Godshill CC.

Report vs Godshill CC

Match Report
Date 29/07/26 
Oppo Godshill CC (a)
Type 35 overs
Report by Signor Whippy
 
A total of 19 tourists were representing the O’s down in the New Forest during the two day tour and following Dave Lynch’s early departure 12 months 
earlier, the strategy was simple - Get everyone home safe and well – What could possibly go wrong?!?!??!
 
The tour began swimmingly with all players present and correct for the 12:30 departure from Salisbury Coach Park to Godshill with a few wise old heads 
telling stories about the Salibsury nightlife they’d enjoyed having travelled a day earlier.
 
The outfield like every single sports stadium in the UK right now was barren dry and representing a postcard you’d expect to receive from a safari in 
Kenya! Not a blade of living grass to be seen. John Hayes provided updates regarding areas officially in drought and applicable hose pipe bans 
influencing Captain Ian Richardson to bat having won the toss.
 
The much welcomed ice-cream van was doing a good trade as the tourists all tucked in to a few cornetto's when openers Alex Baker-Merry and Paul Elby 
walked out to bat. Danny Whittam decided a nice addition to the 2026 tour would be his boom box hooked up to Ritzy’s phone, therefore we were given a 
nice rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run before the start of play.
 
O’s started fairly slowly following some steady bowling from Godshill and ABM was first to fall following a LBW decision after a big leave. Umpire 
Mulholland gave him the long dreaded pause before the finger shot up!
 
Dan Reese on his second tour came into bat and unsurprisingly started to show his class immediately with some cracking shots making it look very easy 
on a tricky wicket. Elby was caught on 4 before Ollie Buck joined Reese at the crease to the sound of the intro music from Benny Hill.  
 
Now if you were a neutral, you’d have been totally confused which batsman was the top run scorer and skipper of Theydon Bois 1’s. Buck looked like 
Bradman…….oozed class, showed determination, courage and (Ok enough of this)
 
Ollie got 10 before he was bowled and then Hayes (0) and Syrett (2) fell quickly bringing Matt Hiscock to the crease with the instructions from the 
skipper to try get the scoreboard moving. 
 
10 overs to play in this 35 match and with the O’s 95-5, MH did as he was told and kept feeding the strike to the impressive Reese who continued to 
punish the bad balls.
 
In the penultimate over, Reese (108 Not out) seized the opportunity and scored his second ton for the club as the O’s finished on 162-5 with Hiscock 
(19 not out)
 
Godshill served up a fantastic tea (as always) with the incredible bread pudding and Victoria sponge unavailable for anyone who was tempted by seconds.
 
As the O’s took to the field, there was no ponies on the outfield which is very unusual at Godshill, although perhaps they’d been warned Ansar had just 
arrived with firelighters in hand and decided to make a run for it to avoid being involved in Backdraft Part II.
 
Richardson and Jack Baker-Merry opened the bowling and Ritzy quickly decided he didn’t like the hurricane breeze (?!?) which was helping the batsman 
smash him everywhere - opting instead to bring on Syrett to give JBM a bit of help at the other end. It worked as Syrett (3-25) got both the openers 
following excellent catches by Elby (straight drive) and Whittam (snick).
 
That brought Wyver to the crease and he played an excellent innings (albeit he was dropped off Richardson early doors for an Olly (I mean dolly!) – 
Hayes (2-33) came on for JBM and bowled an excellent spell picking up two wickets before Big Al claimed his third after young Rodgers chipped one up 
to Hiscock to fall for a duck.
 
Sadly the O’s couldn’t find the remaining wickets needed as Wyver looked in full control and Godshill knocked off the winning runs with 5 wickets and 
5 overs to spare.
 
Despite the defeat, the O’s were in great spirits. The non Yeti cool box was well prepared by the OrientYoof stacked with beers, as well as wet wipes 
for Hayes shower.
 
A very hot afternoon and the coach took the team onto Fordingbridge where a fantastic night was had by all (Thanks Gerald and team).
 
 

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© Dave Revell