LOSCC vs Spartan

Report vs Spartan

Match Report
Date 03/07/11 
Oppo – Spartan
Type – 40 overs
Report courtesy of Sky Sports 


Djokovic. Klitschko. Wicks.  It was a weekend of champions – and just as Novac Djokovic lifted the trophy at 
Wimbledon and Vladimir Klitschko saluted the Hamburg crowd, Alan Wicks celebrated his 7th wicket of the day with 
his trademark “concrete mixer” salute to the Barkingside faithful.

With the power of the Ukrainian and the skill of the Serb, east end legend Wicks tore through the Spartan batting 
order to skittle them for 135 all out.  At 117-1 off 23 overs Spartan were cruising to victory but Big Al bowled 
his way into the Orient record books with a devastating spell of 6-3-10-7.  Barkingside Rec was treated to the 
full Wicks repertoire - bellowing, grimacing, grabbing, pointing, screaming, growling and dancing around on the 
square in what can only be described as a cockney maypole jig - Alan secured his spot in the top 5 bowling 
performances in the O’s 26 year history to win the game.

Earlier in the day the O’s batted well against some decent bowling from Spartan. Magners Marsh and Old Thumper 
James got off to a good start putting on 64 for the first wicket before Bob James nearly hit a seagull with a huge 
top edge off Ahmed.  Unfortunately the seagull knew Bob from when he played against the North Sea “Gull boys” XI 
in 1937 and dodged out of the way for the Spartan fielder to take the catch.  Marsh was caught at cover for an 
excellent 38 and then Eddie and Liam put on a good stand 107 for the 2nd wicket. Eddie reached his 50 but then 
fell to a good catch at 3rd slip from Akmal.  Liam finished on 31 not out and with a very handy 42 extras the O’s 
reached a solid 201-4.

In reply Spartan got off to a flyer with both openers hitting the ball very cleanly.  Richard Eaton bowled 
particularly well coming back to the game after a 4 year break. However Hillier took the wicket of Wasim and Gordon 
pouched a fine catch off the bowling of Mulholland - and then the Big Al show began. Wicket after wicket fell as 
the Spartan players trudged off with their sticks smashed all over the place, the jubilant strike bowler whooping 
and frothing at the mouth with elation. From 117-1 Spartan were reduced 135 all out – 5 of Al’s wickets were clean 
bowled, 2 were catches, a great effort.

In the post match interview with Sky Sports, Alan was presented with the man of the match award, a miniature 
concrete overcoat mounted on a solid oak base by local gangster Lenny McShittem. Grabbing the microphone from the 
interviewer Alan barked into the camera - “I phoned Bruv and told him I got 7 wickets and he just roared down the 
phone in celebration.  Barkingside, Buckhurst Hill, Bethnal Green – the Wicks boys run these manors, you with me?!”
 

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© Dave Revell