Hatfield Peverel. Hatfield Peverel.
Match Report Date 08/06/2025 Oppo Hatfield Peverel (a) Type 40 Overs Report by DJ Stowman Following a couple of back to back brutal defeats the O’s were desperate to get back to winning ways and rocked up at Hatfield Peverel with an experienced side Skippered by Andy Hudson who won the toss and elected to bat. Whilst Alex Baker-Merry and Stefan Minkey put their pads on, John Rogers shared the fact he is considered a ‘Code Red’ around these parts due to whilst playing at this very ground a few weeks earlier he’d wandered out to bat taking guard only to realise he’d forgotten to put any pads on– Hastily returning to the pavilion and much to the amusement of the ‘crowd’ he then raced back to the middle before noticing this time he’d forgotten to take his gloves with him. More evidence to demonstrate Cricket is very much a “Care in the community” sport. ABM was dismissed early doors by one that appeared to swing bringing Nigel Costin to the crease who crashed five boundaries in his 23 runs before being bowled by Osborne with the O’s 36-2. Chintan Shah joined opener Stefan Minkey. A little nick round the corner from Chinster who screamed run seemed to take Minkey by surprise. The ball was hurled in and the keeper whipped off the bails with a massive appeal from the hosts. Stef puffed out his cheeks and caught his breath nervously watching JR who was umpiring at Square Leg. JR seemed initially unphased by all the noise. He walked in very slowly and very calmly bent down picked up the bails and placed them neatly back onto the stumps. Stef allegedly said ‘Jeez that was a bit tight’ – JR looked at him completely astonished and asked him why he was still on the square? “Your miles out son” he chuckled as the finger was raised. Chindog was next to go after looping one up which brought two new O’s batsman to the crease at 59-4 just before drinks. Hudson and Matt Hiscock built a nice little partnership of 83 runs before the latter was caught for 40 off the experienced Southwell. Hudson then sportingly retired at 51 not out with instructions to Daji and Syrett (who promoted himself up the order above JR) to try and get the O’s up to 200. Daji obliged with a couple of lusty blows scoring 27 off 20 balls whilst Al played the anchor role with a few nice little tickles. Both were bowled with 4 overs remaining which saw JR come in and smash a lovely timed 6 on the leg side as Whittam got in on the act with a boundary leaving the O’s at 207 for 7 off their 40 overs A wonderful array of BBQ was cooking from the sidelines, the O’s players licked their lips and salivated at the aromas of delicious looking Chicken Wings, Burgers, Sausages, Pulled Pork being cooked and consumed by the Hatfield Peverel members. Sadly that wasn’t for us though so we all tucked into our Tesco Meal Deals. “It’s no Woodham Mortimer” said Costin. The O’s took the field with Daji and Rogers opening the bowling. History was made as the O’s embarked on their first ever experience of ball by ball music coming from the sidelines. As every boundary was scored and the bowler was running in we were treated to the likes of Afroman, 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Tupac. Hatfield opener Andy Cheek took a liking to Rogers in particular with 13 scored off his first over. JR was in no mood for a game of ‘Name that tune’ and quickly told Hudson to get him off. Hiscock was told to come on and warmed up to ‘Shake Shake Shake’ by KC and the Sunshine Band. Much to his delight his first ball which he expected to disappear into orbit was a gentle single only for Daji to launch the ball (I think at the stumps?) and with Big Al diving out the way backing up …..another 5 runs on the board! Daji was fired up now having still not heard any tunes from his favourite musician Kiri Te Kanawa…The Kiwi sprinted in and bowled a ‘beaut’ that clean bowled the dangerman Cheek and the O’s were off and running with the hosts 29-1 off 3 overs. The next wicket to fall was quite frankly a piece of fielding that you would expect at elite level. With Leech smashing the ball to the leg side, Alex Baker-Merry moved like a gazelle, collecting the ball cleanly (probably stopping a boundary) and then turning and throwing at the stumps like a missile with a direct hit which saw Southwell run out by a yard – Class Shah came on and what happened next was quite remarkable. Skipper Hudson suddenly decided to move Costin out of his fielding position where he hadn’t moved all innings– It was debatable whether it was because of his dreadful karaoke efforts or just tactical genius. Nige was sent into the woods and Hiscock was moved into his position. Chinmeister ran up and bowled his first ball and Leech drove one just to right of Matt who took the catch (Much to the fury of Costin) “That would have been mine he screamed”. Later that over Chinny got his second as Griffiths nicked one behind which was smartly caught by Danny Whittam as the O’s had control with the hosts 42-4. Hiscock came on at the other end and got in on the act with a couple of quick wickets following a neat catch from Daji and a clean bowled. “We’ve lost plenty of games from here” he warned as his team-mates were getting excited with Hatfield now 43-7 Skipper Hudson brought JR back into the attack with the agreement that ONLY Bing Crosby and Rat Pack could be played when he was running up to bowl. JR soon worked out the remaining batsman who went for broke and he capitalised with figures of 3-23 which included a second and third catch for Whittam edging him ever closer to Dave Lynch's club record WK catches! Syrett and East Stand season ticket holder Ronnie Lane playing only his second game for the club battled it out for the final wicket and after Costin missed an obvious opportunity off Big Al it was Ronaldo who wrapped things up bowling Osborne with Hatfield Peveral bowled out for 82. The O’s had won by 125 runs. With ‘Sweet Caroline’ echoing around the ground the O’s players got changed and enjoyed the early finish with a few drinks in the evening sunshine and music still playing. Unsurprisingly DJ Stowman politely asked the hosts if he could take control of the decks and we were treated with some of Big Al’s tracks which I suspect will be at Glastonbury later this month ‘ It’s all about the Fusion and the love man'. Next up is Bengeo……
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© Dave Revell