Buccaneers Cricket Club

President, Simon Woolfries writes:

Howard Spencer, one of the Club’s longest serving Vice Presidents, has died.

He was a regular player and match manager from the late ‘60s to the late ‘80s and for those who played at that time he embodied the spirit of the Buccaneers. With Howard’s (or ‘H’ as he was usually known) name on the team sheet, it meant that the day would be that much more enjoyable for everyone else.

Howard on a sunny afternoon

He was a big man with a big smile and there was no more loyal Buccaneer.

Howard was the author of “Moore Cricket”, which covers the history of the Club from its founding in 1930 by Geoffrey Moore up to 2003 when it was published. It remains as a testimony to the commitment ‘H’ showed to the Buccaneers.

He also re-formed the Buccaneers Golfing Society in the early 1990s when his cricketing days were over and it still exists to this day. His excellent organisation of trips to France and Ireland gave great pleasure to those taking part and they will also fondly recall an annual autumn meet at Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club where former Buccaneer President and retired Bishop, Frank Cocks, was Club Captain and friend to Howard.

Howard showed remarkable resilience over many years when facing the fiercest bowling which poor health could send down and he never lost his sense of humour, even when playing and missing! He was the first to acknowledge that this was in no small measure due to the wonderful partner he had at the non-strikers end, his devoted wife Heather.

Lawrence Booth and Simon Woolfries

Thursday 9th February saw the 2016 holding of the Annual Dinner at the East India Club.

Over 40 members and guests enjoyed the traditional Buccs’ dinner hosted by President Simon Woolfries, famously finished off with treacle pudding and custard.

Responding on behalf of the guests was Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack Editor Lawrence Booth.

Lawrence entertained the room with tales of Wisden’s history, confided how he had broken the scoop of KP’s textgate indiscretions and gave his predictions on the future of the game.

Simon Leefe receives his award

As well as reviewing the 2016 season and averages (found here), Simon announced the winner of the Geoffrey Moore Award for the year – Simon Leefe.

Simon also made a special Lifetime Achievement presentation to Richard Gwynn.

The Hack received a framed photograph of him in full flow (on the field) at Albury in 2001 (4-28 that day) with his Buccaneers career statistics.

Hack shows off his lifetime award

Buccaneers remained for quite a while in the American Bar after the Dinner.

The annoying phenomenon of sunny weekdays and overcast weekends curtailed the start of the 2016 House Match at Betchworth, but no one seemed to mind too much as they tucked into the Harvey’s and fine selection of meats, pies and salads in the Red Lion. A 30 over match was agreed upon and the Rydon Royals decided to bat (so that more of their players could digest lunch).

A feisty pitch with a slow outfield was always going to be a challenge, but with the score on 6 for 2 after 2 overs, things looked bleak. But lady luck decided to shine on the Royals and Simon Leefe in particular.  While Will Rydon played circumspectly, Simon chanced his arm and hit some impressive boundaries. He took the aerial route occasionally and on every occasion the Stringer Superkings obliged by dropping him.  Unfortunately for Will, his first mistimed shot was caught, bringing Jim Mann striding to the wicket. Jim had only played once this season (for a second rate City stockbroker) so the captain was delighted to see him caress and bludgeon the ball to all parts of the ground. Meanwhile, Simon was continuing to be shelled by fielders in all parts of the ground. As the innings drew to close, fours and sixes reigned, as the full nine bowlers were employed, enabling the Royals to rest at 157 for 3.

Not many could eat the fine selection of cakes (still being full from lunch), but the ten Royals took the field in eager anticipation of their youth pace attack – Harry Mann and Tom Rydon. Anticipation was justified as the Superkings slipped to 6 for 2 after 4 overs. Fiery spells on the unpredictable wicket (two consecutive balls from Tom on the same length varied in bounce by six feet) meant plenty of helmet application. James Smith was struck on said helmet while applying himself manfully. Then some light relief as Simon Woolfries and Rob Rydon plied their trade to little effect. Archie Marsh whirled through some leg spin, suffering dropped catches and plumb LBW decisions being turned down by his father. And so to the reluctant Leefe, who didn’t want to bowl but ended up with 4 for 4 off his three overs. He ripped the heart out of the Superkings and enabled the captain to bring on the full repertoire of nine different bowlers. James Stinger remained not out as the wickets tumbled around him and his side limped to 115 for 9. Later in the evening, as the ale started to flow, James tearfully handed over the Mynott Thimble to Rob and politely asked lucky Leefe what Lottery numbers he was going to pick that night.

Innings of Rydon Royals

S.LEEFE      NOT OUT 91
A. MARSH  BOWLED MOULES 0
J. MILNE CT BERRY BWLD W.METCALFE 2
W.RYDON CT O.METCALFE BWLD OKINES 9
J.MANN NOT OUT 47
R.RYDON DNB
H.MANN DNB
A. MORGAN DNB
S.WOOLFRIES DNB
T.RYDON DNB

Total 157-3

Bowling
S.MOULES 5.2.1.10
W.METCALFE 5.0.1.21
R.HOBBS. 4.0.0.14
W.OKINES 4.0.1.23
R.GWYNN 2.0.013
A.BERRY 4.0.0.17
J.BRYANT 2.0.0.17
J.SMITH 2.0.0.21
S.BRANDES 2.0.017

Innings of Stringer Superkings

J.SMITH  LBW  S.LEEFE 32
O.METCALFE CT MORGAN BWLD H.MANN 1
A.BERRY  CT MORGAN BWLD T.RYDON 1
S.MOULES CT S.LEEFE BWLD H.MANN 12
W.METCALFE  BOWLED S.LEEFE 2
R.HOBBS  CT J.MANN BWLD S.LEEFE 32
J.STRINGER NOT OUT 22
S.BRANDES  STMPD A.MORGAN BWLD S.LEEFE 2
R.GWYNN  CT H.MANN BWLD R.RYDON 5
W.OKINES  BOWLED A.MARSH 1
J.BRYANT  NOT OUT 0

Total 115-9

Bowling of Rydon Royals

H.MANN 6.1.2.14
T.RYDON 5.0.1.16
S.WOOLFRIES 4.0.0.25
R.RYDON 5.0.1.15
A.MARSH 5.0.1.29
S.LEEFE 3.0.4.4
W.RYDON 1.0.0.1
J.MILNE (completed by J.MANN) 1.1.0.0

It was a bit of a family affair with four Rydons and two Leefes on the scoresheet, but the family combinations were all thrown out of the window as Henry Rydon declined to open the batting with his cousin Alex (as Henry had enjoyed too much gin at the previous night’s Olympic party). Simon Leefe manfully stepped in and battle was commenced in bright sunshine. Alex saw the shine off the new ball and then gracefully made way for debutant Buccaneer, James Goodman. The young graduate trainee from Cazenove (and previously Kent CCC) dispatched the ball to most parts of the ground and even managed to run a four (an impressive feat on such a fast outfield). Simon was less impressed, as they were not his runs, and gave way, after and a good thirty odd, to Will Rydon. Will proceeded to mistime most of his shots and try and shepherd James to his hundred. His animal husbandry skills were lacking as James lunched on 95 not out and the Buccaneers in a healthy position of 157 for 2.

An excellent lunch and new bat transformed Will’s stroke play and shepherding. James made his hundred and politely was caught on the boundary soon after. This enabled the first father/son combo as Henry staggered to the crease. Will smashed it out of the ground while Henry didn’t trouble the scorers. Richard Hobbs entered briefly and scored as many as Henry and when Will holed out there was a danger of the momentum being lost. The captain need not have worried, as first Paul Hobson and Steve Moules steadied the ship and then upped the stroke to enable the captain to declare on 251 at 3.20pm.

Rob Rydon opened the bowling down the hill with his son keeping, brother at first slip and nephew at second. Fortunately, there were no histrionics as Will dropped a regulation catch (was he standing too close for such pace?). Meanwhile, Freddie Bjorn had the dream ticket of up hill into the wind, and was using it to good effect with a sustained spell of inswing bowling and the reward of the first wicket. Rob bagged a couple of wickets and tea was taken in good spirits. Charlie Leefe raised them even further when he produced some quality leg spin and a fine catch from Will at first slip. His second wicket was less classical as a rank long hop was spooned to Henry at mid off. Hobbo tried some variety from the top end but was replaced by Simon to create another father/son combo. Simon clean bowled the number four bat, who foolishly was playing for the turn. The Leefes wheeled away for a while and then Henry came on to bowl some great off spin deliveries from the bottom end, but as is so often the way, it was the full tosses that got two wickets. Some of the youngsters started complaining about the declaration as they worked out we would be bowling sixty overs if the match went the distance, but Rob was happy to have enough overs to show the full repertoire of bowlers. Richard Hobbs bowled an over of wide filth, but then surprised the batsman with a straight one to claim the only LBW of the day. Just as Will was warming up to bowl in tandem with his son, Richard enticed the number ten into an errant shot and deny the use of our ninth bowler.

The victorious Buccaneers gathered in front of the pavilion with beer in hand to listen to ‘Last Post’ as the Old Hurstjohnians’ flag was lowered for the last time in their cricket week of 2016.

A.RYDON 1
S.LEEFE 35
J.GOODMAN 106
W.RYDON 42
H.RYDON 0
R.HOBBS 0
P.HOBSON 16*
S.MOULES 34
R.RYDON dnb
F. BJORN dnb
C.LEEFE dnb

251 FOR 7 DEC

CORDAN 6.0.43.1
P.MCGAHN 16.3.67.2
S.HALL 16.3.58.0
J.MCGAHAN 10.0.48.2
D.PILGRIM 5.0.27.3

WELCH BOWLED BJORN 5
J.PILGRIM BOWLED R.RYDON 11
WILLESDON BOWLED R.RYDON 0
MEREDITH BOWLED S.LEEFE 19
WARRENDER CT W.RYDON BWLD C.LEEFE 18
ARMITAGE CT H.RYDON BWLD C.LEEFE 6
HALL CT HOBSON BWLD H.RYDON 57
J.MCGAHAN CT GOODMAN BWLD H.RYDON 10
CORDAN LBW HOBBS 4
D.PILGRIM CT W.RYDON BWLD HOBBS 4
P.MCGAHAN NOT OUT 6

ALL OUT 164

R.RYDON 6.3.8.2
F.BJORN 7.1.12.1
S.MOULES 2.0.12.0
C.LEEFE 9.2.22.2
P.HOBSON 4.0.18.0
S.LEEFE 8.2.18.1
H.RYDON 7.1.32.2
R.HOBBS 4.0.21.2

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 4^th 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 4^th 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 2^nd 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 37^th 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 2^nd 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 4^th 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 “12^th 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

Lindfield Development XI 202 for 7 (40 Overs) Metcalfe 3 for 35, Buccaneers Developed XI 203 for 8 (35.4 Overs) R Rydon 85*, L Milne 27. Buccaneers won by 2 wickets with 26 balls to spare.

Buccaneers snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in leafy Lindfield to win the inaugural Mark Lawrence Trophy by 2 wickets. New skipper Milne Major managed to lose the toss and the team found themselves fielding in the heat of the day after a splendid Thai lunch at the Standup Inn.

Lindfield is picturesque ground but with some dramatic slope action both parallel and perpendicular to the track. Think Lord’s with a bit more relief. Rydon Senior pulled fast bowlers’ rank to come down the hill with an immaculate eight overs straight (1­23). Moules strapped on the crampons and used the climbing ropes to labour uphill for three overs before giving up and electing to wait his turn to have next use of gravity. Lindfield’s youngsters made steady progress against a Buccaneers attack that struggled for control on the uphill gradient. Yasir Okines bowled plenty of controlled leg spin up the slope but the teenage left handers were particularly adept at the slog sweep with the spin down the cliff with ball running way on a fast outfield for boundaries. Meanwhile Richard “the Power” Hobbs kept things tight at the top end with very nice darts on and around off stump. The Lindfield innings came to end with clatter of wickets from Will Metcalfe who shouldered the burden of the uphill bowling and accurately targeted the bottom of the middle stump. Special mention should go to the high-class keeping of Tom Fletcher who was lightening quick behind the stumps and ended up with two stumpings and a catch behind. The target was set at 203 off 40 overs.

A fine tea was had by all and quick shower freshened the pitch for the visitors to bat on. James Stringer and Ludo Milne negotiated the first 10 or so overs without alarm keeping up with the rate with some free flowing shots and controlled defence. At 40 for no wicket all things looked bright for the Buccaneers, with only a couple of 14­year­old spinners to see off. The 11th over saw the arrival of Hindley T from the top end who announced himself on the match with his first ball as a perfectly flighted ‘chinaman’ spun prodigiously down the slope and through the gate of Stringer’s defense. Hindley continued to torment the Buccaneers middle order that crumbled in the face a controlled mixture of chinamen and googlies that tied Metcalfe, Rydon Junior, Hobbs and Moules in a series of complex knots. Hindley bowled five overs and picked up 5 for 18 to leave the Buccaneers innings in tatters at 62 for 6 in the 17th over. Ludo Milne managed to run himself out taking a quick single off a no­ball with a direct hit from none other than Hindley T.

From this desperate position, with the Buccaneers’ innings in tatters, out strode a Greek warrior in the form of Rydon Senior. With the help of first Tom Fletcher and then skipper Milne, Rob Rydon demonstrated the art of the counter attack. The spinners were defended when they bowled a good one and slaughtered when they missed line and length. The teenage spinning rampage had turned into a festival of towering sixes and punchy drives. Fletcher and Rydon added 80 in double quick time and the skipper kept Rob company adding an unbroken 60 for the 8th wicket to see the Buccs across the line. Rob finished 85 not out and claimed all honours as man of the match and was presented with the Mark Lawrence Trophy by Heather. The trophy was left at Lindfield CC for safekeeping.

Thank you to all for playing and in what was a good match and an enjoyable afternoon.

Innings of Lindfield

C Weir b Rydon 7
T Howard ct Fletcher b Moules 48
J MacMannon b Hobbs 36
G Lawrence ct Fletcher b Milne 28
T Hinley b Metcalfe 37
D Morgan st Fletcher b Metcalfe 17
C Andrews not out 6
T Choudury b Metcalfe 0
R Padley not out 3

Extras 20
Total 202-7 (40 overs)

R Rydon 8-2-23-1
S Moules 8-2-39-0
W Okines 7-0-56-0
W Metcalfe 6-0-35-2
R Hobbs 7-1-2-1
J Milne 4-0-19-1

Innings of Buccaneers

J Stringer b Hinley 12
L Milne run out 27
W Metcalfe ct b Hinley 0
A Rydon lbw Hinley 4
R Hobbs ct b Hinley 6
S Moules ct b Hinley 2
T Fletcher b Macammon 20
R Rydon not out 85
C Blampied b Macammon 0
J Milne not out 14
W Okines did not bat

Extras 34
Total 203-8 (35.4 overs)

D Morgan 8-0-27-1
Tem 5.4-2-10-0
T Choudury 8-0-66-0
T Hindley 8-0-29-5
J Macammon 6-0-39-2

This was a game of at least three halves and as much ebbing and flowing as you could have observed on the nearby river Deben (there was quite a lot of ebbing actually). In fact, our first taste of the excellent Woodbridge School facilities for this fixture was only made possible by the brilliant last ditch recruiting skills of sometime Buccaneer John Levick who mustered from Suffolk no less than six of the Buccs team of ten, supplemented by the Gents generously lending us a fielder. Your correspondent was also very grateful to Gus Berry who journeyed heroically from Earlsfield to Woodbridge by delayed and cancelled trains and replacement coach in order to play.

Cunning was in the air from the outset as Mark Nicholls inserted the Buccs on a very good looking surface and opened his attack from one end with the left arm slows of Roger Luxmore-Styles. Two early stumpings and a score of 26 for 2 was the result. However, guest batsman Sam Powell had survived an early slip chance and was now into his stride dominating the scoring to the extent that his runs were the only ones on the board at 35 for 2.

Suffolk over 60s player and Buccs veteran Peter Boughton then began to settle in nicely at number four as Nicholls went through frequent bowling changes. Just as the innings seemed well under control Peter called for a sharp single and was run out by a direct hit. Sam continued on his merry way providing the vital flow to counter the strong ebb coming from the Buccs efforts at the other end!

As is traditional a fine luncheon caused a train wreck of a batting display in the early afternoon so that our innings ended for 170 with the extraordinary statistics that Sam Powell’s 130 was accompanied by five ducks and only one other score not in single figures! The Gents had used eight bowlers with the pick being the leg-breaks of Carlisle and the aforementioned slows of L-Styles.

Although the tide looked like it had gone out for the Buccs events began to turn again as the Gents innings unfolded. ‘Aussie Rob’ Sullivan – another Levick recruit – reached into his memory bank to produce three early wicket-taking deliveries assisted by sharp catches from that man Powell and colt Harry Croft. The skipper then decided to have a go into the stiff breeze which was now blowing straight down the ground (no doubt something to do with the incoming tide) and managed to induce some injudicious swings across the line from the Gents middle order. With Gus Berry keeping it tight from the other end tea was taken with the Buccs very much in control.

But the breeze had not blown Mark Nicholls’ cunning totally away because Roger L-Styles bobbed up again at number nine to turn the tide in favour of the Gents. By efficiently putting away some loose bowling and knocking tighter stuff around for singles he began to close the gap of around one hundred runs which existed when he came to the crease. However, when Berry bowled number ten Carr the Gents were still about thirty short. In strode the ‘old salt’ Nicholls to see his side home by one wicket with Roger L-Styles finishing on 73 n.o. at the other end.

Innings of Buccaneers

S.Powell                   130
A.Berry                         0
R.Sullivan                     0
P.Boughton                 18
N.Hasler                       4
J.Levick (wk)                0
H.Croft                          0
JP Levick                      0
R.Elston                        5
S.Woolfries (c)              0 n.o.

Extras                           13
TOTAL                        170

Bowling of Gents of Suffolk

A.Kerr                       6-2-21-0
R.Luxmore-Styles    3.2-2.2-9-3
Pickthorn                  5-0-31-0
Pickthorn                  5-0-33-0
C.Kerr                      3-0-18-0
A.Carlisle                 6-0-27-4
S.Kellett                   3-0-9-1
W.Nicholls                2-0-13-0

Innings of Gents of Suffolk

A.Carlisle                   24
W.Nicholls                    3
A.Pickthorn                14
P.Ronan                       0
C.Kerr                          9
S.Kellett                     15
A.Kerr                          0
F.Pickthorn                   1
R.Luxmore-Styles      73 n.o
O.Carr                        10
M.Nicholls                  17 n.o.

Extras                           5
TOTAL                       171 for 9

Bowling of Buccaneers

R.Elston            8-0-48-0
R.Sullivan          5-2-7-3
S.Woolfries     12-2-33-4
A.Berry         11.2-2-37-1
N.Hasler           4-1-18-1
JP.Levick          2-0-20-0

Result: Gents of Suffolk won by 1 wicket.

Following heavy overnight rain, an experienced and battle-hardened Buccaneers team arrived in Betchworth to a green and uneven looking pitch. However, with an average age approaching 50 we were not terribly keen to take to the field first as we had done in recent years. We were therefore delighted when the Pilgrims skipper won the toss decided to bowl first. Simon Leefe and Sujay Chakravarti got us off to a steady start, negotiating the uneven bounce and putting away anything short. After an opening stand of 71, Sujay fell top edging an attempted sweep for 30. Muktesh Ghatak came and went but lunch was taken with the Buccaneers still looking good at 110 for 2 wickets. Simon and young Archie Marsh upped the tempo after lunch, attacking the off spinner before Simon was caught in the deep for an excellent 80. Archie soon followed for a composed 31 and Sadler did not bother the scorers much. Rob Rydon strode to the crease and, as expected, struck some lusty blows; his departure heralding the Buccs declaration on 210 for 6 wickets.

After being thoroughly entertained by the Hack for much of the day, an upbeat Buccaneers took to the field. Rob Rydon was immediately confronted with the sight of a young quivering Pilgrims opener barely into his teens. The Rydon Express however takes no prisoners and young George was castled first ball. The other opener, enraged by the “injustice”, attacked Daryl Bird (sharing the new ball at the other end) and four fierce boundaries followed in the second over. With the runs flowing the skipper quickly turned to the left arm spin of Leefe despite protests about having to spin the ball up the slope! The lack of spin was soon rewarded with a wicket on the stroke of tea, an excellent juggling catch at gully by Woolfries – 37 for 2.

Despite an excellent spell Rydon politely declined to continue after tea and was replaced by our young leg spinner Archie Marsh. What followed was carnage as Marsh and Leefe ran through the middle order to leave the Pilgrims teetering at 74 for 7. The bowling was shuffled and the Hack and President Woolfries took to the bowling crease. The Pilgrims mounted a brief comeback before Marsh returned to the crease to claim his 4th and 5th wickets in quick succession. The Pilgrims ended their innings with 9 wickets down for 130 runs as the number 11 was stuck in the toilet having commenced his pre-surgery laxatives a tad early!

Scorecard (abridged)

Buccaneers batting

Simon Leefe c HK b Salkia 80
Sujay Chakravarti c Miles b Salkia 30
Muktesh Ghatak st Miles b Salkia 3
Archie Marsh c Raj b Vipin 31
Richard Sadler b Salkia 4
Rob Rydon c Burgess b Wise 23
Daryl Bird not out 10

Did not bat – Subir Chakravarti, Andy Morgan, Simon Woolfries, Richard Gwynn

Total 210 for 6 wickets in 52 overs

Reigate Pilgrims: 130 for 9 wickets

Buccs bowling

Rob Rydon  5 – 2 – 8 – 1
Daryl Bird 6 – 0 – 43 – 0
Simon Leefe 7 – 3 – 14 – 3
Archie Marsh 7.1 – 0 – 40 – 5
Simon Woolfries 8 – 1 – 17 – 0
Richard Gwynn 3 – 0 – 8 – 0

This was the Buccs first visit to Frensham’s pretty ground.  It has an embankment the size of a small Alp at the top end and a vertiginous drop along the boundary at the bottom; not the place to take a catch running backwards – as if any of us would.

The topography makes for short straight boundaries.   I am glad to report that the captains agreed to a declaration game.  The wicket looked green and your captain decided to field.  Unfortunately, he lost the toss and the decision was made for him – we were in the field under a bubble-clouded but thankfully rainless sky.

Rob Rydon opened our bowling from the bottom end and soon put the poor innocents to the sword, dismissing their first three batsmen for a pittance.  By the end of a characteristically accurate spell of 8 overs (half of them maidens) he had 4 wickets for 6 runs, an admirable performance.  One of his victims fell to a quick-thinking Charlie Leefe at third slip, diving splendidly to take the ball popped-up by Tom Fletcher at second slip.  At the top end, the quality of Rob’s bowling was matched by that of Paul McCann, who took one for 24 in his 8 overs.

Having trawled 5 wickets for barely 50 runs, we were faced with an elusive fish at number 5, one M. Taylor, who defied us with the effective tactic of stepping away from nearly every delivery and invitingly exposing his stumps.  But leech-like, he survived.  Time to cast away our net and turn to the deft rod and fly of Steve Brandes, who twirled away for 11 overs from the bottom end, taking 3 for 29, one falling to a lightning stumping by Andy Morgan, who kept with the agility of a teenager and bagged two catches.  Yet still Taylor remained, gaining in confidence.  At the top end Angus Berry doggedly tried his luck but for no reward.  He was replaced by Charlie Leefe who bowled his leg-spinners cunningly and accurately but even he could not winkle out the stubborn Taylor.  Which irresistible force would overcome the immoveable object?   Our President took the stage and with his usual guile removed the last two wickets – but not Taylor, who left the field with 59 not out.  Only two other batsmen reached double figures (just) and Frensham ended with 127.

After a memorable tea (we must play Frensham next year or at least eat there) James Stringer and Simon Leefe began our reply.  Both looked assured and took us much of the way before James fell for 23 when the pair had posted 50 together.

Tom Fletcher – Slaughters through and through…

Unfortunately, Angus Berry did not manage to add to that and Simon was then dismissed for 29, leaving us at 67 for 3.  He had been joined by Tom Fletcher, who accumulated his runs elegantly and with Rob Rydon almost saw us home, being dismissed for 33 when the total was 117.  Rob was joined by Paul McCann who did not have much of a chance to demonstrate his skill (one 4) because Rob clearly needed to get home early.  Of his eight scoring strokes six were boundaries (four 4s, two 6s), including the final hit to win the match.  A victory by 6 wickets.

Frensham

P. Chuter             ct Morgan           b. R. Rydon            0
A Pailings             l.b.w.                     b. R. Rydon            3
R. Champneys   ct Morgan           b. R. Rydon            7
M. Smith              b.                            McCann                  4
M. Taylor             not out                                                 59
J. Barton              ct. C. Leefe         b. R. Rydon            0
D. Smith               b.                            Brandes               13
S. Lyford              ct. Stringer          b. Brandes             7
H. Baldock           st. Morgan          b. Brandes             1
B. Weeks             b.                            Woolfries            12
R. Chuter             b.                            Woolfries               0

Extras                                                                                    21

127

O.           M.          R.            W.
R. Rydon              8              4              6              4
P. McCann          8              3              24           1
S. Brandes           11           1              29           3
A. Berry                6              1              27           0
C. Leefe                7              2              22           0
S. Woolfries        2.3          0              6              2

Buccaneers

J. Stringer            l.b.w.                     b. Baldock           23
S. Leefe                l.b.w.                     b. Pailings            29
A. Berry                ct                            b. Baldock              0
T. Fletcher           l.b.w.                     Smith                    33
R. Rydon              not out                                                 31
P. McCann          not out                                                    4

Extras                                                                                       8

128

Unsurprisingly, our game versus Hurlingham this weekend was rained off.