Brigands hold out for a draw on Broadhalfpenny Down

A continuous fixture since 2002, the match against the Broadhalfpenny Brigands (BB) at Broadhalfpenny Down is a trip into the history books of cricket. Cricket has been played at the ground for more than 250 years and the Bat and Ball pub across the road was supposedly the headquarters of English cricket at one stage. The ground sits on top of a rise in the south down with expansive views. A beauty of a spot and we had a stunning day for it.

The LNZCC side for the day had a good mixture of old hats and fresh faces with Elliot Jaffe (of WPP fame)

making his debut for the side after tearing us to pieces the weekend before. Also notable was the capping of

Adam Khanbhai, playing his fifth match for the club.

Some solid performances were put in before the first ball was even bowled as the LNZCC took lunch at the historic Bat and Ball pub. Some enormous roasts and fish & chips were the order of the day as the lads made sure to fill up the tanks before the game.

Wright won the toss and LNZCC set about building a total in this declaration game. A slightly bizarre format given the start time of 2pm but alas, tradition is tradition. Andy Haines and Cheyne Voss strode out to the middle and duly set about taking apart the Brigands bowling attack. On a frustratingly slow surface this was easier said than done. Rain throughout the week also slowed down the outfield and with long boundaries on three sides the runs had to be earned. The guys reluctantly ran some 3’s, with lunch weighing heavily on the stomach.

Andy began to hit his stride with a couple of enormous sixes over the long on boundary and both bats built a solid foundation until Andy was undone by the first one of the day to come back in. A great knock for 44. Hamish Laing then came to the crease in his second match but was soon on his way back after missing a straighter one for an LBW. Almost immediately Cheyne followed, caught for 28. After a solid platform from the openers all of a sudden LNZCC was pegged back to 80/3. At this stage the BB had only used 3 bowlers and seemed to be tiring. Adam and Josh were next up, with the former attempting to make up for a certain golden hued duck the previous week. He was looking solid on 16 when the skipper didn’t come through for a run and an unfortunate run out ensued. Elliott Jaffe replaced Adam and proceeded to build a good partnership with Wright. The skipper was putting in a captain’s knock and looked comfortable. As the day went on the ground also dried and Figure 1: Adam Khanbhai receiving his Nottman

the ball was rolling to the boundary. Sensing the declaration was near the pair took things up a notch.

A swashbuckling couple of overs followed, featuring some huge sixes in the direction of the pub and Wright decided to call it in with LNZCC declaring at 209/4 after 37 overs. Great knocks at the end from Wright (65*) and Jaffe (42*) saw the team to an above par score. Although the team were still full from lunch and laying around in the sun all innings the tea break was duly welcomed. Notably the brownie and raspberry slice were highly commended. The teams were back on the field for the second innings by 5.00pm.

BB walked out to bat at 5.00pm with a decent opportunity to take the game if they applied themselves positively. LNZCC on the other hand had a fearsome bowling line up with Ross Haines and Adam Horvath taking the new ball. Both immediately put the batsmen under pressure with Ross somehow finding bounce in the pitch, something which had been absent all day. The bowlers were almost bowling too well with the BB batsmen struggling to get bat on ball and subsequently the scoreboard was moving at snail’s pace.

LNZCC finally made a breakthrough with the first change of bowling as Eliot Jaffe took to the crease and picked up an lbw and his first wicket for the club. John Dennis came on at the other end and it was again a spell of tight bowling by the first change pair. However the pitch was still slow and as the batsmen started to get their eyes in anything short began to be punished.

From 6.00pm, as agreed, there were 20 overs to be bowled until stumps placing the overall equation at 210 needed from 39 overs. From here it was a tough ask for the Brigands, needing 156 from 120 balls, and while they had wickets in hand the required run rate was escalating.

LNZCC bowled seven players in an attempt to pick up those crucial wickets but alas they were hard to come by. Finally, with the score at 143/1, Horvath was back on and the BB batsman lobbed a simple catch to Jaffe at mid off.

More excitement followed as

Laing picked up a sharp run out with a direct hit at the bowlers end. At 145/3, LNZCC had a sniff but time was not on our side.

In the end the LNZCC chucked everything they had at BB but the

Brigands held out for the draw, finishing on 175/3. It was then back to the Bat and Ball for a pint before the drive back up the road to London. Overall a great day out in the sunny south downs and we will be hunting for the win next year.

A big thanks to Martin Conway for umpiring the match and the Broadhalfpenny Brigands for their hospitality!

Photos