Catus v Erratics Cricket Club Erratics on Thu 15 Sep 2016 at 12:30pm

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Catus v Erratics Cricket Club Erratics on Thu 15 Sep 2016 at 12:30pm
Erratics Cricket Club Won by 66 runs

Match report Here is the second instalment of the Erratics French “visite”.

Following our bedraggled defeat by Damazan we dried out overnight and set off in high hopes to meet our next hosts, Catus Cricket Club. Damazan had been a long way west of our various base camps (a misnomer really as some of these were luxurious). To reach our next fixture we had a picturesque journey eastwards of around an hour following the Lot valley upstream and passing through several attractive villages perched on top of high river cliffs. Finding the actual ground within the Catus neighbourhood required some inquiries in the town shops to track down “le cricket”.

The ground itself, when located, proved to be in a bucolic setting, with wooded slopes around and a small stream in a deep cleft at one side. At the far side of the field there was even a net, which several Erratics players made good use of for lengthy batting and bowling warm-ups whilst our opening batsmen were enjoying a multi-over runfest. The changing facilities were “en plein air”. Players unable to get changed in a discreet enough manner were subjected to a fine. As far as I know, that penalty was only applied to your reporter. Other players seemed to manage the process without having the bad luck to be displaying underwear just as the previous day’s Fines Mistress happened to be arriving at the venue.

Catus had told us that they would only have nine players. Erratics had three spare and so two could be offered to balance the sides. This was probably the start of the dilemma of split loyalties which are emphatically featured in Mark Hailwood’s report on Match No.3. Paul Molins offered to umpire and did so throughout the whole match, whilst Martin Wright and Danny Williamson, keen not to miss any cricketing opportunities, found themselves on the opposite team.

Captain Duncan Chave asked Krupakar and Jonathan to open the batting and the rest of us watched them build a massive opening partnership of 79. Krupakar (35) built his trademark stylish innings with a combination of great defence and the punishment of every ball that deserved it along with many that probably didn’t before one too many aerial shots had him caught. He was replaced in turn by Matt Crawford (21) and Fraser Chave (22) providing stalwart and quick scoring support to Jonathan. The occasional ball was being driven for four into the boundary stream with several delays whilst it was fished out. By now Jonathan was in full swing, hitting twos and fours all over the ground, not just into the stream, and soon achieved his fifty. Those of us waiting to bat had begun to assume that we would not be needed as he was looking so well established. In fact, we were, without wanting to openly vociferate it for fear of tempting fate, confidently anticipating his century. Regrettably that was not to be. He was caught three-quarters of the way to it whilst accelerating on his way there and came out with a magnificent 76.

After that, our 35 overs were almost up and four batsmen did not bat. It is worth mentioning a final highlight though. Mark Hailwood came in and with few balls to spare immediately hit two fours. Going for a third, he was caught at extra cover by, I think I’m correct in saying, Martin Wright. Appropriate retribution was achieved in Catus’ innings.

And so to tea/lunch? In mid-afternoon. What a feast! We had watched it being delivered and assembled on trestle tables in the shade (yes, the sun was out today and it was very hot) at the edge of the field. Crisps, quiches, pizzas, lovely sandwiches, home-made cake and a tea urn – all organised out of the back of a van or two. All provided and organised by Catus’ captain’s wife, Barbara, on a regular basis, we gathered.

We had set Catus a target of 195. However, not knowing our opponents capabilities in the batting dimension, we did not know what to expect. At least, we knew 2/11 of what to expect as they had Martin and Danny. Was this a tough target or a moderately achievable one?

To begin with it looked as though it might be achievable. Martin Wright and his Catus partner opened and moved the score along quite quickly before Martin was caught off Mark Hailwood’s bowling in a similar manner to Mark’s own dismissal. This had been a strong opening partnership of 42, with many leg side boundaries at deep square along with an equal number brilliantly saved by Matt Crawford in his usual faultless fielding form.

It looked as though the run rate was going to be what was needed by Catus. However, wickets began to fall. Mark Hailwood got 2 for 18 with two maidens off seven overs. Penny Price, who has not bowled that often recently, was encouraged to put her skills into action again and sure enough wickets began to fall. Penny produced 3 for 31 off six overs with one maiden over and after the match was awarded a Catus cap by their captain, Martin Kavanagh, in recognition of her performance.

Also into the bowling fray came Martin ‘wily’ Weiler, taking two wickets for 35 from seven overs. Deceptively flighted and setting a standard for slow ‘slow’ bowling, he bamboozled the batsmen into many a tangle.

Finally, within our fielding performance must be mentioned some stunning and spectacular catches by Krupakar, Matt and Mark Hailwood and ferret like trapping, fetching and returning of the ball by Fraser over a wide area of midwicket.

Catus were all out for 128 and we had our first, well only actually, victory of the tour.

Speeches and gift presentations were made by both captains with drinks at the field edge. Erratics fines accumulated over the previous 24 hours for various misdemeanours were awarded and collected. We all adjourned to the local Auberge restaurant for a grand meal with our hosts where we learnt more about local cricket, ex-pat and other life in this region from members of this very friendly club.

Mark Phillips

Erratics Cricket Club Erratics Batting

Player Name		Runs	4s	6s	Ct	St
extras TOTAL :	for 5 wickets	0 194
Jayakrupakar Nallala	Caught	35	3	1	2
Jonathan Kirby	Caught	76	11			1
Matt Crawford	Caught	21	2		1
Fraser Chave	Bowled	22	4		1
Daniel Thistlethwaite	Not Out	2
Mark Hailwood	Caught	8	2		1
Mark Phillips	Not Out	0			1
Martin Weiler
Duncan Chave
Penny Price
Ben Youngman

Catus Bowling

Player name	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets	Average	Economy
Danny Williamson	3.0	0	19	0	0.00	6.33

Catus Batting

Player name		R
extras TOTAL :	for 10 wickets	0 128 (29.3 overs)

Martin Wright	Crawford, bowled Hailwood





Danny Williamson	Hailwood, bowled Weiler

Erratics Cricket Club Erratics Bowling

Player Name	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets	Average	Economy
Mark Hailwood	7.0	2	18	2	9.00	2.57
Ben Youngman	7.0	0	36	1	36.00	5.14
Penny Price	6.0	1	31	3	10.33	5.17
Martin Weiler	7.0	0	35	2	17.50	5.00
Mark Phillips	2.0	0	6	0	0.00	3.00
Duncan Chave	0.3	0	0	1	0.00	0.00

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