Buccaneers 234/5 (G Howlett 54, J Smith 41, Mason 3/57) The Mote 72ao (Mason 36, Kandemiri 4/29, Wijerathne 3/7) Buccaneers won by 162 runs
Basking in July sunshine, Buccaneers convened at a pub close to Mote Park for luncheon. As the demands of holiday season had taken their toll on many regular Buccaneers, there were around the table no fewer than 5 debutants, and 8 players from Blackheath CC – including the present, past and pluperfect captains of the Blackheath 4th XI. As a result, the average age of the Buccs XI was under 25, most of whom had played in a Kent League match the day before. In short, a strong XI.
Refreshed by burgers and beer, a convivial group of Buccaneers and spectators descended on a sun-blasted Mote Park, where we met up with the Milne clan. Buccs skipper Vic Kandampully hobbled out to the middle on his sprained ankle and completed his main duty for the day by winning the toss and electing to bat.
James Smith and Ludo Milne repaid Vic’s faith with an steady opening stand of 59 before Ludo was stumped for 34 off the young leg-spinner Joe Markiewicz. Jeremy Milne took Ludo’s place and saw the Buccs safely through to drinks, which were taken at a comfortable 98/1. Looking to pick up the rate, Smith was caught at mid-off immediately after drinks for a well-made 41.
However this brought the current Blackheath 4th XI skipper, George Howlett to the crease, whose busy approach at the crease and urgent running kept the scoreboard whirring throughout the long spells bowled by Mote 2nd XI players Dan Mason (3/57) and Chris Feltham (1/58). Despite the loss of Jeremy Milne for 31, Howlett kept up the momentum with smart running punctuated by clean hitting, en route to 54 off 36 balls. In this, he was supported by Bill Crone who crafted 29 from 33 balls.
The dismissals of Howlett and Crone left the Buccs at 207/5 at the end of the 37th over. Wicketkeeper Dan Lucas (17*) and all-rounder Disal Wijerathne (21*) then combined to push the Buccs up to 234/5 from their allotted 40 overs.
After a fine tea, the Buccs took the field and were immediately buoyed by a breakthrough, as Dexter Kandemiri elicited a healthy edge from Mote skipper Henry Buckland, which was well held by a diving George Howlett at second slip. At the other end, the aggressive Dan Mason took the initiative whenever Caspar Milne strayed from a good line and length, but in the meantime, Kandemiri’s pace and accuracy earned him two more wickets, both clean bowled.
One felt a reckoning was coming when Mason finally had the opportunity to face Kandemiri, and so it proved. In one over, Kandemiri was launched over mid-on, cut uppishly past gully, and smoked twice through the covers by the Mote’s prime hitter. But despite this treatment, Kandemiri had the last laugh when a fast nip-backer beat Mason all-ends-up and clipped the top of his middle stump to complete an eventful over and leave the Mote reeling on 53/4.
With the loss of Mason for 36, the Mote’s remaining batsmen seemed to lose conviction. Casper Milne (2/27) cashed in, finding line, length and swing to remove the veteran Buckland, and repeating the dose on 2nd XI player Conor Davis as he swung from the hip.
Vic’s act of mercy in yanking Kandemiri (4/29) from the attack rather backfired when Disal Wijerathne (3/7) promptly took two wickets in his first over. Following another strike from Disal to remove Chris Feltham, it was left to past Blackheath 4th XI skipper Ben Butcher to apply the coup de grace by removing Markiewicz to complete a rather comfortable win.
The Mote had been bowled out for 72 in 15.4 overs, with only Dan Mason (36) making double figures; meaning that Buccaneers had won by 162 runs.
Generously the Buccaneers allowed the Mote to have a second go-around. The bowling was spread about, with overs for both Milne lads, Howlett, Crone, Smith, Wijerathne, for “12th man” Stephen Grace, and the extremely rare sight of Vic turning his arm over, ankle sprain notwithstanding. When Mote skipper Henry Buckland was caught at slip off Vic’s leggies, Dan Lucas was heard to wonder whether his lunchtime Guinness and afternoon champagne had combined to produce some form of hallucinogen, and even umpire Peter Turner was seen to sport a broad grin! In all, six further wickets fell before “time” was called after 35 overs.
In the bar, jugs were had. The very fine Whitstable Pale Ale was much enjoyed. Howlett was voted Man of the Match for his excellent half-century.
Unfortunately it emerged in conversation that The Mote had experienced some difficulty getting eleven men on the pitch and hence had been forced to select some untried colts.
The selection of a very strong Buccaneers XI, and the Mote losing key early wickets, unfortunately exposed this weakness to the maximum.
Thanks to Mote CC for being gracious hosts and for fulfilling the fixture despite their selection difficulties. Hopefully next year this fixture will return to being a close-fought encounter.
Buccaneers v Mote – Buccaneers won the toss and elected to bat
Innings of Buccaneers
J Smith ct Davis b Mason 41 (64)
L Milne st Buckland b Markewicz 34 (45)
J Milne bowled Mason 31 (31)
G Howlett bowled Feltham 54 (36)
B Crone ct Davis b Mason 29 (33)
D Lucas + not out 17 (17)
D Wijerathne not out 21 (13)
Extras (b5, lb2, w4) 11
Total (40 overs) 234/5
Did not bat: V Kandampully*, D Kandemiri, B Butcher, C Milne
C Davis 6-2-18-0
J Eastern 6-0-33-0
J Markiewicz 4-0-22-1
B Brookes-Reeves 4-0-25-0
D Mason 10-0-57-3
C Feltham 10-0-58-1
Innings of The Mote
H Buckland *+ ct Howlett b Kandemiri 2
D Mason bowled Kandemiri 36
A Labnitz bowled Kandemiri 0
N Pereira bowled Kandemiri 8
J Waterson bowled Wijerathne 2
S Buckland bowled C. Milne 0
C Davis bowled C. Milne 2
J Eastern bowled Wijerathne 0
C Feltham bowled Wijerathne 4
J Markiewicz bowled Butcher 2
B Brookes-Reeves not out 2
Extras (b6, lb4, w4, nb2) 16
Total (15.4 overs) 72
D Kandemiri 5-0-29-4
C Milne 6-1-27-2
D Wijerathne 3-1-7-3
B Butcher 1.4-1-0-1