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Versus Tadworth 20th April Team Gaieties; 183 for 8, Burton 44 n.o.
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. Versus HAC 21st April Team Gaieties; 186 for 4, Dutta 84 n.o.
Perks 40. 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 Godalming 186 for 5, rain stopped
play. Versus Follies Farm 5th May Team Follies Farm; 119, Smith I. 3 for
22. 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: Gaieties; 223 for 6, Smith I. 60,
Smith J. 58, Dutta 51 no. 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.
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. 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: Gaieties; 212 for 6, Dutta 106 no.
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 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 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 Gaieties; 209 for 5, Elliott 68,
Gleasure 65 no. 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. Pinter versus McKinnon 30th June Pinter Team Team Pinter; 188 for 6 dec. 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 Oxford Downs; 148, Winder 4 for 36,
Smith I. 2 for 4. 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. Versus Shipton- Under- Wychwood 7th July Cancelled. Shipton still in National Village knockout competition. Versus Lutterworth July 14th Team: Lutterworth; 170, Burton 3 for 15,
Woolhose 3 for 37. 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 Bromley Common; 226 for 3 from 40
overs, Cowley 2 - 66 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 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 Versus Roehampton 11th August Team Roehampton; 77. Smith I. 3 for 10.
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 Devizes; 210 for 5. 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: Gaieties; 177 for 8, Elliott 64 no.
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 The Stage; 217 for 2 dec. 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.
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. 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 Gaieties 220 for 9 dec. Davidson
56no. 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. |
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