LOSCC vs High Beach.

Report vs High Beach

Match Report
Date 20/07/14 
Oppo – High Beach (a)
Type – 30 Overs
Report by Terri N shall-downpour


Having just logged on to High Beach CC website, I am informed High Beach have 93 players who have represented them in 
their Sunday XI, however it would appear  the prospect of facing the frightening LOSCC was enough to scare most of that 
93 as unbelievably they could only muster up 6 players (Yes six!) on what began as a beautiful Sunday afternoon.
Perhaps they were hoping Mulholland could sort them out another Wardy (who if you recall smashed the o’s for a 100 a 
couple of years back? – Thanks for that Li) – Who knows!
With players travelling from far and wide, the O’s were not best pleased….Graham complained he had just completed a 24 
hour flight (23 hours returning from the big bash in Aussie and then a 1 hour flight from his new home in Belfast!) 
Williams had left a nightclub in Birmingham in the early hours to get the first train to London and Richardson……..well 
he was at the ground at least 20 minutes before the start so must have left early!
With the O’s agreeing to reduce the match to 30 overs and lend the home side 3 fielders and a wicketkeeper, the o’s 
were quite happy to at least have a game of cricket.  Ward and Naylor opened and looked reasonably comfortable until 
Ward (17) was surprisingly bowled. Naylor (30) was looking in the mood but was trapped LBW from an excellent delivery 
from the tricky off spinner Taylor.
That brought Matty and Marvel to the crease with the O’s  68 for 2 off 11 overs. Marvel was not to be the hero (for 
once) and was caught for 6 top edging one off the bowling of old timer Jim who gave the impression he could keel over 
at any stage in his run up!
Skipper Heed innings was short lived as he chipped one straight back to the bowler and was caught for 9 which meant 
the O’s now needed an innings from Matty or Leyton boy Jay Williams who did not disappoint!
A marvellous array of shots and one of the finest ‘hogging the strike’ efforts ever seen from Jay Williams meant the 
runs were coming quickly. The ‘new Mike Randall’ continued to blast fours whilst taking a single off the last ball 4 
overs on the trot meaning Matty was stuck at the non-strikers end for what seemed like an eternity, however as Williams 
was bang in form this was no issue!
With most the O’s team on the field, Matty was eager to find out from scorer Ritzy how close he was to 50? Looking for 
some sort of  signal, Ritzy stood firm with an expression like Duncan Fletcher. Knowing he must be on 48 or 49, Matty 
then suffered a case of Hockerill deja vu! A blasted cover drive to one of the O’s fielders (Aidan) who subsequently 
dropped then managed to throw it down at the stumps running Matty out for 49!
Williams nearly did exactly the same of the last ball of the innings with Chinster screaming three, Williams scampered 
down the other end and just about got home for the 3 runs needed to score an excellent 50 Not out as the O’s finished 
on 183 for 6.
With no-one able to prepare tea, the O’s unpacked the shopping as the self service buffet was laid out onto a table 
(It really was one of those days!)
With dark clouds now surrounding most of Essex, the O’s were keen to start the second innings and Auton and Richardson 
opened the bowling.  Auton aka The Karate Kid,  who within the last 2 weeks has managed to develop a very odd  grunt 
into his action totally bamboozling most batsman who are unsure whether Dan is about to release a Yorker or a karate 
chop!
It seemed to work though as Dan bowled really well (2-14) apart from the beamer at Marvel who was slightly disappointed 
when it was given as byes. (As Giraffe couldn’t reach it you might have been right Marvel?) Auton though composed 
himself and picked up 2 wickets with some unplayable deliveries. That £140 quid worth of coaching has really paid off 
for Dan!
Richardson at the other end did not have as much luck and was swiftly given a break as Heed tried to get Graham, Aidan 
and Chintan into the game. All 3 bowled well but struggled to remove the impressive Farma who was getting into his 
stride when the heavens opened and all ran for cover.
With only 12 overs to go and High Beech on 91 for 4, a scene from Noah’s Ark commenced as a period of 45 mins solid 
rain, thunder and lightning meant their was no way the game could be finished and the match was abandoned!

Note – Wisden have been consulted and all stats will stand.   Ritzy your nil wickets will be registered in the records 
as nil wickets!!!!!!!!!!!!

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© Dave Revell