Match Reports
 
 

Versus Tadworth 20th April

Team
Smith J.
Cowley
Smith I.
Dutta
Nealon
Marians
Baker
Greenaway
Ireland
Burton
Blumberg

Gaieties; 183 for 8, Burton 44 n.o.
Tadworth; 152 for 6.
Bad light stopped play at 8.00PM. Match Drawn

Gaieties batted first on a dry but slightly dusty pitch. None of the early batsmen was able to put a sizeable enough innings together having made it to double figures. Struggling at 110 for 7 with 10 overs left, Burton (44 n.o.) and Joe Ireland (27 n.o.) managed to take the attack to Tadworth. Burton's 44 had to be seen to be believed - a 6 over the long boundary will always remain in the memory. 183 from 48 overs was a reasonable total.

Tadworth started slowly, losing an early wicket to Cowley (2 for 14) before consolidating their position. Two wickets in one over from Burton (2 for 20) altered the position. With 6 wickets down it was increasingly difficult for Tadworth batsmen to see the ball in the darkness. Bad light stopped play at 8.00.

Versus HAC 21st April

Team
Cowley
Smith I.
Perks
Nealon
Dutta
Wyse
McKinnon
Hughes
Swaab

Greenaway
Cartmill

Gaieties; 186 for 4, Dutta 84 n.o. Perks 40.
HAC; 170 all out, Cowley 6 - 54, Cartmill 3 - 40
Won by 14 runs

Having been inserted, Gaieties started well with quick runs for Smith I. and Perks. Smith's dismissal slowed things down but HAC were unable to take quick wickets. 75 runs from the last 10 overs thanks to a majestic innings from Dutta (84 n.o.), supported by Perks (40) and McKinnon (17 n.o.) took the score to respectability.

Gaieties started well with 3 early wickets for Cartmill, then HAC fought back when the change bowlers were introduced. A couple of attacking players put HAC well up with the rate with 20 overs to go. Cowley came back and picked up a quick wicket to break the partnership. A great leg side stumping by Hughes off Cowley was a turning point in the game. HAC continued to play for the win. More wickets for Cowley gave Gaieties the win with 8 balls to spare.

Versus Godalming 28th April

Team
Cowley
Smith I.
Swaab
Wyse
Davidson
Dutta
Smith M.
Greenaway
Handford
Burton
Rae

Godalming 186 for 5, rain stopped play.
Match Drawn

Versus Follies Farm 5th May

Team
Smith J.
Cowley
Smith I.
Dutta
Burton
Davidson
Vale
Goodwin (Friend of Matthew)
Jeffers (Friend of Cowley)

Follies Farm; 119, Smith I. 3 for 22.
Gaieties; 122 for 5, Burton 43 no.
Gaieties won by 5 wickets

A 9-man Gaieties side was asked to bowl on a slow but true pitch in a 40 overs per side game, Burton and Cowley removed the openers before Smith I. (3 for 22) took three more wickets to put the score on 50-5. Follies Farm were eventually bowled out for 119 off 38 overs.

Gaieties made a nervous start losing early wickets until Smith J, (38) came together with Burton and moved the total to 80-5. After Smith's dismissal Vale (18 n.o.) provided an excellent foil to Burton's belligerence (43 n.o). Gaieties won by 5 wickets with 4 overs to spare. The team bowled and fielded particularly well with only 9 men. Once the early batsmen were out cheaply the game was there for the taking, Early dismissals left Gaieties at 17-4 when Smith J. was joined by Burton. Once the two had established themselves the scoreboard started to move until Smith was bowled for 38. Vale joined Burton and Gaieties went on to win the game with a dogged Vale hitting three boundaries in what was to turn out to be the final over. Burton once again left the pitch undefeated and responsible for a considerable innings, which undoubtedly won the game. 9 of us turned out to be too much for 11 of them.

Versus Babington House 12th May

Team:
Smith J.
Cowley
Smith I.
Burton
Dutta
Elliott
Hughes
Wyse
Thomas
Greenaway
Oliver

Gaieties; 223 for 6, Smith I. 60, Smith J. 58, Dutta 51 no.
Babington House; 196 for 6.
Gaieties won by 27 runs

Babington House is a 3-hour drives from North London so an early start for this first fixture. The pitch was set amongst bean fields and tennis courts on one side of the driveway up to the main house. The pitch had only been created in the last 5 years and was consequently slow and lacking any bounce and had no pavilion or changing facilities.

At the toss JS was asked to play a 40 over game with 8 overs maximum per bowler, this despite his suggestion that a time game would be more appropriate for a Sunday fixture between teams that had never played one another before.

Gaieties won the toss and opted to bat. Smith I. and Greenaway got off to a positive start before Greenaway was out for 15. Smith J. joined his brother and together put on about 100 before Jonathan was given out for 60 to a no ball that wasn't called by the umpires - caught at short leg fending off a full toss above shoulder height.

Jamie Elliott joined Ian and kept the score moving allowing Ian to make his 50. After Jamie and Ian were dismissed Dutta (51 n.o.), Burton and Wyse helped the score up to 223 for 6 from 40 overs.

Babington started slowly and never managed to get above the required run rate. Burton took an early wicket and then Smith, Dutta and Wyse kept up the pressure picking up important wickets and keeping the required rate creeping up towards 10 an over. 140 was needed off the last 20 overs and when their 2 players of any quality were dismissed with 5 overs still to go there was no way that they would make their target.

Another unfortunate umpiring decision did little to lift the slight antagonism that had developed. Cowley bowled one that kept low and cut back. At first sight it looked as if the ball had missed the stumps and rebounded off Hughes' pads, but Hughes and several close fielders clearly saw the ball hit the stumps. Umpire's decision was not out. Babinton finished on 192 for 6 playing out the final over as a maiden. Victory to Gaieties, the third of the season.

In the bar after the game it was agreed that the 40 overs format had not been the right way to play this kind of game and that next time we would play a time game. The general feeling was that it was a long way to go to play on a poor pitch despite the beautiful setting. One possibility would be to play a Saturday game at nearby Downside School against the masters and then stay over and play Babington starting early enough to allow players to get back home in reasonable time.

Gaieties versus NPL 19th May

Team:
Cowley
Smith I.
Perks
Dutta
McKinnon
Burton
Wyse
Vale
Smith M.
Cartmill
Thomas

Gaieties; 212 for 6, Dutta 106 no.
NPL Lensbury; 170 for 8, Cowley 4 for 44, Vale 3 for 30.
Match drawn.

Gaieties won the toss and on a fine sunny afternoon naturally opted to bat on a typically slow NPL pitch.

Smith I. and Perks both made a swift start and scored 55 in the first 10 overs. Perks was out for 30 and Smith for 35. Dutta took up the reins and with able support from McKinnon and Thomas in particular, was able to score a maiden century for the club, the milestone being achieved with an enormous 6 over mid off. Gaieties declared at 215 for 6.

In reply NPL lost 2 early wickets to Burton and Cowley before they managed to drag themselves back into the game with an excellent third wicket partnership. With 20 overs to go they required 120, which was easily achievable. Cowley returned to take 2 wickets, which slowed the momentum that had built up. With Vale bowling tightly from the other end and the team fielding well, the tables started to turn. Vale took a couple more wickets and when the eighth wicket fell to Cowley there was a real chance of a Gaieties victory. Stubborn resistance by the last remaining batsman of any quality kept out the last 5 overs. At close NPL were 170 for 8. Match Drawn.

Versus Heartaches 22nd May

Team
Cowley
Smith I.
Dutta
Cake
Goodwin
Burton
Thomas
Marians
Blumberg
Oliver
Hutton (A Heartache 'lent' to Gaieties - Smith J. having to drop out at the last minute)

Gaieties; 125 for 9 dec. Dutta 50 no.
Heartaches; 130 for 3.
Heartaches won by 7 wickets.

Massed rain clouds greeted everyone who arrived at Stoner for the start of this fixture. However the sloping pitch drained quite quickly and despite the odd shower, play started half an hour late at 2.30. The wicket was 'muddy' and slow. Heartaches won the toss and had no hesitation in inserting Gaieties.

Smith and Goodwin opened the innings and immediately demonstrated how hard it would be to hit boundaries while the outfield was still damp. 2 overs into the game there was a further rain delay of 15 minutes before play could be continued. Scoring was difficult thanks to tight bowling and the slow pitch. Wickets fell steadily. After 19 overs Gaieties were 39 for 3. Dutta and Chris Hutton put on a stand for the 4th wicket, taking the total to 90 from 35 overs before Hutton went for 22. A middle order collapse followed as Gaieties tried to up the scoring rate. 5 ducks were recorded as Gaieties struggled to 125 -9 after 46 overs (13 of which were maidens), Dutta again remaining undefeated on 50 not out.

The declaration left Heartaches 126 to get in 40 minutes and 20 overs. This was further reduced when every one had to come off for 10 minutes for more rain after the first few overs. The sun came out and the strong wind started to dry the pitch out. Heartaches lost an early wicket to Burton but the first wicket partnership that followed was able to hit the ball in the air and score at 5 an over. Gaieties dropped a few difficult chances in the deep. Cowley picked up 2 wickets in one over to bring in 2 new batsmen. Unfortunately they were equally aggressive and Heartaches achieved victory in the penultimate over by 7 wickets having received just 27 overs.

Versus Beddington 26th May

Rained Off

Versus Wycombe House 9th June

Rained Off

Versus Cranleigh 16th June

Team
Smith J.
Cowley
Wyse
Smith I.
Dutta
McKinnon
Gleasure
Greenaway
Burton
Marians
Thomas

Cranleigh; 174 for 7.
Gaieties; 174 for 9, Smith I. 79 not out.
Match Drawn.

Cranleigh batted first on a damp pitch with a soggy outfield, particularly for the bowlers' run ups. Scoring was slow but the first wicket was a while in coming. Burton (2 for 43) eventually picked up the openers. Gleasure and Smith I. both bowled tightly with Greenaway picking up a couple of excellent stumpings. A couple of run outs prevented Cranleigh from posting a large score. After 41 overs they declared for 174 for 7.

Wyse and Smith I. opened the batting. Wyse was first out, caught and bowled for a duck. Dutta soon followed with the score on 14. McKinnon joined Smith and some belligerent hitting took the score to 100 before McKinnon was bowled for 25 with 18 of the final 20 overs to come. Smith J. joined his brother and after a couple of maidens started to find the boundaries again. With 10 overs to go the score was 145 for 3, 30 requires in the remaining 10 overs. Ian was out for an excellent 79 followed by Jonathan for 30, 156 for 5. Greenaway joined Gleasure who looked in control of the game. Unfortunately Greenaway gave a catch to slip and was out for nought. Gleasure hit a 6 in the penultimate over to leave the scores level with 6 balls to come and 4 wickets in hand. What happened next was quite extraordinary. Burton was bowled by the first ball of the over. Marians was then out to the fourth ball. Thomas came to the crease with a single required from the remaining 2 balls. Unbelievably he too was out without scoring to the final ball of the game. Scored tied on 174. A victory thrown away.

Versus Oxted 23rd June

Team
Smith J.
Cowley
Smith I.
Greenaway
Dutta
Elliott
Gleasure
Smith M.
McKinnon
Davidson
Burton

Gaieties; 209 for 5, Elliott 68, Gleasure 65 no.
Oxted; 158 for 8, Cowley 3 for 32.
Match Drawn

The Chairman made his first appearance of the season following his operation on what was a beautiful warm sunny afternoon. Greenaway and Elliott opened the batting and made good use of the quick outfield. Greenaway was first out for 21 with the score on 56. Dutta came to the crease and had to play second fiddle to Elliott who seemed to enjoy the freedom to play his shots given by the excellent track. Dutta was out for 24 and a mini collapse ensued, Elliott being bowled for 68 and the senior Smith brothers both going cheaply. 125 for 5. Gleasure was joined by Smith M. and immediately set about the bowling with some enormous hits. Crisis was averted, as Gleasure hit 65 no. Gaieties declared on 209 for 5 from 42 overs.

The Gaieties bowlers soon made inroads in to Oxted's batting. Cowley (3 for 32) and Burton (2 for 28) bowled straight and were rewarded for doing so. At 39 for 5 Oxted looked in deep trouble. Smith I., Dutta and Gleasure picked up wickets but could not remove the final batsmen who made it to 158 for 8 from 44 overs. Match drawn.

Pinter versus McKinnon 30th June

Pinter Team
Davidson
Wyse
Smith M.
Smith J.
Dutta
Gleasure
Vale
Thomas
Cowley
Gooding
McKinnon

Team
McKinnon
Baker
Perks
Cowley R.
Marians
Smith I.
Woolhouse
Swaab
Burton
Cartmill

Pinter; 188 for 6 dec.
McKinnon 189 for 6, Smith I. 93 no.

Early arrivals at the ground were able to watch Brazil defeat Germany in the World Cup final but the main feature of the day was to take place on the cricket pitch.

The Pinter XI captained by Davidson batted first with Wyse and Smith M. doing the honours. Smith was forced to retire hurt in the second over. Smith J. joined Wyse who was soon bowled by Burton in the fifth over. Dutta came to the wicket but was soon out caught Perks bowled Burton, 26 for 2. Smith and Gleasure then stared to pick up the pace with a series of boundaries. Gleasure fell to Smith I. for 49. Smith M. resumed his innings and helped his brother move the score to 164 before he was out to Cartmill for 22. Vale joined Smith J. until Jonathan was finally out for 72. 186 for 5. Thomas was the last man out with the score on 188 for 6.

Baker and Perks opened the McKinnon innings facing Gooding and Cowley. Cowley had Perks caught behind in the second over and soon picked up Baker for 12, 20 for 2. Cowley R. and Marians steadied the innings until they were out to Wyse and Gooding respectively, 61 for 4. Smith I. seemed to relish the opportunity to take on his erstwhile teammates and played an exceptional innings with shots all round the wicket. Woolhouse and Swaab went cheaply but McKinnon (21 no.) and Smith (93 no.) kept the runs coming and victory was secured with 2 overs to spare. Smith I. Won the bottle of champagne for man of the match.

Versus Oxford Downs, 4th July

Team
Smith J.
Cowley
Smith I.
Dutta
Gleasure
Perks
Cake
Vale
Winder
Handford
Rae

Oxford Downs; 148, Winder 4 for 36, Smith I. 2 for 4.
Gaieties; 149 for 2, Dutta 65 no, Smith I. 40 no.
Won by 8 wickets

A full complement of Gaieties were ready for the 2.00 start at Oxford Downs. The pitch looked good and unaffected by recent rainfall. On winning the toss ODCC decided to bat first. Smith J. opted to open the bowling with Cowley and Gleasure. A tight opening spell resulted in Gleasure accepting a caught and bowled as ODCC began to feel the pressure. It was Winder's return to the side which did most to put ODCC on the back foot, taking 4 of the top 6 batsmen in an 11 over spell that cost just 36 runs. In particular his first wicket, beautiful caught by Smith J. in the gully will live on in the memory. Wickets continued to fall thanks to some steady bowling and good fielding until Smith I. finished off the tail with 2 quick wickets, leaving ODCC 148 all out from 46 overs.

Perks and Cake opened the batting and were made to work hard to keep the score moving, Cake taking 23 overs to make 22 runs in a 71 run partnership with Dutta. Cake was out with the score on 85. Smith I. then set about the ODCC bowling with murderous intent. His 40 n.o. came off 17 balls, including 2 sixes and 5 fours. Dutta followed suit and between them hit 65 runs off 30 balls, Dutta once again not out for 65. Gaieties won by 8 wickets with 19 overs to spare. A comprehensive victory.

Versus Shipton- Under- Wychwood 7th July

Cancelled. Shipton still in National Village knockout competition.

Versus Lutterworth July 14th

Team:
Smith J.
Cowley
Smith I.
Burton
Greenaway
Cartmill
Wyse
Woolhouse
Guests - both Lutterworth players McCray Wiffen

Lutterworth; 170, Burton 3 for 15, Woolhose 3 for 37.
Gaieties; 174 for 3, Smith I. 60 no, Smith J. 53 no.
Won by 7 wickets.

The 8 Gaieties who were prepared to make the 2-hour journey up the M1 to Lutterworth were welcomed by a beautiful setting at one of the oldest cricket clubs in England and one of the top clubs in Leicestershire. This fixture was originally organised by Matthew Burton and this was the first time that the game was not cancelled because of the weather or cup runs. Lutterworth had agreed in advance to lend us a couple of players to help make up the numbers. These turned out to be Keith McCray, Matthew's school friend and a young seamer, Tom Wiffen.

Despite the beautiful wicket the game was played on an under 17 strip on one side of the square. Unfortunately the slow nature of this pitch made it difficult to score runs quickly.

Lutterworth won the toss and opted to bat. Cowley and Burton soon had then reeling at 10-3 after only 8 overs. The slow nature of the innings continued with only a couple of players able to hit boundaries. Woolhouse and Burton ended up with 3 wickets each as Lutterworth were eventually bowled out for 170 from 44 overs.

A weakish Gaieties batting line up could have been in trouble at 42 for 3 in the 10th over but Smith J. and Smith I. played with great composure to see off the only danger bowler (a young left armer who could turn it both ways). 90 runs were required in the last 20 overs and victory was achieved with 5 overs to spare, Smith I. scoring 60 n.o. and Jonathan 53 n.o. Gaieties won by 7 wickets, the 5th victory of the season.

Versus Bromley Common 21st July

Team
Smith J.
Cowley
Elliott
Wyse
Dutta
Smith I.
Greenaway
Woolhouse
Oliver
Davidson
Andy Orme (friend of Richard Woolhouse)

Bromley Common; 226 for 3 from 40 overs, Cowley 2 - 66
Gaieties; 227 for 3 from 37.3 overs, Elliott 114
Won by 7 wickets.

Bromley batted first on a fast, even bounced wicket. Attacking from the first they soon reached 100 without loss. Cowley and Ian Smith managed to slow things down sufficiently that Bromley declared at 226 after 40 overs, leaving Gaieties plenty of time in which to knock off the runs. Elliott and Wyse opening the batting started slowly. After 16 overs the score was 57 - 0. In the next 8 overs Elliott took the attack to Bromley taking the score to 130 at the start of the final 20 overs, a target of under 5 an over for victory. Elliott was second out with the score on 168, his personal tally being 114. Dutta and Ian Smith maintained the scoring rate and the Bromley total was passed in the 38th over.

A generous declaration by Bromley on an excellent batting wicket. Elliott's innings was an absolute delight and deserved to win the game.

Versus Virgin/Nomads 28th July 2002

Team
Smith J.
Cowley
Perks
Greenaway
Smith I.
Gleasure
Woolhouse
Marians
Burton
Cartmill

Virgin; 196 - 8 declared from 49 overs, Burton 4 - 42
Gaieties; 110 - 8 from 39 overs, Woolhouse 33 n.o.
Match drawn

10 Gaieties took on 10 Virgin on a blisteringly hot day at Tadworth. The pitch was hard and dry but with large patches of moss visible. This meant the ball bounced but did not really come on to the bat. Batsmen did not feel confident enough to hit through the line cleanly.

Feeling that the best way to win at Tadworth was to chase a total, Smith inserted Virgin on what was to turn out to be one of the hottest days of the year. Burton gave Gaieties an excellent start, picking up 3 early wickets to remove the Virgin 'regulars'. At 36-4 a total of even 150 looked a long way off. A couple of Virgin 'irregulars' steadied the innings and started to pick the score up. The fifth wicket fell at 111 but 3 dropped catches from the Virgin's most successful batsmen allowed them to build a respectable total even if they were using up a number of overs to get there. Finally after over 3 hours and 49 overs the declaration came at 196 for 8.

In reply Gaieties were soon rattled by the pace of an ex - Transvaal player. Perks, both Smiths and Gleasure fell cheaply. At 42 - 4 after 14 overs Gaieties looked out of the game and in danger of defeat. Greenaway batted excellently and didn't look in trouble until he was run out for 25. Woolhouse however was able to preserve his wicket and to marshal the tail thus avoiding defeat.

In an innings where established batsmen failed to make their mark, it was good to see new and as yet unheralded members of the club making an impact when it was required.

Versus Hornsey 4th August

Team
Smith J.
Cowley
Smith I.
Gleasure
Perks
Dutta
Elliott
Nealon
Wyse
Woolhouse
Cartmill

Hornsey; 66 for 3.
Rain stopped play. Match Drawn

Versus Roehampton 11th August

Team
Smith J.
Cowley
Smith I.
Gleasure
Greenaway
Cake
Davidson
Wyse
Woolhouse R.
Trotter (Mark - Friend of John Greenaway)
Woolhouse C. (Chris brother of Richard)

Roehampton; 77. Smith I. 3 for 10.
Gaieties; 81 for 5.
Won by 5 wickets.

The all day game at Roehampton started at 12.00 with Jonathan Smith winning the toss and opting to bowl on what looked like a very slow damp pitch with plenty of grass on it. Roehampton made a very slow start but it was not until the slower bowlers came on that wickets started to fall. Gaieties fielding was as good as it has been all season with 4 catches each for Jonathan Smith and John Gleasure. The wickets were spread fairly evenly between the bowlers, Ian Smith the best with 3 for 10 from 10 overs. Roehampton were able to offer little resistance and eventually were all out for 77 a few overs after lunch from 44 overs.

Gaieties made a brisk start but lost a few early wickets to slow bowling. It took 20 overs to knock off the necessary runs for the loss of 5 wickets. The game finished at just after 5.00, Gaieties winning by 5 wickets to record the seventh victory of the season.

Versus Devizes 25th August

Team
Smith J.
Cowley
Smith I.
Nealon
Winder
Wyse
Burton
Oliver
Thomas
Woolhouse
Andrew Jeffers (Friend of NC)

Devizes; 210 for 5.
Gaieties; 214 for 3, Wyse 79 no, Nealon 62.
Won by 7 wickets.

Although a 2-hour journey from west London, Devizes is easily accessible and has a picturesque cricket ground overlooked by a white horse carved in to the chalk hillside. The pitch was dry and hard but with slightly uneven bounce, and a fast outfield sloping gently down to the newly built pavilion.

Jonathan lost the toss and was invited to bowl first. Devizes fielded a young side made up of only 3 senior players, the rest being colts. The pitch suited anybody who played straight and who looked to play in the 'vee', this was not a pitch to play hooks and cuts on. Burton picked up an early wicket but after this the bat started to dominate. The low bounce made it difficult for the wicketkeeper and a number of runs went in byes. The second wicket fell at 115 when Jonathan took a straightforward catch off Winder who proved the most economical of the bowlers. Ian Smith finally managed to bowl the remaining opener for 84 having been hit for a series of straight sixes in the previous overs, 163 for 3. This dismissal and another wicket for Burton to dismiss their Australian skipper, slowed the scoring rate down. Devizes batted through to 210 for 5 in just 37 overs. Gaieties had just over an hour and 20 overs to make the runs.

Thomas and Wyse opened the batting. In the first over Thomas edged 2 fast, short balls for boundaries through the third man area. Before he could call for a helmet, he had been bowled by the only ball that pitched in his half of the pitch. Nealon came in at 3 and along with Wyse started to build an innings. With 20 overs to go Gaieties were 77 for 1, requiring 134 more to win, a shade under 7 an over. Nealon was finally out for 62 with the score on 141 with 10 overs to go. Ian hit a sweet boundary before chipping one to the gully, 146 for 3. Jonathan then joined Dickie. With 5 overs to go the score was 172. Jonathan hit 4 boundaries in the next over to reduce the pressure. The winning runs came from overthrows in the penultimate over, Gaieties 214 for 3, Richard Wyse 79 not out, Jonathan 25 not out. Victory by 7 wickets.

Versus Harry Baldwin's Occasionals 1st September

Team:
Cowley
Gleasure
Nealon
McKinnon
Elliott
Dutta
Vale
Baker
Wyse
Bunker J. (Son of the Chairman of the baldies)

Gaieties; 177 for 8, Elliott 64 no.
Baldwins; 178 for 4.
Lost by 6 wickets

Gaieties could only muster 9 men for this fixture, the Smith family having a family celebration to attend. Jonathan Cake as opposing skipper won the toss and asked Gaieties to bat on a late season wicket. Wyse and Elliott opened the batting and made slow progress against the miserly bowling of Todd and Cake. Todd took the first wicket in the 5th over bowling Wyse for 5. Dutta and Elliott started to pick things up until Dutta pulled a ball from Cake to square leg and was well caught for 22. Nealon came in and was out in exactly the same manner to an even better catch. 65 for 3 in 18 overs. Baker and Elliott persevered until Baker was bowled for 12, 102 for 4. Gleasure came to the wicket and looked assured until adjudged LBW for 19. Elliott was finally out for 64 and the remaining batsmen worked hard to bring up a reasonable total. McKinnon making 21 not out. Gaieties declared on 177 for 8 from 47 overs. The total seemed good enough on a pitch that was rather two paced.

The Baldwins found the pitch equally difficult to score runs on. After 18 overs they were 48 for 2, Dutta and Gleasure having picked up the wickets. The game seemed headed for a draw as tight bowling and fielding prevented the Baldwins from getting up with the rate. Cake joined Lailey at the fall of the 3rd wicket and the game quickly changed. With 5 overs to go the required run rate was still over 10 per over with Cowley and Gleasure coming back for second spells. None of this seemed to concern Cake who proceeded to take on both bowlers with little regard for reputation. The winning runs were scored in the penultimate over. Cake made 60 not out to win the game for the Baldwins by 6 wickets.

Versus The Stage 4th September

Team
Smith J.
Cowley
Smith I.
Dutta
Wyse
Thomas
Greenaway
Burton
Oliver
Blumberg
Woolhouse

The Stage; 217 for 2 dec.
Gaieties 150
Lost by 67 runs

This was the first fixture against the Stage. The Stage batted first on what looked a great batting wicket and got off to a quick start despite some fine bowling from Burton. The first wicket fell to Smith I. in the 15th over, 45 for 1. Smith continued to bowl impressively form the rest of a 16 over spell. The 2nd wicket fell in the 26th over when Smith I. took a catch at slip to make the score 93 for 2. For the next 10 overs the score moved on relentlessly to 146. In the last 5 overs the batsmen started to find their shots and all the bowlers suffered as the scored moved quickly to 217 for 2 from 43 overs.

Wyse opening the batting with Thomas was first out in the 3rd over. Dutta came in to join Thomas but was out in the 11th over for only 8. Smith J. played a few shots to score 20 until he was out caught, 40 for 3. Smith I. played a brief cameo until he too was caught for 12. Thomas found things hard going but kept his wicket intact. With Greenaway joining him at 55 for 4, they saw the score move to 94 before Greenaway was out for 21. Thomas was soon out, 96 for 6. Burton tried to make a game of things with a quick fire 35 but the wickets kept falling until Gaieties were all out for 150.

Versus Sidcup 15th September

Team
Smith J.
Cowley
Smith I.
Nealon
Dutta
Burton
Wyse
Davidson
Vale
Woolhouse
Smith M.

Gaieties; 241 for 2 dec. Nealon 134 no.
Sidcup; 154 for 9, Burton 3 for 37
Match Drawn

The recent fine weather produced a dry track and fast outfield at Sidcup, the blue sky and sunshine was another unfamiliar feature of this late season fixture.

Gaieties won the toss and elected to bat. Apart from a slightly unpredictable bounce when playing forward, the pitch looked a belter. Smith I. and Nealon opened the innings and made a steady start but soon started to find the boundary on the fast outfield. Smith (21) was the first out with the score on 58 in the 13th over. Dutta joined Nealon who was beginning to show some real form with some blistering cuts and pulls. Their partnership lasted into the 29th over when Dutta was caught for 29 when the score was 137. Nealon maintained his momentum with Smith J. as his partner. The pair put on 104 runs in the final 15 overs to take the final total to 241 for 2 declared. Smith finishing on 38 not out and Nealon completing a maiden century for Gaieties with an unbeaten 136. It was a chanceless innings and a joy to watch. His 100 came from 109 balls, his 136 from 123.

The pitch was clearly a belter and it was going to be a tough task to bowl a side out on. Cowley and Burton opened the bowling and made good use of the pace and bounce that was still left in the pitch. The first wicket however fell to Smith M. who swooped Randall like on a ball played square of the wicket and hit the stump directly for a clear run out. Burton picked off the other opener with a glorious combination of balls, having forced the batsman to dig out a sharp yorker, his next ball bounced and moved, catching the edge of the bat and landing in Davidson's gloves, 38 for 2. Cowley then took a sharp low catch off his own bowling to remove another wicket, 40 for 3. Burton picked up a second wicket when Dutta took a good catch at second slip, 49 for 4. Smith and Woolhouse replaced Cowley and Burton. The bowling change soon paid off when a Woolhouse long hop was hit high in the air for Burton to take a simple catch, 69 for 5. Sidcup then managed to steady their innings at the start of the final 20 overs with a series of boundaries which demonstrated that they weren't out of the game yet. Vale was brought on to replace Woolhouse and almost immediately removed their best bat who had just made his 50, Smith I. taking a good catch at slip, 117 for 6. Sidcup started to realise that they were in danger of losing the game and started to become more defensive in their approach. Smith M. however maintained the pressure with a second direct hit run out from square of the wicket to make the score 136 for 7. As the batsmen dug in to try and avoid defeat, Smith brought back Burton and Cowley to try and finish Sidcup off. Burton clean bowled one player and Cowley did the same from the opposite end, 154 for 9 with just under 3 overs to go. Doughty defence from the last two players prevented the final victory. Match drawn.

Versus Hampstead 22nd September 2002

Team
Smith J.
Cowley
Smith I.
Elliott
Nealon
Dutta
Wyse
Marians
Burton
Davidson
Cartmill

Gaieties 220 for 9 dec. Davidson 56no.
Hampstead 225 for 5, Burton 3 for 66
Lost by 5 wickets

Blue skies and sunshine belied the autumnal feel of this rearranged fixture from earlier in the season. Jonathan won the toss and decided to bat on a slightly under prepared pitch with a dry fast outfield. Elliott and the in form Nealon opened the innings. 37 came off the first 7 overs before Nealon was first out for 17. Dutta joined an increasingly confident Elliott but never looked entirely comfortable before he was second wicket down for 12 with the score on 80. Elliott was next out LBW just three sort of his 50, 98 for 3. Smith I. got off to a flying start hitting 12 from 3 balls including a massive 6 before he was well caught by Cartmill fielding as substitute. At 118 for 4 from 27 overs the innings needed stabilizing. However 3 wickets then fell in the next 2 overs. The innings that had started promisingly was now looking somewhat shaky at 119 for 7 when Davidson went out to join Marians. The pair then managed to turn things around with a partnership of 44 in 10 overs before Marians was out for 7, 163 for 8. Cartmill joined Davidson and together put on another 43 before Davidson was finally caught behind for an outstanding 56 batting at number 9. At 220 for 9 after 47 overs the innings was declared.

Hampstead got off to a hesitant start. Burton picked up the first wicket in his second over catching the opener LBW, 10 for 1. Cowley soon bowled the other opener, 24 for 2. Burton's excellent spell continued with another two wickets from dead straight balls, 50 for 4 from 12 overs. Despite the excellent start Gaieties were soon made aware of what they were up against when Thompson, Hampstead's Aussie pro. started to club the ball to every corner of the ground. 136 were required from the last 20 overs and Smith I. and Cartmill had to bare the brunt of the onslaught as the batsmen picked up quick singles and boundaries with seeming impunity. Finally Cartmill managed to take the edge of the Aussie's bat, Davidson taking the catch. 132 for 5 with 13 overs to go. A couple of dropped catches and some fielding howlers did not help the mood of the Gaieties' skipper as Hampstead continued to apply the pressure and eased themselves into a winning position. Burton and Cowley were brought back but were unable to prevent victory by 5 wickets with 2 overs to spare. A disappointing end to the season.

 
Back to cricket main page
                         
Amazon   Faber & Faber   Slate   Royal National Theatre   Comedie Francaise   Ticketmaster.co.uk   Samuel french
                         
Internal Links: Plays | Films | Biography | Poetry | Politics | Acting | Directing | Publications | Calendar | Links | Forum | Archive | Home
External Links: Faber and Faber | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | National Theatre | Comedie-Francaise | Gate Theatre | Ticketmaster | Auteurs.net | Slate | Amnesty
Other Items: The Observer | Letter to the Independent | Depleted Uranium | One For The Road | No Mans Homecoming | New World Order | Degree Speech
 
Harold Pinter's work is represented by Judy Daish Associates Limited - and applications for all performances and uses of Harold Pinter's work (including amateur and professional stage performances, radio broadcasts, television transmissions and readings and use of extracts) need to be addressed to them in the first instance and in advance of finalizing your plans. Judy Daish Associates will then contact the Estate of Harold Pinter (Lady Antonia Fraser Pinter) if appropriate. The Estate should not be contacted directly for permissions. Please do not assume that a licence or permission will be forthcoming as there are sometimes conflicts between permission requests.
 
© Harold Pinter 2000 - 2012 All Rights Reserved | Disclaimer
 
Ticketmaster.co.uk