Scorecard

Mystics and Magicians v Erratics Cricket Club Erratics on Sat 08 Aug 2026 at 2.00pm
Erratics Cricket Club Won by 56 runs

Match report The pure unbridled joy of cricket. An occasion on and off the field. That’s something Jim Thomson has been cultivating for decades now with his Mystics and Magicians touring team. And once a season there is the perfect match up with the Erratics whose culture and values Jim drew so much from. The latter day Erratics, of course, were shaped by Jim’s dad, Peter. How appropriate then that in the year we lost Peter the tourists were wearing Tshirts with his caricature behind the stumps (drawn by that great Erratics illustrator Bill Parker). And where better of all the possible places to play in the post Gras Lawn years than Lustleigh? The colour of the ground might not have been the usual verdant green but there was something decidedly memorable in the drought induced yellowy brown square and outfield. As one mystic supporter put it “it looks like you are playing on straw”. Funnily enough after a few minutes play it started to rain. But that was just a brief teaser on a hot humid afternoon.

The Erratics had won last year so under convention the Mystics ‘win’ an uncontested toss. Jim chose to field in a timed declaration game. Jon Perkin and Ben Yarde-Buller opened with intent – Jon hitting a remarkable ten 4s in his 42 and Ben two 4s and 2 6s in his 25. One of Ben’s sixes was described as “towering” by purring skipper Mark Hailwood. Lustleigh is a small ground with a stream running past the opposite side from the pavilion. Mercedes Mayes was soon showing great aptitude for net fishing as she went to recover the ball from one of its regular trips into the water.

Truth be told it’s a little difficult for cricket statisticians and historians to unweave the Erratics and the Mystics. At least seven of the Mystics side have turned out for the Erratics; some very regularly. Opening the bowling were recent ‘big name signing’ Erratic Tom Joshi –Hartley and established star of many a season Matt Cook. Later we saw Jim Thomson, Fraser and Duncan Chave.

After an opening stand of 55 another product of the Erratics bloodline, Oscar Cammack strode to the crease. In a superb innings Oscar smote 11 fours and a six to complete his maiden half century for the Club. He did tease us all by staying on 49 for what seemed like ages but got over the line to great applause. Amid a large Parker clan at the game (part of what must be a record or near record crowd for an Erratics match) granddad Bill just beamed uttering “Marvellous. I’m so chuffed”.

Most Erratics from then on got started but couldn’t match Oscar’s persistence. Wickets fell regularly and Mark avoided any declaration decision making when we were all out for 223. Prelude to a massive tea that the Erratics hoped would weigh down the Mystics already worn down from their preceding Cornwall tour.

The opening part of the Mystics innings saw some of the best cricket of the day in particular with Fraser and Rick Lindsay battling against their usual team mates Lee Grant and the very welcome return of Anuj Tiwari. But it was the guile of Ben Yarde-Buller that eventually made the difference with a tantalising spell of 5-53. He went for five 4s and a 6 in his 6th over and many of a captain would have said ‘thanks but no thanks’ at that point. But Mark is not that kind of captain. He saw something and Ben returned the compliment by snaffling three wickets in his next two overs, including bowling a very dangerous Matt Cook for 44 (including six 4s and three 6s). How we have missed Matt these last few years! We have also missed Ben Youngman this season. In his first serious action this year Ben hit the spot immediately and continually with a lovely spell of 3-1-8-1. Welcome back Ben!

Jim Thomson does like a draw but even he couldn’t magic one this time. He was left stranded as the Erratics bowled the tourists out for 165. A fine win on a fine day for cricket. The Erratics were awarded the newly created ‘Professors’ Trophy’ and warm words dedicated to Peter Thomson. He would so have enjoyed today and the celebrations afterwards in the Cleave.

There was much to admire on this glorious day. But I’m going to leave the last words to Mark Hailwood who penned this perfectly on the Erratics What’s App group:

“Reflecting on the game yesterday, and appreciating what a treat it is to see high level tussles between experienced cricketers (Anuj and Lee bowling to Fraser, Dunc and Rik; Matt Cook v BYB) alongside brilliant contributions from up and coming players (wickets for Mercedes, Caitlin, Will and 50 for Oscar) in the same meaningful, competitive and friendly match. It was above all, Peter’s captaincy when I first joined the Erratics that showed me such inclusive cricket was possible, and I absolutely loved it. Thanks Peter, and to all Erratics and Mystics that continue to make it happen”.

Martin Weiler


Erratics Cricket Club Erratics Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
3nb 3w 8b  
for 10 wickets
14
223		        
Jon Perkin ct J Thomson 42 45 10 93.33
Ben Yarde-Buller b M Sharland 25 26 2 2 96.15
Oscar Cammack b M Cook 54 48 11 1 112.50
Lee Grant ct F Chave 9 7 1 128.57
Peter Colclough ct D Chave 7 38 18.42
Chris Cook ct T Joshi-Hartley 21 22 4 95.45
Martin Weiler b M Mayes 8 10 2 80.0
Matt Crawford Run out  7 8 1 87.50
Will Luscombe st C Smith 10 9 2 111.11
Ben Youngman Not Out  2 4 50.0
Anuj Tiwari ct C Smith 24 10 2 2 240.0

Mystics and Magicians Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Tom Joshi-Hartley6.0037137.006.17
Matt Cook8.0043143.005.37
Martin Sharland4.0031131.007.75
Jim Thomson6.0040140.006.67
Fraser Chave4.0115115.003.75
Mat Ogley-Yates4.001400.003.50
Duncan Chave2.00717.003.50
Mercedes Mayes2.0015115.007.50
Caitlin Smith1.201326.509.75

Mystics and Magicians Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
6w 4b 1lb 
for 10 wickets
11
165 (0.0 overs)		     
Duncan Chave ct L Grant 5 21 23.81
Fraser Chave ct B Yarde-Buller 42 52 5 1 80.77
Richard Lindsay ct B Yarde-Buller 35 57 7 61.40
Martin Sharland ct B Youngman 6 12 1 50.0
Chris Squire b W Luscombe 16 12 4 133.33
Matt Cook b B Yarde-Buller 48 16 7 3 300
Mat Ogley-Yates b W Luscombe 4 5 1 80.0
Sid Thomson b B Yarde-Buller 0 9 0
Tom Joshi-Hartley lbw M Weiler 0 6 0
Caitlin Smith b B Yarde-Buller 0 3 0
Jim Thomson Not Out  0 2 0

Erratics Cricket Club Erratics Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Anuj Tiwari9.003300.003.67
Lee Grant8.0031131.003.87
Ben Yarde-Buller8.0163512.607.88
Ben Youngman3.01818.002.67
Will Luscombe2.001427.007.00
Chris Cook2.011300.006.50
Martin Weiler0.20010.000.00