Post date: Sep 3, 2017 10:32:01 AM
It was in somber mood that the toooos drifted to Millaton with thoughts very much with the BCC stalwart Griffiths family who had tragically lost Vernon, father to Neil, Ben and Adam, all of whom have been fine players and servants of Bridestowe Cricket Club. Circumstances where such that there were some late withdrawals, rugby season and with the table set up as it was, it was important that the tooos didn't forfeit the match which would have risked a top 4 finish and effective promotion. The statisticians had been hard at work and 4 points from the game was enough to guarantee at least 3rd place with a chance of Hatherleigh slipping up and sneaking a runners up spot.
With seconds skipper, Lee Jutson having been called up to the firsts (along with Ian and Bomber), it fell upon vice-captain, Tim Shaw to debate the merits of batting or bowling first should he win the toss. Fortunately, he never had to make the call with Shaldon skipper winning the toss and asking to bat first. Despite lack of availability and call ups to the ones, Tim had some bowling options available and with the 9 players that he had at the start, he tossed the ball to metronomic Dave Jopling to open and himself at the other end. Dave (7-3-21-0) was his usual miserly self and Tim (9-4-17-1), despite moaning about being tired and over 40, worked up a good head of steam to challenge the opening batters. Despite only having 9 on the pitch for the opening salvos, scoring was kept at below 2 runs an over thanks to some great fielding by those who were capable of moving (i.e. not Charlie). This is a good point to recognise the first adult games for Joe Luffingham and Will Shaw who along with regular Jack Shaw, had been pressed into duty by Tim (Will and Jack are his sons and Joe his nephew). They all contributed to the game and fielded well and were it not for them, the tooos would have had to forfeit the game and spend next season in the basement division so a huge thanks for turning out chaps and hope that you can all make more games next season!
Bridestowe man/Lewdon player Graeme Horn thankfully arrived early in the innings and it was with some relief that he took over the wicket keeping gloves as Buzz was throwing himself around with no regard at all for his own personal safety. A little later, still glowing from a combination of Spanish sun and his fraternisation with middle-aged Spanish women, Ebby Vallance also pitched up bringing BCC to a full compliment of 11 players. Graeme's arrival allowed a first change return of Buzz the bowler who delivered a very credible spell (7-1-27-2) taking important wickets. There were also good spells from 'the other BCC' debutant Mark 'Norman' Whiteside (cheers Norm') (9-5-14-2) as well as Gideon Pritchard (6-0-28-0) who bowling from the road end and regularly hitting the hump, was reminiscent of his father for those that were old enough to remember (Charlie). Jack and Charlie (tail-end poacher) chipped in with a wicket each and whilst the scoring rate increased somewhat, wickets regularly fell and Shaldon finished on an under-par 152-7 from the allotted 45 overs.
A fine tea delivered by the Shaw family (along with most of the players), saw unusual opening pair of Charlie and Ebby walk out to chase down the total. Predictably, this didn't go terribly well with Ebby cleaned up facing his first ball and Charlie surviving a very adjacent lbw shout only to glove a wide down the leg side and being caught behind for a very slow 6. This brought Buzz and Tim to the crease, both of whom showed great patience on a difficult wicket with some very slow bowling and together they took the score on to well over 100 before Buzz holed out on 45. Dave Jopling (10) was clearly not in a mood for running, handing the strike over to Tim with singles and then refusing to take any singles from Tim as 'it is your job to score all the runs'! Whilst champagne was not yet flowing, the hutch was at least looking for the bottles when Tim (61) unexpectedly chipped one to cover setting the nerves jangling. Gideon (5) came and went bringing newcomer Norman and Graeme Horn to get the 20 odd required for victory and guaranteed third place. The atmosphere had more tension than an ashes test match as nervous Norman greeted inbound Horn by telling him not to take any risks and just to play out some overs and the runs would come. Left-hander Graeme demonstrated his disdain for this advice by switch-hitting his first ball to the vacant point (for a left hander, square-leg for a right) for 2. Both entertained as well as inched their way to the total before with only 3 to go, Graeme lost his middle stump brining Jack Shaw to the middle. Jack used his experience to see out the remaining 5 balls of the over leaving it to an undefeated Norman to hit the winning runs.
The close to a very enjoyable season for the tooos which will see them playing at level 2 in the new all-through league structure next year. BCC have built a reputation as a friendly and welcoming club and the senior players have all had very positive feedback from our opposition this year which is all credit to those that have pulled on the shirt. Our thoughts are with the Griffiths family at this difficult time and I am sure that all of the family would welcome your support where you can provide it.
Scorecard here https://bridestowe.play-cricket.com/site_admin/results/2910918