Cricket News

Inaugural Home Cricket Match – September 2009

22 Villagers from North Marston and Granborough played the first cricket match at the newly renovated Sports Field on a gloriously sunny September afternoon. Cheered on by families, friends and fellow villagers, who had prepared picnics and barbeques, the match turned out to be a truly remarkable occasion.

 Club captain Trevor Lane was rewarded for his hard work and dedication in getting the sportsfield into a playable condition and in organising the Full Tossers and the Golden Duckers by taking the first wicket at the ground. Gordon Bowden was clean bowled. However the batting team was able to press on aided by contributions of 15 from Mick Hurrell, 16 from Andy Lane and 18 from Bill Osborne. Despite the fixture being labelled a ‘friendly’ this was always going to be a keenly fought contest. Bowler Trevor Callander was steaming in during a fiery spell and Arlen Easterbrook was generating pace bowling from the pavilion end. Batsmen were pacing their innings well and a total of well over 100 looked on the cards from the allotted 30 overs until the inspired introduction of bowlers Charlie Calver and Richard Butterworth ripped out the middle order. The tail fell quickly and with 5 overs still remaining there were doubts that being bowled out for 85 would have been a winning total.

The run chase got off to the worst possible start with Jeff Scott bowling Steve Manser with the first ball of the innings. Noel Harvey was bowling beautiful away-swingers and his figures of 2 wickets for 4 runs added to the pressure on the batsmen. But was this from 4 overs or his limit of 5 overs? The dispute about whether he could bowl another over showed how important winning the inaugural fixture had become to all players. Pete Williams, 14 and Arlen Easterbrook, 18 set a platform for the innings that was taken on by Trevor Lane and Charlie Calver. A family battle ensued as Andy Lane and Stuart Lane both tried to tease out their father with spin. Experience seemed to be prevailing until a sensational one handed diving catch by Bill Osborne changed the course of the match. Charlie Calver had been caught and the pressure mounted on Trevor Lane to see his side home in the run chase.

Jeffrey Touchard-Paxton was chosen to bowl at the death and it turned out to be an inspired spell under pressure. Trevor Lane succumbed but with Richard Butterworth and later Oscar Williams batting sensibly victory was tangible. Jeffrey Touchard-Paxton achieved bowling figures of 5 overs, 3 wickets for 11 runs to set up a nail biting climax. The scores were tied with 9 wickets down as the match entered the final over. The experienced Jeff Scott was recalled to try to finish the innings in the manner that he had started it. One run needed to win, one wicket needed for a tie. Fortunately for the fielding side Scott’s first ball was unplayable. Robbie McSweeney drove the second ball loftily through mid-off for what would have been the winning runs until Touchard-Paxton capped a memorable afternoon by pouching a fine catch.

Both teams finished all out for 85. The match was tied which was a fitting end to a great day.

Full Tossers and Golden Duckers play the first home cricket match
on the new sportsfield - Sep 09

Fixtures 2009

North Marston & Granborough Cricket Club v Westcott - 15th June

FYI another fine win for the team last Sunday, at Westcott.

Briefly, Gordon Bowden captaining for the day, won the toss and elected to bat. Openers Steve Manser and Trevor Callender both passed their 50 in a club record ( CR ) opening stand of 131. NMG went on to make 189 from our allotted 35 overs.

A youthful Westcott side were always going to find this a difficult target to beat and with fine bowling, particularly from Pete Williams ( 5 wickets..another CR ) and Dean Easterbrook ( 3 wickets ), Westcott were bowled out for 103 to make it 2 out of 2 for NMG this season.

Many thanks to Mick Hurrell and Andy Keegan for coming into the side at late notice to replace Fred Tomlins and myself. Also thanks to Trevor Jenkins for recording all the action ball by ball in the scorebook.

Let's hope we can continue this fine form into the Dinton game in two weeks time.

Cheers

Trevor

Training as usual Monday evenings...7 - 8.15 pm. £2.00 subs

Great news for North Marston & Granborough Cricket Club – April 2008

April brought news from Awards for All that the cricket club has been successful in its application for a grant of £10,000 to buy rollers, mower, sight screen, crease marking equipment and practice kit.

The major ground works on the sports field will hopefully take place in May/June (weather allowing) so that the Club should have a useable home ground to play on next year. In the meantime, the practice nets are up and running so look out for practice and training details.

The club has recently announced its fixture list for 2008:

Anyone wanting information about membership, training etc should contact Cricket Club Chairman:

Home Phone: 01296 670587 
E-mail: gordon@anabowden.fsnet.co.uk

Matting and netting is fitted to complete the cricket practice area.

Willing volunteer crew grapples with the caging

North Marston and Granborough Cricket Club start with a win.

North Marston and Granborough Cricket Club played their inaugural match on Sunday 29th July
and started in style against a Waddesdon Sunday XI.

The Club is currently raising money for their own pitch and can only play away fixtures. The kind hospitality of Waddesdon CC allowed the Club to compete in their first fixture despite heavy
overnight rain. Waddesdon won the toss and elected to bowl but North Marston and Granborough openers Gordon Bowden and Mick Hurrell put on a solid 50 opening partnership. Graeme Foster,
Steve Manser and Bill Osborne were able to push the score up to 159 for 3 from the allotted 30 overs with Waddesdon 'old boy' Foster top scoring on 46.

Waddesdon were always going to struggle with the required run rate, after they were reduced
to 7 for 3 by North Marston and Granborough opening bowling pair of Richard Butterworth and
Trevor Lane. Man of the match Foster chipping in with a run out and fine diving catch in the gully. However as long as the classy Jackman was at the crease Waddesdon were in with a fighting
chance. His stumping, rather unluckily off the keepers pads, effectively ended the contest.
Waddesdon youngsters provided some resistance at the end and a superbly middled hook from Patterson off the bowling of Lane outlined his potential.

Waddesdon were finally bowled out 3 overs from the end for 84.

North Marston and Granborough Chairman Gordon Bowden commented "We owe many thanks
to Waddesdon CC for their hospitality in allowing us to fulfil our inaugural fixture. The combination
of the weather and their facilities meant that it was a great family day out. They are the type of club
that we at North Marston and Granborough aspire to be."

North Marston and Granborough are looking for future friendly fixtures for this season and next.
These are currently restricted to away matches. Contact: Gordon Bowden on 01296 670587.