Buccaneers Cricket Club

Buccs 243-8 dec. OHJs 149 all out. Buccs win by 94 runs

The Buccaneers juggernaut moved on to Hurstpierpoint (and one of the few all day declaration games), with the Buccs being inserted on what is considered a good batting track. There was a bit of zip and swing for the bowlers and Rob and Jim took some of the shine off before making way for the Sutton brothers. A fraternal partnership was not to be, but Ludo joined Max to steady the ship at 29 for 3. And steady they did as both players found the gaps and took us to 117 before Max chipped it back to the bowler. Gus didn’t do much, except become the 250^th wicket for Stuart Hall in cricket week. Will Rydon (who first played in this match in 1982) carefully steered the ship safely to lunch.

Ludo obviously lunched well and came out blazing. No chance of the captain declaring this time,  and he smashed his way to a consecutive century for the Buccaneers and then went on to dispatch the ball to all parts for an excellent 147. Will joined in the fun for a hundred run partnership. Both were eventually out and the tail nurdled a few more runs to enable Rob to declare at 243 for 8. Was this too generous? The Buccaneers would end up bowling 55 overs if it went to the wire.

The Mann brothers (Harry and Ollie) started with no little pace and troubled both the openers, with Harry castling No 2 in the first over and dispatching No 1 at fly slip (by none other than Ludo) a few overs later. An excellent tea was taken with not many on the board. Hamish and Tom took up the mantle and continued the pressure. There was an appeal from Tom against the run machine, Mark Semmence. Caught behind, but turned down. However, it had hit something woody and Tom had just clipped the leg stump, dislodged a bail and bowled him.  Gus started up a long spell from the bottom end and bowled with great control and no little turn. Ludo came steaming down the hill and Jim took a sharp catch at first slip, which was repeated a few overs later. Gus got two deserved wickets, including one at leg slip by Ludo (off the chest of Max). Finally, Harry came back for his second spell and cleaned up the tail , with the fitting final wicket being taken by proud dad, Jim, at first slip  for his third slip catch of the day. We took all seven catches that were offered and luckily cleaned up the OHJ’s with nine overs to spare.

Some celebratory beers were taken as we listened to the Last Post as the flag was lowered on another OHJ’s cricket week.

Innings of Buccaneers

R Rydon b Tunley-Low 12
J Mann lbw Klot 6
A Sutton b Tunley-Low 5
M Sutton ct & b Hall 31
L Milne ct Klot b Hall 147
A Berry ct Semmence b Hall 2
W Rydon b Tunley-Low 23
H Mann not out 2
O Mann b Hall 1
H Robertson not out 5
Extras 12
Total 243-8 dec

Bowling
Tunley-Low 11-0-59-3
O Klot 15-1-53-1
A Tunley-Low 8-0-54-0
S Hall 15-1-72-4

Innings of Old Hurstjohnians
J Pilgrim ct L Milne b H Mann 12
E Welch b H Mann 0
O Meredith ct J Mann b L Milne 30
M Semmence b T Rydon 9
W Wild ct J Mann b L Milne 27
B Moulton ct T Rydon b H Mann 34
S Warrender ct & b Berry 18
O Khot ct Milne b Berry 5
A Tunley-Low ct J Mann b H Mann 0
S Hall not out 0
W Tunley-Low absent
Extras 14
Total 149 all out

Bowling
H Mann 10.1-2-32-4
O Mann 6-2-10-0
H Robertson 7-2-20-0
T Rydon 8-2-21-1
A Berry 10-0-37-2
L Milne 5-1-18-2

Buccaneers 276 for 2 (35 overs). Lindfield 129 all out. Buccaneers win by 147 runs

With splendid weather, the Buccaneers descended upon Lindfield for a tussle with a side normally packed with former pros and their friends. Typically, this game has been closely fought with great performances from both sides over the years.

This year – a mixed side was fielded by the opposition, without the premium names that we have come to expect. An honourably negotiated toss followed, in which the Buccs were inserted on a day that looked primed for run scoring. The skipper scouted the changing room for eager batsmen, only to be confronted with many looking for a more leisurely day down the order. Nevertheless, with strong batting all down the order the order, the mood was high.

Runs followed, with Berry and Milne putting on 100 for the opening stand against some gentle bowling, punishing anything loose. Lindfield changed strategy, bringing on wily spinners including the overseas pro. As ever at Lindfield, spin made life difficult, with the dry surface and favourable slope contributing to prodigious turn from both ends.

Berry was dismissed by one that gripped from a full length, taking the top of his off stump, but not before he had raised his bat for 50 to the onlooking supporters. Max Sutton followed in quick succession to the overseas pro to a rather unplayable ball from a length. Thanks for coming.

Rebuilding required, with our dominant start halted by some crafty turn. Moules arrived at the crease, and in typical fashion began to bludgeon the ball with ease. On came the elderly grenade throwers, a tricky proposition on a slow wicket. Flight, and an eternity to consider 15 different shots has dismissed many a set batsman, but they were played with care from the skipper (eying a big score), and aggression from Moulsey as the Buccs pressed on to a big total.

The skipper reached his ton at the back end of the innings – and retired, bringing the youngest Sutton to the crease in his first Buccs outing. He batted with poise and discipline punishing anything loose. A particular highlight was his flat six, smashed over long on with disdain. Red inkers for Moules and Sutton (L) as the Buccs finished on 276/2 from their 35 overs. Bravo.

No tea! No open bar! The Buccs were in uproar as the refreshments from Lindfield left a bit to be desired. No problem, Co-op sandwiches and crisps were the flavour of the day. Ben Stokes was rumoured to be fuelled by the same elite dietary programme during his Headingley heroics.

Georgie Leefe and Cosi Sutton opened the bowling with a large total to defend. Georgie bowled magnificently, swinging the new ball and taking three wickets in her spell. Cosi bowled with pace and aggression up the hill. Somewhat erratic to begin with, he found his line and length perfectly to challenge the outside edge of the bat. Catches were dropped (including by the skipper), and flew through an open cordon. Hard work paid off taking the wicket of Lindfield’s captain, caught in the covers.

The pace of the game slowed, with canny bowling from Okines and Simon Leefe restricting the overseas pro and his partners during the middle overs. The Leefe family bowled 14 uninterrupted overs from the top end, taking a combined 6-41 through 14 overs. Chapeau.

By this point, the game was done, with the run rate exceeding 20. A fiery spell from Steve Moules mopped up the tail to make it two wins in the last two years. Thanks to all who participated – a great win!

Scorecard:

Innings of Buccaneers

A.Berry Bowled Booth 51
L. Milne Retired 100
M. Sutton Bowled Imesh 0
S. Moules not out 87
L. Sutton not out 25

Extras 13

Total 276-2 (35 overs)

Bowling

Barnett 4-0-21-0
Yash 3-0-25-0
Booth 7-0-41-1
Redd 3-0-30-0
Imesh 5-0-26-1
Richardson 4-0-41-1
Morgan D 2-0-13-0
Morgan J 2-0-14-0

Innings of Lindfield
Colvin b G Leefe 8
Beattie ct [ ] b G Leefe 17
J Morgan ct [ ] Sutton 22
Imesh B Moules 63
J Morgan ct [ ] b G Leefe 4
Barnett b Leefe 5
Kabber b Leefe 1
Redd b Leefe 1
Booth b Moules 0
Richardson b Moules 0
Extras 10

Total 129 all out (30 overs)

Bowling

C Sutton 5-0-43-1
G Leefe 7-0-27-3
W. Okines 7-0-27-0
S Leefe 7-0-18-3
S Moules 4-0-13-2
L Milne 1-0-1-1

West Chiltington & Thakeham (232-8, 35 overs) beat Buccaneers (222-7, 35 overs) by ten runs

The Buccs enjoyed another fantastic day out at West Chiltington & Thakeham on Sunday 21 July, losing by 10 runs in a high-scoring 35-over match.

Fletcher won the toss and elected to field on a quick pitch with a good covering of grass. That decision appeared initially to have been a wise one, with club president Rob Rydon and Ludo Milne bowling with decent pace and craft. Rob bowled through and finished with figures of seven overs, three maidens, one wicket for 13 runs – “not bad for a 66-year-old” per the comment from a spectator (NB, our President is yet to turn 60).

Ludo took one wicket in his opening spell but should have had Reimoser who went on to make 40, Fletcher dropping an edge diving in front of first slip and Berry unable to hold onto the rebound. Spinners Archie Marsh and Simon Leefe were accurate and economical, and the Buccs found themselves in a decent position at drinks with WC&T on 69-3 after 17 overs.

The second half of the first innings could not have been more different and could not have gone much worse for the Buccs (see Fig 1, Worm), with Gillespie (83 from 78 balls) and Tatchell (64 from 29 balls) smashing boundaries seemingly at will. Multiple cricket balls were lost into the houses and gardens at the windmill end of the ground, Hobbs and Okines the recipients of some particularly harsh treatment. Berry was brought into the attack and did manage to claim the scalps of both set batsmen, but the damage had largely been done. Buccs required 233 to win at a shade quicker than 6.5 runs per over after a wonderful tea of sandwiches, honey sausages, cake and beer.

The Buccs innings stuttered at the outset despite a healthy smattering of extras, and we rather quickly found ourselves at 41-4. Enter Jeremy Milne, armed with a nearly-new bat and a willing accomplice in the form of Simon Leefe. Jez rolled back the years with some clean striking, including one particularly handsome straight six into the sightscreen at the longer end of the ground. Simon, as ever, found a way to make a score and encouraged Jeremy into some surprisingly quick running between the wickets.

Unfortunately, the Chilts ground fielding was some of the best we can expect to see this season and the required rate began to climb as Buccs were squeezed in the middle overs. Jeremy and Simon fell in quick succession after their partnership of 101, but the rate was getting away from us as the youthful Chilts outfit continued to cut off boundaries. Marsh (20 from 13 balls) and Rydon (39* from 23) gave us hope with some enterprising hitting, but tight death bowling saw us fall just short.

Further beers were taken as the players enjoyed some rare evening sunshine on the pavilion decking.

The full scorecard is available here: https://wct.play-cricket.com/website/results/6552492

Figure 1:

On what was a stunning day in the rural Oxfordshire countryside, the Buccaneers fielded a strong side for the rejuventated fixture versus Oxford Downs. The toss was quickly won and the opposition put in. For the third or fourth time this season, C. Pexton and H. Robertson toiled hard for the opening spell without prevail. Wicketless but incredibly tidy, they kept the run rate to below two an over for the first twelve sets. Lo and behold, the younger brother (O. Robertson) took a wicket with this first ball, nicking off an edge to Fletcher behind the stumps. Archie Marsh took the other end and bowled fantastically well for his four wickets, by varying his pace and flight.

The Buccaneers fielding was crucial to maintainaing pressure, with a sturdy performance from Neil Robertson at mid-off as well as fine catches from Clark and Marsh J. Ollie Robertson took an absolute blinder at short cover – somehow managing to sneak his hand under the ball to send a bewildered batsman packing. With the score on 160-5 at the second drinks break, the opening bowlers returned for some death bowling with cutters and slower balls a plenty to quench Oxford Downs of their aggression and finished 200-6 after 44 overs.

A nice spread preceded a fine opening stand by Marsh J and Clark, who exhibited some lovely timed shots and hard running to put together an opening stand of 78 before drinks. Jeremy Milne (keen to explore the middle of his new bat) came into the fray and supported the extravagant Marsh with countless hard run threes, to much applause from the rest of the batting order. Milne chipped a ball in the air and Marsh fell just shy of his third Buccs ton, to leave us at 169-3 with a nice 42 runs to chase. A workmanlike partnership ensued by Valentine and Berry to bring the spoils for the visiting side.

With both James (95) and Archie (4 wickets) providing some adequate jug avoidance, quick getaways were a plenty, with the hope to get home before the Euro’s final that evening.

Football might not be coming “home” but one thing is for certain, the buccaneers form has delivered three wins from three. Roll on West Chilts.

Innings of Oxford Downs

Innings of Buccaneers

Buccaneers v Brook – 30 June 2024

Having won the toss and elected to bat, Marsh and Fletcher were tasked with getting the Buccaneers off to a good start. It soon became clear that the wicket had the potential to be a “leveller”, but both openers batted with determination. After Fletcher fell, Sutton battled it out admirably but one brought three for Brook, as Marsh, Sutton and Gresswell fell in quick succession leaving the Buccaneers at 66 for 4 – and the captain wondering whether chasing might not have been better. Thankfully, such fears were misplaced: enter Y Bahemou (debutant) who, with Kalidasan, mounted a successful counter-attack as much against the wicket as Brook’s bowling. It was one shot too many for Bahemou who missed a straight one, and Kalidasan fell to an lbw decision that left everyone scratching their heads. But the tone had been set: Moules continued the offensive with his trademark brutality, striking a quickfire 54, with Rydon finishing the innings off in style with a flurry of boundaries. The Buccaneers finished 207 from their allocated 33 overs.

A very light and quick tea followed, as general consensus (with the exception of the President) was that we should attempt to have play finished in time to watch England play mediocre football.

Fortunately, the Brook batsmen also got the message. Brook’s innings never really got going, with wickets falling at regular intervals thanks to the merciless Buccaneers’ bowling attack. Papasavvas and Rydon proved deadly with the new ball, seeing off the Brook top three in just a few overs. Marsh and Okines bowled with grace and guile, rattling through the middle order – one Brook batsman looking particularly bemused by what should have been a safe leave costing him his wicket, as Okines turned a ball two feet to hit the top of off. Disaster struck, however, when just a few balls into his Buccaneers bowling career, Sutton – in a valiant attempt at a caught and bowled – fractured his little finger at the ring joint. We are informed both finger and ring are recovering well. Moules – particularly keen to get to the football – took the ball to finish Sutton’s over, taking one wicket then and the final Brook wicket in his following over, leaving Brook 101 all out and everyone ample time to amble to the adjacent public house.

Result: Buccaneers win by 106 runs

Innings of the Buccaneers:

J Marsh                            c&b Mosely                   35
T Fletcher                       c&b Soar                        12
M Sutton                         b King                               6
W Gresswell                  b Shaw                            2
Y Bahemou                    b Shaw                            17
E Kalidasan                   lbw b. Thompkins       20
S Moules                        c&b Johnson                 54
A Marsh                          b Longmore                   15
R Rydon                          Not Out                           25
P. Papasavvas              c. Both b Johnson       0
W. Okines                      did not bat

Extras: 21

Buccaneers: 207-9 (33 overs)

Innings of Brook CC:

L Soar                              b. Rydon                         0
L Botha                            c&b Papsavvas            4
J Cooper                         c&b Rydon                     7
C Longmore                  b Okines                         3
A Shaw                            c&b Okines                   11
S Johnson                       c&b A Marsh                 21
J King                                c&b A Marsh                 24
J Moseley                       Run Out                          8
L Mosely                         b Moules                        1
N Reily                             Not Out                           3
N Thompkins                b Moules                        4

Extras: 15

Brook: 101 all out (25.4 overs)

Buccaneers bowling (O-M-R-W):

R Rydon                          5 – 2 – 10 – 2
P Papasavvas               4 – 0 – 16 – 1
A Marsh                          7 – 1 – 23 – 2
W Okines                       7 – 1 – 38 – 2
M Sutton                         0.3 – 0 – 3 – 0
S Moules                        1.1 – 0 – 1 – 2
Y Bahemou                    1 – 0 – 7 – 0

On Sunday, the Buccs returned to Frensham, with their youthful side eager to bounce back and regain some winning momentum for the rest of the season.

A 35-over game had been agreed, and the toss was won by the 10-man Buccs, with A. Marsh choosing to bat first on what looked like a good deck.

J. Marsh and E. Kalidasan took the reins of opening and batted sensibly, but aggressively from the off, capitalising on any loose Frensham bowling they were presented with and utilising the short boundaries on offer. J. Marsh fell for a well put together 35 and was replaced at the crease by M. Sutton. More sensible batting from both followed, with M. Sutton eager to knock-in his brand new MRF willow. When Sutton fell just after drinks for 33, the platform had been set for the Buccs lads to up the tempo at the crease. Some mighty blows were shared by Kalidasan and ringer X. Barette, including what can only be described as a Djokovic-esque forehand slap over mid-on by Barette. After Barette’s departure for 24 and as Kalidasan passed 50, the Buccs middle order carried on the tempo demanded by the skipper, with both W. Gresswell, H. Machin and L. Milne ticking the scoreboard over with some mighty blows (including four consecutive Gresswell maximums), all the while supporting Kalidasan who was still at the crease and edging towards a potential major milestone…Alas, it proved to be one mighty hit too many for Kalidasan, top-edging one straight to the Frensham keeper, four short of what would have been a well-deserved first Buccs century. A thunderous Milne six off the last ball of the innings perfectly capsulated what had been a middle order Buccs barrage, and with that the Buccs finished 253-6 off their 35 overs, with a star-studded bowling lineup ready to defend the fabulous total our batsman had set.

A quicker than usual Buccs tea was taken and enjoyed, and after a short turn around, the Buccs were limbered up and had taken the field, with Milne and Rydon given new ball duties. Some beautiful bowling from both followed, mixed in with some sharp Buccs fielding, with both bowlers picking up wickets in their very first overs. This would set the precedent of what was to come and after Rydon claimed his second and third, the Buccs were into the middle order with Frensham at 50-4. Skipper A. Marsh decided it was his turn to get into the action and not satisfied with only one-leg spinner on, H. Machin took the reins at the other end. Both bowled tidily and with guile, with A. Marsh taking a couple of Frensham middle order wickets, and Machin unfortunate to go wicketless from his seven overs. After a spectacular Rydon run out at backwards square leg, A. Marsh and Machin were replaced by Barette and J. Marsh to attack the Frensham lower order. Barette claimed his first Buccs wicket thanks to the safe hands of Sutton and it was left to J. Marsh to mop up the Frensham tail, picking up two wickets including a fabulous Gresswell grab at mid-on, who fielded like a man possessed all day,  to leave Frensham 153 all out.

It was a well-executed Buccs performance and a richly deserved victory, which was timed to perfection allowing ample time for the lads to get home in ample time to watch England defeat Serbia (in what was the second biggest sporting event on show that Sunday). The lads will be keen to keep this winning momentum going. On to Brook on Sunday 30^th…

Scorecard

Buccaneers Innings

J. Marsh c&b L. Rhoades 35
E. Kalidasan c L. Milne b M. Findlay 96
M. Sutton st L. Milne b A. Warren 33
X. Barette st. L. Milne b S. Platt 24
W. Gresswell b M. Findlay 32
L. Milne not out 9*
H. Machin c L. Milne b M. Findlay 21
A. Marsh not out 1*
R. Rydon
T. Fletcher

253-6 (35 overs)

Frensham Innings

C. Ward c W. Gresswell b L. Milne 0
S. Platt b R. Rydon 0
M. Taylor c X.Barette b R. Rydon 14
R. Doran c T. Fletcher b A. Marsh 31
A. Warren c J. Marsh b R. Rydon 7
R. Doran run out R. Rydon 16
AL. Warren c W. Gresswell b J.Marsh 45
L. Rhoades b A.Marsh 6
L. Milne c M. Sutton b X. Barette 10
C. Doran c H. Machin b J. Marsh 10
M. Findlay not out 0*

153 all out (29.5 overs)

Buccaneers Bowling Figures

L. Milne 5-0-33-1
R. Rydon 6-0-15-3
A. Marsh 7-1-22-2
H. Machin 7-0-43-0
X. Barette 3-0-21-1
J. Marsh 1.5-1-10-2

A new venue for the annual Buccaneers versus Nomads fixture found both wandering teams arriving at a Wimbledon CC 2nd XI ground in Raynes Park, nestled perfectly next to the busy A3 and SW railway mainline to the South coast.

As has become the norm this ‘summer’, it was a cold, windy and overcast setting which made deciding on whether to bat or bowl a slightly harder decision. Luckily the skipper lost the toss and the Nomads elected to bat first. With Hamish choosing to steam in down the hill, Pexton had to make do with the other end. Both bowlers started well, especially Robertson who quickly found he was getting some assistance from the pitch. Kandampully fell to a pretty unplayable delivery aided by the pitch in only Hamish’s 2nd over for 4 runs. The wickets then continued to steadily fall for Hamish in his 8 over spell racking up his first Buccs 5-fer!! Some absolute jaffers in the pick of the bowled batsmen, more often than not being bowled just clipping off stump. Glorious to watch. The Nomads other opening batsmen, Pascall played diligently, making a hard fought 40 only to be bowled by Marsh’s bamboozling leggies. The rest of the wickets were picked up by Ollie Robertson (2) Angus Berry and the stalwart Rob Rydon, who showed everyone watching, he still has the ball on a string. Nomads all out for 89.

The chat at lunch from the tactical maestro Tom Fletcher was that this was a very competitive score on such a pitch. It turned out to be a very accurate observation. Rydon and Fletcher opened the batting facing the very tricky Shawl from the top end. Shawl’s first ball to Fletcher was a no ball and then with his 2nd delivery, Tom snicked off. Rob batted bravely in such testing conditions as a number of Buccaneers came and went. He finally fell, another victim of Shawl for 12. It began to look pretty dire as the Buccs slipped to 46-7. Enter Charles Pexton. Charles came in and started to make it look relatively easy, scoring freely and quickly moving the score 72 in a one sided partnership with Clark. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be and Shawl picked up his 6th wicket, bowling Pexton for a quick fire 23. It was then left to Clark and Metcalfe to see if they could scrape the win. They couldn’t, Metcalfe ran Clark out after only 2 balls and that was that. A few beers were enjoyed post  match and the discussion was directed towards the potential Buccs tour in September….

Result: Nomads won by 17 runs

Toss:   Nomads CC

Umpires:Nick Stevenson &

Scorers:Several

NOMADS CC Innings

V Kandampully* bowled    H Robertson  4
T Pascall      bowled    Marsh       40
S Khokar       bowled    H Robertson  4
B Rose         c ?     b H Robertson  0
M Walker       bowled    H Robertson  1
S Shawl        c & b     H Robertson  8
R Eldridge+    bowled    Rydon        0
R Bonneywell   bowled    D Robertson 13
S Chakravarty  lbw     b Berry        1
C Page         not out                5
C Bartlett     bowled    D Robertson  0

Extras        (b5,lb3,w4,nb0)        11

TOTAL         (All out,37 overs)     89

Fow:1-7(1),2-16(3),3-16(4),4-29(5),5-45(6),6-61(2),7-61(7),8-74(9),9-89(8),10-89(11).

Bowling
H Robertson 8-2-25-5
Pexton 5-1-7-0
Marsh 6-3-16-1
Rydon 7-2-16-1
Berry 6-3-5-1
D Robertson 5-2-12-2

 BUCCANEERS CC Innings

R Rydon     bowled          Shawl    6
T Fletcher  c Eldridge    b Shawl    0
M Sutton    c Kandampully b Shawl   12
A Berry     c Rose        b Shawl    3
G Clark     run out(Chakravarty)     6
O Robertson lbw           b Shawl    0
H Robertson bowled          Bartlett 9
A Marsh     bowled          Bartlett 4
C Pexton    bowled          Shawl   23
W Metcalfe*  not out                  0
Extras     (b2,lb1,w6,nb0)           9

TOTAL      (All out,28.3 overs)     72

Fow:1-2(2),2-17(3),3-26(4),4-26(1),5-28(6),6-42(7),7-46(8),8-73(9),9-73(5)

Bowling

Shawl 14.3-7-23-6
Bonneywell 2-0-16-0
Chakravarty 6-0-9-0
Bartlett 6-1-24-0

Hurlingham 233-5 dec (39 overs) beat Buccaneers 188 all out (37.1 overs) by 45 runs.

The Buccaneers arrived in full force in blazing sun at The Hurlingham Club for our much anticipated 2024 fixture. An agreement was reached of a hybrid format with 80 overs in the day, the team batting first able to take up to 42, or declare prior to that with the team batting second given the remaining overs to make up the 80. Hurlingham won the toss and elected to bat.

Hamish Robertson and Eric Wedge-Bull opened up the Buccs seam attack, bowling some good areas and keeping the scoring fairly tight, given the traditional shortness of outfield at The Club. Hamish took an early wicket in the sixth over with a regulation feather edge to Jim Harcourt with the gloves.

Leech and Moules came in first change with Leech taking a wicket in his first over and Moules bowling out their remaining opener with style. Hendrick Robyns came to the crease for Hurlingham and started to nudge the ball around very effectively, forming long partnerships with two different batters holding up the other ends. Hendrick went on to make 112 not out, setting The Buccaneers a good total of 233 to chase with 41 overs to use following Hurlingham’s declaration after 39 overs.

Tea was taken, comprising a few sandwiches and cakes.

Chris Leech and Eswar Kalidasan were given the task of opening up on the hard, flat, dry wicket and they got us off to a strong start, looking solid and pushing the ball around for 1s, 2s and the odd 4 flashing across the croquet lawns. Eswar was eventually bowled out leaving the Bucc’s 48-1. James Marsh quickly followed LBW. Sutton and Leech then put on a 50 partnership before Chris eventually threw his nailed on 100 away, getting bowled for 65. Then the trademark Bucc’s mini collapse ensued with 4 wickets falling for 9 runs. Jim Harcourt stayed in trying to steady the ship as those wickets fell around him, posting a handy 33 runs. He was supported by Eric and Hamish and after he fell in walked Will Metcalfe with a pristine new bat. Will and Hamish crunched a few 4s and 6s to start to get the Bucc’s hopes up, but alas Hamish was bowled out leaving the Bucc’s 45 short with 4 overs to spare.

Further drinks were taken with the opposition in the Rose Garden. A great day was had by all.

Scorecard is below.

Buccs 128 all out. Reigate Pilgrims 43 all out. Buccs win by 85 runs

A typically leisurely start saw the Buccaneers fixture with Reigate Pilgrims get underway a good 40 minutes after the official start time. Following overnight rain and an enormous boundary, skipper Berry decided that batting first was the obvious choice. Some tight bowling and the aforementioned long and wet outfield meant scoring was difficult for openers Berry and Fletcher. Despite this, they moved the Buccs to 40 without loss. Berry was caught in the gully shortly after and Marsh followed soon after that. Fletcher, meanwhile, was batting well and even managed to get a few over the boundary line, to ironic cheers from the Buccs who, at this point, were making good use of the Red Lion pub. Shortly before lunch Sutton hit one straight to square leg and called yes, unfortunately for Fletcher he obliged and was run out for a well compiled 27. Talk in the pub later, from the opposition no less, was that Fletcher was set for a hundred… no real consolation.

Lunch set the standard for Sunday cricket nourishment. A fabulous curry, cold cut meats, as well as more pints from the pub. A suitably stuffed batting line up took once more to the field in an attempt to set a competitive total.

Wickets began to fall in relatively frequent intervals until Robertson and Morgan came together. Both batters began to find the boundary as well as keeping the scoreboard ticking with singles into the field. Morgan, in either his 59th or 60th year as a Buccaneer (one for the club historian to fact check) set the example for many of the younger players on how to compile an innings. After Robertson fell foul to an LBW shout, the tail did a little wagging with some decent hits from Fishburn, on debut, who took the Buccs to what felt like a slightly underpar 128.

Opening pair Robertson and Pexton bowled extremely tightly for the opening 10 or so overs, keeping the Pilgrims at a sedate 2 runs an over. It took a piece of inspired fielding from Robertson to finally get the Buccs on the board with a direct hit from mid off bringing a wicket in the over before tea.

Another stunning spread greeted the team and with just twenty minutes to enjoy, half a dozen pints were quickly dispatched before the final session of the day. Berry brought himself on for the first over after tea and duly captured two wickets. Debutant Fishburn bowled excellently for his two scalps and the Buccs, bucking the trend of recent weeks, were brilliant in the field, taking a number of decent catches.

Berry completed his five wicket haul before Cosi Sutton (on debut) and Marsh mopped up the tail with a wicket apiece. A great display from the Buccaneers to register the first win of the season. Both teams retired to the Red Lion for a final beer (and a Merlot for Morgan). A longstanding fixture played in good spirit and with a lunch and tea that has sadly become a rarity since Covid.

Onwards to the Hurlingham Club.

Scorecard

Innings of the Buccaneers

A Berry            Caught            19
T Fletcher        Run Out           27
A Marsh          Caught            5
M Sutton          Caught            1
A Valentine     Bowled            4
H Robertson    L.B.W              34
C Pexton         Caught            0
A Morgan        Not Out            13
F Fishburn       Caught            17
R Hobbs          LBW                2
C Sutton          Caught            0

Extras                                      6
Total                                        128

Innings of Reigate Pilgrims

43 All Out

Buccaneers Bowling Figures

                        Overs  Maidens          Runs    Wickets

C Pexton         6          3                      10        0
H Robertson    5          1                      7          0
F Fishburn       7          1                      9          2
A Berry            7          3                      16        5
C Sutton          1          0                      1          1
A Marsh           0.1       0                      0          1