HAMMER BOTTOM BUTSERS CRICKET CLUB

Summary

A mixed season. After the challenge of raising teams in 2022, we reduced our fixture list to just six matches. Once again, we struggled to raise a full squad for most games except for the last match when we were oversubscribed and pleased to have some youngsters playing for us…..which keeps us encouraged for the future!

With our tour to Wales, and a match played on the beach, we have now played in atotal of 20 countries, seven English counties and on 51 different grounds…

Lynchmere. Lost

A timed game at Lynchmere. After declaring on 193 for five after 40 overs in 2022, this year was very different….. we batted disappointingly and were all out for 51after just 21 overs. Only Dick White (19) and Peter Doolen (10) reached double figures. Lynchmere reached the required target in 18 overs with just one wicket from Callan Green.

Hambledon Invitational. Match Abandoned / Rain stopped play

A 60 over game at Lurgashall. Hambledon batted first and declared at 203 for 7 after 29 overs. Two wickets each for Callan Green and Chris Booth; one wicket each for Pacer Scholfield and Adam Saward and a run out. Sadly the rain came down during the tea interval and so the match was abandoned.

Harry Baldwins. Draw

A 70 over game at Lurgashall. The Baldwins declared on 200 for five after 35 overs with two of their team retiring at the agreed 40 runs. There were two wickets for Dick White and a wicket each for Chris Booth, Peter Doolen and Joe Cuthbert. Two catches for Chris Booth and one (unusually) held by the wicket keeper. In reply, the Hammer Bottoms were 176 for eight after our allotted 35 overs. Good scores from Peter Doolen (35), Chris Booth (36), Mark Elliott (25) and Martin Waterhouse (29 not out)…. with James Blake and Martin batting sensibly at the end to secure the Draw.

Mad Hatters. Lost

A 70 over game at Lurgashall. Keen to avenge last years defeat, the Hatters declared on 242 for five after 31 overs with six of their batsmen retiring at the required 30 runs. Adam Saward got three wickets with a wicket each for Martin Waterhouse (close to his 70th birthday) and Richard Reincke (well into his eight decade!) In reply, Hammer Bottoms were all out for 107 with only Peter Doolen (38), Adam Saward (15), Martin Waterhouse (14) and David Graham (10) getting double figures. We were also helped by their Extras of 17! After 18 matches over the years, the Mad Hatters lead 6 -5.

White Hunters. Lost

A 70 over game at Lurgashall. The White Hunters put in a strong batting performance and declared on 252 for three after 34 overs. There was a wicket each for Richard Reincke, Will Fry and Pacer Scholfield….but with some expensive overs including Richard’s 22 making it the Most Expensive Over of the Season! In reply, the Hammer Bottoms were all out for 155 after 32 overs. Good scores from Pacer Scholfield (49), Andrew Mackenzie and Peter Doolen (16). We were kindly lent two White Hunter batsmen (Tim Gardner and Richard Perkins) but they failed to help us survive the final four overs to secure a draw!

Wimbledon Wombats. Won

A 70 over game at Lurgashall. The 12 man Wombats team batted first and were all out for 109 runs after 28 overs. There were two wickets each for Joe Cuthbert, Peter Doolen, Richard Reincke and Rishi Deb and one wicket each for Chris Booth, Freddie Saward (making a welcome return to the cricket pitch!) and James Bradley. The Bottoms got the required runs after 26 overs with good scores fromPeter Doolen (35), James Bradley (29 not out), and Pacer Scholfield (11)

Penolau yn Cymru

An Autumn tour to North Wales saw 30 of us play golf at Nefyn and Porthmadog, visit various castles and other sights, climb or train up Snowdon and play cricket on Black Rock Sands, Morfa Bychan, Porthmadog in North Wales…..making Wales our 20th country in which we have played cricket and the beach our 51st “ground”!

“C” VI v “D” VI Won by “C” VI

A six over format was agreed with each player bowling and batting for one over. The D’s batted first and scored 43 runs in their allotted overs. The C’s reached the target with three balls to spare and so retain the trophy. Highlights of the game included Richard Reincke in full cricket whites; a caught and bowled by Tom Plant; Shane Galtress’s batting; Charlie Meade-King’s dubious underarm bowling; and Dick White chasing the ball for over 100 yards as it was being blown towards the sea while James Blake ran eight runs, overtaking his batting partner, Richard Reincke!

2024 Season Outlook

We are keeping our six fixtures from 2023 and also have The Tablelands visiting from New Zealand. We played them in 2018 in a three-way T20 Tournament with Hong Kong Cricket Club and the memorable occasion of Charlie Meade-King getting five wickets for just eight runs! Hopefully, we shall be able to encourage more younger players to join us as we have another batch of regular players turning 70 this year! The Cornish Golf Tour is being repeated in April and in October we have 25 Hammer Bottoms visiting Japan, with one cricket match scheduled, against the Yokohama Country & Athletic Club.

2023 Seasons Awards:

Most Runs: Peter Doolen (131)

Highest Innings: Pacer Scholfield (49)

Highest Batting Average (> 4 innings): Peter Doolen (32.7)

Lowest Batting Average (> 4 innings): David Graham (4.2)

Most Wickets: Chris Booth, Richard Reincke, Adam Saward (4)

Most Ducks: Mark Elliott, Richard Reincke (2)

Best Bowling Average (>10 overs): Joe Cuthbert (20.6)

Most Expensive Over Richard Reinke (22 runs)

Clubman of the Year: Martin Waterhouse

Summary

A mixed season. Three games, against Bude, Arundel Grasshoppers and the Hermits were cancelled as the opposition were unable to raise a team and, for the first year in our history, the Hammer Bottoms also struggled on a few occasions to raise a full side. Andrew did a great job to recruit some younger players all of whom contributed with bat and ball. The early season tour, with the one cricket fixture against Bude being cancelled by them was a fun golf tour in Cornwall while the end of season tour to Copenhagen, while enjoyable, was something of a “Røvfuld” which, in Danish, means a Bottom Spanking! 

In total, we played ten matches. We Won two; Drew four; and Lost four. We have now played in a total of 19 countries, seven English counties and on 50 different grounds…

Lynchmere - Draw

A timed game at Lynchmere. We declared on 193 for five after 40 overs with thehighlight being a superb 113 runs from Dick White, surprisingly his first evercentury. Support came from Pacer Scholfield with 37 and Nick Colvin on 16. Lynchmere were 163 for six at the close of play with two wickets from each of Pacer and Freddie Saward and one each for Martin Waterhouse and Dick White.

Hambledon Invitational - Draw

A 60 over game at Lurgashall. Hambledon batted first and were all out for 184after 30 overs with a wicket each for Freddie Saward, Rishi Deb, Adam Saward, Pacer Scholfield, Dick White and Peter Doolen as well as three wickets for Chris Booth, a Bottoms debutant. (Our bowling also saw a season record breaking 24 runs scored off Peter Doolens’s first over.) In reply, we just survived our 30 overs thanks to solid batting at the end from James Blake and Dick White, ending on 140 for nine. Dick continued his run of form with 68 not out. Only others in double figures were Rishi Deb (14), Chris Booth (13) and Charlie Meade-King (12)

White Hunters - Won

A T20 game at Elsted. The White Hunters only had seven men so were lent Rishi Deb and Andrew Mackenzie for a nine a side game. Bottoms batted first and finished on 188 for four with four retired – Adam Saward (38), Spencer Dodd (33),Peter Doolen (30) and Otto Woolley (30) with useful runs also from Freddie Saward (27) and Dick White (18) (Against the Bottoms, Rishi Deb got two wickets.) The White Hunters finished their 20 overs on 143 for five with wickets for Adam Saward (2), Richard Reincke (1) and Peter Doolen(1). The score book is unclear as to which individuals were responsible but the Bottoms bowlers appear to have given away 18 wides!

Steep - Lost

This was a new fixture, an evening T20, on the delightful Steep group with the Bottoms spectators buoyed by Janet Waterhouse’s Rose! Steep reached 145 for six in their allotted overs with one wicket for Freddie Saward, two for MartinWaterhouse and a wonderful bamboozling three for 25 from Charlie Meade-King.The wickets included two good catches from Chris Booth and Bottom debutant,Giles Cover. In reply, the youth in our team did much of the work with Giles Cover retired after a quick 30 and scores of 20 from Will Fry, 14 from Freddie Saward and 11 from Chris Booth. At the end, Martin Waterhouse was 23 not out and Adam Saward,11 not out; they had put on a useful partnership, only just falling short of the target, ending our innings on 138 for four.

Mad Hatters - Won

A 70 over game at Elsted. The ten men Hatters batted first and were all out for 172 runs after 29 overs. The bowling highlight was the terrific “fivefor”….five wickets from 19 runs off six overs from Pacer Scholfield. Other wicket takers were Dick White (2), Martin Waterhouse (1) and James “Bradders” Bradley, a Bottoms debutant recruited by Hattie Blake. In reply, Bottoms set off strongly. Highlights were the opening pair, Freddie Saward (29) and Adam Saward retired on 30, followed by Bradders scoring a quick 30. Joe Cuthbert, another Hattie recruit (!) also scored a creditable 16. We reached the target with the loss of five wickets with skipper James Blake (who recruited Hattie) not out on 12 and Martin Waterhouse not out on nine. In the 17 matches against the Mad Hatters since 2007, the series is now 5-5.

Harry Baldwins - Draw

A 70 over game at Lurgashall. Hammer Bottoms were put into bat and were all out for a very creditable 195 in the 35th over. Main contributors to our innings were Freddie Saward (56 not out), Martin Waterhouse (36), David Sewell (35) and Adam Saward (19). In reply, the Harry Baldwins were 162 for six after their 35 overs. Wickets for Adam Saward (20, Tom Twyford (2), Richard Reincke (2).Andrew took two catches (and dropped a sitter!) and Freddie took a brilliant catch at Mid Wicket.

West Meon - Draw

A 70 over game at Lurgashall. West Meon elected to bat and declared on 191 for five after 29 overs. Two wickets each for Chris Booth and Richard Livingston,(both 2022 recruits), and one wicket for Peter Doolen. The Bottoms were never really up to the run rate and were all out for 112 runs after 35 overs. Notable contributions to the scoreboard from Richard Livingston (31), David Sewell (24),Chris Booth (17) and Tom Twyford (13)

Bagdele ind Danmark / Bottoms in Denmark

A tour party of 27 visited Copenhagen for our 19th Bottoms tour to find a strong tradition of cricket in Denmark particularly amongst those over the age of 40. We played against two of the leading clubs in the “Old Boys” League and both teams included a number who had played for the Danish national team and one who had played for Namibia.

Glostrup Old Boys - Lost

A limited overs game played at Glostrup. Glostrup batted first and started aggressively with 14 runs off Pacer’s first over and kept up a brisk pace, scoring 214 for one wicket (from Dick White) off their 30 overs. Five of their players were retired on 30. In reply, Hammer Bottoms limped to 68 for nine, with James andAndrew not out at the end. Only Pacer Scholfield reached double figures, 14, before being run out trying for an ambitious third run. We were treated to a terrific BBQ after the game.

Danish Forty Club / Dansk XL - Lost

A limited overs game played at Svanholm Park. The Forty Club batted first and reached 158 for four after their 25 overs with four of their team retired on 20. A wicket each for Tom Twyford, Rishi Deb Dick White and Caspar Weston. In reply, the Bottoms were 94 for six after our 25 overs. Tom Twyford was retired on 22 and a higher team score was a struggle after three stumpings, for Dick White on 15 (his second stumping in two days), Pacer Scholfield and Caspar Weston. The other main contributor with the bat was Rishi Deb with 14. Another Røvfuld from the Danes.

Wimbledon Wombats - Lost

A 70 over game at Lurgashall. The Bottoms batted first and scored 168 for 3 after 35 overs. Useful contributions from Nick Colvin (33 not out), Joe Cuthbert (31 not out), Dick White (28), Tom Twyford (19 not out ),Pacer Scholfield (17 not out) and Extras scored 29, including 16 wides….but it never felt as if we had enough runs on the Board. The Wombats reached 172 within 27 overs and loss of just four wickets. It included 30 not out from Peter Doolen on loan to the Wombats from the Bottoms! Rishi Deb got two wickets with one wicket each for Martin Waterhouse and Joff Ring, another Bottoms debutant.

2023 Season Outlook

There is no doubt that we are not getting any younger and shall probably be looking to shrink our fixture list in 2023. Hopefully, we shall also be able to keepencouraging some younger players to join us. The Cornish Golf Tour is being repeated in April and we may try for a short game on the beautiful Bude pitch and it  would be nice to play cricket in a 20th country...currently that is a  C XI v D XI on Criccieth beach iin the middle of a short golf tour to North Wales in October 2023. 

2022 Seasons Awards:

Most Runs: Dick White (253)

Highest Innings: Dick White (113)

Highest Average (> 5 innings): Dick White (36.1)

Lowest Average (> 4 innings): Andrew Mackenzie (7.2)

Most Wickets: Pacer Scholfield (8)

Best Bowling Average: Adam Saward (20.6)

Most Expensive Over: Peter Doolen (24 runs)

Most Ducks: James Blake (2)

Clubman of the Year: Andrew Mackenzie

Summary

A mixed season. COVID caused another postponement of the tour to Denmark but was replaced by an enjoyable two match tour to Norfolk. We had two games lost to rain and one due to the opposition unable to raise a team! In total, we played eight games – Won two, Drawn three, Tied one, Lost two.

We have now played in a total of 18 countries, seven English counties and on 47 different grounds…Our aim is at least 20 countries and 50 grounds!

Lynchmere.                                                                   Lost

A timed game at Lynchmere. We started well but then lost momentum scoring only 131 runs in 43 overs with Dick White (32), a very creditable 38 not out from Mark Elliott and only Nick Hardie (16) and Rishi Deb (15) otherwise reaching double figures. Lynchmere reached the target in 32 overs with five wickets to spare. There were two wickets for Rishi. and a wicket each for Pacer Scholfield, Dick White and Richard Reincke.

Arundel Grasshoppers                                                 Won

A 70 over game at Lurgashall. Hammer Bottoms fielded first and some very good bowling saw the Grasshoppers all out for 51 runs after 19 overs with wickets for Callan Greene (3), two each for Pacer Scholfield, Craig Moore and debutant Ben Briscoe (latter for no runs scored against him in his four overs) and one for Rishi. The Bottoms wobbled a little (actually a lot!) with some tight bowling by the Grasshoppers which saw a steady fall of wickets but we managed to reach the target after 19 overs but with four wickets in hand.

Norfolk Tour

The May Bank Holiday weekend saw 31 of us in Norfolk enjoying some of the sights by bike, car and on foot (Walsingham, Hunstanton, Blakeney, Holkham, Houghton, Sandringham, Golf at Brancaster and Heacham) and were well looked after by Anthony & Jeanette Goodrich and the team at the Rose & Crown in Snettisham. We had two fixtures:

Holkham Hall Estate                                                     Draw

A 70 over game in the grounds of Holkham Hall. Holkham batted first and declared on 157 for 6 after 37 overs. Two wickets each for Pacer Scholfield  and Dick White and one for Rishi Deb ( who deserved more after bowling eight overs and giving away just 27 runs) and David “Chucker” Vernon. In reply, Nick Hardie, opening, scored 24 runs but no one kept him company for long. It was left to Mark Elliott, perhaps still bruised from having the lowest batting average on record in 2020, to save the day and scoring 30 not out. We reached 94 for 7 after 33 overs.  

Rose & Crown XI                                                            Won

A 50 over game in Snettisham, the opposition being led by Anthony Goodrich and comprising various Norfolk friends supplemented with Bottoms who had passed through Exeter University (although not necessarily with a degree!) Hammer Bottoms batted first and excelled themselves with Andrew Mackenzie (25), Nick Colvin (28) and Pacer Scholfield (25) all forced to retire and with Mark Elliott (23 not out) and David Sewell (18 not out) when we declared on 140 for 2. In reply, Rose & Crown were all out for 107 with creditable scores from Dick White (23 not out) and Simon Buckmaster (23). Two wickets each for Pacer Scholfield and Richard Reincke and one each for Rish Deb, Charlie Meade-King and Mark Elliott.

Mad Hatters                                                                    Lost

A 70 over game at Elsted. Bottoms batted first and were 158 all out after 36 overs. Runs were from Pacer Scholfield (a great 53) David Graham (20), Caspar Todd (14), Dick White (10), Freddie Saward (10) and Charlie Meade-King (10 not out). It was not enough against a strong Mad Hatters side who reached 161 for 5 in the final over. Two wickets for Caspar Todd and one each for Jake Saward, Pacer Scholfield and Dick White. Unfortunately for Freddie Saward, who bowls so consistently, he was clubbed for 20 runs in one over.

Hambledon Invitational                                                 Tie / Draw

A 70 over game at Lurgashall. Another exciting match after the last ball finish in 2020…. Hammer Bottoms were put into bat and reached 157 for 8 after 39 0vers, having been 2 for 2! Runs from Ben Briscoe (35 not out), Jake Saward (a “swashbuckling” 25) , Martin Waterhouse (24 not out), Rishi Deb (21) and David Sewell (12). With a ball to spare, Hambledon were 156 for 9 so all results were a possibility….they scored one run so it was a Tie / Draw. One wicket each for Pacer Scholfield, Ben Briscoe and Jake Saward and three terrific wickets each for Martin Waterhouse and Freddie Saward.

Gentlemen of Bedales                                                    Lost

A 70 over game at Lurgashall. Hammer Bottoms batted first and were 132 all out after 31 overs. Double digit scores from Ben Briscoe (54 not out), David Graham (23) and Freddie Saward (17). The youth of the Bedales team was telling and they romped to the required total in 22 overs with loss of just three wickets. Ben Briscoe got two wickets and Adam Saward got one.

West Meon                                                                      Draw

A 70 over game at Lurgashall. West Meon elected to bat and declared on 148 for 6 after 33 overs. Two wickets each for Pacer Scholfield and Rishi Deb and one wicket each for Dick White and Ben Briscoe with Freddie Saward and Callan Greene both wicketless but bowling economically. Hammer Bottoms did well to secure a draw, ending on 129 for 9 after 35 overs. Runs from Martin Waterhouse (23), Nick Colvin (19), Adam Saward (17), Rishi Deb (15 not out), Pacer Scholfield (14) and Ben Briscoe (14)

2022 Season Outlook

We have 13 games scheduled over the season including against Bude in North Cornwall, two games in Copenhagen in September and fixtures at the pretty grounds of Steep and Hawkley as well as our regular grounds at Lurgashall, Elsted and Lynchmere. Golf is also growing in importance with a short Bottoms tour to Cornwall in April and more planned Hammer Bottoms Golf Days and golf matches against some of our cricketing oppositions.

2021 Seasons Awards:

Most Runs:                                    Ben Briscoe (119)                              

Highest Innings:                            Ben Briscoe (54 not out)

Highest Average (> 5 innings):    Mark Elliott (48)

Lowest Average (> 4 innings):     James Blake (4.3)

Most Wickets:                                Pacer Scholfield (11)

Best Bowling Average:                  Pacer Scholfield (13.4)

Most Expensive Over:                   Freddie Saward (20 runs)

Most Ducks:                                   Andrew Mackenzie & Richard Reincke (2)

Clubman of the Year:                    Richard Reincke

Summary

The season was disrupted by Coronavirus. However, while at one point it looked like we may have no season at all, we were able to reschedule a number of matches and had eight games in total starting on 18th July. We won two; drew two; and lost four. The game against Harry Baldwins was rained off. Sadly, both planned tours, to Copenhagen and Ireland, were deferred (hopefully to 2021) and the matches against Blenheim and Gentlemen of Bedales were cancelled. Also cancelled was the planned golf outing to Cornwall.

We have now played in a total of 18 countries and on 45 different grounds…and, hopefully, we still have the energy to increase both these numbers.

Mad Hatters                                                                            Lost

A 70 over game at Elsted. Bottoms batted first but only managed to score 143 for 7 after 40 overs. James Maxwell top scored with 31, Pacer Scholfield scored 25 not out and James Blake a gritty 19 not out at the end. The Mad Hatters, playing with a determination to avenge previous defeats, passed the target in only 24 overs with the loss of just three wickets, one each from Pacer Scholfield, Rishi Deb (a great catch from debutant Bottom, James Whitehill) and James Maxwell. An early contender for the season’s most expensive over came from Charlie Meade-King with 16 runs scored off it.

Hambledon Invitationals                                                       Lost

A 70 over game at Lurgashall. Hambledon batted first and scored a creditable 213 runs off 32 overs. Wickets from Dick White (4), Richard Reincke (2), Pacer Scholfield (2), Callan Green (1) and Adam Saward (1). Despite good innings from Dick (40) and Pacer (34 not out), and double figures from Adam Saward (14) and Andrew Mackenzie (10), we struggled to get runs on the board and we were all out for 118. A Draw looked achievable but Dick was stumped on the last ball handing a deserved victory to Hambledon.

Arundel Grasshoppers                                                        Drawn

A timed game on the iconic Arundel Castle ground. Arundel batted first and scored 198 for 3 after 39 overs. A wicket each, all bowled, for Adam Saward, James Maxwell and Callan Greene. An inspirational innings from their 65 year old opener who scored 100 not out. In reply, despite a first wicket stand of 45, the Bottoms scored only 114 for 9 in our 35 overs with Charlie Meade- King and James Blake defending the last wicket to secure a Draw. Runs from Pacer Scholfield (27), Dick White (25), James Maxwell (22) and Rishi Deb (20)

White Hunters                                                                        Lost

A 70 over game at the beautiful Coldharbour Cricket ground on Leith Hill which, at 800 feet above sea level, is the highest ground in Surrey. The White Hunters batted first and amassed a daunting 291 for 8 after their 35 overs. Two wickets for Rishi Deb and one each for Callan Greene, Dick White (an amazing catch by Callan at backward square leg), Hugh Fox, David “Chucker” Vernon and Richard Pertwee.  After an absence from cricket for a while, Hugh’s first over cost 22 overs which secured him the Most Expensive Over of the season. Our batting was disappointing with the Bottoms all out for 95 runs, of which 15 were extras. We had four Ducks and only three Bottoms getting double figures, David Vernon (35), Dick White (12) and David Graham (19)

Lynchmere                                                                               Won

A timed game at Lynchmere. Lynchmere batted first and were all out for 145 after 41 overs. Four wickets each for Pacer Scholfield and Callan Greene, and one each  for Dick White and Martin Waterhouse. Rishi was unlucky to not get any wickets after bowling tightly for nine overs and only giving away 23 runs. (over 12 missed / dropped catches were recorded, including some off  Rishi’s bowling.) Often this fixture has a close finish and this was no exception…. A strong 65 from Dick White kept us on target but then we slowed down and still needed 22 runs off the last two overs with two wickets in hand…Callan ignored all encouragement to settle for a Draw and got the required runs with one ball to spare. His final total of 31 comprised three sixes, three fours and a single.  

West Meon                                                                                Lost

A 70 over game at Lurgashall. West Meon batted first and declared at 207 for 4 after 32 overs with four of their players retiring at 30, including, fittingly, Jeremy

Sturges playing his last game for the club. There were wickets Pacer Scholfield (3) and Dick White (1). James Maxwell, Rishi Deb, Callan Greene, Adam Saward and Freddie Saward all bowled tidily and unlucky not to get wickets. In reply, sadly, Bottoms were all out for 158 with runs from James Maxwell (34 not out), Rishi Deb (20), Nick Colvin (18), Pacer Scholfield (18) and Freddie Saward (18). Sadly there were Ducks from Dick and Callan, the previous weeks heroes.  

Hermits                                                                                     Drawn

A 70 over game at Lurgashall. Batting with 12 men, Hermits batted first and were all out for 158 after 39 overs. Wickets for Pacer Scholfield (3), Rishi Deb (2), Adam Saward (2), Callan Green (1), Freddie Saward (1) and Dick White (1). The Bottoms were hampered by having only 31 overs to reach the target and ended the game on 144 runs which included runs from Martin Waterhouse (31), Callan Green (24), Freddie Saward (23) and Nick Colvin (16).    

Wimbledon Wombats                                                               Won

A 70 over game at Lurgashall. The Wombats batted first but, sadly, never looked settled with wickets falling steadily. They were all out for 70 in the 21st over with wickets and ruthless bowling from Adam Saward (including a great catch by James Whitehill) (3), Callan “We are not here to f’’k spiders” Green (3), Freddie Saward (2), Pacer Scholfield (1), Rishi Deb ( a superb catch by Callan) (1) and Joe Cuthbert (1) . We got our target within 13 overs with the loss of just one wicket. Great knocks from James Whitehill (32 not out) and Joe Cuthbert (22 not out)…both of whom, together with Freddie Saward, we hope to see more of next season.

Seasons Awards:

Most Runs:                                    Dick White (148)

Highest Innings:                            Dick White (65)

Highest Average (> 4 innings):     Pacer Scholfield (33.3)

Lowest Average (>4 innings):       Mark Elliott & Richard Pertwee (1)

Most Wickets:                                Pacer Scholfield (14)

Best Bowling Average:                  Pacer Scholfield (13.3)

Most Expensive Over:                   Hugh Fox (22 runs)

Most Ducks:                                  Callan Green, Richard Pertwee

                                                       Adam Saward, Martin Waterhouse

Clubman of the Year:                    Callan Green

Summary

A mixed season in terms of the cricket. We played 11 matches; Won two, Drawn six, Lost three. Sadly missed Bill Hill through injury and Pacer Scholfield for half of the season while he got used to his new hip. Great to see some debutant Bottoms over the season and we hope that they will play some more this year.

We have now played in a total of 18 countries and on 44 different grounds. Hopefully, we have the time and energy to play for a bit longer…..

Lynchmere                                                                             Drawn

A fully timed game at Lynchmere. Lynchmere batted first and declared on 170 for 5 after 44 overs. Wickets for Adam Saward (2), and one each for Martin Waterhouse, Dick White and debutant Bottom, Joe Cuthbert, playing in his only game of the season. Rishi bowled very well with 8 maidens and unlucky not to get a wicket. In response, Bottoms were 126 for 7 at the close after 38 overs. Dick White scored 28, Joe Cuthbert, 22, Andrew Mackenzie,16, (his highest score of the season) and James Blake,15.

Harry Baldwins                                                                        Won

A timed game at Lurgashall with 70 overs playable. The Baldwins batted first and declared after 33 overs on 181 for 4. Wickets for Jack Naylor (playing in his only game of the season) and one each for James Maxwell and Rishi.  Bottoms reached the total within 31 overs with strong performances from Rishi (37 not out), Dick White (36 not out), Jack Naylor (35 not out) Jack Naylor (35 not out) and Craig Moore (31)

White Hunters                                                                          Drawn

A 70 over game on the picturesque ground under the Downs at Parham House. We were put into bat and scored 203 for 6 after 36 overs. Highlights were 51 not out from Dick White and 41 from debutant Hugh Fox. In an innings reminiscent of the great Geoffrey Boycott, Opener David Sewell scored a classy 16 runs…..in 54 mins! The White Hunters scored 126 in their 34 overs but held on for a draw with the loss of just nine wickets. Wickets for James Maxwell (3), Tom Twyford (2), Dick White (2) and one each for Rishi and Martin Waterhouse.

Gentlemen of Bedales                                                               Drawn

A 70 over game at Lurgashall. Bedales batted first, scoring 199 for 8 in 35 overs. Two wickets each for Rishi and Hugh Fox and one each for Dick White, Adam Saward and Callan Greene.  Bottoms fell just short of the target in our 35 overs on 187 for 8. Batting highlights were 46 from Dick White, 42 from Adam Saward and 25 from Stuart Macnaghten.

Mad Hatters                                                            Lost

A 70 over game at Elsted. Bottoms batted first, scoring 189 for 7 in 36 overs. Runs from Rishi (35 not out), Oliver Woolley (27), Caspar Weston (25) and Adam Saward (21) Mad Hatters responded well and with determination, scoring 190 for 4 in just over 32 overs. Wickets for Rishi (2) and one each for Callan Greene and Richard Reincke.

Arundel Grasshoppers                                          Drawn

A 70 over game at Lurgashall. The Grasshoppers batted first and were 158 for 3 after 35 overs. Wickets were from Callan Greene (2) and Dick White (1). Bottoms responded slowly and ended our 35 overs on 120 for 5.Batting highlights were James Maxwell (32 not out) and David Stoop (26) making a welcome appearance for the Bottoms.

Wimbledon Wombats           .                               Won

A 70 over game at Lurgashall. Wombats batted first and scored 191for 9 in 37 overs. Wickets for Dick White (3), James Maxwell (2), and one each for Adam Saward, Pacer Scholfield (his first appearance for the season and with his new hip), Richard Reincke and Charlie Meade-King. Bottoms got the required runs in the final over with the loss of just 2 wickets. Highlights of the batting were innings from Julian Wilkinson ( 37 not out), Dick White (36 not out), Jonathan Roy (35 not out), and Pacer Scholfield (32)

Hambledon Invitational                                       Drawn

A 70 over game at Lurgashall. Hambledon batted first scoring 236 for 6 after 30 overs. Wickets for Richard Reincke (2)and one wicket for each of Rishi, Adam Saward, Pacer Scholfield and James Maxwell. Bottoms responded with 159 for 8 in our 39 overs. Batting highlights were James Maxwell (42 not out), Rishi Deb (35 not out), Pacer Scholfield ( 26), Martin Waterhouse (20) and James Blake (17)

West Meon                                                              Lost

A 70 over game at Lurgashall. West Meon batted first and retired on 200 for 4 after 30 overs. Dick White and Richard Reincke both got two wickets. (The opposition, Rishi’s other team, are clearly used to Rishi’s bowling!) Bottoms were all out for 123 after 35 overs. Batting highlights Dick White (33) and David Vernon (31) playing in his pre-tour warm-up

Opisthia stin Kypros / Popolar Kibrista

38 of us spent a long weekend in Cyprus, staying in the quaint Tochni village, playing cricket on the beautiful Happy Valley ground and sampling the delights of various mountain and beach restaurants. Thankfully, we were also able to watch some of the quarter finals of the Rugby World Cup showing at the beach bar situated close to the ground.

Sri Lanka Lions                                 Drawn

A 60 over game at Happy Valley. The Sri Lankan Lions, one of the 13+ teams in Cyprus, all largely South Asian, kindly allowed the notion of a “timed” game and elected to bat first. They scored 182 for 6 in 30 overs. Bowling highlights were two wickets each for Pacer Scholfield and Rishi and one for Dick White. Other highlights were a terrific catch by Nick Hardie and a very expensive 17 runs over off the bowling of David Vernon. Bottoms responded with a score of 96 for 5 in our 30 overs. Batting highlights were runs from James Maxwell (30), Dick White (20) and Pacer Scholfield (17). Both teams were happy – The Lions felt they had won and we knew it was a Draw!

Amdocs                                             Thrashed!