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Fifth XI Reports 2009

20th June 2009

Won - NMCC (home) 116 - 7 (31.5 overs) Sawbridgeworth VI 115 (44.4 overs) (12th in division 14)

Having promised the boys I would write a match report when we won our first game, here it is, somewhat earlier than I anticipated.

Having picked 11 players on Wednesday night, by Saturday only 2 survived, myself and Nathan Stiffin, having supplied the other 9 to other teams, even worse I also lost 2 of the replacements I found, also to other teams. It was a difficult week. Never-the-less thanks to the last minute arrival of Tim Dunleavy and son Nick, we took to the field against Sawbridgeworth VI with 11. Ignoring the importance of our first ever league win, the game was special including, as it did, our president Ken King, who at nearly 80, must be the oldest Mymms player to play in a league match, we already had Nathan Stiffin, the youngest to play league cricket for Mymms, when making his debut last season aged 10. Last minute registrations of debutants Jonathan Weekes and Kit Osborn, aged 11, helped make up the final 11.
Having won the toss, Sawbridgeworth elected to bat. Ross Wiltshire, playing his first game of the season following a call from the skipper every week for the last 6 weeks, shared the new ball with the skipper. Sawbo got off to a steady start and reached 20 before the opener edged a wide delivery from the skipper into the safe hands of keeper Osborn, they lost the next wicket 3 balls later without adding to the score leaving the skipper with early figures of 2 for 2 from 4 over's. At the other end Ross wiltshire bowled without any luck and repeatedly found the edge but the ball eluded the hands of the expectant fielders.

It was like old times when Tim Dunleavy put down a difficult chance off the skippers bowling, only for son Nick to drop a much easier one off the same bowler 2 over's later. Having bowled his maximum 7 over's, Ross gave way to David Bidmead, getting his first bowl for the club. The change proved inspirational as he bowled the number 4 with his 4th ball (40 for 3), the skipper again took 2 wickets in an over cutesy of a Ross Wiltshire catch and then by hitting the stumps. Sawbo were now 52 for 5 and the skipper took a rest with 4 for 11 from 10. Nathan Stiffin was introduced into the attack, but it was David Bidmead who grabbed his 2nd wicket with the help of a fine catch by Tim Dunleavy. (65 for 6). Nathan then got his first ever league wicket thanks to a decent catch by Andy Bidmead (65 for 7) then in the last of his maximum 6 over's David Bidmead took his 3rd wicket when Nick Dunleavy took the catch to mirror his fathers record of dropped one, caught one. (72 for 8).

The game reached one of those milestones when President King was introduced into the attack for one over so that Ross could return having been off for the 7 over's required. Bowling at the other end to Nathan, I would suggest there has never been a bigger age difference between the bowlers, nearly 60.

Sawbo dug in and the skipper returned for a second spell and picked up his 5th wicket bowling the belligerent number 9 and finishing with figures of 5 for 15 from 16 over's, surely enough to win the coveted MOM award, alas, this was not to be.
The last wicket proved elusive and with Ross bowling his second spell of 7 over's to finish wicket less, the skipper made an inspirational bowling change and Micky Stiffin, who can barely walk, picked up the last man caught by his friend and neighbour Jon Meakes, without conceding a run and Sawbo were all out for 115. As the President pointed out, the 10 bowling points meant we were finally in credit, points wise, for the season having started the day on -8.

In a game of highlights, it was good to see Father and son bowling in tandem in the guise of Micky and Nathan. In keeping with this theme Father and son Tim and Nick Dunleavy opened the batting, Sadly Nick top edged an attempted pull shot from the 3rd ball of our innings and we were 0 for 1. We reached 17 before Dad Tim followed son into the hutch. 116 to win looked some distance off at this stage.

The partnership that won us the game then took place when younger Bidmead, Andy, joined Jon Meakes at the crease and they put on 68 for the 3rd wicket. 41 coming from Andy who was particularly savage on anything short on leg stump. He hit 7 fours and his 41 came from just 49 balls before he holed out in touching distance of his maiden 50. Despite losing Jon Meakes for a fine 26 just 5 runs later, we got home with 3 wickets to spare and nearly 15 overs in hand. Well done the team. Every single person contributed something and it was a genuine team effort. My MOM goes to Andy Bidmead for his match winning 41 combined with excellent fielding and a catch that gave Nathan his first ever league wicket. Great game, great spirit. Very well done to everyone.

Ian Lawless

Updated: June 25, 2009 - Chris Cook