Scorecard

Dunsford v Erratics Cricket Club Erratics on Sun 27 Sep 2020 at 1.00pm
Erratics Cricket Club Won by 71 Runs

Match report Nick Walding reports...

The beauty of impermanence. This was the topic of discussion between JK and I on our way back from the final game of the season at Dunsford. It was a bittersweet feeling knowing that we had been part of the end of something. That something being rather special to us, all of us in fact, I am sure. Back in April we would not have thought it would have been possible to have had a season at all, let alone one that comprised of 25 games, included the inaugural Oxford tour, and welcomed more new members unto the fray. Although this season may not be remembered as being ‘all sunshine [unicorns]and rainbows’, it was certainly a season to note and one which has truly cemented my love for this club and for this special game. Who knows, maybe it’ll be mentioned in the 4th Errati-book (But if you can’t wait for the next one, the latest book; ‘The Erratics: Unicorns Rampant 1995-2019’, is available now from all reputable bookstores, including and maybe limited to the boot of JK’s car).

Anyway, enough of this self-indulgent mumbo-jumbo, onto the day at hand. It was a blissfully sunny day, barely a cloud in the sky, and if you were sheltered from the wind you may have found yourself mistaken in thinking it was the height of summer rather than the end of September.

Today’s game saw Rob Scott make his first appearance of the season for the Erratics; better late than never some might say. Speaking of which, this brings me on to the arrival of Alex Thomas, who having not seen Fraser’s mid-week update email regarding the revised start time of 1pm, turned up bang on 2pm and 12 overs into the first innings. Luckily our skipper for the day, Chris Cook, had won the toss and decided to bat first.

Opening the batting was JK and Peter Colclough. Unfortunately, the opening partnership did not last long with JK getting adjudged LBW having ‘played a stupid shot across the line and missed’. This brought to the crease one of our season-newbies; Harry Everett. With this, whispers started to go round the dugout that Harry didn’t have an Errati-batting average yet, despite scoring a century against Tipton St John. With his arrival to the middle the run-rate started to pick up and plenty of singles and twos were being taken. At a scheduled santization intermission both batsmen jettisoned their jumpers, but no sooner were the jumpers beyond the boundary, both batsmen were heading back to the hutch having both been caught following some promising and fluid shot making. Now Chris Cook and Martin Weiler (or MW Number 1, as Martin Wright prefers to call him) were at the middle. Chris was his ever-reliable self and Martin Weiler was showing some great guile, until he was out bowled. Tim McMath was next in and picked up from his match winning 37 not out at Chumleigh with some nice shots until he got himself caught chasing a wide one. Despite the fall of wickets, Chris kept the scoreboard ticking along and with myself at the other end with a good score building. Looking to push on, Chris got stumped whilst attempting to punish a ball down the leg side. I then dragged on trying to play a cute late cut. This left Penny to steer the tail, however things didn’t look too promising with Alex’s unfortunate 4th duck of the season. This quick clatter of wickets left both Rithkvik and Rob scrambling to get their kit on (steady). Eventually, Rithvik got to the middle and together with Penny, they saw out the last of the 32 over innings, much to Rob’s delight.

Following a quick socially-distanced tea, the Erratics took to the field. Rithvik and Rob opened the bowling and whilst one would not say it was the most metronomic of opening spells, it did certainly take wickets. Or at least it definitely sounded like it took wickets. Now, during the 1st innings there was some mention of a coming together of minds, or more voices in this case, with Harry and I playing in the same side for the first time this season. Annie even hinted that there was a wager to see who would be loudest in the field. What was not considered during this period of ‘Top Bants’, (NDT19) was the role of an overly excitable right-arm-round opening bowler. From what ensued during this innings, I am compelled to suggest to any future selector to strongly consider that myself, Rithvik, and Harry not be picked to be in the same side again! This enthusiastic trio were as effective as three blind mice when it came to LBW or caught-behind appeals, whether bowling, fielding at short mid-on, or finding themselves down at cow corner! Luckily, regardless of the number of appeals, both Rob and Rithvik took a brace of wickets each.

Moving from blistering pace to spin, Chris Cook brought himself and Harry Everett on to apply control and pressure to the middle-order batsmen, who had started to settle. Chris picked up 3 wickets following his usual tight off-spin and Harry picked up one as well (although he’d insist, he should’ve had more). I was brought on at the end to mop up, and certainly not bully, the tail consisting of two teenagers of unknown age. And with a catch in the deep the Erratic’s secured a comfortable win by 71 runs.

A team photo at the end, which included a number of Errati-supporters some of whom had cycled to the match, was followed by a good socially-distanced-6-to-a-table laugh in the pub afterwards. Some might say it was a fitting end to the season.

Erratics Cricket Club Erratics Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
5nb 16w 6b 2lb 
for 8 wickets
29
160
        
Jonathan Kirby Lbw  6 1
Peter Colclough Caught  8
Harry Everett Caught  34 2 1
Chris Cook Stumped  45 2 1
Martin Weiler Bowled  9 1
Tim McMath Caught  10 1
Nick Walding Bowled  14 2
Penny Price Not Out  1
Alex Thomas Bowled  0
Rithvik Gutha Not Out  5 1
Rob Scott  

Dunsford Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Dunsford Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
2nb 15w 3b 1lb 
for 10 wickets
21
89 (25.5 overs)
     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Erratics Cricket Club Erratics Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Rob Scott6.0126213.004.33
Rithvik Gutha6.031427.002.33
Harry Everett5.0116116.003.20
Chris Cook6.512538.333.66
Nick Walding2.00422.002.00
 
Photos and video of Dunsford v Erratics Cricket Club Erratics on Sun 27 Sep 2020 at 1.00pm

Thirsty Work

Martin Weiler and Tim McMath enjoy a drinks/sanitisation break at Dunsford

Dunsford

Blue skies on the final day of the 2020 season

Dunsford

Pavilion scenes

Dunsford

Colclough at the crease

Dunsford

Openers Jonathan Kirby and Pete Colclough alongside skipper Chris Cook

Dunsford

A classic scene of cricket at Dunsford as the shortened 2020 season draws to a close

Dunsford

Cricketing scenes