Tag: PAWS

Match Report : SCC v XilesCC Sunday 4th August 2013

40 overs, 8 overs/bowler, timed game.
XilesCC win by 117 runs with 9 balls to go.
Xiles 257 for 3 – SCC 140 for 9

Captains in the sun
Captains in the sun

The run down to my home county of Sussex to play cricket, is for me one of the finest things I could do with a morning. Vladimir Boringski kept me company and between us we plotted the overthrow of the imperialist Brighton Xiles XI and their devilish plan for the conquest of North Brighton, or London as we call it.

The sun was with us and baked the tin of my new Ford S-Max like a Sherman tank in the desert of Africa. This was the indeed the first day of a tour of duty in Sussex, Brighton Xiles and then on to Lindfield. We felt like the devilish rats of the 8th army – soiled, dirty, hot and sweaty and ready for some blood.

St James’ and Montefiore ground is between Hassocks and Ditchling and sits amiably below the South Downs. Quite superb. The pavilion is a great palace of slatted timber that welcomes and seduces the teams into a suitably competitive spirit and when Cobramovich and the Xiles’ Hooper walked back from a swift toss on the pitch, we were all set to play.

We took to the field first. A great team with some superb additions to help us out and both of whom I must credit thoroughly for their help: Geoff and Neal Freeman, aka The Freemanoffs. Having been at school with Neal and also having worked with Geoff (barely a few years ago!) I knew the dynasty and of their close family connection to Tich Freeman. Great things are due, thank you comrades.

Opening the bowling, The Richardson Brothers: Myself (Yuri) and Chimpmunkski. Xiles’ Captain David Hooper and ‘Will’ facing. Quite a good and relaxed opening was had and they were happy clattering balls away though not rapidly at first. But at 51 I got Capt’ Hooper LBW and with not an ounce of disappointment or sadness he strolled from the pitch, full of joy having scored a very admirable 31.

Not a lot developed for a while but when Chipmunkski and I finished our spells, he was at 28 off 7 with a maiden to boot and I at 34 with my wicket – not awful. then streaking into the sun and spitting 33 caliber balls turned our replacements Sewelski and Vlad the Impaler, Boringski. We must credit the former with a sterling performance and improvement. With every passing ball and over his line and length improved and we began to see the spin from his youth. Facing him our finest Vlad Boringski, drilling in great style.

However, the runs were building as David M had replaced the Hooper man, and it wasn’t until the 30th over and a score of 205 that Will was stumped for 58 off our most excellent guest, Geoff Freemanoff. The heat of the day was obviously not helping us and David M got up to 89 before an LBW from God Knows Who. 28 and 23 from Tom and Luke C. Neal Freemanoff gave a splendid rendition of an over and Brandonovski obliged us with a couple and hopefully more to come. But 40 0vers were up and 257 was scored for 3.

St James Montefiore Ground
St James Montefiore Ground

PAWS stands for Partners, Wives and Singles. Deal with it. Without them we would all be so much less of a team, so much less as individuals and bereft of certain key aspects of the game. One of which would have been tea. Brandonovski and Ilyeva had brilliantly planned the arrival of the nosh and with the help of the PAWS it was laid out like the feast of the ancients (I have no idea what I am writing about). We fell upon it and much like the Demolition of Rasputeles’ castle of Aluminium Foil, we were fed and ready for our innings (Please help me).

Cobramovich and Robski walked out into the late afternoon sun. Each eager and astute. A 35 minute partnership followed until Robski was caught off Tulley for 17. Three boundary 4s though and some lovely dotting. Cobramovich welcomed cmr. cms. Treasurer Ilyeva in until he was bowled Bradmore for 1. But his body has been clattered this season and we know he will be fighting fit for 2014.

Brandonovski now touched gloves with Cobramovich and did some fine Dorothy work until being taken by Tulley again. But any dotting over ten is worth praise. Vladimir Boringski is now in bat. Gosh, what a figure he cuts out there. I feel an aching sense of pride to see such a sterling posture and presence in the field. Cobramovich was obviously similarly impressed as he was shortly after caught off Bradmore after having provided the SCC with an admirable 21.

Then we gave Vlad some changing scenery at the other end for a while, Nealoff was there but a brief while – but thank you! Then Sewelski. Special note here I think as he banged away two fours before being taken Hales for 8. Then Chipmunkski and myself for 2 and 11 respectively and then to Geoff Freemanoff. Another fine figure occupying the crease and so splendidly so. Something in his pace and capability brought the Xiles into a sticky clamor of fear and silence. 15 runs scored and a couple of boundary fours – Thank you Geoff! Appreciated.

But all good things come to an end and so did we, 140 scored. This fixture and pitch is without doubt a keeper. Well done all around comrades, thank you to our captain Cobramovich and congratulations to the Brighton Xiles under David Hooper’s direction. We shall be back at St James’ Montefiore next year for sure.

Semper Sodales, fors et Victores!

SCC v Xiles XCC innings 2013
SCC v Xiles XCC innings 2013

SCC v Xiles SCC innings 2013
SCC v Xiles SCC innings 2013

Match Report – NFTS v SCC: 17th Sept 2011

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Beautiful Penn St.

NFTS victory 226-3 :  SCC all out for 80

Comrades, i am just out of the bath. It was hot and soothing and has helped to return my poor aching muscles to some kind of normal. What a day we had of it yesterday? It was a great one. We had all of the highs and lows of the game, we had injuries, we met new friends, we had pro scoring and a twelfth man. We had youth and seniority and laughs and high tension, rain and sun, wind and calm. We had a great day of cricket.

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Scorers, Victoria and Pete

What a lovely little pitch is Hit or Miss, Penn Street? Sweet pavilion for both children and cricketers and a trim and beautiful green and wicket. Guy Hake and the SCC commissariat arranged this new and exciting fixture and upon arrival he was hard at work mowing, rolling and making fine the environs. We soon had our full team at the pavilion and PAWS were getting on like a raucous, garrulous and utterly chummy bunch. First big  thanks to Victoria Wood, Peter (her new bloke!) and Annabel Tarrant for coming along and scoring and adding support and assistance. The lovely Mrs. Yuri-P, Kate Richardson, the delightful Ms. Ilyeva, Margit Wettler and the well assembled and ultra-supportive family of comrade Antonov, Tony Dickie.

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Andropov at Drop off

Captain Commissar, Marx-B (Mark Blackledge) entered the toss and we were fielding first. Opening bowlers being myself, Yuri-P and Robski Dabitoff. A valiant opening session was attempted and at least nobody wet themselves. However, within the space of the first hour, two of our cricket stalwarts were effectively stretchered off. Outfield comrade Andropov Slipswell, took a screaming tumble in reception of the ball, some say this was outside of an over, i feel there was a hole in the space time continuum through which the ball traversed. But slipped did Andropov and was soon hobbling back to the Pavilion. A devastating blow from which we had to recover. Luckily, PAWS Victoria Wood had brought along her new and brave  man, Pete (brave for playing cricket, not going out with Victoria!). So Peter became comrade Pete’ski out in the field. Then what?

Oh no, comrades. Fellow instigator of cricketing madness, comrade commissar treasurer, Ilyeva took a strange and beguiling slip in the dip to the West of the ground and was limping in. But he was not down-hearted and despite vigorous advice to sit down with his legs wide open and stop the ball with his crotch, he chose to be replaced by NFTS 12th man, Rob – Thank you Rob! Margit will be forever grateful that you saved Ilyeva’s crotch from a sure smashing. She likes to preserve these things for herself.

There was some sterling work in the field from the likes of Antonov, Soldya (Mad Hatter), Marx-Jnr (Buster) and before their falls, Ilyeva and Andropov! But let’s consider the bowling. Figures are figures but names to remember from the day are some outstanding results from Marx-Junior Buster’ski who produced 1 for 44 off 8 overs, Yuri-P gaining 1 off 25 for 7 overs, Hudski with many close wickets and only 22 runs off 7 overs AND not to mention some sterling work withe the ball by Cobramovich, Robski, Soldya and Chipmunkski of Sussex.

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Marx-Bs Jnr and Snr.

A delicious tea seemed to take the edge off the grim fact that we were facing 226 for 3 in a timed match. It was looking like a chase for a draw and so we set off. Openers were Antonov and Cobramovich. I wish i could report well of the session but we were barely away before we had lost both. Was it the pitch? Was it the sun? Was it just cricket!? It was the latter. Cobra bowled cleanly, Antonov caught off Sharma. So father and son duet, Marx-B and Marx-Junior were together and Marx-B took a helpful 14 before being caught, Rowe. Hudksi came aboard and helped Marx-Junior to get 15 before the youthful Marx was removed caught, Singh.

Yuri-P was a twat and ran himself out for nothing. Indeed, I didn’t even face a ball.

Brotherly comrade Chipmunkski stole 2 runs before being bowled, court. But cut a fine figure in his blue cap. Soldya helped out with a stallion of 5 runs until LBW. And then into the frame strolled Robski Dixon. We had to go for a draw. We had no choice. There were well over ten overs remaining and it wasn’t going to be easy but Robski got his head down and was defending beautifully. Andropov Slipswell, despite doctor’s orders, took to the field, runner was Yuri-P. Andropov was after some pay-back for his ankle and hit out for a total of 6 runs until caught Court. This meant that as we had not 13th man, Yuri-P got a second bite of the cherry.

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Reclining pros

So there we stood, Robski and Yuri-P. We had a total of ninety plus balls to survive to hold a draw. This would not be easy. But in true comradely style, Robski and Yuri-P got our heads down and defended and played tactical. Indeed, the partnership battled on to the pen-ultimate over, when after moving a fielder to the repeated destination, Robski was lured into a midfield catch by Goodwin and we were finished. BUT a great attempt.

That was the game and the game is all done. We had a great match and a great day and the tea was truly lovely. The pitch, venue and pub was bang on and we shall be back next year for a return match. Comrades… Always, victors occasionally (one day!!)

Yuri-P

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SCORECARD

NFTSinnings
SCCinnings