Match Report

I have had a most rare vision. I had a dream, past the wit of man to say what dream it was… The eye of man hath not heard, the ear of man hath not seen, man’s hand is not able to taste, his tongue to conceive, nor his heart to report, what my dream was.

It was a midsummer’s dream. The air was still and warm. Gossamers drifted, bees hummed, willow met leather, leather met ash.  An audience of faithful left; pints unsupped, Chablis untasted and conversations mid sentence. The game hung too close to call.

The clocked ticked past 7.30. OUHCC needed 20 to win, MSCC needed four wickets, four overs remained. A seventh wicket partnership looked to have taken the visitors to the point of victory. Unbeaten and past his half century the Hospital’s skipper, James Halfhead, had weathered the storm and was cruising into harbour with a fair wind. Suraj Modi had been his first mate, surviving a wild swipe to his first ball before opting to pick up singles and pass on the strike.

James Bazeley had ball in hand. Not to bowl, but to hurl into the wicket keeper. Perhaps a sense of frustration got to him, it was the first time in his Middleton experience that his bowling had been attacked and he had conceeded runs. The throw was wild and missed both stumps and keeper. Only the thick grasses of the park outfield prevented a single from turning into a catastrophic 5. OUHCC sensed their time had come, Middleton heads dropped slightly lower on their shoulders.

James had the chance for redemption. He had made two crucial breakthroughs earlier. Halfhead and Modi were untroubled and six more were chalked off the target. He was forelorn as the captain informed him his spell was complete.

It is not always the best delivery that gets the wicket. It was a low full toss from the captain that succeeded. Modi trying to sweep, top edged and the simple chance was gratefully accepted by the bowler. A second wicket in the over followed, Ramens LBW. 

UOH were hampered as the unfortunate Lammerton had fallen ill during the first innings. A batting substitute had been permitted, veteran Julian Francis was on standby if needed to come in last. James Lyon, post A level studies was playing in his first Sunday fixture this year. Earlier he had opened the bowling, taking 1 -23 in his 7 overs but two spilled catches had tarnished his mood. When, on being brought back to bowl at the critical juncture, his first delivery was a gentle leg side long hop his snarl of anguish was felt by all.

How quickly things can change. The next ball was perfect. Full of length and hitting the seam, just enough movement to move from middle and off to middle and leg and Halfhead’s innings was complete. He was now the anguished snarler having lead his team so close while James was surrounded by the cheering throng. One wicket needed to win, 8 runs needed to win, 10 balls remained. Julian cobbled together enough kit and made his way to the centre of the action. One ball later the game was done, James hitting the stumps to close out the narrow victory.

The beer always tastes better when you win, Ali, Olly and Seril made sure the beer flowed as Middleton celebrated and UOH reflected on the what ifs.  Simmo and the Robinsons ensured the bbq was cooked to perfection as mid summer’s day turned into mid summer’s night.

But what may you ask, happened earlier? It all began like this. UOH are excellent record keepers. They came to the ground knowing that of the 15 previous games, the first in 2010, they had won 5, Middleton 4 and 6 had been drawn. Chowdhry, UPH’s leading batter was injured, four members of the Halfhead family, brothers Nick and James and respective sons Bertie and George were playing together for the first time and opening bowlers Dash and Modi were lost somewhere in Oxfordshire.

Matt Bazeley, who pulled up lame in the mid week fixture, volunteered to umpire. Thanks Matt, it was hugely appreciated, Middleton chose to bat first. Tim Riley opening with Mark Ford-Langstaff. The pitch was a new strip, dried out and starting to crack, but looking good for batting. Seril and Mike Robinson acted as sub fielders, Mike hoping to be replaced when he realised he was next man in.

The first 7 overs passed quietly before Mark deposited the ball back past the bowler for a six and a four in consecutive deliveries. The bowler then struck back Mark trapped in front for 13. At that point Mark not quite so appreciative of Matt’s umpiring! Mike had had a chance to pad up and began to build his innings. Tim gradually increased the scoring rate but the newly arrived Dash and Modi bowled well giving little away and challenging the outside edge with nearly every delivery. 

Keeper Venables, in the style of the Kiwi keeper, stood up to the pace bowling and did a first class job. Mike kept him busy, leaving with aplomb balls just outside the off stump. Fielders remained close to the bat as UOH made every effort to take wickets. Both batsmen survived half chances to first slip befor the first drinks interval came with the score at 60 – 1.

Looking to accelerate Tim clipped to midwicket  straight into the hands of Siraj, out for 33.  Mike had made a patient 3. James Bazeley found the pace of Dash and Modi perfect, he timed the ball from ball 1 and raced into the 20s, the pick of his shots a back foot punch for four through mid off. Umpire Matt had his phone camera recording the vital moment, (well played son!) Mike was inspired and took advantage of a change in the bowling. Nick Halfhead’s off spin was tempting, just like Mark earlier he hit consecutive boundaries onto the road, one a six one a four.

James was disconcerted by the lack of pace from Gupta. A toe ended full toss cuffed to Siraj under the oak tree saw him depart. Ali Meier recieved the same ball and smashed it for four to square leg to open his account.  Now seeing the ball well Mike smashed three sixes in an over, all over the sightscreen, each one longer than the one before. It was his final flourish.

Nick’s son George replace him. An impeccable first over was bowled. Mike was ready to walk off for a stumping having been well beaten, Olly Ross at square leg pointed out that he was not out and could stay. Both keeper and bowler had their man two balls later, Mike caught behind for 49. At the second drinks interval Middleton had thier sights set on 180 with Ali and Howard batting and Shaan, Olly and James L all eager to put bat to ball when required.

9 further overs were bowled, the field setting became more defensive. All the remaining runs had to be run, Ali and Howard were gently perspiring when the clock reached tea time, Howard bowled off the final ball for 13, Ali 18*. Jen had prepared tea, and thoughtfully produced iced drinks which were needed on a hot afternoon, and being a Lyon tea there were strawberry jam sandwiches as well as the fresh strawberries.  Many thanks Jen!

James Lyon was given the first over, Olly keeping wicket and Mark, Howard and Paul hovering around the bat waiting for a catch. Shaan took the second over, finding movement in the air from ball 1. UOH began cautiously, learning from Mike earlier that this was a run scoring pitch if you took your time. Shaan and James struck once each, both hitting the stumps. James bowled Nick Halfhead with a dream delivery that swung away and cut back of the seam, while Shaan squeezed the ball via bat and pat onto the off stump.

James Halfead and Dash built a partnership, James and Shaan completed their spells. Seril and Paul replacing them. Earlier in the day, Jofra Archer had been bowled at the Oval by a ball that kept very low. Paul emulated the feat, bowling Dash with a ball that did not really deserve to take a wicket. Shaan nearly got hands to a very sharp chance at extra cover, James Lyon was disappointed not to hold on to a low chance at deep square leg. A fielding change, as Paul was moved into slip all but paid off when Venables edged Shah. Paul lunged low to his left, stuck out a hand but could not quite hold on to the chance.

Seril and Paul bowled through the start of the last 20 overs, runs were restricted  but crucially no wickets fell. James Bazeley has taken wickets in every previous over he has bowled at Middleton Park, four in one of them. He came on with 7 wickets still needed, 80 runs needed and 16 overs to go. Both batsman disappeared to the pavilion to find helmets after James banged one in short enough to reach shoulder hieght.

Venables dragged on to give James a first wicket, Tim bowled the younger Halfhead round his legs, before a second wicket for James left UOH at 120 – 6 and things falling nicely into place for Middleton. James looked to hit the stumps, Halfhead looked to the leg side boundary, suddenly the run rate required started to fall. One ball from James hit the gloves of the keeper so smartly that Olly wondered why he had said yes to the job when asked. 

Tim got a hand to ball driven back over his head, but could not hold on but mostly contained the attack. An attack  which culminated with a drive from Halfhead through extra cover from James that was the shot of the day. How it all finished you already know. Lets hope for more games played in such convivial rivalry, with both teams playing to win. 

At the half way stage of the season Middleton have played 15, Won 13, Drawn 1 and lost 1. Blenheim Park and The Min are the next two fixture on Wednesday and Sunday next week.