Weekly Updates 2013
28 September 2013
Dear All,
Almost unbelievably, a brilliant Season of cricket drew to a close on Saturday at Greys Green in typically, unseasonably, warm weather. The result of the match is not especially important – enough to say that a solid batting performance, led by a classy 78 from skipper Sam Beardall, was followed by an indifferent fielding performance. Match report attached.
An exceptional summer has seen some outstanding results and some quite remarkable personal performances. Team spirit is buoyant, the Ashes have been made safe for now (grrrr…), and a core of the team who turned out at Grey’s on Saturday proceeded to set the world to rights in the Maltsters Arms (so you don’t need to worry any more).
Peter Briffett has promised our traditional end of year Curry will be scheduled in the near term, to allow everyone to relive the year’s highlights. Watch this space…
Now, in an end of year clear out of cricketing odds and ends, here are some more Ashes nuggets which you might find interesting –
Ashes factoids
* Composite XI – Rogers, Root, Watson, Pietersen, Bell, Clarke, Haddin, Broad, Swann, Harris, Anderson…hard to argue with?
* Tale of the Spinners – Swann v Agar/Lyon
– Overs, 249 v 202
– Wickets, 26 v 11
– Average, 29.03 v 50.09
– Strike rate, 57.4 v 110.27
– Economy Rate 3.03 v 2.73
……interesting, no..?
* The numbers for Seamers were much closer…
O. 531 v 718, W. 57 v 69, Av. 30.94 v 30.04, SR. 56 v 62, ER. 3.32 v 2.88
* Not one of Australia’s 17 players batted in the same position through all 5 Tests
* Australia and England have now won 31 series apiece…
* This was the second closest series on record in terms of runs separating the teams..
* 447 runs on the last day of the 5th Test was an Ashes record, and only the fifth time in Test history 400 runs have been scored on the last day of a Test
* and finally, given all the recent controversy surrounding the use and abuse of DRS, the ICC has taken the only sensible course of action…and doubled up! From 1 October, teams will be able to top up their reviews to 2 after every 80 overs! More fodder for pub debates…!
Looking forward to more Ashes cricket soon…
Now, what about those Gunners..?
Cheers
Tim
21 September 2013
Hi all,
Penultimate match report of the season attached, how quickly the summer seems to have passed!
On the face of it a relatively simple win, but it was only so thanks to some impressive performances and a late contender for champagne moment of the season – James Thornton’s catch at mid wicket really was remarkable, first the speed of his reactions and second to hold on! Added to that, I don’t think we’ve had a better partnership all summer than Saturday’s between Ollie Thornton and James Hunt to see us home with nine wickets to spare! On a damp track, where we had managed to pick up regular wickets, shared between each of the bowlers, both James and Ollie hit chanceless 50s before getting us to the pub early with a series of progressively bigger sixes – the last of which cleared not just the boundary and the road alongside the boundary, but also the 30 feet high trees on the other side of that road!!! If it has landed yet perhaps we can resolve the pub debate of whether it was the biggest any of us have seen…
One more game to go and I believe plans for an end of season curry so hopefully see you this weekend,
Sam
31 August 2013
Dear All,
Saturday saw Turville entertain its VPs at the annual fixture at Wormsley.
The setting was sublime, the weather was typically splendid, and a big crowd was on hand to witness the cricket (almost incidental to the experience). How could you tell this was a quintessential English Home counties/Chilterns event?….the opposition was fielding two ‘Tristan’s’.
The match formula saw a Turville XI take on a VPs Invitational XI ably led by Peter Briffett. In a 40 over limited overs match, the Turville XI finally overcame the VPs 180 in the 37th of their overs. Strong performances from Sandy Flakelar (VPs) with 84 retired and 2/35, while for Turville, skipper Sam Beardall captured 6/19 off just 3 overs (don’t ask), and Jon Hancock made a typically nerveless 37* to steer the Players home.
Sadly, Nick was forced to cancel his Sunday fixture against Woodcote, but with the weather set fair, and just five (5!) games remaining, you are urged to get in touch with the nominated Match Managers to secure a slice of this brilliant cricket Summer.
Here’s a chart I was tickled by (‘The Best of the Bunnies’) – Matches/Innings/Runs/Ducks/Average (Tests)
Courtney Walsh 132/185/936/43/7.54
Muralitharan 133/164/1261/33/11.67
Glen McGrath 124/164/641/35/7.36
Bob Willis 90/128/840/12/11.50
Chris Martin 71/104/123/36/2.36
Phil Tufnell 42/59/153/11/5.10
Ah, Chris Martin, you are well missed by international bowlers. And fair play, Bob Willis!
Cheers
Tim
18 August 2013
That’s right, in a weekend with no international cricket, all eyes turned to the valley and we did not disappoint with a good win over the folk from Stonor.
The highlight was a fantastic batting effort from Ollie Thornton who must have regretted that some of his stellar fielding meant there weren’t quite enough runs available for him to make a second hundred in as many weekends, but much credit should also go the bowlers. James and Neil in particular combined to leave Stonor perhaps 30 runs short of a par score, which we chased with relative ease.
Match report attached.
Hope to see you all soon,
Sam
12 August 2013
Two convincing wins at the weekend against West Wycombe (by 8 wickets) and Dorchester (by 6 wickets).
Highlights being a magnificent 110 not out (including 6 sixes in the last two overs) and 60 from Ollie Thornton, Sandy Flakelar’s action, Mike Kiernan’s line and length, some classic leg-break bamboozlement from Jack Rogers, two catches in the deep by Neil Runkell after being told he was “not good enough” by the opposition and some wickets from Sam Halfhead.
Match reports attached.
Next Sunday it is Stonor at home for the Richard Hunt trophy.
See you there!
Jon
5 August 2013
Dear All,
Turville returned to winning ways on Sunday with a very strong performance at Henley in a 40 over limited over affair. Good contributions from Sam Beardall with 51* and Jack Rogers (2/28 and 25*). Match Report attached.
Congratulations to England on retaining the Ashes. We really do need to talk about Kevin though. Has there ever been a bigger tosser in International cricket? (not a real quiz question).
Fun fact 1 – Simon Katich, 56 Tests, 4,188 runs at 45.03 with 10 100’s. That record snuck up on me…
Fun fact 2 – Ponting and Lehmann have remarkably similar First Class records – Matches (289 v 294), Runs (24,150 v 25,795), Average (55.9 v 57.83), 100s (82 apiece). Just the one small difference then – Tests (168 v 27).
Fun fact 3 – Jersey lost to Italy in July at Hove in a play-off for the 2 slots in the World Twenty20 qualifiers in the UAE in October…
Best line of the 3rd Test commentary – Chris Broad nicks one to Haddin and turns immediately to walk off. Shane Warne ‘Nass! I’ve got a nosebleed, Nass..!’
Cheers
Tim
28 July 2013
Dear All,
A high scoring (limited overs) fixture at Ipsden on Sunday saw Turville (219) fall just short in its effort to overtake our hosts’ total of 238 in 35 overs. On a hard baked ground with short boundaries, a topography that resembled the Alps in places, a wicket which sloped both end to end AND side to side (truly!), and with wind (and some rain) whipping straight off the Urals, this was always going to be a difficult afternoon. Hunt and Henry were the pick of the bowlers, while 50s to Ollie and me got us to within shouting distance. A good fixture played in good humour and with a decent pub (the King William) added up to a nice day out in the countryside.
The scorebook records another fixture on Friday (20/20 against Nettlebed) but there are no bowling figures and the batting has no total. The less said the better it would seem. Pete Briffett top scored with 25. Pete careered past 1,000 runs for TPCC recently, and this achievement was recognised on Sunday with an award arranged by the skipper. Well done Pete.
The skipper advises that since digital records began in 2003, 8 other players have passed 1,000 runs. Good luck with your guesses…
See the website for more photos (courtesy of Pete) from Jersey, together with a new folder with pictures from last years tour to Portugal. I’m having much too much fun with the captions.
And please, whatever else you do before the end of the season, do ask Ollie T. about Laura Robson…
Cheers
Tim
20 July 2013
Dear All,
Soooo, what shall we talk about? Golf? Tour de France? Royal baby? The most recent West Indies v Pakistan ODI?
I know, let’s reflect on another Turville win on the weekend, this time against the wandering Crossbatters. In baking conditions, the visitors compiled 179, which Turville hunted down in just 32 overs for the loss of only 2 wickets. Star performer was skipper Sam Beardall in a rather surprising manifestation (5/22 in a fine display of spin bowling). A good day’s sport was rounded out with a splendid tea and post match BBQ, courtesy of the Hancocks. Match report attached.
OK, here’s an arresting Ashes related stat I liked –
Bob Massie. 1972. Lords. 16 wickets. In Test cricket history, bowlers have taken 8 wickets in an innings 66 times. Interestingly, 66 scores of 240 or more (by a batsman) have occurred in Tests. Massie effectively made 2 scores of 240+ in the same game. Not relevant at all. Just thought you’d like this. Or at least Sandy would…
Cheers
Tim
14 July 2013
Hi all,
Glorious sunshine, fantastic team teas, a cracking test victory (for the majority of this distribution list, sorry Tim & Sandy) and two home games this weekend that saw us first triumph against the travelling Wylde Oats before narrowly losing to Ibstone.
It’s hard to know how to describe such a one sided fixture as Saturday’s so I’ll just give you numbers and save the adjectives for another time. Wylde Oats bowled 32 overs, we bowled 18. We scored 323 runs, they were all out for 63. We had two debutants, Ben hitting the shot of the day to end our innings with a straight 6 and Fred taking 4 wickets with some accurate bowling. Charlie and I combined for many of the runs (83 and 152 respectively) whilst Hugh De Zulueta, Neil and my Dad picked up the remaining wickets. Sam’s debut tea was really rather good, especially the cakes, and we were in the pub pretty early.
In contrast, Sunday was a far closer fixture and despite batting well (42 for Ollie Thornton, 32 to Jack Rogers), we struggled to kick on and 178 at tea felt a touch short of par. Tea raised the bar yet further and fuelled by cakes, fruit, doughnuts and many varied sandwiches we took to the field where the economic bowling of Tom White, an early breakthrough for Tom Thurgood and three wickets for Neil kept us in the game. Two in two by Jon Hancock really opened up the possibility of all results, but unfortunately, Ibstone had enough to see them home and we suffered only our second mainland defeat of the summer (what goes on tour stays on tour!).
With the heat wave set to continue there’s only one fixture this coming weekend so let Pete know if you’d like to play.
See you soon,
Sam
7 July 2013
Dear All,In a golden weekend for British sport, Turville held up its end of the bargain by winning a closely fought match against the wandering Flycatchers. The weather was spectacular, and the setting was sublime. The views back to Northend in particular seemed implausible, as if somehow digitally enhanced.James Hunt was the early entrant for Best Player, by winning the toss and quickly electing to bat in very hot conditions. Turville compiled a (slightly sub par) total of 205 (50s to Ollie and your correspondent) and then managed to defuse a rampant Flycatchers response (109/1 off 20 overs) largely due to the clever spin of Runks (40/6 – aided by 2 outstanding stumpings from Barnaby, but hampered by 4 dropped catches in the outfield) and Charlie Beardall (23/2, including 2 brilliant reflex return catches).Best line of the day – Neil (after lunging at a difficult return catch chance) ‘Unbelievable…! (Neil struggles to find much to believe in these days) ‘…how far away from that was I…?’. Laconic retort from extra cover ‘About 20 years Neil…’You may not be aware that Gray Nicholls has re-released the Scoop (£260 will give you the whole 70s vibe again) while Stuart Surridge has done the same with its Jumbo (£295). Not sure how I feel about this. The Scoop was my first bat. How I loved David Gower. I was too young to know what ‘fey’ meant.Only 1 more sleep. Please be gentle. Remember how generous and modest Australian cricket fans have traditionally been during their spells on top….(?)CheersTim
30 June 2013
Dear All,
Summer broke out at last at the Heath on the weekend, and Turville took full advantage, with two comprehensive victories, against Theberton and Brightwell cum Sotwell. Match reports attached.
Saturday’s fixture against touring side Theberton was played on a wicket which looked magnificent but played unpredictably. Theberton were surprisingly aggressive, and it took a truly commanding performance from Charlie Beardall (121) to give us anything resembling a target (193). Skipper Ollie Thornton then marshalled his resources cleverly to ensure that Turville secured a very well deserved victory in the final over.
The game on Sunday against Brightwell cum Sotwell was a more sedate affair, and Sam used 11 bowlers (8 wicket takers!) as he ‘helped’ the visitors to 102. Pete Briffett top scored in our winning response in a good humoured match.
The Jersey Tour photos are now appearing on the website (www.turvilleparkcricketclub.com). Well worth a look.
Simple question this week. What are the maximum dimensions of a cricket bat ? (Height and width) – you can have an inch either way… (answer below).
Cheers
Tim
A. 38″ x 4.25″
23 June 2013
Dear All,Turville completed a brilliant tour of Jersey on the weekend, with plenty of talking points. Many we can reveal, some are inevitably a little hazy, and a few will need the assistance of Edward Snowden to uncover.Match report for the Trophy match is attached, but the weekend sporting summary is –* a stunning tie against hosts Jersey Farmers in a 20/20 fixture on Friday evening, courtesy of a magical 1 handed Caught and Bowled by Tom White off the last delivery (great scripting Pete)* an inglorious loss against Victoria School on Saturday when jetlag (!) was obviously just starting to kick in, and* a fighting loss in the Trophy match against the Farmers on Sunday in a 40/40 match (215/9 plays 205/4), highlighted by some fine bowling by White, Thornton, Hunt and Runkel, and some excellent knocks from Hunt, Ollie Thornton and Charlie Beardall.Potted highlights include –* flawless organisation by Pete Briffett’s PA, who must be held blameless for the hotel (apparently ‘Gastropub’ means ‘Same Old Fleapit as Last Time’)* outstanding bookmaking by the Beardalls (you really must see the Form Guide & Betting Book – sample guidance : ‘2 touring families: 3 Beardalls and 2 Thorntons. That’s a third of tourists, but if over half of all wickets are taken by catches by these 5 you get your money back..’!!??)* too, too generous hospitality from our hosts, including a wonderful BBQ on Saturday evening, followed by a series of games (yep, games) which went on for about 67 hours* magnificent facilities at Farmers Field – a truly outstanding wicket, with an outfield covering roughly the same surface area as the Sea of Tranquility* dodgy weather which saw us leave Southampton airport 3 hours late, but nevertheless permitted 3 full games of cricket* enterprising van driving from Neil which saw him rearrange the island ever so slightly (why didn’t anyone in the van warn him..?)* Rob Dickie ‘formally’ announcing his engagement (it wasn’t official until it was sanctioned by the touring party in Committee sessions)* golf in force 8 winds (although that was just Barney after a Full English)* my favourite retort of this (or any) tour – when the hotel bar was closing on Sunday night, the skipper was asked ‘how many last drinks would your party like to order?’, Sam replied ‘how many glasses do you have back there..?’Thanks Pete for a wizard adventure!Double header at home this weekend. See you all there.CheersTim
16 June 2013
Dear All,
Match report attached for a disappointing draw against Stonor at Stonor on Sunday. Notwithstanding a magnificent rearguard display by Messrs Runkel, Henry and Bazell to deny our hosts a victory, Turville was outplayed for much of the game. The return match for the Hunt Trophy in August has added meaning as our ‘noisy neighbours’ have shown a real desire to secure their first win in this fixture for 5 years.
Please note the addition of Brodie Watson to the email distribution list. Brodie is an Officer in the British Army, based in Abingdon, and keen to play whenever he is not busy protecting the realm or canoodling with my daughter.
The answer to the question – ‘what is the result if, needing 1 run to win, the batsmen cross for a run before the ball reaches the boundary?’ – is : the number of wickets still intact (well done Sandy for spotting this). The actual score entered in the book however is 1 run, not 4. The rule is clear that it is whatever comes first. Remember when Sehwag, on 94, with India needing 1 to win against Bangladesh in an ODI, clubbed the ball for 6 off a no-ball. Result, India wins with 1 run added to the total, Sehwag stranded on 94. There was some very bad blood over this as the bowler overstepped by a significant margin, seemingly deliberately.
Off to Jersey this weekend – I’m pleased to report that what happens on tour has absolutely no chance of staying on tour.
One small teaser this week. A fielder who is attempting to make a catch inside the boundary initiates the catch, and realises he is going to cross the rope. He throws the ball into the air, steps over the rope and then back inside the field of play to complete the catch. Easy, good catch. But what happens if the catch is completed by a team mate instead? Answers on a postcard.
Cheers
Tim
2 June 2013
Dear All,
Match report attached for a lovely day out in the countryside on Sunday at Cuxham, culminating in a big win for Turville. Another ton for Jamie, and a sublime 5-fer from Neil were the undoubted highlights. That, and, naturally, Ponting’s 192 (‘bloody Australian’s, coming over here and taking all our runs..’). It’s a good report, take a look…
Some big fixtures coming up in June. Make sure you get on to nominated match managers now.
OK, so here is a simple poser – Turville are chasing down a total of 190. On reaching 190, and needing just 1 run to win, Nick Henry strikes the ball sweetly through the off side (*not a true story*) heading like a rocket to the boundary. Before the ball reaches the fence, Nick and his partner cross in mid-pitch. The ball then completes its journey to the boundary. What is Turville’s winning margin? 1 run or 4 runs?
Cheers
Tim
26 May 2013
Morning all,
Just the one game to report on from this weekend and I’m glad to say we are back to winning ways, this time with a close victory over a youthful Harpsden.
Playing limited overs (40 each) and asked to bat first on a green wicket, our openers watchfully laid the foundations for some big hitting latter on that saw us post a very reasonable 227. 50’s for myself and Jon were followed by a rapid 44 from Pete and we were well placed going into tea.
Our time in the field started well, with Jon (8/12/1) and Nick keeping Harpsden’s top order subdued and us well on top in the game until some late hitting gave Harpsden hope. However, Adam Harvey-Thompson, returning from the States, held his nerve and bowled us home with a brilliant effort of 7/42/3, superbly supported by Colin who made two sharp stumpings and orchestrated a further run out. The other wickets were shared between Neil, Charles Henry and myself in a well deserved 7 run victory.
Scorecard is attached.
Hopefully see you all soon,
Sam
19 May 2013
Hi all,
With Crazies’ Hill having to cancel Saturday’s match we played just one game this weekend at Britwell Salome on the Sunday. Please see the match report attached, and although this will be recorded as our first loss of the season, there’s much that the report doesn’t cover.
Britwell managed to muster just 7 players so the Henrys kindly volunteered to even up the sides and then played key roles in dismissing our top order. First a good catch by Charles to remove Rob Gunn and then Nick picked up the wicket of Dave Stockings! These, and some other “soft” wickets (a run out, a stumping and 2 caught and bowleds!) all contributed to a general lack of support for James Hunt, who in hitting a brilliant ton managed to ensure a close finish with either two runs or one wicket from the final over deciding the match either way. It only took one ball though, and as you can guess, not the outcome we were hoping for. Despite aiming for the middle of next week, and swinging the bat hard enough to go even further, Tom was caught by the bowler and we were all out leaving James still standing on 122.
One other point of note from the game – Charlie Hunt became perhaps(?) the youngest Turville player in recent history whilst charging around the outfield, saving a series of boundaries and leaving Britwell fearful of soon needing to dismiss two Hunts rather than just one!
Finally, an apology from me as I have not yet handed out the batting and bowling prizes from last year. The prize for best average over the season again goes to Jon Hancock for his remarkably consistent performances with the bat at an average in excess of 60, whilst Tom White claims the bowling prize for his match figures of 8 wickets for 12 runs away at Ibstone. Trophies to follow shortly!
Hopefully see you all soon, two games this coming weekend so sign up quick.
Sam
11 May 2013
Dear All,
Turville enjoyed the better of a draw against Greys Green on Saturday. Thanks to the stoical X1 who played in really quite awful conditions. After using words like ‘sublime’ and ‘bucolic’ about last weekends game, I’m fairly certain I could be had on a Trade Descriptions charge. 50’s to Sam and your correspondent gave the hosts the upper hand on a rain and hail disrupted afternoon, which nevertheless yielded 77 overs. Neil’s 3/36 was typically entertaining. Match report attached.
A big weekend coming up, with away games at Crazies Hill on Saturday (Match Manager Rob Dickie) and Britwell Salome on Sunday (Rob Gunn).
This week, a simple challenge. Take a look at the photo adorning our home page at www.turvilleparkcricketclub.com. There are 3 readily identifiable Turville stalwarts in the frame. See if you can name them. The winner however will also be able to name a fourth (ex, occasional) player in the same photo. Answers on a postcard….
To (mis)quote the great Sir Alex…’English weather. Bloody Hell.’
Cheers
Tim
5 May 2013
Dear All,
A perfectly splendid afternoon’s cricket took place at Turville on Sunday against newcomers Sutton Courtenay. Another win kept our unbeaten run intact. Match Report attached.
Next Saturday we are up against local rivals Greys Green. There is one spot left for what promises to be a good day out. The pitch is flat, the outfield is sublime and the surrounding countryside is as stunning as I’ve ever seen it, with far reaching views.
Please let me know soonest if you would like to share this bucolic scene.
Another plug for the new Turville website – www.turvilleparkcricketclub.com (as first advised last November! not, as shown on the Fixture Card as the tpcc ‘Multiply’ address!). Photos, Statistics, Reports and other fascinating Club paraphernalia.
Cheers
Tim
A quick early season quiz question –
Q. Number of batsman to have batted on all 5 days of a Test Match?
A. 3 Englishmen – Boycott against Australia in 1977, Flintoff in India in 2006 and Allan Lamb in the West Indies in 1984.
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