Ghostwritten for Barks: defeat at Follies Farm

Match Report vs FFOSCC. Ghostwritten by some else on behalf of Captain Andrew Barkle, this is what Barks would have wanted to say about the match he skippered:

The Chiddingfold ground of Follies Farm Old Spots Cricket Club, owned by New Zealanders Guy And Erin Gibson, is a lovely place to play cricket. Despite highly-active recruiting, LNZ’s 10 – including three Walshs - only became an 11 with the addition of Fletcher Gibson to the team on the day. Because he happened to be standing around with his cricket kit.

LNZ batted first in a 40-over game on a hot sunny day. Tim Barringer (stylish bat, good keeper) on debut opened with Peter Choc Bellamy and a sparkling little partnership ensued. When PB was dismissed, Sam Harding, George Burdon, Josh Wright and Andrew Barkle came and went as wickets fell at regular intervals. The batting highlights were Vance Thompson’s 62, Ben Walsh’s 26 and Tim B’s 23, with the fielding highlights being a rather astonishing one-handed catch, while falling backwards on the boundary, to dismiss Gerard Walsh, and Ben Griffiths, FFOSCC’s captain on the day taking 4-23 as he swept up the tail. LNZ put on 203 all out in the 38th.

After a delicious lunch of roast pork sandwiches, FFOSCC sent former Great Britain hockey captain (Beijing and London Olympics) in to open the batting. Captain Andrew Barkle awarded a Nottman Cap to Ben Walsh, whose first two games for LNZCC were in the Christchurch Earthquake Charity T20s in 2011. Barks and 4Guy Walsh opened the bowling. Guy picked up the first wicket with a lovely ball taking the top of off stump in his 3^(rd) over. 1-23. Gerard Walsh replaced Barks and we were treated to the rare sight of Dad and youngest son bowling together, G.Walsh at one end, and G.Walsh at the other. James Parsons joined James Tindall, who was blasting boundaries at will. Quite wristy and powerful with a good eye, these hockey players. The trees on the southern boundary were seeing a fair bit of the ball. Vance was the pick of the bowlers, picking up James Parson’s wicket at 94-2, as James Tindall blazed a century off 62 balls (they score quickly, these international hockey players) then retired, which set the platform for FFOSCC to polish off the total in 27 overs.

Thanks to Martin Conway for umpiring the match, to Fletcher Gibson for standing in for us and to Barks for skippering. Thanks too to Guy and Erin Gibson, and Gibbo’s father Bill for hosting and hospitality. (Homemade pork pies! Homemade sausage rolls! Pork roast sandwiches for lunch!) The LNZCC MoM was Vance Thompson (62 runs, 1-40 off 7)