End of Term Report

For those of you with a GCSE (A*) in maths, you will know this is blog entry number 24 and, sadly, the last for this season. When edited, I think they will make a more than passable Wisden-esq historical record of the Sat XI's 2007 summer exploits as well as a heart-felt and candid diary of the skipper's inaugural season




I've enjoyed being skipper and the on-field part has got easier with experience - as I hoped it might. I've also gotten to know the players personal strengths and weaknesses. So, putting my head in the lion's mouth that is GCCC, here's my light-hearted end of term report on the Sat XI team pool. Comments welcome:





Bomber A season of improvement with the bat. Playing less, not having the aggro of being captain and Nick Down's coaching have paid handsome dividends. Scored maiden century and ensured a more than acceptable average. Fewer catches this season compared to his own very high and athletic standards. Remains a valuable top order bat and catching fielder. Well played sir! 8.5/10




Ali A very good season with the bat and so close to that elusive century on more than one occasion. By his own admission, a more mixed season bowling despite good early form. Has fallen away a little of late and uncharacteristic fielding mishaps starting to pepper his game. Is age catching up with him? Or the quality wines on a Friday? A mainstay of GCCC and the first person I check for availability. 7.5/10




Preecher There have been some encouraging signs with the bat but has not kicked on as he'd hoped. Next year will be his 3rd full season and needs to get on with it. Bowling has been steady but unspectacular; despite finishing with 35 wickets for the season these have been expensive. But a proven partnership-breaker and, as maiden skipper, the most Sat XI wins in a season since anyone can remember which makes him the Mike Brearly of the team (can't bat or bowl but gets the most out of a good team). I am so going to regret saying that. 6.5/10



Angus A brilliant season. Kept wicket superbly and this tends to be forgotten because he's so consistent. Us bowlers owe him a debt of gratitude. And more confident with the bat this season, esp when promoted up the order. He has also helped me enormously on the field. One of my picks of the season. 8/10

Jamie Undisputed player of the season. Destructive mid-order batting, a maiden century, great bowling figures, and our best fielder to boot. That he now plays for us on a Saturday and that we have won so many games is not coincidental. Thanks for making my job a whole lot easier. 10/10

Andy Davies As you were - a great number 3 and spectacular in the field. Our team is weaker when he doesn't play. A centurion and high scorer all summer...just like last season... and the season before that. Mr reliable and a great player to skipper. 9/10




Steve Oakey Our most improved player? Bowling has come on leaps and bounds (the ball no longer sails over Angus's head) and has real pace now. Can also bat and not afraid to go up the order. A strong fielder and a very good competitor. I just wish he'd do as he was told - but that wouldn't make him who he is. Top Man. 9/10




Bretty Had a shocker with the bat despite some promising starts but did get a 70 a fortnight ago. The smoking ban seems to have affected his concentration. Grumbles about next season being his last, etc. but (as he would say) bollocks to that. And if you do stop playing will you still cut the grass please? 6/10




Paul Lucas Hmmm...tricky this. Ever-willing 2nd change bowler has worked hard and been genuinely unlucky. Figures are a tad pricey but he does do a very good tea. But marked down for constantly going on and on about the duck cup being announced for last year rather than just this year (because he knows I won it). So 5/10 rising to 5.5/10 if he promised never to mention the duck cup again.




JW A tough season - picked up wickets early on but has taken some real spankings as well (was voted Lindsel's most valuable player - ha-ha). Bowling a little too short I think. And his batting (which showed promise last year - yeah - like I'd know) has been strangely absent this year. But an excellent team man and a joy to skipper. 5.5/10




Robert Halls The youngster has done excellent (as a footie manager might say) with a handful of wickets and some very, very good fielding. Probably swings the ball more than most. Confidence with the bat will come. Rob scores 8/10 in my adult-level rating so well done young man.




Ed Priest Our unluckiest player; has bowled very well over the season with little reward and a not a small amount of bad luck. But some great catches and probably the straightest bat in the club. Technically very good he will be in the runs next year. Foot injury has hampered progress and this will be sorted in the close season. 7.5/10




Patrick Hampered by playing very little for the Sat XI and yet to really trouble the scorers. Still keen as mustard and worth his place in the team for his wit and unbridled knowledge of the game. 5/10




Charlie Potter Good all-round potential with ball and bat. Has learnt that more control and less pace = more wickets. Has the required skills with the bat but yet to get a proper start. Again, his time will come. I feel he has learned a lot playing with us this year. 7/10




Stuart A very late developing batting-season for The Chair and may even be troubling the duck cuppers. But got a 50 a few weeks ago. Bowling has been very good though and as young and sprightly as ever. A dead-eyed fielder and very fast over 10 yards. 6.5/10

Greg Conboy Under-played this season but gradually re-inducting himself back into the Canfield fold. Potential with the bat as ever but still ring-rusty. Must play more games. See me after class. 5/10

Sam Rayner Another who could have played more games but Angus's youngest is coming on. Spins the ball very well and his fielding concentration has improved this year. And known to smack the odd boundary as well. One to watch. 7/10

Mike Emery Started playing for the Sat XI early on but has now reverted to his preferred Sunday position. Against his own very high standards has been less effective with the bat than last season but always dangerous. Remains the club's best bat. 7/10

Andy Goodwin Panther has been unlucky not to play more due to moving home and a sever hand injury. Lightening quick in the field and a good part-time slow bowler. Batting technique has come on leaps and bounds. Did a very passable tea. 6.5/10

Clint Played only a handful of games but was centre stage when we beat Sampfords at their gaff. Bats as if he's never been away. Bowls as if he's been on a 12-month cruise! But takes wickets. I wish he could play more. 6.5/10

Paul Halls Available when not helping Bishop Stortford Football Club Paul is most dangerous as a canny slow right-armer. Has a lot of experience and knows how to win a game. Batting perhaps not what it was 10 years ago but so what? Captained the side that won the Halls Trophy. 7.5/10

Brucie. Seriously under-played this season due to a) work, b) a dog biting his hand and c) him probably still having the arse with me for under-bowling him against Flitch Pilgrims. Come back Brucie all is forgiven! 6/5/10

Sorry if I've missed out one or two but for the core of the Sat XI that played more than a couple of games, that's my report card.

Captain's blog will return mid-April 2008 in time for the new season.

Many thanks to you all for your effort, support, tolerance and good humour.

I know what I'm doing.... sort off.

See you at the diner dance - This is Captain's Blog signing off.

Preecher

Jamie's Revenge

Evening all,



Easton's paid us a visit on Saturday for arguably the most eagerly awaited return fixture of the season (see blog entry of 11th July for the full back-story). It was meant to be a 1pm start but there must have been a Bretty-esy miscommunication as they eventually tipped up closer to 2pm - with a noticeably stronger side than when we played them in July which might be taken as a sign of them being 'up for it'. I lost the toss and Chris (is it safe?) their dentist-captain inserted us on a pretty good track, which suited me fine.



We scored well from the first 5-6 overs with their pacy bowlers having very little control. High-speed canteen bowling you could call it. But they started to pin us back and with Steve and The Chair getting zip and Bomber and Andy out relatively cheaply we were struggling on 80-odd off 20 overs.



Enter J Halls. Now, Eastons should have known what was coming as Jamie had hit on super six over the pavilion at their ground, but even we were surprised at what followed. 125 not out, sir!Off about 80 balls. Including 3 consecutive sixes off Chris (is it safe? - err not if you bowl like that mate). Very well done to J for his maiden century and for hitting Chris for 24 off one over. By this time Ali had played a more than useful supporting role, scoring a half century, and I was now at the crease trying not to laugh as Jamie smacked the ball miles over the trees.



"How many balls you got left?" I asked Chris

"two more" he replied

"I wish it were more" said I



After thanking Chris for his over (and receiving a one fingered salute for my trouble) the fielding team then continued the good natured ribbing of their vice-Captain. 258 for 9. Oh, and did I mention Jamie was dropped 3 times, the first one a simple c&b chance when he was on zero. Surely it couldn't get any better?



Oh yes it could. We had a quick tea and I got (most) of the team in a huddle before their batters came out, reminding them how we felt when denied a win at their place, making sure we kept encouraging our bowlers and to keep lively. After 9 overs they were 22 for 7! How much fun is this? The Chair took 4 for 9 off 5 overs and Steve 3 for practically nothing off 4 overs. Ed had gone off injured in the first over with a strained foot, but other than that it was going better than we could have dreamed. It was one of those days when the bowlers put it in the spot and the batters did the rest. My highlight was Jamie's one handed catch at slip (his weaker left hand, naturally) - he was having that kind of day. And Chris (him again) got a duck - his first of the season....



To make it a contest I changed the bowling and the final 3 wickets went down (me, JW and Paul got a wicket apiece) and they managed 77 in total. It would have been under 50 if Jamie had bowled, but hey, village cricket and all that.



So, a 200 run victory when we were only 80 for 4 off 20 overs. Question: is this adequate revenge for being denied victory at their place due to an outrageous umpire decision? Yessir. And its victory number 7 for the Sat XI - not that I like to keep count or anything. I know what I'm doing.



Man of the Match: Take a guess

Champagne Moment: Jamie's maiden century (and any of the 6 sixes he smacked over the trees)

Mug of the match: the entire Eastons fielding team - 7 dropped catches in total. Thanks fellas



And Jamie did the tea as well - many thanks for that - it was his day all round.



Well done to Ed for hobbling back on the field and taking a good catch at mid-wicket to dismiss the miserable git who bowled full pelt at him when he was batting. Another revenge story. Nice one kiddo.



Next week IT IS A 1PM START AT THE GROUND! Opposition tbc - I'll call Bretty this week and make sure he tells the visiting team. The team for next Sat is:



Ali

Bretty (assuming his flu has gone away)

Charlie

Jamie

Patrick

Panther

Ed

Preecher

JW

Angus

A N other



See you next Sat. Till then, bask in the glory.



Preecherman