Erratics Cricket Club Erratics v Longhorns on Sun 18 Jul 2010 at 14.30

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Erratics Cricket Club Erratics v Longhorns on Sun 18 Jul 2010 at 14.30
Erratics Cricket Club Lost by 6 wickets

Match report Summary:
Erratics 172-9
M.Cook 53, Peacock 25, Clarke 24. Burns 10-2-33-8
Longhorns 176-4
Tucker 56*, Foyle 28. Burrows 13-2-49-2
Longhorns win by 6 wickets

Match Report: Chris Squire

This Dunsford ground was more familiar than the parched, sun-baked pitch of June. Vegetation was lush, the River Teign gave out a contented babble, the outfield was slow and kind to limbs and the ball kept low. Apart from when it reared up. Yes, an altogether more familiar pitch.

The game started late as we played hunt-the-key. The pavilion was locked, but this was viewed as a problem-to-be-solved, cracked by Matt Cook as he prised open a window and eased himself into the home changing-room. Just as Gary the grounds-man appeared with a key. This is a bit like trying to rob your own bank account, only for your bank manager to appear with a smile and your PIN number. But maybe useful practice for a team comprising mostly public sector workers, who may have to convert to gentleman-thievery in order to eke out a living in coming months.

This was the Longhorns’ touring game, the previous evening against Chulmeigh having been cancelled. There was almost a weary tone to the boast of having been banned from Torquay and parts of Exeter, they were now banned from Chulmeigh. Judging by the smell coming out of their changing-room after the game, I can fully understand why. As befits a touring team, the Longhorns relied on two fifteen year-olds for its serious cricketing threat, the older limbs being befuddled by a mixture of beer and golf.

The Erratics batted first, awaiting the arrival of wicket-keeper Paul Molins and the day’s fielding star, Harry. Alan Peacock and Guy Clarke opened at a slow-steady rate – in fact the Erratics didn’t score above 3 an over until the 30th. The Longhorns’ opening bowlers comprised the 15 year-old fast-medium T Taylor – Gloucestershire districts – and T Cripps, both of whom kept things tidy. There were no extras for the first 5 overs, although the wides and byes started flowing from the 8th. T Taylor showed his years with a stroppy teenage-walk in the 5th over, following a rejected appeal for lbw, but he bowled well for his 33-1.

Alan Peacock showed flashes of his former exile to Australia, in terms of style rather than temperament. In particular, there was a glorious off-drive for four in the first over. He was dropped on 15, smashing to deep-square. The ball kept a flat trajectory from bat to fielder at chest-height and surely would have ended in the Teign. Guy Clarke had to retire hurt on 7, pulling up sharply with what appeared to be a twisted ligament. Guy later diagnosed it using some technical terms, which I can only recall as ephemeral femoral f***-up. He returned later to take his score to 24, having experienced the remarkably restorative powers of tobacco.

The Erratics were undone by a 15-year old spinner, S Burns. In fact, the score card reads like a Scottish theme park on 25th January. Peacock was out on 25, caught to a diving slip catch, bowled Burns. Chris Fear out to a golden duck, bowled by a ball that turned hugely, Burns. James Watson made a quick-fire 14, lbw Burns. Chris Squire, caught third ball for 0, bowled Burns. Paul Molins played some impressive shots before being edging to slip on 13, bowled Burns. Phil Power made 7, caught Burns, bowled Watts (I told you it was like a Scottish theme-park). John Nagle, played on for 1 by Burns. James Burrows, bowled 0, Burns. Matt Cook shored things up with some lovely play, including hitting Burns over his head for six. He ended up not out on 53. He could have scored 8 more, but twice in one over he drove the ball hard in to the bowlers’ stumps. Harry Molins saw off a hat-trick ball in the final over and extras made a positive contribution with 35. Burns finished with figures of 33 for 8.

There was some creative scoring at work/play during this innings, with frequent changes including relative neophytes all adding up to score-books that didn’t, well, add up. In particular, Squire and Fear enjoyed some amiable discussions, each vociferously arguing that it was probably their own fault. This even extended itself to a debate on how many tea-bags to put in the pot. Perhaps gentleman-thievery is beyond the Erratics after all (“Honest, your worship, it was me and you should have me bang-to-rights”).

Things started out rather well for the fielding Erratics. James Burrows was bowling superbly and struck in his second over with a wicket maiden, bowling Marret for 3. John Nagle kept things fairly tight after the 9 scored off his first over. And then we got stuck. We should have got more wickets and restricted their runs, but a number of dropped catches (some of which were tough) and drifting off in the field took their toll. The Longhorns’ captain, Paul Tucker, was not out on 56. The opening bowler, Taylor, played some classy shots and placed the ball really well before Matt bowled him for 23. Edmunds somehow got to 24, smiling and laughing his way through every run, then bowled by Phil Power. James Watson showed some flashes of quite scary pace and bounce. He deserved a wicket for both his bowling and his quick fielding. Taylor senior came in to help Tucker see the Longhorns past the Erratics’ total, with three overs to spare.

James Burrows ended up with 2 for 49 off 13 overs, Matt 1 for 12 off 6 and Phil Power for the only other wicket, with 1 for 30 off 6.1. I want to point out how well Harry Molins fielded, picking the ball up well and throwing it in with a good arm.

The game was friendly and it was a really enjoyable Erratics’ team. The weather behaved, albeit a tad windy, and we had sunshine and heat for most of the afternoon. We could have done with 20-30 more on our score, but then we couldn’t deal with a young lad who’s going to remember this day. And the Longhorns’ won their only touring game, which is a good thing.

Saturday 17th July
v Longhorns at Dunsford
2:30pm

James Burrows (captain)
Guy Clarke
Matt Cook
Chris Fear
Harry Molins
Paul Molins (wkt)
John Nagle
Gareth Oughton
Alan Peacock
Phil Power
Chris Squire

Erratics Cricket Club Erratics Batting

Player Name		Runs
extras TOTAL :	17w 13b 5lb for 9 wickets	35 172
Alan Peacock	Caught	25
Guy Clarke	Bowled	24
A.N. Other1	Lbw	14
Christopher Fear	Bowled	0
Matt Cook	Not Out	53
Chris Squire	Caught	0
Paul Molins	Caught	13
Phil Power	Caught	7
John Nagle	Bowled	1
James Burrows	Bowled	0
Harry Molins	Not Out	0

Longhorns Bowling

Player name	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets	Average	Economy
No records to display.

Longhorns Batting

Player name		R
extras TOTAL :	2nb 14w 9b 3lb for 4 wickets	28 176 (38.0 overs)

Erratics Cricket Club Erratics Bowling

Player Name	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets	Average	Economy
James Burrows	13.0	2	49	2	24.50	3.77
John Nagle	6.0	0	29	0	0.00	4.83
Matt Cook	6.0	1	12	1	12.00	2.00
Phil Power	6.0	0	27	1	27.00	4.50
Alan Peacock	2.0	0	20	0	0.00	10.00
A.N. Other1	5.0	1	18	0	0.00	3.60

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