A magnificent day at Eastbourne despite defeat

A last-minute schedule change saw the second annual match vs Eastbourne College Old Boys, delayed by a week. 6 of our original team were sadly not able to make the new date, so recruiting happened swiftly to compile a new team.

With the final 11 down on paper, and the realisation that we had only 3 recognised bowlers, it was always going to make for an interesting match.

8 of the 11 took the 9:30 train out of Clapham Junction, early discussions were had regarding what on earth we were going to do regarding our bowling, what kind of special rules could we put in place to allow Vance (Thompson) to bowl 20 overs from one end.

Last year it was a declaration match, facing 30+ degrees blazing sunshine, we knew from the outset a negotiated limited overs game would be ideal, Vance, the old statesman recommended treading carefully.

On arrival at the beautiful ground, before Cheyne (Voss) could put Vance’s good advice into practice, George (Burdon), launched straight at Will (the Eastbourne skipper for the day) out with ‘you cocked up the date, let’s make it 40 overs. Will swiftly agreed.

LNZ lose the toss, they would bowl in the heat, lunch planned as an intermission at 1:30pm. This summer, it is widely known that a couple of New Zealanders have had a considerable influence over cricket in England.

Cheyne clearly had been conjuring up his own plans all morning about how to get the most out of our side, clearly needing to make up 16 overs of part time bowlers, upon engaging the team with his plans, it was clear the team were sceptical.

Short spells, sneak in as many part time overs as possible as early as possible, leaving the mainstream bowlers to finish the innings.

“Vossball’ Was born.

Cheyne announced he would open the bowling, downwind, thinking he could sneak in 3 overs of the 16 required, Vance vehemently disagreed with the strategy, TP (Tony Penman), shock his head in disbelief (having observed some interesting off spin delivered by Cheyne they day before at Ripley).

First over, 3 singles, Vance still not convinced, ‘you are doing nothing other than taking the lacquer of the ball’. Guy (Walsh) opened from the other end.

As planned, Cheyne was replaced by Vance after his short 3 over spell, 18 runs the damage. Cheyne was engaged, moving the field, trying things, short spells (14 in total), Guy fully in his stride was replaced also by George, bringing about the first wicket, stunning catch by TP. Vance bowled beautifully, but himself found himself being saved for later 10 runs coming from the 4 overs.

Cheyne starting to gain some traction in his approach following Boonie (Richard Boon) being, getting a wicket straight away (after a wide, a dropped caught and bowled and Internal another skied to no one - the man hasn’t bowled in 20 years!!! Vossball was heard yelled from the crowd.

122/2 after 23 overs, looking good. 12 overs remaining from the front-line bowlers of George, Vance and Guy, ideally to be saved for the last 12.

Tom Gibson and Ollie Burgess were brought to the crease, pace off the long run for Ollie and trundling mediums for Tom.

Lunch was delayed 15min, a period which didn’t go so well for us, a number of balls sailed to the boundary.

TP was convinced to bowl, he looked very much at his best again, before his elbow getting the better of him in his 3rd over.

George got 1 over before lunch.

Lunch 30 overs 176/2

What a spread, cold cuts, coronation chicken, pasta, salads, fresh bread rolls and ice cream!!!! As we sat down to eat as a delivery of wine arrived, George filled a tumbler of red and knocked it back, most of the bottle followed (remembering he had to bowl again straight after lunch. Vossball the screamed out again as George took a wicket first ball after lunch. Final 8 overs. Vancer has 4 to bowl, Guy 2, George 2.

Ollie was retained and finished 6 overs for 1/47 runs, keeping George away from a 4th spell. Taking his first wicket for the club in the process, clean bowled.

Vancer straight back to his mark, chance straight away, an absolute sitter to Cheyne, after his antics at the Lambs Rams earlier in the season ending up viral on the internet, no one else in sight, MINE he yells, only to run in too far and dropped it cold.

Vossball, could it have been a plan, Vossball catching on??? Did Voss just wanted to get the batsman to change ends, perhaps.

Next ball, Vancer charges in with anger, and boom, the big wicked of Perry for 70, their top scorer with the bat!!!! Vossball - incredible - is this a thing? Maybe??

Last couple of overs a few ball were hit everywhere, second to last of Vance’s spell down Andrew Neals throat at deep mid-wicket, perhaps the fielder of the day, sadly only to be parried for six, and a 4 of the last ball.

What would have been 2/33 ended 1/43 - leaving him 38 wickets away from the all-time wicket taking record for the club,

Burdon the pick of the bowlers finishing with 6 overs 2/29

263/5 - Change of innings

The batting order changed a number of times over lunch, Tom sadly suffering a bit of an injury during his spell at the bowling crease dropped down to number 7 - more decent from Vance, why on earth is our best batsman coming in at 7????

George was quick to tell everyone, he’s an opening batsman (not a bowler - so maybe we only had 2). Opened with Adam Khanbhai (who can’t buy a run at the moment) - asked Voss, do you want me to preserve my wicket, or go for it. Channelling Bazball, Voss answered with clear intent - play your own game, play your shots, that’s when you’re at your best. Internal

First ball, George to face first ball, perhaps he isn’t actually an opener? First ball, missed a straight one, bowled, and a long walk back to the sheds.

Adam joined in the middle by Neal, the pair of them watching 20 extras in the first couple over overs with some glorious shot making in-between, Adam clearly there to score runs. Sadly, Adam came unstuck, caught for a good looking 22.

Boonie joined Andrew in the middle, only to be adjudged LBW for 8, a call he was clearly not happy with - leaving him 25 runs short of 1000 for the club.

Voss joined Andrew in the middle fresh of 4 runs the day before, was clear that was not to be repeated, finding the middle very quickly and pumping the ball for multiple boundaries around the ground.

Andrew and Cheyne not wasting any time, and enjoying the time in the middle, only to be broken down by an attempted quick single, Andrew timing the ball straight to a short mid-on, only to be turned back immediately by Voss, he did his best to get back, running a good line in front of the stumps, run out for a solid 26.

Voss was joined in the middle by Burgess senior (Richard), himself chasing the record books, starting the day a mere 82 runs away from becoming the highest run scorer in history of the club.

My goodness, the class of the man was clear, boom boom boom, boundaries effortlessly. Voss looked up at the scoreboard, 44, new off spinner on, thought to himself, short boundary, this ball is going for 6, forgetting to repeat his standard mantras of watch the ball, play it straight, went to wog a flighted ball over mid-wicket, only to be clean bowled, a good innings came to an end - moving him to 20th in the all-time record book. (7x4’s 1x6)

Wickets then fell quickly, Tom caught for 1, Ollie a terrible LBW (hitting his hip) for 0 (George charged into the middle to try and overturn it, but fell on deaf ears, Vance for 8 after 2 excellent boundaries, 0 Guy caught and bowled.

Enter the scene, TP and Burgess, the two top scorers in the history of the club, Burgess came unstuck caught for 29, leaving TP stranded for 2.

Burgess finishing the day 53 runs behind TP.

LNZ 181 all out, Eastbourne win by 82 runs.

Vossball, is this a thing now? certainly seems catchy…..

Pilkington was awarded Eastbourne’s man of the match for his 4 wickets, Voss for LNZ for his 44.

A big thank you to Eastbourne, a truly magnificent match, played in great spirit, great food, beer and wine. Big thank you to Will for your hospitality.