afore-mentioned K2, as if Gemmill and Jenner were unable to find the right route to the summit. Gemmill eventually dropping out of the climb just as it appeared that the Stage were on the right path to victory. At which point Barrett took over the most difficult stages of the climb up the South Col and into the western cwm where he was joined by Brown. Massive strides were made at this point but still the summ it seemed unattainable, especially when Brown fell several thousand feet to his doom. All seemed lost but then the master rock climber was joined by a comparative novice: none other than the Bamboozler himself. After some scrambling and scratching the Bamboozler surpassed even his own expectations by smashing Keith Daniels (his tormentor in chief with the willow) to the boundary. Finally Barrett and the Bamboozler were within sight of the top with one over to go and, fittingly, it was Barrett, himself who planted the flag on the snow-capped peak with a lofted boundary over mid-off on the second to last ball of the match. Eat your heart out William Wordsworth.
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
11-Aug
|
Lydney
|
Won-
|
96-3
|
|
93
|
a/o
|
|
52
|
13
|
10
|
21*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A
|
Westaway
|
41
|
|
G
|
Asprey
|
03-Jun
|
|
|
7 wkts
|
28.2
|
ov
|
29.5
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
12-Aug
|
British Officers Club
|
Lost
|
185-9
|
dec
|
186-3
|
|
|
54
|
37
|
23
|
34
|
2
|
9
|
4
|
8
|
13
|
1*
|
|
D
|
Harte
|
44
|
|
B
|
Jackson
|
Jan-24
|
|
|
|
43
|
ov
|
31
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
14-Aug
|
Worcester Park
|
Drawn
|
92-9
|
|
199-5
|
dec
|
|
3
|
0
|
27
|
14
|
11
|
0
|
1
|
14
|
9
|
13*
|
|
T
|
Briscoe
|
24
|
|
D
|
Mestecky
|
Feb-47
|
|
|
|
40
|
ov
|
47
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
18-Aug
|
Wimbledon
|
Drawn
|
160-8
|
|
183-3
|
dec
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
O
|
Oldroyd
|
61
|
|
B
|
Jackson
|
1-0
|
|
|
|
42
|
ov
|
40.1
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hands fail to stop speeding cricket ball.
|
|
|
Stage CC officials are reeling from an injury hit match played last weekend when two of their number were sidelined following injuries in the field.
|
|
|
The Stage, with one of their stronger sides, were fielding at the attractive Wimbledon CC ground in Church Rd. when the second incident occurred. Coincidentally involved in the channel 5 programme – WHEN CRICKET CATCHES GO WRONG (Sundays 11.50pm), the Stage cricketers were giving a spirited display of catch dropping for the popular channel 5 programme when an off drive was played with great force towards fielder Richard Godfrey (41).
|
|
|
Bloodied and Bruised
|
|
|
”My hands went up for the catch but the ball broke through and hit me in the face“ the bloodied and bruised cricketer said later. The ball, thought to be travelling at more than 100 mph, smashed into the face just below the nose. ”It was a miracle that no bones or teeth were broken“ said a Doctor at the infamous North Middlesex Hospital Casualty Department.
|
|
|
The bowler was thought to be furious that another dolly catch had been dropped.
|
|
Casualty department
|
|
|
Following a considerable wait in the casualty department that recently scored no stars in the Government’s controversial scoring system, Richard was seen by the A&E doctor and pronounced fit but with severe bruising to the soft tissues of the face.
|
|
|
”I’ll be back playing cricket next Monday for more punishment“ laughed Richard following his departure from A&E at 5.00am on Monday morning.
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
21-Aug
|
Sevenoaks & District
|
Lost - 85 runs
|
139-8
|
(a/o)
|
224-4
|
dec
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J
|
Davis
|
32
|
|
J
|
Hoare
|
Mar-38
|
|
|
|
40.5
|
ov
|
46
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
25-Aug
|
Nomads
|
Won - 7 wkts
|
123-3
|
|
119-9
|
(a/o)
|
|
52
|
14
|
38
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S
|
Wilson
|
45
|
|
B
|
Jackson
|
Mar-19
|
|
|
|
33.1
|
ov
|
34
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
26-Aug
|
Potters Bar
|
Lost - 7 wkts
|
107
|
a/o
|
108-3
|
|
|
20
|
6
|
1
|
3
|
9
|
38
|
19
|
6
|
1
|
|
|
M
|
Glew
|
47
|
|
J
|
Rezco
|
02-Nov
|
|
|
|
36.4
|
ov
|
20.3
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
28-Aug
|
Eastcote
|
Won - 5 wkts
|
182-5
|
|
181
|
a/o
|
|
46
|
52
|
39
|
15
|
25
|
5*
|
|
|
|
|
|
K
|
Lawrence
|
81*
|
|
V
|
Balaji
|
Mar-26
|
|
|
|
35.3
|
ov
|
44.3
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
01-Sep
|
Stragglers Of Asia
|
Drawn
|
188-7
|
|
212-9
|
dec
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
T
|
Gemmill
|
40
|
|
B
|
Jackson
|
Feb-14
|
|
|
|
44
|
ov
|
54
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
04-Sep
|
Gaietes
|
Won - 67 runs
|
217-2
|
dec
|
150
|
a/o
|
|
40
|
53
|
124*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
T
|
Gemmill
|
82*
|
|
J
|
Beckman
|
Mar-18
|
|
|
|
43
|
ov
|
42.3
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
11-Sep
|
Cross Arrows
|
Won - 6 wkts
|
254-4
|
|
252-6
|
dec
|
|
26
|
35
|
81
|
90
|
22*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A
|
Padhani
|
90*
|
|
L
|
Henry
|
Mar-76
|
|
|
|
36
|
ov
|
52
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
15-Sep
|
Marlow C.C
|
Won - 6 wkts
|
110-4
|
|
109-9
|
(a/o)
|
|
3
|
1
|
32
|
51
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
W
|
Chitty
|
52
|
|
T
|
White
|
Mar-31
|
|
|
|
29.3
|
ov
|
24
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
18-Sep
|
Butterflies
|
Won - 4 wkts
|
227-6
|
|
226-8
|
dec
|
|
85
|
70
|
9
|
11
|
31
|
12
|
9*
|
|
|
|
|
W
|
Chitty
|
53
|
|
M
|
Isepp
|
Mar-44
|
|
|
|
36
|
ov
|
49.1
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
26-Sep
|
Montenotte
|
Lost - 3 wkts
|
218-6
|
dec
|
219-7
|
|
|
92
|
57
|
62
|
5
|
1
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
A
|
Padhani
|
117
|
|
L
|
Henry
|
Feb-51
|
|
|
|
41.5
|
ov
|
38.1
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Opposition
|
Result
|
Score
|
|
Opp Score
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
|
Best Batting
|
|
|
|
Best Bowling
|
|
|
06-Oct
|
Wembley
|
Lost - 3 wkts
|
256-6
|
dec
|
257-7
|
|
|
133
|
13
|
24
|
30
|
0
|
56
|
0*
|
|
|
|
|
M
|
Nasser
|
91
|
|
B
|
Jackson
|
Feb-46
|
|
|
|
38
|
ov
|
40.3
|
ov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|