Photos from T&T at the Sulhampstead Sixes 2009

BACK

THE SULHAMSTEAD SIXES

OR WOULD WE SCORE MORE PLAYING CRICKET IN A WOOD?

The day started overcast and looked like drizzle could be the order of the day, however the sun broke through, for one of the hottest days of sixes cricket seen at this venue in a long time. All the 7 man squad (Mohammed Jamil, Michael Holder, Harry Osborn, Mark Mason, James White, Matt Dixon & Andy Sharp) were up for this and as you can see it was a young and inexperienced side, with only 2 players having taken part in a sixes before. With one team dropping out of our group, a slight re-arrangement meant that we would play both the other teams in our group twice, with the top side going into the final versus the winners of the other group.

We started off with a win over Pangbourne, following good knocks from Jamil and Harry, which was then backed up by tight bowling from Rags, Harry and Jamil.

On to the 2nd game versus Sulhamstead, local rivals, against whom we have had a history of tight games. This looked as though it would be no exception, until the over which would later cost us dear. Rags and Jamil were going nicely when the Sulhamstead Captain, Glen Gardner (a wicketkeeper normally), got rid of Jamil, Sharpy and Michael in the space of 4 balls. Dicko joined Rags to help post a decent score but we knew we had to bowl incredibly well to keep them from winning, which unfortunately for us, they did getting home with an over to spare.

It was somewhere around this point that Brian told his joke ……..again! But enough of that.

The way the draw had worked out our next game would be against Sulhamstead again and we knew that, to have any chance of a final place, we would have to win. Jamil and Rags batted well and set a score that gave us a chance if we bowled well. Everybody did and with the opposition needing 15 off the last over, it proved too much for them and another win was secured.

By the time our last group game arrived we knew  we had to win by a huge margin, to stand any chance of qualifying for the final on net run rate, as Sulhamstead had made bigger scores than us in less balls in their previous matches. We batted first and Jamil immediately went on the offensive and was out in the 2nd over having made 24. Andy Sharp joined me in the middle and made 22 n.o. whilst I batted through for 28 n.o., with the extras on top we had made 87-1, our best score on the day and I think our 2nd best ever in this competition. Now could we do the business in the field. We managed to string together 5 of the best overs we could have hoped for, backed by some superb fielding to keep Pangbourne down to 39 runs in their innings and had won by 50 runs, a superb effort. Then it was over to the calculators, fingers and in Bob’s case an abacus!! Unfortunately we missed out by 0.146 on net run rate and Sulhamstead went through to the final.

During this game I managed to find the tree which is situated inside the boundary and a comment was made which led to my sub-headline. Katherine (James White’s mum) was there to support the team and asked about the tree and why I’d been given 4 runs for hitting it. When it was explained about the tree being classed as part of the boundary her reply went like this “so wouldn’t you score more runs if you played cricket in a wood then?”. (Personally I worry that you’d be out stumped a lot! Don’t worry I can hear the groans).

The final was won by Old Basing, defending their title, who had a couple of batsmen in terrific form and a quintet of bowlers who would have troubled anyone, but even more so in the poor light conditions that the final was played in.

Matt and I stayed on too watch the final and the presentation ceremony, whilst the others went off to get food and were delighted when we were asked forward to receive trophies for Group Runners-Up and also the Phil Watson Cup for Best Sportsmanship for the 2nd consecutive tournament. Certainly this shows how the club embraces the Spirit of Cricket through all of our sides and age groups. Jamil was also considered for the Player of the Tournament after some fine batting and bowling, but the award finally went to Dave James (Sulhamstead) who twice broke the individual batting record, with 49no and 60, and also managed to break the back window of a van in the car park, which belonged to one of his team-mates!

I’d like to thank all of the players for the superb efforts which they put in over the course of the day. Everyone was a credit to the club and I’d hope that in future years these younger players will be ready and able to help win this tournament. Also the spectators (especially Andy’s girlfriend…..many more years of attendance to come hopefully!) for staying and supporting us, some for 8 hours! And finally, in case they read this, many thanks to Sulhamstead & Ufton CC for once again staging a wonderful days cricket and being splendid hosts. We look forward to going back again next year…..if invited.

Rags hits out	Jamil shows Rags how it's done
Michael shows a little more culture	Is this a T&T player?
Sharpy wangs it down	James hopes for the edge
James doesn't know whether to appeal - is it outside leg?	New shoes Harry?
Jimmy continues to show Rags how its done	Variation on the Ellis cut?
Perhaps Rags hasn't got the hang of six-a-side field placements	F and G Harry?
Rags wins best field placing award?	No Actually trophies for Group Runners-Up and also the Phil Watson Cup for Best Sportsmanship