Match Report

For many grassroots cricketers the highlight of a Sunday afternoon is not so much the cricket match as the tea. Anticipation of a special tea was heightened when Great Missendon Pelican’s chef, Josh, published a photo late on Saturday evening of his preparations. A huge colourful bowl of carefully chopped ingredients was captioned with the advice that paella was on its way. Two varieties were offer, haloumi and chicken with home made cake to follow. 

Knowing that a feast was in store, Middleton were not too upset ,when the toss was lost, that Pelican’s chose to bat first .  The Great Missendon ground has some distinctive features, not least the Railway line at the Southern end. The home teams ears were accustomed to the first sign of an approaching express as play was halted each time. The ground also slopes away to the North, with a large hedge running down the side of the ground. 

Pelican’s recent games have seen some high scores. Middleton were fortunate that scorer Chris had made the long jouney with his trusty pencil to keep those high scores. Or perhaps he wanted to see more action than had taken place on Saturday where he sat through Brackley FC’s defeat to Scunthorpe.  Thanks Chris we really appreciate having you there.

  Middleton were expecting to chase some leather in the hot sunshine. Leading wicket taker, Hamidullah opened up the hill, he might have expected to be a little stiff after his 15 overs on Saturday, but he settled immeadiately onto a good line and length. Ollie Ross was surprised to be given the new ball, but proved a very capable partner for Hamidullah. A big shout for LBW was turned down on the first ball of his second over, a second shout two balls later looked to have been turned down as well. As the bowler was turning back to his mark, the umpire after lengthy consideration raised his finger.

Josh B is Pelican’s most assertive batsman, with Amit Singh in support Pelican’s had their best spell.  Hamidullah and Ollie’s spells came to their ends, Hamidullah’s experimental slower ball bouncer being dispatched to the hedge. Ahmad replaced Ollie and began with a maiden, Matt Carpenter behind the stumps, very pleased with one leg side take. Mike Simpson replaced Hamidullah. His first ball was belted back over his head by Josh, whose intentions were clear. For two overs Josh won the battle, Simmo hit for 19 runs but in his third over Simmo came out on top bowling his best ball of the season. Josh was not just beaten, but bemused as the ball bit, turned and lifted to clip the bails.

A second wicket followed as Tim Riley at legslip was on hand to take a catch that came off the gloves. Amit Singh played carefully, occassionally unwinding to mid wicket. The MSCC fielding was good, led by Gus Floyd chasing hard up the hill, and Harry Way patrolling the hedged boundary. Simmo and Ahamad restricted scoring opportunites for the next half a dozen overs. 

Gus Floyd came on at the railway end. He flighted the ball nicely and caused problems when he pitched the ball up. It was not one of his better balls that took his first wicket, but a bottom edge dragged on to the stumps. George Robinson bowled in tandem, replacing Simmo. Giving the ball plenty of air he conceded a pair of boundaries but was delighted when he bowled Pelican’s number 5 Hassan.

A second partnership was developing for Pelicans. The cautious approach of Hill  supported Amit Singh to his fifty, made just before the second drinks break of the afternoon. Ahmad returned for a second spell. Harry Way was ready on the boundary as Amit Singh heaved into the leg side. Harry accelerated like Noah Lyles at the start of the 100m, and as the ball was about to crash into the hedge for 6 clutched it safely in two hands.

The remaining batting had no answer to Ahmad who picked up two further wickets, with Matt taking a stumping to give Gus a second. A crazy call for a single saw 13 year old Visna run out and wondering what on earth his running partner was doing.

With the top five run scorers of the season all playing the total did not look too formidable. Harry and Matt made easy work of the first 10 overs, picking off the bad ball and finding gaps in the field. The only error’s of judgement came in hitting the ball up the hill so that runs had to be run. Both were soon dripping as the temperature approached 30 degrees. Harry played a trade mark cover drive for 4, Matt picked off boundaries to square leg when home captain Greenwood lost his length.

As the sun dried the wicket and sections of the surface began to crumble batting became less straightforward. Matt fell for 34, including 7 boundaries.  The partnership had been broken just shy of 90. Stevyn was sent out with orders to support Harry, this he did, as Harry passed fifty with his shot of the day, a six over long on that came sweetly from the middle of his bat.  Hill bowling off spin, found some awkward turn and bounce. Stevyn top edged to the keeper, and then Harry looking to press for victory failed to clear mid on with a drive and was out for a classy 62.

With only three runs an over needed the victory was never in doubt. Mike Robinson and Tim added 30 to the total before Mike nurdled the ball into the leg side with enought height for the keeper to scoot round for the catch. Ollie had been waiting patiently to get the middle, he was anything but patient when he got there. Tim became the third player to be caught at mid on, Ollie avoided that outcome by smashing the victory 6 into the the sightscreen.

 The players retired to the Nags Head garden for refreshments and to reflect on the afternoon’s play. It had been the largest successful chase of the season, eclipsing the 129 against Iffley Village. Sometimes batting second is much the easier way to win. Next week is the Captain’s XI v the Vice Captains XI. This replaces the fixture against the Jesters. The club photo will take place at tea time. Following the match fish and chips will be on sale, it promises to be an exciting day. We hope that many of you will drop in for the afternoon.