Scorecard

Devon Medics v Erratics Cricket Club Erratics on Wed 15 Aug 2018 at 6.00pm
Erratics Cricket Club Lost by 22 runs

Match report "Where's Waldo?" Not to be found, though his spirit was channeled as "C'mon Harkers" was shouted out as captain Mark Hailwood prepared to bowl the first ball of the match. Quieter in the field than has been the case in recent games, the Erratics who, thanks to Fraser's late recruitment drive which brought Richard Cragg and Oliver Kirby into what was therefore a full eleven, had to withstand a brutal assault from the outset. "Like a cricketing version of the fighting Uruk-hai, bred with a single purpose: to attack the bowling of men" (Hailwood, 26-07-2018, "Crediton Inn v Erratics Cricket Club") the Devon Medics, led by Kam "Lurtz" Singh laid waste to the Erratics' bowling - at least initially. "Lurtz" retired not out at the end of the third over, and after six overs, with the score on 52 for 0, it seemed that we would be facing a daunting total. But we were undaunted.

"Top bantz" was ever-present in the field, either the cause or the effect of a high-quality fielding display by the Erratics - or perhaps having nothing to do with it. Danny "hands" Williamson was on fire (or was it just the colour of his hair?). "Yes, like the rest of us don't have hands" quipped Fraser, rapidly followed by the retort "they call me the immolator" from firebrand Williamson, stoking the flames and causing a delay as at least one fielder had to take time to recover from a fit of laughter. You had to be there.

In any case, this wasn't gallows humour, nor could it be said to characterise our performance; it was more an indicator of good morale. The Erratics bowlers did well to keep things under control, and a particular mention must go to "the new Nigel Rutherford" who (re)appeared in the form of George Greaves. Off a "run-up" possibly shorter even than Nigel's, George bowled 4 overs, including a maiden, splattering the stumps twice and yielding just 14 runs. Nor were the Devon Medics uniformly brutal in their approach to batting, as some classy strokeplay kept the runs coming until they finished on a very competitive total of 142 for 5. Incidentally, we bowled those 20 overs in exactly 60 minutes, which says something about our discipline in the field - and the speed with which George and Fraser in particular got through their overs.

"Like a cricketing version of the fighting Uruk-hai, bred with a single purpose: to attack the batting of men" (Hailwood, ibid, with liberties taken) the Devon Medics then began their bowling assault. They were pretty much relentless in their quality and runs were hard to come by. Chris Ferro appeared unruffled, finishing with a 6 when 1 run away from retirement, but there were gasps from the watching Erratics when he played and missed two balls in succession at one point. While looking good, Krups and Fraser both holed out unfortunately, though partly due to some excellent field-placement, and George might be buying beer for Mark Hailwood for a while, after looking for a run that really, really wasn't there. We simply kept losing wickets, and a successful run-chase seemed increasingly improbable.

The Medics did bowl very well. Danny's fire was extinguished with a very painful blow, and Will was struck no fewer than 8 times in the same region, or so I was told (it seemed plausible). Sometimes, however, the Medics encouraged each other in a manner that I have avoided ever since being scorched by President Peter Thomson when I congratulated the bowler, but was told in no uncertain terms that I had applauded the outcome and not the quality of the delivery - which had basically been crap. (Bad balls get wickets, but that's another story.) I do always struggle with the cry of "unlucky" when a wide is given, because it suggests that the umpire is not being fair, but today I was particularly struck by the shout of "good reply Fred" (or whoever it was) after "Fred" had bowled a surprising leg-side (very) wide. Was Fred replying to himself?? In contrast, the verbal support given to the Erratics batsmen was of very high quality, with Annie giving everyone the benefit of her test match commentary experience: "C'mon George!" was followed by "C'mon Will" and then gales of laughter as Will struck a sweetly-timed 6 over long-off.

George and Will did combine in a partnership that meant we finished with something of a flourish rather than a wimper, but having lost 7 wickets by the 13th over, victory had always seemed unlikely - except for the Medics.

The second innings had lasted just over 60 minutes, so credit to our friendly and most hospitable medical opponents too for the speed with which they completed this procedure. It was, nonetheless, quite dark when we finished, a reminder that the season is no longer young, and that we should all make the most of the cricketing opportunities that remain. (Yes - remain. I like that word a lot.)

Jonathan Kirby

Devon Medics Batting
Player name RunsMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
6w 5lb 
for 5 wickets
11
142 (20.0 overs)		     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Erratics Cricket Club Erratics Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Mark Hailwood4.0037137.009.25
Jayakrupakar Nallala4.002800.007.00
Will Thornton4.0024124.006.00
George Greaves4.011427.003.50
Fraser Chave3.002100.007.00
Martin Weiler1.001300.0013.00

Erratics Cricket Club Erratics Batting
Player Name RMB4s6sSRCatchesStumpingsRun outs
extras
TOTAL :
1nb 11w 1b 2lb 
for 8 wickets
15
120		        
Chris Ferro Retired Not Out  30 3 1
Jonathan Kirby Bowled  9 2 1 1
Danny Williamson Caught  3
Richard Cragg Caught  5 1
Oliver Kirby Bowled  0
Jayakrupakar Nallala Caught  20 3
Fraser Chave Caught  1 1
Martin Weiler Bowled  0
George Greaves Not Out  19 2
Mark Hailwood Run out  0
Will Thornton Not Out  19 1 2

Devon Medics Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.