Match Report

Today’s events started half an hour earlier than normal at 2pm as the nights begin to draw in. In anticipation of a full afternoon/evening of cricket, most of the Jesters team had travelled up from London in good time and were eagerly warming up before the start of play.

The weather was surprisingly muggy and with rain forecast later, it was a good toss to win. Tim House, captain for the day duly lost the toss and we were asked to field first.

Batting was difficult from the start. Tim Cranston and Jacob Ford-Langstaff opened the bowling with Tim picking up a couple of early wickets. At 22/2 off 10 overs and not a boundary in sight, MSCC felt on top of the situation.

This pattern continued throughout the Jesters innings as Tim, Danny Clark, Simon Pettit, Joe Moorman and Jason Williams all picked up two wickets each. Jesters were all out for 99 off 40 overs. Conditions were difficult and only 3 or so boundaries had been possible.

In a rare sight, Middleton were asked to bat before tea whilst the Moorman family heated up the urn. In the second over and with perhaps one eye on the cakes soon to be available, Dan Simpson missed one and was bowled.

Tea was served and was thoroughly enjoyed by one and all. Our thanks to the Moorman’s.

Timing his entry to the fray (perhaps to avoid the washing up?) at number three was Joe Moorman. 10 balls later he was gone for 4 as Bridcot picked up his second wicket of the afternoon.

Tim House had been defending resolutely against some fine bowling and was joined by Mark Ford-Langstaff. Mark, having been warned about the prodigious inswing about to come his way, played for it but was struck on the pad as the ball swung across him. “Howz..” The umpires finger was up before the cry had finished announcing how the ball had hit him on the toe. The mark 12 inches away on his pad suggested otherwise but he had to go.

Tim House followed shortly afterwards. LBW. Same end.

Danny Clark was next in and proceeded to play a different game to everyone else. He batted remarkably well compared to the other batsmen (both sides) and with two sixes and three fours got to 35 before being bowled.

No-one else got to double figures but at 62 for 9 Paul Wordsworth and Jacob F-L put up some resistance and we even started believing a famous victory was possible. When Jacob was bowled however, Middleton were all out for 74 and the game was gone.

Well played, Jesters and especially Bridcot, Muhammed and Mumby who all took 3 wickets apiece. See you again next year.