2022 Season Review

Season summary

We are approaching the end of the season and things are looking good. Five wins in total, including two against the Cavaliers, meaning we again hold the all important 'Ashes' trophy. 

Wednesday 31st August  Sporting Deportivo, Sports Centre Pitch 1.
 
Team – Arvind, Neil, Pete H, Phil M, Gav, James V, Duncan, Carl, Robin, Howard, Jon
 
Before we go any further we need to offer a disclaimer that there is unfortunately very little actual cricket content in this write-up, but regular readers will not be surprised that, being us, there is still plenty of banter and quirky happenings to report.  Losses such as this one often result in a ‘mislaid’ match report but every so often we feel the full details are required, just so any potential recruits have the full picture of our activities and aptitude (or not).
 
As we are approaching the end of the season where, traditionally, it seems to get darker earlier (although watch out for the new Government’s view on this), much of the pre-match discussion centred on how we would squeeze a full cricket match into the shortening evening (spoiler – we actually finished not only the cricket but also in the pub and went home before it got dark).

The consensus was to aim to bat first, and therefore as usual a good ‘toss’ was required. Mark provided an entry for ‘most unreasonable excuse for not playing’ by going go-karting in a pink overall to celebrate his birthday instead.
 
In contrast to the fixture earlier in the season where a bare 7 showed up (for the avoidance of doubt, they were clothed), Deportivo had an enormous squad of 13 to choose from.  As we also had a full 11 and hence approaching double the number we sometimes attract to a game overall, some consideration was given to setting up a ‘reserves’ match on the side of the main match but to no avail.
 
So, briefly, down to the cricket:
 
We batted first, as hoped.  We hit the ball a lot.  It never went very far.  When it threatened to go far there was a fielder there.  We kept checking but they only had 11 players on the pitch.  We got out quite a bit.
Deportivo’s bowling attack was very tight, giving away only 4 extras (which doubled up to 8 runs under the ‘no extra ball’ rules being played).  Their wicketkeeper was also formidable, picking up two stumpings.
 
Duncan scored the only boundary in our innings of 61-6 off 16 overs.  Most of our batsmen got starts, James V top scoring on 12 not out, but we were sorely lacking the couple of 25s which make a competitive score in the Wednesday evening format.
Several of us generally prefer sports centre pitches 1-3, being the normal size for cricket, but this innings we could have really done with the smaller pitch 4 or 5.
 
The WhatsApp group users generally demand real-time updates these days, and after Howard was slightly ambiguous as to which side had batted first during the changeover, Andy Day charitably enquired from a Greek restaurant in Birmingham ‘Is that us or them?’.  Four (pleasant for him no doubt) minutes passed before the quantum superposition of it both being us and them having batted that badly was smashed along with the plates in the restaurant (sorry couldn’t resist) as Will made the situation clear (presumably from inside information as he was also not present, although equally plausible is that he just knows us too well).  
 
Nevertheless, the usual optimism prevailed at the start of the Deportivo response – we after all also had 11 players who could be positioned on the same pitch to stop runs, right?  And some rule around an apparent allowance of one boundary per innings was discussed but not adopted.
Gav and Pete opened the bowling and several good balls lifted hopes in the early stages.  However, Deportivo got the bit between their teeth and mercilessly hit a run rate which soon felt unstoppable.  And yes, they found the boundary, nine times in fact.
 
There was a chance of a catch or two and a few run out attempts, the most promising where Deportivo contrived a BP-style run where both batsmen ended up basically at the same end.  Carl fielded the ball brilliantly, wound up the throwing arm … and sent it to the end with the two batsmen.  It did feel a little like the supposed start of World War I where things were locked in and unchangeable from an early stage despite a lot of shouting from the sides.  Howard was left crying into the stumps as the batsman regained his ground just before the ball finally found its way to him.
 
While our efforts to respond in a cricketing sense gained little traction, good progress was made in the areas of banter and irony:  Phil M congratulated a wide with the call of ‘good variation’, which of course it was.  Jon congratulated Carl on consistently good fielding and was rewarded with a returning ball onto his big toe.  Remember, we will ultimately be assessed on a range of metrics and a boring one-dimensional high quality cricketer is, …well, likely to win more than we do.
 
A brief moment of light was provided by Jon who came on to bowl two tight overs, including a wicket from a lovely flighted slower ball which comprehensively did for their number 2 batsman.
 
However, the inevitable loomed nearer and the cheering hypotheses of a sudden turnaround become ever wilder – double hat-trick maiden James?  How’s that light looking?  What has Duckworth, and indeed Lewis got to say about the situation?  The Tie is still on!  This is exactly where we wanted them.
 
As the cricketing interest petered out, fielders near the scoreboard end of the pitch got sucked into a supplementary game of kicking a football back to a team warming up, which they did rather well.  Unfortunately no credit was permissible in the cricket scorebook for this activity.
 
Fittingly, the winning runs for Deportivo (65-1 off 8.2 overs) sent the ball into the undergrowth at the boundary of the Sports Centre.  A few players went through the motions of looking for it as it had been generously provided by Carl, but as it could not be found it was soon declared lost and good riddance to it.
 
For the Champagne moment – sometimes this is poured from a magnum of possibilities, unfortunately this time it was from a choice of a couple of thimbles-worth.  Duncan and Jon shared for the only boundary and only wicket taken respectively.  There were basically no other contenders.  Robin, one of our top fielders, managed to touch the ball once despite best efforts.
 
So there we have it, we’ve blamed the pitch (too big, except for them too small), the ball (too unfriendly), the light (didn’t get dark quick enough) and the opposition (too good).  Any other excuses, please send to the club secretary.  As Howard put it, we did come in silver place, but still on the podium.
 
After the usual slog back up the big hill, some solace was taken in the ‘View’ over a pint: wounds were licked, wrongs righted and indeed some enthusiasm was evident for the upcoming nets season, which always has the benefit of no opposition present to intrude reality into our happy cricketing place together.  Thoughts also turned to the dinner dance, which has the benefit of no cricket present to intrude reality into our happy place together.

Saturday 27th August  Christ Church,  North Walls Recreation Ground - Winchester

Team - Pete, Jon, Other John (EBC) Matt S, Other Matt (Cavaliers) Gav, Howard, Robin, Mark, Duncan, Andy

The men of BPCC arrived at a warm North Walls Recreation Ground, representing points on the broad spectrum of health concerns but yet full of spirit and camaraderie. After much excitement and google searches the BPCC collective realised what that “green” was: grass. Like an all clear report from Will’s knee-specialist, grass was something not seen for some time.

BPCC won the toss and elected to bowl. Knowing that an angry Gav is the best Gav, hopes were high for an early plumb LBW to be turned down by the home umpire. That was not to be in Gav’s first spell but alongside Cavalier Matt and some tidy fielding the home side were kept to 38-0 off of 8 overs.

Replacing Gav, Matt S removed Ridpath’s (27) off stump early in his first over. Soon after, a dolly of an opportunity popped up to Mark at cover. Outside of licking door handles at a COVID-riddled London pub in March 2020, never has something been easier to catch but Mark found a way. It was a moment that brought the team together: every single one glad that it was Mark and not them that dropped it. The spirit of unity is so great in this team that every single player showed their respect for each other by turning their back and silently muttering “what the ****?” to themselves.

Rallying, Matt soon bowled Sheppard (16) and just before drinks BPCC watched, in real-time, the rise and release of intense mental stress expertly demonstrated by Gav’s face as he wrestled with ‘fingers up or fingers down’ to catch a high ball off the bowling of Matt S.

BPCC went in for drinks with the hosts at 59-3 off 15. Gav had noticed his catch had not been reflected in the scoreboard - were BPCC going to benefit from this unexpected source of intense, northern rage?

Coming out after drinks, Christ Church unfairly sent out a “youth” who could bat and, after giving the fielders their money’s worth retired on 30.

The left/right batting combination would normally be a source of much movement as they changed ends but with BPCC utilising the “shoulder-shrug and hope” approach Christ Church accelerated.

Some immense fielding from Robin will have almost certainly resulted in a request for a urine sample as he hit the stumps from the boundary off a bullet-arm throw. The batsmen had completed their run several minutes earlier but that wasn’t the point. BPCC needed inspiration.

That came again in the next over as Pete, off his own bowling, stopped a rocket with his knee cap. This would have sent any normal man to the shadow realm but not our skipper. He blinked back the tears and then metaphorically flicked the V’s at the batsman by sending his middle and leg stump into Sunday. Bowling with a knee cap that must have resembled a broken egg, text message alerts started to be heard from the drugs testers tent.

In closing the overs out, guest bowler John contributed to the Book of Stuff You Never Thought You’d See by bowling 6 front foot no balls and abandoning his run (off of 3 steps) 3 times in succession.

The drugs testers began to call their wives, they would be late home for dinner.

Christ Church left the field the happier of the two sides with a score of 166-5.

BPCC assessed their broken men and sent out Mark and Duncan to fire the engine of the run chase. After allowing himself 15 ‘sighters’ Duncan was clean bowled after surviving several enthusiastic but hopeful LBW appeals. He left the field with a sense of unhappiness and it is a mark of his professionalism and commitment to his feeling that upon spotting some children near the pavilion he walked for several minutes to find a quiet spot so he could shout at the sky and tell the Cricketing God all the swear words he knew.

In the next over, things could be heard smashing in the drugs testers tent as they realised they did not have enough vials after seeing Jono and Mark run a three in two successive overs. Mark’s dose had not been calculated correctly and he was run out soon after attempting a 7^th run long after the bowler had resumed his bowling position.

Gav holed out in his attempt to accelerate the scoring which brought Andy to the crease. The scorer started to pencil in “caught at long off” even before Andy took his guard. Taking advantage of the tester’s distraction, Andy confused the opposition by defending 7 of the first 10 balls he faced.

In what is now almost certainly either everyone’s ‘safe word’ or kill trigger – cries of “SCOREBOARD” came thick and fast from the home side as BPCC opted for the ‘if we don’t write it down it didn’t happen’ approach.

By now, in the latest episode of “What is wrong with him now” Andy’s achilles had gone to accompany the back injury he sustained while attempting one of those show off fielding slides they do on the telly. The casual observer would have been forgiven for thinking they were watching C-3PO taking a quick single.

Jono and Matt S were cleaned up off the excellent seam bowling of Laurence (5 for 9) who also accounted for Andy as he attempted a big hit over long on.

Some more quick wickets fell and it was soon 87-8 off off 25 overs. 80 needed off 5 seemed but unlikely. But we had Howard.

Misty-eyed dreamers watched on as he strode out with his chest high and his chin strong; the wind in the trees began to sing Wagner’s Ride of The Valkeries. This was Howard’s moment. The world needed a hero. This hero.

It seemed much, much longer but after only a few minutes, BPCC needed 57 an over, which even to the most fervent believer seemed unrealistic. The broken men of BPCC looked on with their fingers crossed that the best bowler Christ Church had would somehow deliver 78 no balls.

With Christ Church taking the last BPCC wicket (99 all out) with 2 balls to spare they turned out winners by 67 runs.

Despite the second heavy loss of the season to the same team BPCC re-grouped to come together and offer a wide range of excuses as to why they all needed to go home now.

In the glow of victory, Christ Church watched on as the 10 middle-aged men and one twenty-something of the away side dispersed in various directions. Shoulders slung low, heads down, all silently wondering if they had enough beer and pain killers at home.

BPCC will return on Wednesday 31st for thier next adventure and, if the love of the game - and each other - is the criteria for a win, BPCC would be as always; the Champions.

Wednesday 17th August  OMCC Sports Centre     Rained Off

After a prolonged heatwave where hardly any rain fell for 6 weeks it was hardly surprising that we'd have a game booked for the first rainy day.

Many of you may recall that on the TV coverage of cricket, when it looks as if there will be no play for most of the day the TV producers will screen a previous match between the teams to keep at least something on the screens apart from a sad looking cricket ground under the covers. It's sometimes difficult to work out whether this live cricket or an archived match at first glance.

In the same spirit we hereby present a match report from a previous game between OMCC & BPCC

Saturday 6th August - Eastleigh Baptist, Riverside Park

The Thrill of the Chase.

The two teams met to play the second round of the newly inaugurated Dave Tressell Trophy at a hot and dusty Riverside Park.  Eastleigh were a couple of players short so the BP fielders were in for a busy afternoon as it was agreed that we would top them up. We were all chuffed to welcome back Mark Ath after a lengthy injury to his drinking arm. He explained that he probably could have played before but felt it wasn’t worth it. Eastleigh chose to bat and the fun began.

First we were on the ‘other’ pitch – and secondly the wicket was so far from central, that one boundary was in a different postcode. This resulted in several occasions where 10 of us stood and watched while one of our team mates ran 120 metres in the blazing heat, stopped the ball just inside the boundary, only to discover that they had run 4 anyway.

To be honest, the Eastleigh innings was a tough one for BP, as they amassed runs and wickets were very hard to come by. Gav opened and bowled well, as did Pete H, but we the suffered a major blow as Will hurt his knee and had to leave the pitch. Everyone worked hard in the field with particular praise for Robin ‘Break your fingers’ Hutchings whose returns from the outfield  were both accurate and painful for our bowlers.

Milo was the stand out bowler with 5 overs for only 9 runs and one wicket, and Gav come back strongly at the end to pick up 2 well deserved wickets. So together with a smart stumping by Duncan off Robin, Eastleigh closed on an imposing 174-4.

We had a good batting line up but could we really chase down a score like this after 30 overs in the heat?

Having fortified ourselves with chocolate flapjack, we opened with Other Mike and James V.

Now James had already had an interesting day having been attacked by a dog a mid off, and taking a full blooded drive on the side of the knee. It was the kind of thing that made a day at work seem fun.

We needed a good start and OM and James both hit early boundaries to settle the nerves. After 7 overs the score had raced along and we were 65 - 0. James then hit a nice shot to the furthest boundary and they ran a heroic five before the ball was eventually returned. The Eastleigh bowlers were getting some turn and bounce, and it felt like things could change in a moment. OM was then bowled for an excellent 35 and James  followed in a fashion in keeping with his day – the ball hit his hip, his pad, the ground and then rolled slowly on to the wicket. He left for a crucial 32 runs.

At this point, the run rate required was still between 5 and 6, so enter Rob and Milo.

Rob had batted beautifully in the game against the Cavs and carried on in exactly the same way here, driving and pulling with great precision. Will had had a quiet word with Milo advising him to have a look at the bowling before trying any big shots.

Milo listened carefully and played as follows:

• Ball 1 – driven over mid on for 4
• Ball 2 – pulled over mid on for 4
• Ball 3 – dropped at mid on
• Ball 4 – driven over mid on for 4

The score was now moving on rapidly, and although the wicket remained unpredictable, Rob and Milo took us past 150 by the 21 st over. Milo was out in the 40’s – another great innings in a great season for him. Mark then joined Rob who brought up his maiden 50 for us before hitting the winning runs. A top batsman and a pleasure to have in the team.

The best part of the day was actually still to come with the presentation of the trophy in the company of Dave’s family. A fitting game at which to remember a kind and lovable man.

Wednesday 27th July - Museums, Riverside Park

Coming soon...

Saturday 23rd July - Cavaliers, Riverside Park

And so to Riverside, for the third and deciding test versus the auld enemy the Cavs. The word enemy used in the nicest possible way because, well, it’s the Cavs and they’re quite a friendly bunch. Whilst I say Riverside, the scorching temperatures over the last few weeks and general lack of any form of precipitation (weather reports were conspicuously absent from the WhatsApp chat), the smell of barbecued jerk chicken and sounds of reggae drifting across the dry, the hard pitch, and blue sky meant one could have been forgiven for mistaking it for somewhere in the Caribbean. A large crowd of  various spouses, grandparents, friends and children had gathered on the boundary with the always welcome provision of half-time cake, further adding to the sense of occasion worthy of this fixture.

Anyway back to reality, both sides with a full complement of players (yes we had 11). Although when the Cavs got a look at BP debutant Rob with the bat, led them to question whether we had a ringer in our midst. Nope was my answer, it’s just his “first” game, and he does live within spitting distance of BP Triangle! After YHC assisted with a cunning plan to actually get the stumps to stay in the ground, Cavs won the toss and taking one look at the pitch decided it wasn’t going to get any better (they were right!) chose to bat first. 

The Cavs opened with their ever consistent partnership of Arvind, (the nicest man in cricket) and Duncan, fresh off the back of a 100 plus opening partnership for the Cavs a couple of Saturdays previously. But BP were not to be phased. Opening the bowling were Finley making his first appearance this season for BP, and Gav, part of Captain Pete’s cunning plan to restrict the Cavs' run rate and take their openers by surprise. With Gav tying down one end and handing out “Yorkshire Death Stares” to Arvind. “How could you Gav?” was Will’s cry. Finley was “on it” straight away with deadly accuracy and promptly removed Duncan’s middle stump for 1, followed by Jack for 6. BP were suddenly on top and looking sharp in the field, debutant Rob leading by example with several single handed pick-ups, demonstrating to the rest of us what ‘proper’ cricket looks like. First and second change bowlers, Matt Shroff and Pete H kept the bowling tight and the batsmen guessing, Matt removing Suneet for 5 with bowling of guile and variation. With Arvind retiring hurt on 8 (it wasn’t the death stare, honest), the dangerous pairing of Jithin and Bharath came together and steadied the ship and brought the Cavs in for drinks at 60 for 3 from 15 overs.

We all knew that Jithin could bowl a bit, however we haven’t really seen him bat. After drinks he and Bharath really began to motor along despite offering up a couple of chances to the wily mystery spin of Howard, (Ed: The mystery is whether the ball will return to earth before the end of the game) and the ever dependable Jono. One of those being a rather spectacular effort at a catch in the deep from Carl who having positioned himself under the ball, momentarily forgot what sport he was playing (he is a man of many sporting talents) and leapt to try and chest it down (one can only assume he was going to volley it in the top corner - ouch!)( Ed: At the following game he was presented with his club badge, coincidentally exactly the same size as the bruise on his sternum). BP continued to work hard in the field with excellent fielding from Robin, Carl, Rob and Finley who took a great catch from the bowling of Andy Day to break the Jithin/Bharath partnership. BP were still on the back foot with Jithin at the crease. But, Carl wasn’t going to be asked twice and when Matt S was brought back on for his second spell, took the Champagne Moment with a superb leaping catch in the deep (remembering not to chest it this time). By this point the damage was done, with Jithin ending on a fine 61. It was now about restricting the Cavs to as low a score as possible and the conversation about who was going to close out the bowling went something like this:

Captain: “Gav, one of us has to bowl the last 2 overs from this end, do you want to or would you like me to?”
Gav: [Snatches ball from Captain’s hand, mumbling something unintelligible about Yorkshire](Ed: is there anything intelligible about Yorkshire?)

(Credit: Pete H)

Alas, despite a tight last few overs Cavs ended on 160, leaving BP with it all to do on a deteriorating wicket . . . .

Enter the Whale brothers (Snr) to open the batting (we only had one of the set of younger Whale brothers - the youngest sending a selfie into the WhatsApp group looking like what can only be described as an extra from 24 Hour Party People - I blame at least one of the parents -Ed.) to open the batting. The ever-accurate Matt Brown and the wicked spin of Bharath opening the bowling for the Cavs. The Whales were batting nicely, and there was no sign of Jono’s inner ‘nasty’ side until he was controversially adjudged to have been caught behind to Matt B on 2, the words “sorry” and “of course it wasn’t out but I entirely accept your decision,” being distinctly heard in amongst the tirade of expletives as he wandered disconsolately but ever the gentleman off the pitch. In walked Finley to join Dad Will at the crease, and the two began to push the score along, Will expertly farming the strike to allow Finley to bat fluently and add valuable runs. Until now the Cavs appeared to hold Jithin back (Did they know what was to come in the middle order?). Will was then dismissed in controversial fashion for a hard fought 3, with the Cavs crowding round the Umpire Howard to point out what the MCC rule book now said about the ball bouncing twice before hitting the stumps. By this point, Cavs were well on top with the formidable Jithin finally appearing as second change, to have Andy Day caught for 2, leaving BP on 34 for 3 off 10 overs. 

It was at this point Gav joined Finley at the crease with that now familiar battlecry of “Yorkshire Forever” and a steely determination to be there at the end of the innings. Things settled down a bit and when Finley was trapped lbw by James just before drinks for an excellent 34, BP were slightly ahead of Cavs at the same stage in their innings. It was at this point that the Cavs got rather flustered and found they had a game on their hands.  Rob entered the fray on his debut and looked every inch the class batsman he clearly is (Ed: his days with BP are obviously numbered therefore) . . . The Cavs clearly unsure what to do with him, and so brought on Richard, his deceptive flight being the demise of many a BP batsman. Unphased, Rob continued where he left off, but a “slower?” and dead straight ball, known locally as a “Riverside special” did for Rob’s middle stump for a valuable 18 runs on what I think we all agree was a brilliant debut. With Gav holding firm, in came Matt Shroff and the two set to work, Matt batting fluently and piling on the runs whilst seeing off Jithin. The Cavs were now so worried they even brought on Duncan to bowl. By over 27, BP were in striking distance of an unlikely victory and when Gav chipped tamely into the hands of Phil having batted for 17 overs for 36 (“buggerit” (Ed: Ancient Yorkshire expression)),  BP needed 14 to win from 2 and a bit overs. Things were getting tense. However, nerves were soon settled when Pete H smashed the very next ball for 4 (a true Captain’s innings) and Matt calmly stroked Jithin away for two fours in the penultimate over leaving BP with just 2 to win. Matt was run out going for a second shortly afterwards for a superb 34. With the scores tied, in came Robin to join Pete for the second father-son batting partnership of the day. Whilst it would have been fitting to say that the winning runs were then tucked away by a lovely drive through the covers for four it was not to be. A rare wide ball from Matt Brown handing BP the Ashes for the second year running in what was a match befitting of being the ‘title decider’.  

And yet, whilst it is always satisfying to win, it somehow doesn’t matter. The spirit in which the game was played and the teamwork and camaraderie between both sides means everyone who takes part is a winner. I certainly feel that way every time I step out to play for BPCC.  And so it was that we retired to the Hop with our opponents to look forward to the series rematch next year. One can only hope it will be just as close and as just as much of a pleasure to play in as this one!

Wednesday 13 July Deportivo

BP are ever optimistic, and there were 3 reasons to be cheerful as we approached this game against the friendly bunch that are Deportivo;

1. With the sun blazing down, the game was definitely on
2. We had a selection of slightly warm meat and pastry snacks
3. We were welcoming back Andy Day! Andy played for us regularly up until about 10 years ago but then took a break which Will claims was in fact a drugs ban. For those of you who haven’t yet met him, think Phil Moulin but with more tatts.

The game started with Deportivo batting first – they only had 8 players including our own (“Sorry Jono, I’m definitely unavailable for this one”) Pete Hutch! Will suspects that Pete may be serving a drugs ban.

Conditions were very dry, and as we were playing on pitch 5 which is the very small one at the top of the hill, a high scoring game was on the cards.

 We opened with “Wily Coyote” Whitehead’s spin from one end, and Carl’s excellent seamers from the other. Will’s tactics were spot on 2 men up for the singles, and the rest of us guarding the short boundaries. After 5 overs, Howard and Carl had restricted them to 20-0. Next into the attack were Gav and Jon, and Gav soon had one of their openers caught behind by the ever reliable Duncan. Now, one of the 2 close fielders was Tom – who it turns out has a taste for danger. In a style which Mole would be proud of, Tom saved 3 certain boundaries before also taking a stunning catch to give Gav his second. He used his hands for the catch, but other than that mainly employed legs arms and chest. Respect…and the bruises to show for it too. How important would those saved runs prove to be.

 Deportivo now started to attack more and the score had reached 65-2 off 11 overs when Andy was called up to bowl and within 2 overs he had bowled their best batsman. Good bowling followed from James, Will and Robin before they closed on 114- 3 off 18 overs.

James, our team mathematician, then set to work doing some calculations and confirmed that we would need 115 to win.

In reply, we lost then James early to the only ball which kept low all evening, so Jon joined Duncan and the score reached 30-1 off 6 overs. Jon then attempted a single which would have tested Usain Bolt and was run our by at least 15 yards. His claim for a DRS review was declined. At the other end, Duncan was batting well and he was now joined by the in-form Gav, and together they took control. Hitting the ball cleanly, they soon both retired for excellent 25’s. Andy then came in and was soon also powering the ball to the boundary before he received a good ball which clipped off stump.

The score was now 85-3 and we needed another 30 off the last 5 overs- it was starting to look a bit tight. We needn’t have worried - Howard, Carl and Robin all ran well and hit regular boundaries so that BP won our third game of the season.

In the pub afterwards, there was a lot of praise for Tom’s fielding so much so that Will suggested that he might be time that he took a drugs test?

Wednesday 6th July St. - Cross House

After coming comprehensively second Vs Christ Church on the previous Saturday, your gallant heroes made their way to pitch 1 at the Sports Centre hoping to do much better and thus deflect the eye of the Chairman of Selectors.

Surprisingly the team numbered, in a variant of the famous saying of the most senior of the Messrs Whale “11 but it's a good 11” and indeed it was just that, your humble correspondent excepted. Our ranks were swelled by the Cavaliers' Duncan and Arvind, though it does appear as if Arvind now plays more for BP than the Cavs, but who cares? As long as the Cavs don't find our how well he can bowl we'll be safe when we play them.

The weather had been worryingly warm and pleasant all day, meaning that if we couldn't play a full 20 overs in early July with a clear blue sky above, when could we?

BP batted first, and immediately St. Cross wheeled out one Brad, he of the impossibly short run up, impossibler quick arm and impossiblest rapid delivery. The other opener was, whilst employing a similar run up, noticeably slower in delivery but no less accurate. To say that our top order did well to keep them out as long as they did would be to say that our top order did well to keep them out as long as they did. On the boundary there was keen counting down of the number of balls Brad had remaining, and when the last was bowled there was great rejoicing.

However, wickets had fallen, and by the time the second change bowlers came on at the end of 8 overs BP were just 25-2 and the CoS was sharpening his blue pencil.

What then transpired was a mini revival, the next 12 overs garnering a full 87 runs, which, whilst this number might be unlucky for certain Antipodeans it certainly wasn't for us, notable contributions with the bat from Milo (25 ret) Gavin (26 ret) and Phil (15) who blessed us with the quote of the day, after top edging the ball high behind him yelling to his partner: “I've no idea where it is, but run!”

A bit of lusty biffing from Robin & Will at the end brought up a respectable looking score of 112, though whether we were quietly forgetting that this was a weather-inspired 20 over innings and not the regular 16 or 18 is moot.

So we set out to defend 5½ an over with Milo & your humble correspondent opening the bowling, the former getting a couple of wickets and YHC making sure that St Cross stayed up on the required run rate. Our first change bowlers, Will and Arvind each got a couple of wickets, Howard's excellent proto-champagne-moment running forwards catch lasting only a couple of overs before Milo upped the ante by showing the value of a couple of decades of extra youth by diving as well for his second catch of three.

This slowed the run rate so that it started to look as if 112 might be defendable even with the full 20 overs, but it was not to be, and St. Cross knocked off the runs despite a fierce final over from Gavin (Note to self: if you see that wild eyed look on his face as he fizzes the ball past the batsman again, make sure you're on the same team).

Anyway, off to the pub for essential re-hydration. The sun was hot after all.

Saturday 2nd July - Christ Church Winchester

We came second in, whilst not a record low score, still one which has meant that there are few willing to provide a match report.

Thursday 30th June - OMCC  Rained off

We were all set to leave our various houses/places of work / the pub etc when reports started to come through that there might be a touch of inclement weather at the Sports Centre. Sure enough, at 17:10 the Sports Centre called our opponents to say that the pitch had suffered a sudden deluge and was now waterlogged. This very late rain caused difficulties in contacting everyone fast enough as the carrier pigeon we rely upon to carry such messages was enjoying a bird bath (Sorry Duncan).

Within a few minutes the same deluge had reached your humble correspondent's house in Bitterne. Not the exact same rain you understand, but rain issuing from the same cloud system. Anyway, the match was rained off.

Saturday 25th June - Eastleigh BC

A magnificent victory with a very frenetic finish - match report to follow

Tuesday 21st June - Shirley CC

We came second - possible match report to follow if we can remember what happened.

Saturday 11 June - Cavaliers - Riverside Park

The Ashes round 2.

 After our game on Wednesday was rained off, BP were looking forward even more to this game, and Riverside looked its best in the bright sunshine. Pete was on his Scottish tour – a pint and a haggis in every pub he passes – so Will was our captain. Both teams had secret weapons up their sleeves- and both would prove to be game changers.

We had a perky 10 players. Luckily, Harry had bought a mate, and Roger kindly agreed to join us to make a full team. The Cavs won the toss and decided to bat on a dry and certainly bouncy wicket.

Will set attacking field and this positive tone was a feature throughout a long hot fielding session. We opened with Jono and Carl. Both bowled tidily and the fielding was good with Neil and Howard saving runs regularly in the covers. After 7 overs the Cavs were 20-0. Next on were OM and Gav. Gav immediately found his rhythm and bowled Duncan with a beauty. Next in was the ever-classy Barritt, but Gav was looking like Sean Bean, and with a shout of “Yorkshire forever!” trapped him LBW and the game tilted a little. OM was now also testing the batsmen and soon took a stunning caught and bowled. After 15 overs the Cavs were on 50.

Arvind was still there and after the break, they inevitably started to attack more. The BP bowling and fielding held up well, but the score reached 100 before Robin was the architect of 2 great run outs. Will was bowling after his sterling work behind the stumps, and first ball combined with Robin for a run out from mid on. The Cavs were just starting to motor  and Sunit hit Jono for successive boundaries. Carl was everywhere in the field and soon Robin had another run out when they took on his arm for a cheeky second and Howard did the rest.

The last 6 overs were shared by Carl and Will and they did brilliantly to pick up 4 further wickets. Carl announced himself as a full time bowler by taking 3-one to a great catch by OM in the covers. The Cavs batted all the way down and their total of 147 looked on the high side. So much so that Daz was spotted spread betting against BP but claimed it was fake news and that Gav and Will could never prove it...

It was at this point that Gav unveiled BP’s game changer when he introduced us to his new best friend - Victoria Sponge. Undoubtedly a class act, Miss Sponge (Please, call me Victoria) was popular with everyone and is likely to be a shoe in for an award at this year’s DD.

So it came BP’s turn to bat, and the Cavs secret weapon turned out to be Jithin, a bowler of pace and guile who formed a testing opening partnership with Matt Brown. OM and Jono hit early boundaries before Jithin bowled OM with a fast yorker that would not have looked out of place at Trent Bridge. Nevertheless, fortified by cake, Neil and Jono took the score to 58-1 by drinks.

The Cavs cunningly withdrew Jithin and Matt after 3 overs each although the next bowlers in James and Barrit were equally testing. The score had moved on to  70 when Neil received a Riverside special and was bowled by a ball that bounced like a soft water melon. He had batted excellently for his 34 and the platform was set. Harry came in at number 4 and was immediately into his stride and the score reached 85 before Jithin was bought back. It was at this point that things got tricky. In a 3 wicket maiden he bowled Jono and Will and had Daz caught behind off his wallet. ( Ed: there will be a stewards enquiry)

Had we eaten too much cake? Was Mole’s prescribed eating regime of crisps, peanuts and craft beer about to let us down?

Not a bit of it, Gav joined Harry and looked every inch the all-rounder he has become. The score was soon 110 – 5, then as they again rested Jithin, 130-5 with 3 overs left. Improving on our last effort when we were distracted by oat and raisin cookies, everyone applauded an outstanding 50 for Harry. We now needed a run a ball. Jithin returned and Gav hit his first over back for 4. Matt was tying down the other end and Harry tried one quick single too many and was run out. Carl marched to the middle as Jithin bowled a consummate last over and the Cavs had won by 6 runs.

We’d lost, but somehow it didn’t really matter because a) we’d worked so hard as a team and b) the Cavs are our mates.

At The Hop, Mole sent a comforting message to Will saying “Don’t blame yourself, that’s my job”.

As Gav said later, bring on round 3...(Ed: the trophy looks rather nice on my piano at home)

Wednesday 8 June - Museums - TBC

It rained.

Wednesday 25 May - St Cross House - Sports Centre

Team - O Mike, James V, Neil, Harry, Jon, Will, Arvind, Howard, Pete H 

 For most of the day, the team were exchanging WhatsApp messages with screenshots of various weather forecasts, debating which one they liked best, at one stage, they all foretold “rain PM”, so it was decided to take a more local approach and post pictures of the actual weather outside their windows across a myriad of locations in Southampton instead.  As the day drew on, James V from what can only be described as the highest point in Bitterne Park, posted a picture ‘above the clouds’ and declared from 2 miles away (!) that it was raining at the Sports Centre, Will countered this with a decisive and rather clever move of actually calling the Sports Centre, hereafter known as “the Authority” to check.  Now, last week, the Authority decreed although the weather was fine, due to “prior rain” the game was off, this week when it was actually raining, the game was called “on”, so we all headed to the Sports Centre with hope, but a bit less expectation.

As the team started to arrive on Pitch 1 (helpfully closest to the pub, so an escape route could be planned in the event of rain), the pitch conditions were best described as a bit damp, the clouds overhead were grey and moody (a bit like Simon’s mood after being run out for a quick single), so the team huddled under the shelter awaiting the inevitable spit spot of the wet stuff….. But rejoice, the clouds begun to break and blue sky appeared; there would be a game after all! As hope rose in the ranks, our opposition started to arrive, up the steps arrived an assortment of energetic players from St. Cross who all looked like proper cricketers, including the ‘he can bat a bit’ Brad, an ominous sign indeed….

BP won the toss, with the Captain taking the normal decision to delegate to the team whether we should bat or bowl, given the slightly brighter conditions, it was decided after about 5 minutes of debate that we will have a bat.

O’Mike and Jono strolled out to the crease, with Neil, aka Lord Manners (BP’s equivalent of Sir David Gower) ready to fill Simon's traditional spot at number 3. St. Cross’s opening bowler (Jack) was rather handy, bowling quick and on a good line and length, O’Mike played some rather extravagant ‘leaves’, then with radar tuned launched one back over the bowler’s head for four, we were off! Jack, however, had other ideas and rather cleverly pitched his next ball on off but swinging back in, O’Mike trying to repeat the stroke, sadly missed and wickets were splayed. This was not in the script. Neil strolled out, with an air of calm authority, having taken a middle and leg guard, surveyed the scene, practised some classic cover drives, and faced his first ball – solidly defended on the front foot, class.   Brad then came onto bowl and off a short run up, fired balls at Jono, who defended his first few well and got off the mark with a single, sadly, his tenure at the crease was also ended by Jack who was taking a liking to breaking BP openers stumps.  Harry, who having arrived late, was promoted up the order, purposely walked out to the crease and played some delightful shots alongside Neil to get the innings going and BP had a partnership. Both Neil and Harry reached their 25s, but not before Harry, who on 24 suggested to your humble correspondent (who was umpiring at the time) that if the rest of the team got out in quick fashion, he could come back and continue his assault on the St Cross bowlers, who at this time had reverted to spin – a cunning plan!  James V and Arvind were then at the crease, sadly though this partnership did not last long, James, in true BP style, came out all guns blazing, running down the wicket at his first ball to the spinner Kieran and he also had his stumps broken, go big or go home – ring-a-ding-ding!  Arvind on 11 also lost his stumps and Pete joined Will at the crease, with 3 overs left and only two wickets left.  Your humble correspondent, now padded up, surveyed the scene, Pete and Will were set, collective breaths were held, but with an air of a batsman who actually is rather good when his mind is set, Pete smashed his first ball for four!  Not wishing to run each other out, I was there to do that if needed, Will and Pete played some shots and put on a much needed rear-guard action, scoring freely, BP getting through the innings with a wicket to spare, posting 88.

Now 88 seemed a challenging target, with 18 overs to play, it needed about 5 an over in diminishing light and with BP having a strong bowling attack we had a chance. O’Mike opened the bowling, with Will behind the stumps there was a true air of optimism and the fielders were in full voice giving encouragement. What we needed was an early wicket or two, first ball. O’Mike pitched it perfect, the batsman, deceived by the bounce knocks it straight up into the air, Will charges, Will grabs it, Will … Will, oh Will, great effort, but it drops to the floor.  The batsman cross, what we need now is O’Mike to do exactly the same, which he does!  The ball is lofted into the air, Will calls for it, Will, Will …. (tension …) Will grabs it!  With renewed confidence that we could win this, O’Mike and James V continued to bowl well, we get another - O’Mike forces another batsman to knock it sky high and after what seemed an age the ball dropping into Will’s gloves, we were right in this.  Out strides Brad, we know Brad he deals in boundaries, he does again, but O’Mike takes a brilliant caught and bowled, BP has the big wicket.  The door was ajar, although they were well ahead of the run rate, St. Cross’s lower order was exposed.  James V then picked up a classic BP wicket, having bowled fast he then turned to the sneaky slower ball which removed the bails of another key batsman who was charging.  At this time, with St. Cross losing wickets, but scoring runs, BP turns to spin - Arvind, who picked up another wicket, apologising to the batsman for ruining his stumps, what a true gentleman he is (let’s just not tell the Cavs what a great bowler he is Ssssshhhh).   With only a few runs needed, the St. Cross batsmen then, rather unfairly start hitting balls into areas where there were no fielders and with one run to win, the field is brought in, but with about 5 overs left, it was too late and BP succumbed to the inevitable.  Handshakes were exchanged with a very good St. Cross team who were very gracious in victory.

Before we head off to the View, Pete handed out club badges to both Harry and Neil having played at least 6 games, very welcome additions to the team, both quality batsman (and more importantly relatively young and fit!).

By way of post-script, although we gathered to discuss the game over a pint and some crisps, as is traditional, talk soon turned to kit, with another team in the pub all dressed in what can best be described as pyjamas with stars on. At this point someone suggested we could all play in onesies, which although having merit, makes one wonder how you put on a box. (Ed: *******)

Saturday 14 May - The Cavaliers - Sports Centre

Team - Will, Jon, Pete H, Robin, Neil, Harry, Daz B, James V, Matt S, O Mike, Howard

It was a beautiful day at the Sports Centre and we trailed up to the rarely visited pitch three against our old friends The Cavaliers. Both teams had rustled up eleven players so without further ado the toss was won and we opted to bat. Arvind attempted some typical Cavs 'mindgames' by playing in long trousers for the first time in living memory. It was surprisingly distracting. Clever these Cavs.

O Mike clearly had something on after the game and hit a rapid 19 before Matt Brown held one of those caught and bowled catches where he didn't have time to get out of the way. No player for BP hits a ball harder than O Mike. 

James V (22 runs) and Neil (27) pushed things along nicely before we lost a couple of wickets in quick succession. Honestly, it's just like watching England sometimes. Rumours of a BP collapse enticed Mole and Martin Kelly to pop along to watch proceedings but Jon and Harry are having none of it. A great partnership was only broken when Jon was unlucky to be run out. Credit to the Cavs who had earlier called Jon back when incorrectly given out LBW.  

Harry finished on an excellent 62, not that he knew it as his BP teammates were distracted by Jon passing around cookies and forgot to clap his 50. Matt S provided a typically fluent 14 as we finished on 187. A very decent score on pitch 3.

In reply The Cavs started slowly in the face of accurate bowling from BP. James V briefly had to leave the field after suffering a cut finger nearly taking a brilliant catch. The sensible option at this point would be for James to avoid any chance of further damage but instead he went on to take three catches, one of which was true class. Will got in on the act with a fine caught and bowled.

With the run-rate rising we turned to spin with both Howard and Robin having a bowl. We got the ninth wicket but Cavs dug deep and batted out the overs. A fine performance.

Awards to H, Will and Sumeet for the Cavs before we retired to the bar. 

Saturday 7 May - Christ Church - Winchester

Cancelled due to lack of numbers for our opponents.