Sawbridgeworth CC. Sawbridgeworth CC.
Match Report Date 07/06/26 Oppo Sawbridgeworth (a) Type 35 Overs Report by Big John The O’s arrived at Sawbridgeworth on a cloudy but vaguely humid Sunday afternoon. Ansar’s promises of a big feed were rumoured to be finally coming to fruition. At least, that’s what most of the squad hoped, as most hadn’t bought tea on the promise of some Chicken Pilau cooked by Ansar Hussain with some assistance from the wife. Although, the more earnest amongst the group had brought a meal deal just in case Ansar didn’t provide the goods. He certainly did, more on that later. Alan blew off owing to a taste of the Chicken Pilau before Ansar drove the pair to Sawbo, which was as good a review as any. The O’s were salivating. After a delayed start of 2pm had been agreed, Skipper JBM ventured out to the wicket for the toss. The O’s lost again, and fielded first. 35 overs agreed owing to the later start. Walthamstow duo Ansar Hussain and Alan Syrett opened the bowling, with a respectable start and some fantastic noises coming from Syrett in particular. Whether they were appeals or not, no one is too sure, especially as he let out an enormous grunt after being clipped for four. We’re still not sure what Al saw to think it was anywhere close to being a good ball. However, Al took a wicket in the first ball of his second over thanks to a catch from skipper JBM, leaving Sawbo 10-1. Al finished the over conceding no runs, a handy wicket maiden, 1 of 2 maidens from his 7 overs. However, Blackpool fan and Richie Wellens enthusiast Chisnall dug in with opener Ashman with the two putting on a healthy partnership. James Walker, came into bowl in his first game in over 15 years. A dropped catch off his first ball as the batsman thumped it in the direction of JBM who couldn’t quite hold on, it would have been an excellent grab. Second ball, another two chances, with the batsmen edging it to Danno who could only get a glove to it, with the ball carrying to Braces who couldn’t quite get down to make the catch. A decent start for James, no signs of rust. J Hayes came into bowl, with his customary wide coming in his third ball, but this would be the only wide he’d bowl after some kamikaze bowling earlier this season. With James and John unable to make any dents in the scoring of Ashman and Chisnall, skipper JBM brought himself on to try and stop Ashman making his ton which ended up being a fool’s errand as Ashman retired not out on 101. Matty came into bowl, with young Fred also coming into support from the other end who took a wicket on his first ball, caught behind the stumps by Danny Whittam. Sawbo 187-2. The O’s took a further two wickets, with Alex Baker-Merry taking a catch off bruv’s bowling and young Fred taking a catch off Matty H’s bowling. Sawbo closed their innings on 248-4. Now for the main event, Ansar’s famous Chicken Pilau. Heated up on his portable hob, in Sawbridgeworth’s centuries’ old clubhouse, the O’s were slightly nervous that Ansar could burn the place to the ground. Alas, now heated up the Pilau was ready to be served with the O’s players tucking in for seconds and possibly thirds if they were in the lower order. Ansar also prepared his customary Chai which also went down a treat with the O’s faithful. Every club needs an Ansar. With 249 runs required, the BM bruvs opened for the O’s putting on a solid partnership, with Alex eventually out on 19, leaving the O’s 42-1, a respectable start. Danno put up the order after an unfortunate season with the bat, soon fell after late instructions from skipper JBM to crack, Danno out for 1 run. In came super Paul Elby to shore the O’s up. Unfortunately, JBM fell in the 12th over, chopping the delivery onto the stumps, out for 21. Next in was Matty Hiscock, who put on a terrific partnership with Super Paul Elby, taking the O’s to 132-4 in the 25th over after Elby went for a big shot over the bowler’s head that was caught on the boundary. Elby out for 44, but a stoic performance from Matt gave the O’s a glimour of hope. Unfortunately, the wickets came tumbling with Freddie bowled for 10, after some lovely shots, with the 4 from the ball prior to getting bowled in particular impressing the crowd. Johnson out for a two ball duck, LBW and Al Syrett out for 1. James Walker came into score 3 before being bowled, leaving John Hayes to come in for the final ball who managed to pick out the fielder in the black astros again, but scarpered away for one run. With the O’s finishing on 189 runs, a spirited effort but left just too many runs to chase in the end. Sawbo skipper very kindly bought the O’s a jug and the players enjoyed a good post game drink, with Ansar’s Chicken Pilau still doing the rounds with some of the O’s going for fourths and fifths and the opposition tucking in too. There was even enough for John’s Auntie to take home in some tupperware. Ansar had cooked enough food to feed a small village. With some fellow O’s in the Sawbo side, the O’s turned to recruiting some players hoping their performance hadn’t put them off! Next up for the O’s is Chigwell CC. Up the O’s!
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© Dave Revell