Match Reports
Sunday 20 July (PDQ Div 3)
The Sunday 2nd XI's mid-season wobble continued with a very disappointing home defeat to Chappel. With a weakened team due to some teenage petulance then reduced to ten men due to holidays, a beleaguered Abberton lost the toss and were invited to field first on a flat belter of a wicket. Skipper Daniel Woodrow bowled his ten overs for twelve runs to keep things tight at the start and Danny White (2-41) also impressed on his 2nd XI debut with some excellent death bowling and a fantastic willingness to listen to advice from others and support his teammates in the field. Unfortunately the remainder of the bowling attack were unable to exert any control and Chappel rocketed from 63-0 at drinks to 243-7 at the close.
The honme team's reply did not begin well with Phil Lingard departing without troubling the scorers. Kieran Savill (42) hit some lovely shots before becoming frustrated and throwing his wicket away and from then on a procession of wickets fell before an excellent partnership between young White and Damien Hair-Straighteners (38) moved the score onwards in the hunt for batting points. The innings ended with two run outs in two balls, both involving Dangerous Dave Digby, which summed up a pretty average day all round as Abberton lost by 103 runs. DW
Sunday 20 July (PDQ Div 4)
Wormingford completed the home double over the 3rd XI with some ease after the visitors had managed only 138-9 from their 45 overs. Ryan Brown (38) and skipper Ashley Edwards started paitiently aghainst some accurate bowling and Martin Whtlock hit a battling 34 but Abberton struggled to find the boundary throughout with the ball frequently slowed down by the somewhat longish grass. Reife Marangou batted well for 17* at the end of the innings, but the total looked about 40 runs short and would have certainly been inflated with better running between the wickets.
Catches win matches and Andy Trussler twice had simple chances from Wormingford's best batsman spilled off his bowling as the home team kept well ahead of the run rate by adopting a more effective aerial approach. They eventually lost five wickets but had almost ten overs to spare when they hit the winning runs ending a disappointing afternoon for what was, with certain excpetions, a very young Abberton side.
Tom Sawdon's three late overs took the eye and, in the field, David Abbott, Sawdon and Marangou performed with an energy and commitment that some other players would do well to note. MP
Saturday 19 July (TCL Div 1)
Abberton entertained the reigning champions Sudbury at The Brow on Saturday looking to complete an unlikely double. Shaun Calladine won the toss and decided to insert the holders and Matt Gilray (2-64) made his custom early breakthrough with the total on 19. At this stage for the first time this season the clatter of wickets did not take place as the second wicket partnership of 199 between Phillips (106) and Kent (117) took the visitors to a healthy total of 271-6. The home side to their credit never let their heads drop and thanks to some good fielding and some suicidal running they managed to accumulate three bowling points.
On what was considered the best track at Abberton for five years, a total of 272 in 50 overs was a possibility but at least two of the top order needed to post big scores like their opponents. Steve Snell departed early and Calladine followed with the total on 48. Jon Ward (45) and Richard Moxon then added 40 runs but when the former was out a steady trickle of wickets followed as Abberton struggled to 133-8. At this stage it was a case of damage limitation and Kieran Savill (34) batted sensibly to capture another two batting points despite a torrent of abuse from the visitors who were in a hurry to get away to a function.
On reflection Abberton could not steady a consistent run flow and once again the big scores from the top order did not materialise but at the end of the match we can reflect that we took 27 points against the defending champions where as they only took 26. BR
Friday 18 July (BSL Cup)
Abberton Ladies entertained a very young Kelvedon & Feering side in the semi final of the Beaumont Seymour Cup and, after winning the toss, asked the visitors to bet. An excellent spell of 5-4 by Hannah Jeffery destroyed their top order and despite three successive boundaries from Kate Felstead, Kelvdeon were shot out for 30 in nine overs with no other double figure scorers.
The Abberton reply started poorly as they slumped to 10-5 with Bryony Butcher grabbing 3-6, but Jeffery (15*) and Jo Sibley eventually saw the team safely through to the final with twelve overs to spare where they will face local rivals Eight Ash Green. Dani & Steve
Wednesday 16 July (Whalebone)
With the Whalebone without a true victory in 2008, pressure was mounting on skipper Paul Da Vino to improve the team's international standing as they faced Abberton's adolescence who included a few crumblies thrown in for good measure.
Porky Chamberlain, fresh from his afternoon spent trimming Victoria's bush, and Steve Majors got the 'Bone off to a decent start before the former was dismissed for a fine 21. However, after this the pace dropped markedly despite some 'circus ring' fielding from the young opposition and when Lloyd Parker-Bowles sliced through the middle order with 3-14, a challenging total looked a long way off. Paul Le Ford managed to fail to take guard at both ends for the second night in a row but Reverend Martin hit a defiant 17 before the nine, ten, jack trio of Welton-Woodpecker, Bacon and Buffoon-Johnson rallied to take the score to 118 by the end of the twenty overs.
Although the Colts eventually went into the final over before securing a three wicket victory, they seemed to have the upper hand throughout their reply with Reife Marangou (20), Tinnes with a sparkling unbeaten 25 and useful contribuitions from both Parker-Bowles and the improving Matt Desborough being their highlights.
If the Colts' own fielding performance could be criticised, the Whalebone's was truly woeful with fielders falling over, nearly being hit on the head whilst trying to take a catch and even getting caught in the perimeter netting contributing to what could only be termed an appalling display.
Buffoon-Johnson (2-6) emerged as the pick of the bowlers but the electrical pairing of Lockyer and Wyncoll conceded 63 from their combined six overs which did little to placate an exasperated Da Vino. To cap it all, overseas star 'Foghorn Leghorn' Le Ford whimped out of bowling the last over after his skipper had raised the tension with a wicket maiden. Truly gruesome! AB
Tuesday 15 July (CECL)
St Peters House Lions lost out in their quest to lift the inaugural Alan Barlow Memorial Trophy on a sunny evening at Elmstead's pleasant ground. Captain Steve Whitfield won the toss and said "Oh sh*t", giving our opponents just the slightest of inklings that they might be on to a good thing.
Phil Lingard and Richard Fosker gave us a solid start and Martin Whitlock scampered around for a top-scoring 30 with other useful contributions coming from Gregan Savill and Daniel Woodwrow as SPH managed a respectable 107-8 from their fifteen overs.
Although University Staff had the season's heaviest runscorer (heaviest in terms of aggregate, not tonnage of flab) in their midst, they did not collectively look too strong and, with a little more luck, SPH might have tasted victory. However their main man struck an impressive half century and they got home in the last over for the loss of five wickets. Savill, Woodrow, Ryan Mayes and Whitfield all performed well enough with the ball to ensure that the forecasted stuffing did not materialise. MP
Sunday 13 July (PDQ Div 1)
West Mersea retained the bragging rights over local rivals Abberton in Sunday’s PDQ Division One match, winning by two wickets to extend their winning run to seven. Mersea skipper Daniel Harness invited the visitors to have first bat after winning the toss. Abberton made rapid early progress despite an early wicket, largely through Kiwi Snell who blasted a quickfire 42. However, when he became the first of Stuart Mills’ wickets the innings rapidly changed complexion. Mills helped himself to 3-31, and with Luke Conway doing likewise as they bowled in tandem, Abberton were restricted to 161-9 from their 45 overs. Sam Trussler with an unbeaten 30 the other main contributor.
In reply Mersea made an equally rapid start with the 50 coming up in 12th over for the loss of a single wicket. Stuart Mills (34) dominated early on aided by some cameos from Luke Conway (21 from 8 balls) and Daniel Harness (18). However, with the Savill brothers claiming six wickets between them the game began to hang in the balance. Chris Storrar eventually wrestled the advantage towards the islanders with an unbeaten 27 from 20 balls to see Mersea home in the 39th over. KH (guest correspondent and seemingly non-contributing batsman or bowler for Mersea).
Sunday 13 July (PDQ Div 3)
Chris Pettit was the Abberton hero as the 2nd team returned to winning ways with a home succes over Earls Colne and Bures on Sunday. Winning the toss and batting first, Abberton's total was built around three key contributions. Phil Lingard blazed his way to 32 as the team reached 44-0 off just six overs, Lloyd Parker-Wilson stayed resolute in the middle order for a well crafted 34 as everyone contrived to get themslefves out around him and then Pettit gave the innings some much needed momentum with a brilliant 41*, taking the score to 171-9 and ensuring the home side batted their full 45 overs.
In reply the fielding was sharp and the bowling was tight, wickets tumbled at regular intervals and Earls Colne eventually crawled up to 139 all out. Pettit's pace, Kev Pegrum's swing and Steve Whitfield's stuttering run up all proved too much for the opposition batsmen and it was left to Badger Ball to ignore the cat calls from the first eleven players, who had returned early from defeat at Mersea, and execute the final run out and make certain of the 20 points. DW
Saturday 12 July (TCL Div 1)
Shaun Calladine won the toss and, with the overhead conditions cloudy, had no hesitation in deciding to have a bowl. Matt Gilray and Chris Coe opened the attack as usual and despite beating the bat on numerous occasions did not have the early success they warranted as Ipswich reached 52-1. Chris then managed to break the second wicket partnership which then caused a collapse as Ryan Savill joined Matt and the pair in tandem reduced the visitors to 85 all out.
Matt bowled his customary 15 overs and ended up with 4-34 while Ryan bowled 7.3overs and had 4-14 when the innings concluded. Kieran Savill had taken over from Matt and despite only bowling two overs displayed good control and guile to take 1-2. Dave Schofield deputised behind the stumps and did a fine job taking a good leg side catch from Ryan which epitomised the excellent display in the field from the hosts.
The chase started at a canter and proceeded to carry on as such and, with the clouds gathering overhead, skipper Calladine was dismissed early on for 10 (the third victim of the day given out lbw having hit the ball!) and Jon Ward (5) followed with the score on 27. Richard Moxon (31*) then joined Steve Snell (40*) at the crease and the pair batted in total ease hitting the ball to the boundary with regularity as they passed the required score in the thirteenth over. On the whole it was a very professional effort going someway to repairing the damage done in the last fortnight following two poor defeats. BR
Saturday 12 July (TCL Div 7)
Visitors Abberton enjoyed what was ultmiately a comfortable 65 run victory over Felixstowe on Saturday but they had to work hard to maintain the pressure on the other prmotion-chasing clubs at the head of Division 7.
Batting first, John Gallant (56) and Paul Johnson (28) put on 79 for opening wicket on a strip that was not too predictable and warned you against bowling anything short. This stand was broken when the latter slapped one too many abnd then both Michael Abrey (34) and James Carroll (17) were dismissed in similar fashion when they had got themsleves in and were starting to dictate.
Dave Booker (22*) and Phil Lingard gave the scoreboard a much-needed boost in the last few overs allowing Abberton to reach 195-5, which looked a respectable enough total in the circumstances.
Although the Seasiders lost three wickets before they reached the fifty mark, they had moved quite smoothly on to 88-3 at drinks and looked to be in command. It was then that skipper Abrey was finally persuaded to use the ball and, together with Daniel Woodrow (4-36), his spin had Felixstowe in plenty of trouble. Abrey finished with figures of 8-3-7-3 as the home team capitulated to 130 all out giving Abberton the full twenty points.
Mention should be made of the contribution of Tom Pike. Called up at the eleventh hour, he raced the 250 miles from Portsmouth (by road, not sea) to take part and put in a stunning fielding performance. What a team player; well done Pikey! Congratulations also to the Felixstowe tealadies whose spread satsified even the hungry Woodrow Vulture. MP
Sunday 6 July (PDQ Div 3)
Abberton succumbed to a disappointing defeat away to Boxted on Sunday. Winning the toss and choosing to bowl first in a reduced 35 over a side game, Abberton's bowlers were unable to control the wet ball and served up full tosses and half trackers galore to home batsmen, who were hitting the ball cleanly on a wicket that held up very well in the conditions. A century from C Wilson helped the hosts to an impressive 268-2 with Ryan Brown the only bowler to pick up any wickets.
In reply Abberton started well and Barry Rudlin and Phil Lingard put on 44 in the first seven overs before the latter got his 9 iron out to chip one to the mid-off / cover region in an all-too-familiar manner. As the run rate escalated, Rudlin weighed anchor for a confidence boostng 92* and put on 72 for the third wicket with current Puncbowl favourite Ian Collett (25). Abberton eventually reached 176-4, but will want to forget what was a pretty miserable afternoon. DW
Sunday 6 July (Friendly: 3rd XI v The Whalebone)
Beleagured 'bone skipper Paul Da Vino was handed a lifeline when a close encounter with ADCC 3rds ended in bizarre circumstances at The Brow on Sunday. The homesters left the field with smug smiles of victory only to find out that, after much deliberation, the Whalebone were declared the winners following a complex mathematical calculation.
In hurricane-like conditions, Abberton batted first and stormed away to 110-2 from 16 overs as the Whalebone bowlers were unable to master the blustery conditions, resulting in a ridiculous array of wides as 42 extras were piled up. Kev Brown, with a crisp 40, and Danny White, with a circumspect 51*, looked to have given the home side a solid platform and a score of 225-250 looked increasingly likely.
However, with a bit of divine inspiration (or was it desperation), Da Vino brought on the Vicar and that old grenade launcher himself, 'Porky' Chamberlain. It was like a hot knife through butter as the Lions' middle order literally melted away when confronted by this pace and swing onslaught. The Vic finished with 3-17, Porky with 3-27, supported by Will Gordon (1-36) and an economical 'Mad Jock' McLockyer (1-24). The innings closed eventually on 192-8 from the rain-reduced 35 overs.
The reply got of to its usual shambolic start with the two overseas stars 'The Real Neil' Gordon and Le Ford again failing when it mattered. Just why Da Vino doesn't rip up their contacts and send them home, God (or the Vic) only knows! The innings was held together with another splendid knock from Mick Potton who bludgeoned his way to a dazzling 46. He was particularly severe on 'Ringer' Torvill, smashing the slow-medium pacer to the fence on seven occassions before holing out to 'Jonty' Edwards off Danny White.
Kev Pegrum-Cock then took centre stage with an imperious 41. However with his demise and the loss of more wickets the game seemed up. The Major with 24 and the skipper 21 set up a grandstand finish as Edwards acrobatically claimed his thrid catch, but it seemed the 'bone had just fallen short when the fomer was caught leaving last man 'Slinger' Bacon with his lower lip hanging out as he had yet to face a ball.
This all changed in the pavilion though when match referee, Heinrich von Velton, on secondment from the Bavarian Cricket Association, confirmed that, having spoken to the Abberton Treasurer, the home team had indeed played an ineligable player (i.e. one who hadn't paid his subs). He also ruled that the Abberton captain had not batted his entire side before reinstating a retired player (in direct contravention to Rule 24 (iv) (d) of the Geneva Convention). Finally, under the 'Duckworth Cava-Paget Lewis Stockbridge' rain rules, the Whalebone had actually amassed 467 for 3, making them very comfortable victors. Da Vino was succinct and to the point at the post-match press conference: "that'll f**k 'em!" bellowed the defiant old stager before disappearing off for a glass of Shiraz with his pal John Everett. HvV
