The Buccaneers’ 2012 campaign began on Sunday with an emphatic 136 run win over Ripley CC. Two unfamiliar sights would have greeted the casual observer as they took their Sunday constitutional on historic Ripley Green – the sun was shining and the Buccaneers were netting more furiously than England under Graham Gooch.
On winning the toss, and wearing black armbands in memory of Ed How, Ross and Stringer opened up against the nine men of Ripley. Despite the tight bowling of Cliff, the openers moved calmly to 95, before the first wicket fell – Stringer edging to Rawding for 33. With Ross’s perception evident that the tail began with Steele at three, he changed gear, accumulating 30 runs in eight scoring shots. Steele (13) and Chakravarti (7) lent support to Ross as his three figures beckoned, before the promising partnership of the two R’s – Ross and Reid ended with Ross being run out for 98. Leefe, McCann and Woolfries continued to score quickly as the Buccs finished their 35 overs with 220 for the loss of six wickets.
A special mention must be made of the excellent tea and the cosy pavilion (with many original features, as an Estate Agent would say). Worth a journey according to Michelin.
Ripley’s innings began with a minute silence for Ed How, observed by both teams with the club flag fluttering at half mast. The Ripley innings could not have begun more positively for the Buccs, with Sheikh and O’Brian repeating the running fiasco seen earlier by Ross and Reid. Miller and McCann proved a useful opening combination – Miller hitting the deck hard with his muscular action (more Freddie than Funky), and McCann’s easy style and height leading to more than one chant of “Ooh Ah, Glenn McCann” from the slips.
Wickets continued to fall, with Ripley at one stage being 17 for 4. G Christiansen and M Cliff then decided that attack was the best form of defence, and for a while they attempted to hit Ripley back into the game. With Hack claiming Christiansen and Miller castling Cliff, the game was nearly up. With the über-experienced combination of Woolfries and Gwynn wheeling away, the Ripley tail quickly subsided. Ripley finished at 84 all out.
The only blemish on a perfect day was the Buccs catching which was even worse than usual. The bowlers soon realised this and resorted to the alternative methods of dismissal – bowled, leg before and run out. It seemed the safest option, particularly with a helpful umpire.
With the game over, the chat in the bar turned to the weekend’s other great victories – Manchester City clinching the league, a Columbian getaway driver finally getting the credit he deserved and Pudsey the dog’s form-busting dancing on Britain’s Got Talent. The action now moves on to Midhust where under a new match manager a victory is long overdue. A reminder that Ed How’s Memorial Service is at 11.00am at Charterhouse on Sunday 20th, all welcome.
Innings of Buccaneers
K Ross run out 98
J Stringer ct Rawding bowled Giles 33
J Steele ct G Christiansen bowled Gibbons 13
S Chakravarti bowled O’Brien 7
R Reid ct A Sheikh bowled O’Brien 7
S Leefe not out 10
P McCann bowled G Christiansen 7
S Woolfries not out 8
Extras 37
Total 220 – 6 (35 overs)
FOW 95 (2), 152 (3), 166 (4), 197 (1), 208 (5), 212 (7)
Bowling
M Cliff 7-1-15-0
A O’Brien 7-0-44-1
J Giles 7-0-45-1
C McWilliams 4-0-18-0
C Gibbons 2-0-33-1
G Christiansen 5-0-24-2
T Rawding 3-0-15-1
Innings of Ripley
A Sheikh run out 0
A O’Brien LBW Miller 0
G Christianson LBW Gwynn 38
T Christiansen LBW McCann 0
T Rawding bowled McCann 0
M Cliff bowled Miller 22
R Baddock LBW Woolfries 2
C McWilliams bowled Gwynn 2
J Giles bowled Woolfries 1
C Gibbons not out 0
Extras 19
Total 84 (19.1 overs)
FOW 1(1), 6 (3), 6 (2), 17 (5), 66 (6), 81 (7), 81 (4), 84 (8), 84 (9)
Bowling
A Miller 6-0-48-2
P McCann 5-1-15-2
S Woolfries 4.1-1-10-2
R Gwynn 4-2-7-2