Date

2009 Match Reports

Date	Against	Venue	Result
May 2nd	Culworth	Home	Lost 5 wkts Report
May 9th	Dunchurch & Bilton	Home	Lost 5 wkts Report
May 16th	Hinton in the Hedges	Away	Lost 8 wkts Report
May 23rd	Afro Caribbean	Home	Lost 126 runs Report
May 30th	Byfield ‘A’	Away	Won 7 wkts Report
June 6th	Thornborough	Home	No Play - Rain
June 13th	Woodford Halse	Away	Lost 65 runs Report
June 20th	Willoughby	Home	Lost 23 runs Report
June 27th	Stoneleigh	Away	Lost 9 wkts Report
July 4th	Dunchurch & Bilton	Away	Lost 10 wkts Report
July 11th	Hinton in the Hedges	Home	Lost 17 runs Report
July 18th	Culworth	Away	Lost 78 runs Report
July 25th	Stoneleigh	Home	Won 6 wkts Report
August 1st	Woodford Halse	Home	Match Drawn - Rain
August 8th	Thornborough	Away	Lost 1 wkt Report
August 15th	Byfield ‘A’	Home	Lost 17 runs Report
August 22nd	Willoughby	Away	Lost 120 runs Report
August 29th	Afro Caribbean	Away	Lost – Unable to raise a side

Wardington Cup
May 26th	Wardington	Away	Won
June 23rd	Croughton	Home	Won by walkover
July 14th	Radway	Away	Lost

Divisional Cup
1st round	Bye
July 9th	Byfield A	Away	Won – Byfield ‘A’ disqualified
July 26th	Afro Caribbean	Cup Final	Lost 5 wkts

August 22nd Willoughby (Away) Lost 120 runs

Willoughby 205-5 (40 overs) B Vincent 2-22 N Bobsin 2-54

Shrimpers 85 all out (27.2 overs) P Jeyes 36 T Drayton 22*

Shrimper	Batting	Bowling	Fielding
A Lord	8
P Jeyes (capt & wkt)	36
M Shirman	0	7 – 1 – 32 – 0
L Bobsin	1
B Vincent	7	6 – 2 – 22 – 2
T Drayton	22*	8 – 3 – 21 – 1
A Beales	0		1 catch
C Johnson	3
C Reeve	0	7 – 0 – 59 – 0	1 catch
D Jobling	3
N Bobsin	0	12 – 2 – 54 – 2

MOM T Drayton

August 15th Byfield ‘A’ (Home) Lost 17 runs

Byfield ‘A’ 147 all out (38.1 overs) C Reeve 2-2 M Shirman 2-20

Shrimpers 130 all out (35.2 overs) J Fowler 41

Shrimper	Batting	Bowling	Fielding
C Waldron (capt)	22		1 catch
C Reeve	0	1 – 0 – 2 – 2
J Fowler	41	5 – 0 – 28 – 1
M Shirman	3	8 – 3 – 20 – 2
B Vincent	19	7 – 2 – 17 – 1	2 catches
P Jeyes (wkt)	23*		1 catch
T Drayton	0	4 – 0 – 21 – 0	1 catch
J Bobsin	2	7.1 – 2 – 25 – 2	1 catch
S O’Brien	10
C Johnson	0		2 catches
N Bobsin	2	6 – 1 – 28 – 1

MOM J Fowler

August 8th Thornborough (Away) Lost 1 wicket

Shrimpers 164-9 B Vincent 58 A Lord 38

Thornborough 166-9 N Bobsin 4-32 J Bobsin 4-50

Shrimper	Batting	Bowling	Fielding
S Trusler	0
A Lord	38
P Jeyes (wkt)	2
C Waldron (capt)	22
B Vincent	58	4 – 0 – 26 – 0
A McDermott	4
J Bobsin	5	12 – 1 – 50 – 4
C Reeve	15	2 – 0 – 14 – 0
D House	3
S O’Brien	2*	5.2 – 0 – 43 – 2
N Bobsin		12 – 1 – 32 – 4

No catches recorded

July 25th Stoneleigh (Home) Won 6 wickets

Stoneleigh 132-9 (40 overs) T Drayton 4-38

Shrimpers 135-4 (37.1 overs) C Waldron 66*

Shrimper	Batting	Bowling	Fielding
P Walters	11
C Reeve	8	5 – 1 – 21 – 1
C Waldron (capt)	66*
P Jeyes (wkt)	0		3 catches
N Kerr	4		1 catch
M Edwards	37*		1 catch
T Drayton		12 – 2 – 28 – 4
C Johnson
J Bobsin		11 – 1 – 43 – 2
E Harper
N Bobsin		12 – 2 – 33 – 2

July 18th Culworth (Away) Lost 78 runs

Culworth 189-7 (40 overs) S O’Brien 3-30

Shrimpers 111 all out J Bobsin 43

Shrimper	Batting	Bowling	Fielding
C Waldron	18
A McDermott	1
P Walters	1
J Poulton	12
S Trusler	5
D House	0
T Drayton	4	10 – 2 – 60 – 2
J Bobsin	43	7 – 1 – 40 – 0
C Reeve	5	8 – 1 – 26 – 2
S O’Brien	5*	5 – 0 – 30 – 3
N Bobsin	0	10 – 2 – 39 – 0

No catches recorded

July 11th Hinton in the Hedges (Home) Lost 17 runs

Hinton 165 all out (39.5 overs) S O’Brien 5-34

Shrimpers 148 all out (38.4 overs) C Waldron 49

Shrimper	Batting	Bowling	Fielding
M Edwards	15		1 catch
A Lord	1		1 catch
C Waldron	49		1 catch
J Poulton	24
R Anderson (wkt)	18		2 catches 1 run out
A McDermott	23*		1 catch
C Johnson	0
J Bobsin	5	11 – 0 – 43 – 2
G Edwards	2	7.5 – 0 – 44 – 0
S O’Brien (capt)	1	9 – 2 – 34 – 5
N Bobsin	1	12 – 2 – 38 – 2

July 4th Dunchurch & Bilton (Away) Lost 10 wickets

Shrimpers 94 all out C Hartgrove 22

Dunchurch & Bilton 95-0

Shrimper	Batting	Bowling	Fielding
A Lord	16	2 – 0 – 11 – 0
S McDermott	1
J Fowler	4	2 – 0 – 19 – 0
M Yuill	2
P Walters (capt)	1	2 – 0 – 10 – 0
E Harper	0
D House	17
C Hartgrove	22	2 – 0 – 12 – 0
C Reeve	8	3.4 – 0 – 16 – 0
A Anderson	0
S O’Brien	6*	5 – 0 – 22 – 0

No catches recorded

June 27th Stoneleigh (Away) Lost 9 wickets

Shrimpers 238-6 (40 overs) C Waldron 103 P Walters 48 B Vincent 41

Stoneleigh 240-1

9 MEN, A LITTLE BIT OF SUN, BUT ONLY ONE MENTAL CASE HAD FUN

Gayton looked to continue their impressive record of wins this season with 9 men (1 from 1) as they travelled to picturesque Stoneleigh for yet another bottom of the table clash. Stoneleigh, it turned out have adopted the same plan as Gayton this season of getting as few players out on the pitch as possible……which is probably why we are both at the bottom.

With Leftfield refusing to surface due to some questionable illness, the Shrimpers rallied round and somehow scraped together 9 players for the game. With some random meeting times, and meeting places, and car drop offs, it was all a bit hectic, but we all managed to get their via a nice picnic in nearby Stoneleigh Park.

Ian Chappell’s advice of “tails on tour” failed, as Gayton lost the toss again and were quickly inserted. The Stoneleigh attack took advantage of helpful conditions and a sleeping Trusler to restrict the Shrimpers to 11 from 9 overs. Trus to his credit, threw himself on his sword and paved the way for Big Guus to entertain the fans with some lusty blows. He and KIWI up the pace and at 20 overs Gayton were going along nicely at 5 an over.

A possible full toss meant the end of BG, DC came and went as he missed one outside off by a good few inches to be caught behind meant it was time for the skipper to do something useful. Pate and Cam added some more than useful runs in quick time as the score pushed past 200…………….looking at something like 260 for par something special was needed.

It didn’t come. Pate went for one big shot too many with his broom handle, and Cam also finally went, run out for anywhere between 98 and 103……a sad end to another impressive knock for the former New Zealand Under 21 international.

“The Circus is Coming to Town”…………..Mad Dog and Alf, what a wonderful sight, some ridiculous shots, ridiculous calls and ridiculous running……all great value for money for the lady and child watching……….even Olly entered the fray and joined Mad dog for an all run 6. Lovely stuff.

Shrimpers scampered to 238 from the 40 overs…….would it be enough…………………….

In a word – NO.

With a lack of fielders, and a bigger lack of bowlers it was always going to be a struggle, any bad balls were punished, and good ones went unrewarded. DC and Barry sweated themselves to bits in their opening bursts……….without success………..and so as the old saying goes “if you are struggling for bowlers in a cricket team, give everyone a bowl and hope that something goes horribly wrong for the batting side”.

Credit to Stoneleigh who batted sensibly, in particular the bloke who unleashed some mighty blows on his way to 129 not out.

Plenty of effort in the field from everyone who gave 100% on a sweltering and close day, a wicket from a long hop from the excitable Alf, everyone got a bowl, and even Trus’s potential match losing dropped catch on 236 went forgotten after Mad Dogs language had upset the locals.

All in all, apart from the result, no blame can be attached to any individual on the pitch and thanks to all who played and gave it their all in a lost cause. Who knows what would have happened if we had chased…….but you can’t turn back time. A sad day for the Shrimpers, made worse by another glorious knock from the balding KIWI…………..at least the Villagers enjoyed their night out looking at trains……and trannies apparently.

Lovely stuff.

Shrimper	Batting	Bowling	Fielding
S Trusler	1	4 – 0 – 34 – 0
C Waldron	103	1 – 0 – 14 – 0
B Vincent	41	10 – 1 – 46 – 0
D Carter	10	6 – 0 – 36 – 0
P Walters	48	5 – 0 – 25 – 1
S McDermott	18	2 – 0 – 15 – 0
N Kerr	3	5 – 0 – 24 – 1
M Yuill	0
C Reeve		4 – 0 – 33 – 0

No catches recorded

Match Ratings – unofficially…………………….

Cam – paid the scorer to amend his total – 9

Trus – starred with bat and ball – 5

Barry – his sweatiest shirt for a couple of years – 7

DC – harshly out, stole my boots – 6

Pate – lusty blows, turned a ball, lost his boots – 7

Mad dog – all ran 6, foul language – 6

Alf – Happier than a pig in sh*t – 6

Olly – result made worse by car sharing with Trus – 6

Reevey – didn’t see the best of the dark destroyer – 6

MOM – Once again, Cam…………class is permanent and all that shat.

Shot of the day – Fack it….I’m having it for the 6 into the field of sheep.

Sh*t of the day – the amount of players, just pipping no showers !!!!

June 20th Willoughby (Home) Lost 23 runs

Willoughby 119 all out (37.3 overs) J Bobsin 3-24

Shrimpers 96 all out A McDermott 23

Shrimper	Batting	Bowling	Fielding
P Walters (capt)	3		1 catch
M Shirman	5	6.3 – 0 – 25 – 2
J Poulton	16		1 catch
T Drayton	16
A McDermott	23		1 catch 1 run out
S McDermott	16
E Harper	1
S Trusler (wkt)	0
J Bobsin	1	11 – 2 – 24 – 3	2 catches
C Reeve	3*	8 – 0 – 37 – 1
N Bobsin	4	12 – 2 – 23 – 2	1 run out

June 13th Woodford Halse (Away) Lost 65 runs

Woodford Halse 205-5 (40 overs)

Shrimpers 140 all out C Waldron 60

Shrimper	Batting	Bowling	Fielding
C Waldron	60		2 catches
S Trusler	7
B Vincent	5	12 – 0 – 35 – 1	1 catch
P Jeyes (capt & wkt)	4
A McDermott	3
T Drayton	11	6 – 0 – 29 – 1	1 catch
A Blundell	6	5 – 0 – 22 – 0
E Harper	17
L Bobsin	0
S O’Brien	6	5 – 0 – 38 – 1
N Bobsin	8*

May 30th Byfield ‘A’ (Away) Won 7 wickets

Byfield ‘A’ 236-6 (40 overs) Chris Reeve 4-50

Shrimpers 240-3 (39 overs) C Waldron 100* A Lord 58 P Walters 37*

GAYTON’S NINE HAVE FUN IN THE SUN

The Byfield team couldn’t have hoped for anything better than when the bottom of the league Shrimpers turned up with only nine men. Little did they know that there was a massive surprise in store just around the corner.

On a scorcher of a Saturday, the skipper and sidekick Mad-dog decided the best preparation was to put some silverware in the cabinet at a 5 a side tournament. Now regretted by the skippers thighs.

Decimated by football tours, holidays, babysitting and the army the Shrimpers were asked to field as Byfield looked to wear out the boys and set a big total.

A tactical decision saw the youthful Pate behind the stumps and the even more youthful Chris (Kammy) Kamara out in the covers. Basra struggled early on, noting that “the right line is good, and the wrong line is bad”, while at the other end Ledge left his duties at deep extra cover to tie one end up, helped by a wicket first ball.

A succession of left arm over overs were tried at one end, with only SOB getting reward for a good over to the captain and with the Shrimpers stumper snaffling one just above the ground.

With the heat taking its toll on the longer run ups the Shrimpers turned to Bertie Bassett. Words cannot fully describe what happened, but it happened, as Reeveys Liquorice Allsorts accounted for four top order batsmen. Unfortunately the last of these lead to the introduction of Byfields Johan van der Wath, who smashed the ball to all parts for a quick fire 49* to change the complexion of the game as 80 runs came in the last 8 overs.

Despite the best efforts of all fielders (epitomised on the ropes by Lordy’s sprint and full length dive) and bowlers, Byfield reached 236 off their 40 overs. A dropped catch behind the stumps the only costly error during that time.

Another lovely tea, a tactical change in the batting line up, a relaxed attitude and away we went in search of a memorable win. Cam and Lordy opened up……….Lordy opened up early and Byfield reacted with some very defensive fields. With singles coming at will, Gayton were always in the game and a fine opening stand saw us reach 100 from 20 overs comfortably. Talk in the pavilion of a win was helped by people nervously finding their lucky positions and refusing to move. Lordy finally succumbed after fitness took its toll, and Big Gus Hiddink soon followed after waiting 25 overs for his chance. With the modest Aussie and the Hairy Schnorbs at the crease there was still a chance. A quick fire 20 from DLT left us needing 58 from 7. Enter the skipper who had spent the last 10 overs shatting in his pants. A nervous scratch or 2 didn’t help the nerves, but finally, after some calming words from Cam the runs soon came.

Some hard run singles, some lusty blows, some helpful field placings and fielding meant that the Shrimpers required 11 from the last 2 overs………two more boundaries from Pate left Cam needing 1 to win from 8 balls……..no panic. The field was in, the ball in the slot…………..4 to Cam to win the game, and a very well deserved century for the bald strokemaker.

A wonderfully deserved win for the Shimpers, who kept their heads in the field even when things were going wrong and for chasing down such a big total in such a calm manner. Everyone played their part and it really was a day to make you proud to be a Shrimper.

If that wasn’t enough, Mad-dog celebrated by skidding on his naked frame through some rather dirty toilet water pot match. Lovely stuff.

Shrimper	Batting	Bowling	Fielding
C Waldron	100*
A Lord	58
B Vincent	0	8 – 0 – 40 – 0
T Drayton	21	4 – 0 – 31 – 0
P Walters (capt/wkt)	37*		1 catch
A McDermott
S O’Brien		6 – 1 – 35 – 1
C Reeve		10 – 0 – 50 – 4
N Bobsin		12 – 2 – 49 – 1

Match ratings (unofficially)………………….

Cam – Electric in the field, marshalled the run chase – 9.5

Lordy – Early impetus, and some wise words – 9

Barry – Good omens, bad cricket – 7

Schnorbs – Was he asleep in the garage ??? – 8

Pate – Return to form meant drop wasn’t crucial – 8

Mad-dog – Bumslides – 7

SOB – Crucial wicket, where was his number 10 – 7

Bertie Bassett – Just like revels….a mixed bag – 8

Ledge – Does everything that ledge does……including taking 2 dropped catches in good spirit – 8

MOM – Without question the little bald chap who scored some runs apparently.

Shot of the day – Either of 2 beauts from Lordy at the top of the order.

Sh*t of the day – 7 boundary fielders from the 6th over.

May 23rd Afro Caribbean (Home) Lost 126 runs

Afro Caribbean 186 all out M Joyce 3-27 S O’Brien 3-33

Shrimpers 60 all out

Shrimper	Batting	Bowling	Fielding
A Lord	3
M Joyce	5	8 – 0 – 27 – 2	2 catches
C Waldron	10
P Jeyes (capt/wkt)	4
T Drayton	0	6 – 0 – 44 – 1
A McDermott	4		1 run out
J Bobsin	4	12 – 2 – 40 – 1
S O’Brien	3	8 – 0 – 33 – 3
C Reeve	6
L Bobsin	5*
N Bobsin	3	5.2 – 1 – 36 – 3

May 16th Hinton in the Hedges (Away) Lost 8 wickets

Shrimpers 116-8 (40 overs) B Vincent 27 P Walters 25

Hinton / Hedges 119-2

TOPSY TURVEY DAY IN THE HEDGES

A Gayton side decimated by camping trips, championships, injuries, and late drop outs travelled to Hinton praying for rain. They got it. Unfortunately it was driven through on the way there, and did nothing other than to test Maggsy hands free driving to the limit.

It was a day to welcome back the shy retiring Peej, for Poults to gloat a lot about selections and for Reevy to regret the moment he said “joe will play”…………..it was also a first appearance this year for the Bobsin Tripod.

A good toss to win…….for Hinton……and the Shrimpers were inserted. The skipper and SOB formed a new look opening duo and from the off it was clear things would be tough. Pate was dropped 3 times en route to a scratchy 25 and SOB was beaten a few times before finally being dismissed. The drunk and sick Mad-dog came and went as quickly as his pre match KFC, and Poults followed suit not long after.

It was left to Basra and any number of others to try and eek out as many runs as possible. When Bas went for a dogged 27 it was left to the Ledge and the ageing stumper to take the Shrimpers past the 3 figure mark and on to something defendable. Unfortunately it was about 100 runs short in this case.

On the plus side, what a fantastic tea……..SOB fell in love with Lemon Drizzle and the home made scones were a delight. Something for the home tea makers to think about this year !!!!

So, out we went, was 116 defendable !??!?.................was it f*ck. Despite Peej’s best efforts from behind the stumps, Paul Turvey saw his team to the brink of victory before being castled by the middle Bobsin. A lot of bowlers were used in attempt to get some respectability on the scorecard, Reevey opted for some controversial fielding positions, and Mad-dog fell over his own laces. A good catch from ledge brought Reevey his first for the season after a decent spell and with a bit more luck Bas could have been on the mark too.

All in all Gayton made a not too bad a pitch look terrible, and Paul Turvey made it look very easy indeed. Shame.

Hopefully things will take a turn for the better in the bottom of the table clash this coming week.

Shrimper	Batting	Bowling	Fielding
P Walters (capt)	25	0.5 – 0 – 11 – 0
S O’Brien	2	2 – 0 – 7 – 0
S McDermott	0
J Poulton	5
B Vincent	27	4 – 0 – 24 – 0
J Bobsin	14	5 – 1 – 21 – 0
C Reeve	5	4 – 0 – 21 – 1
P Jeyes (wkt)	15*
L Bobsin	0	1 – 0 – 11 – 1
N Bobsin	6*	6 – 0 – 18 – 0	1 catch

Match Ratings (unofficially………..)

Pate – Lucky batting, floaters on show – 6

SOB – Idle threats not carried out – 6

Mad-dog – A nice day out for the drunken bum – 5

Poults – Fairy like fielding was impressive – 6

Barry – fought with bat, unlucky with ball – 7

JB – Off day, sex in toilet story was a highlight – 6

Reevey – The trusty “bat flick” wasn’t productive – 6

Luke Bobs – Big wicket, predictable theme – 7

Peej – Scared to bat, confused by Barry’s £3 – 6

Ledge – Shot of the day, catch of the day, misfield of the day – 6

Cam – Arguably his best game for the club – 4

MOM – Credit to all for effort, and for not sulking in the pub after, but for a gem of a ball its Private Benjamin !!!

Shot of the day – Ledges lofted off drive for 4……..made it look all too easy after all else had failed.

Sh*t of the day – Playing with ten men…….good old JF.

May 9th Dunchurch & Bilton (Home) Lost 5 wickets

Shrimpers 183-7 (40 overs) C Waldron 52 A McDermott 40*

Dunchurch & Bilton 186-5 (38.2 overs) J Bobsin 3-47

HAIR TODAY, GONE TOMORROW AS GAYTON HAND IT TO DUNCHURCH

It was a bad day in the field for those with bad hair as crucial drops put paid to Gayton’s chances of getting their first win on the board.

The pre-match preparations were smooth for most, not so much for Paté who spend his morning buttering bread and stressing over the state of his kitchen, but without any raking to be done the team could get up at a sensible time and get to the ground with either little or nothing to be done.

Paté lost the toss, and the Shrimpers were once again batting first, on what looked a decent track and an improved outfield. Things got off to a decent start as the opening bowler injured himself bowling his second ball. It just meant he took 15 yards off his 45 yard run up. Shame. Golf-a-holic, Poults and Paté attempted to lay the foundations for the big hitters, but unfortunately Trus, trying to crash the system from within ran out Paté with his first attacking shot. Fortunately for the ‘Ton it meant man in form Joey Deacon was in early. Progress was steady with JD and Gus Hiddink at the crease, but as Basra started to wind it up he was cleaned bowled. Slinky took his chance, with full bungers being dispatched and everything else being cleverly guided to fine leg via the Chinese cut. Despite SOB causing a lovers tiff and Schnorbs wind affected running Gayton got to a competitive 185-8 from their 40 overs.

Lovely tea at the break, good work Paté and Schnorbs, and I managed to get my breakfast bowls back so nice one !!

Rumours of a changed batting line up from Dunchurch were confirmed as Gayton reduced them to 8-3 and 24-4 as JB and Basra bowled an impressive opening spell. JB in particular was on good form again with the ball. A good catch and a “clean as a whistle” run out put Gayton on top. Unfortunately some bloke came in and twatted the ball all over the place. The game had changed, Gayton were on the back foot, and despite some early missed opportunities it was a match winning innings. Things could have been oh so different if the woolly mammoth had held on to a chance at long on and not pushed it for 6, but as Cyril the umpire said “that’s the game lost”. Gayton gave it their all, and credit to Basra, JB, George Berry, The Tin Man and Ledge who gave it everything with the ball, but it wasn’t to be. A big partnership was finally broken by JB, but the game was gone.

Runs on the board a plus point this week, although Cam continues to shine which is a shame, and a special mention to JB for his efforts and consistency with the ball.

Shrimper	Batting	Bowling	Fielding
J Poulton	13
S Trusler	6
P Walters	3
C Waldron	52
B Vincent	29	9 – 0 – 40 – 1
A McDermott	40*
J Bobsin	1	10.2 – 2 – 47 – 3
S O’Brien	3	9 – 0 – 48 – 0
T Drayton	15*	4 – 0 – 10 – 0	1 catch 1 run out
C Reeve
N Bobsin		9 – 1 – 30 – 0

Match Ratings (unofficially)………..

Poults – MDF is neither Maddog or a homo – 6

Trus – Good noise idea, poorly policed - 6

Pate – Potential match winner a broken man – 5

Cam – Never diss the match ratings – 3

Barry – Runs and wickets for the boyish Gus – 7

Slinky – Tentative running, big hitting – 8

JB – Straight drive, straight out – 8

SOB – Lovers tiff in the middle – 6

Schnorbs – Massive hair, massive drop – 6

Reevey – Quiet day, got the nets sorted though – 7

Ledge – “downhill from the first over” – 6

MOM – Special mentions to Cam for another 50, and JB for his ball based efforts………….but this week it’s Mr Oizo for his entertaining and explosive knock.

Shot of the day – Was probably the 6 from their bloke that’s still travelling, but for us Slinky’s punishing straight 6 from the full bunger.

Shit of the day – Snatches win matches.

May 2nd Culworth (Home) Lost 5 wickets

Shrimpers 135 all out (38.1 overs) C Waldron 82

Culworth 136-5 (37.3 overs) N Bobsin 3-27

CAMELOT OF RUNS NOT ENOUGH ON LES MISERABLES DAY FOR GAYTON

The Shrimpers Garden Maintenance Services took to the field in fine weather for the start of the new season in Division One. A couple of new faces were welcomed into the fold, and a couple of old familiar faces returned to their second home…..Lordy in particular was sporting a lovely sweater and short combination straight from the Burton catalogue, while Cam had controversially gone for the “special needs day out” look whilst sitting on the mower.

New skipper Paté was full of hope………..win the toss, bowl, chase it down, job done. If only. We won the toss and had to bat due to the fact everyone needed a good lie down, and Trus had to get some cling film.

New boy MDF opened with old boy Poults, and the line and length merchants from Culworth managed to keep things very much under control………..a sticky wicket, sticky outfield and Mikes sticky fingers meant that runs weren’t happening, and wickets were……..Lordy (unluckily so), Pate and Slinky all came and went pretty quickly leaving us at 33-5 from 20 overs….it was left for Aussie import Cam and the drunken Dale Winton to steady the ship…………Graham Norton had other ideas though…..a 3^rd ball 6 and a plethora of cross batted shots from Julian Clary shifted the Momentum the Shrimpers way……..Michael Barrymore, JB and Schnorbs all shone in good partnerships and some hefty blows from Cam put the team up to a reasonable total from the half way position……although the 11 balls wasted were discussed in length at the pub afterwards. We had battled to 135 all out.

Wonderful tea without tea, an inquest from the police for the McDermotts and some rather fine baps would hopefully lead to a fine 2^nd half from the home team.

The new ball pair of JB and Schnorbs were whole hearted, in particular the sight of Schnorbs beehive trundling up the hill was a joy for all to see. They kept it tight, but with no breakthrough coming it was down to 17 year old Neil Bobsin to turn the screw……….line, length, more line, even more length (Trus) and wickets………the Ledge and JB, and MDF’s first ball in Gaytons Colours made it a close game to call at 70-5………where would the next wicket come from……..nowhere !! Apart from Duncan Norvelles incessant banter for 38 overs trying to bore the batsmen out nothing was coming……a lot of huff and puff, some sensible batting and two big overs eventually put paid to the Gayton challenge. Credit to Culworth who saw the game home at 136-5.

All in all a good first day effort under the sun, and after a morning of work……some pluses, some negatives, but a chance to get it all right next week at home again. (© P Walters)

Shrimper	Batting	Bowling	Fielding
J Poulton	19
M Joyce	8	8 – 1 – 42 – 1	1 catch
A Lord	1
C Waldron	82
P Walters (capt)	0
A McDermott	0		1 catch
S McDermott	15
S Trusler (wkt)	3		1 catch
J Bobsin	3	11 – 1 – 33 – 1
T Drayton	0	6.3 – 0 – 30 – 0
N Bobsin	0*	12 – 2 – 27 – 3

Match Ratings (unofficially) :-

Poults – Free cider almost won the fans over - 7

MDF – Solid, catches, first ball wicket, broke a nail - 7

Lordy – Good clothes, good chat and a good tea – 7

Cam – Wonderful knock. Will he ever stop mowing – 8

Paté – Co-founder of the 3 ball club – 6

Slinky – Co-founder of the 3 ball club – 6

Dick Emery – Banter, all male blowies, lively batting – 7

Trusler – Early start and a big cork – 6

Schnorbs – Massive, massive hair – 6

JB – “SUMO”…..great opening spell – 7

Ledge – Its all in the name. Who scratched his van ?? – 7

Shot of the day – Mad-dog calculated “hoik” for 6.

Sh*t of the day – Jacko not wearing his customary PVC to umpire in.

MOM – Pained everyone to say it but it was deservedly the mighty Cam,