Godshill.

Report vs Godshill

Match Report
Date 10/07/2025 
Oppo Godshill (a)
Type 35 Overs
Report by John 'Golden Arm' Hayes


The O’s returned to the New Forest optimistic and raring to go following last weekend's rained off spectacle at Essendon. Some of the tourists had turned up on 
Wednesday for a few warm up beers the night before in Salisbury, ending the night with a ruby murray. Dave Lynch fell casualty to some scaffolding on the walk there 
and decided to walk home. But before he got home, he fell a further 2 times and clocked up 18000 steps on his smart watch. In fairness, himself and Liam Mulholland 
had been on the sauce since mid-afternoon, Liam making the wise choice to call it a day when we left the pub. Although unimpressed by the lack of creaminess of his 
Saag Paneer, Al Syrett still put away his meal with aplomb. Given the facilities at Godshill, a curry the night before may not have been the wisest choice. Still, 
the O’s were hoping for runs, I suppose.

It was a scorcher as the O’s arrived at Godshill, the tourists thankful for the ice cream van and Alex Franklin’s 65 litre YETI ice box. Given the dryness of the 
surface, both sides expected a high scoring fixture. Alan Syrett did his best to keep the scores low, opening alongside heart-throb Sandeep Barot. Sandeep fell for 
15, which saw A Baker-Merry joining him at the crease, who unfortunately fell for a quick six. Hudson topped up the score with a healthy 22 before Liam Mulholland 
tore apart the O’s middle order, with Hayes falling for a modest 5. The away team cheered, all spectators were woken up and the birds started to sing as Liam 
eventually got his man, Big Al Syrett, the bedrock of the O’s innings scoring a healthy 25 off 47 balls, lots of quick singles in there. Then came the winning 
partnership that really swung the game in the O’s favour. A Franklin sauntered in like a man possessed and single‑handedly turned the game, thumping an unbeaten 61 
not out while J Baker-Merry (25) played a decent support act before falling victim to an “I’ll do it myself” caught & bowled from O Fotheringham. Captain Pugwash came
in scoring a modest 7 before being stumped, then Ollie Buck posted another not out score, doing wonders for his average with the O’s finishing on 185 for 7 off their 
35 overs.

The famous Godshill tea followed, with both sides thankful for a bit of sustenance following a punishing 1st innings in the 30 degree heat and not one bit of cloud 
cover. Scandal sparked as a lone piece of bread pudding was returned to the serving area. In 58 years of Godshill teas, not once has the bread pudding been returned 
uneaten. Answers demanded, otherwise the O’s will not be getting a piece of Bread Pudding at all next year. Our own P.C. refused to take fingerprints and made no
further enquires, is there a reason behind this???? Only he knows!
 
The O’s turned to the ball, with Daji and Buck opening the bowling. Daji kicked things off with a maiden over, but unfortunately no edges to slip or the keeper, he 
deserved more. Buck steamed in and took a wicket off his first ball, caught in the slips by Hudson. In came Nigel Costin, helping out the opposition, or not as the 
case may be. He fell for a golden duck to Buck’s demon bowling, a delivery Costin insisted swung in as he played it onto his stumps. Suffice to say, Costin would not
live this down for the rest of the tour. A hat-trick ball then for Buck, who true to form, bowled a wide with this next delivery.

In came Malik, who struck up a decent partnership with opener S Fotheringham, with Malik eventually falling for 30 thanks to a catch from Danno behind the stumps, a 
third wicket for Bucko. Al Syrett and John Hayes joined the attack trying to eliminate Godshill’s opener and middle order, with Beale eventually falling for 16 thanks 
to a catch from A Baker-Merry off of Syrett’s bowling. Drinks, and much needed in the scorching heat. John came in for his second over, determined to remove opener 
Fotheringham who represented a great threat to LOSCC victory. In the 2nd ball after drinks, John bounced one up to Fotheringham who could only gently nudge it to 
mid-wicket where skipper Ritzo gladly took the catch, a big wicket. The O’s set their sights on victory. Ritzy came into bowl, and got his wicket thanks to another 
nice catch from Danno behind the stumps. Club Secretary Liam Mulholland strolled in with a look of menace in his eyes, Syrett, motivated by revenge set his sights on 
a Mulholland wicket having fallen victim to Mulholland in the 1st innings. It wasn’t to be for Syrett as Alex Franklin got the massive Mulholland wicket with a 
perfect bouncer that Liam could only nick behind off of his gloves in an attempt to protect that boat of his. A 3rd catch for Danno, a few more and he will have the 
club record for wicketkeeper catches. Syrett took the final wicket, with impressive figures of 3-5, an impressive display from big Al.

A victorious start then for the O’s. No showers meant the O’s had to settle for wet wipes, or for Big John Hayes, the remaining ice in the YETI ice box which he took 
to his nether regions to cool himself down and also feel at least somewhat clean. Pictures available upon request.

The O’s departed for the pub in Fordingbridge to celebrate their success, catch-up with Godshill legends of old and sample the local ale. Alan Syrett, bemused as to 
how he didn’t get Man of the Match, sought to tell the bar staff about his momentous innings with the bat and ball. Alex Franklin, smiling smugly in the corner. 

Onto Wellow & Plaitford…

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© Dave Revell