Match Report Bures Vs Chappel 04/08/2002
Unfortunately, rain had the last say in this encounter between local rivals on the artificial wicket; the game being abandoned due to rain around 6.45pm. Sadly, proceedings were finely balanced and the game could have gone either way at that stage.
Both Bures and Chappel fielded sides from both ends of the age spectrum, with Bures winning hands down on those grounds (three 12 year olds and one 62 year old!). Having won the toss and electing to bat Mr Slow selected a blend of youth and experience to open. Graham Sills and Alan Cropper negotiated the early overs of long hops and wides competently, Cropper particularly showing how short bowling wide of off stump should be dealt with. The score marched ahead, with 50 without loss before Sills was caught at gully off a shot which he is unlikely to ever replicate. Enter Johnny Harris who announced his defensive intentions with a straight six, but then sadly capitulated to a caught and bowled off a rare straight ball. James Lee, newly-qualified and having driven to the ground without hitting anything, enjoyed himself before top edging a hook and it was then down to Johnny Palmer who, in his first game for Bures showed how to whack the bad ball down the leg side (and there were plenty of those!). Meanwhile, a very senior Cropper A. continued to accumulate at the other end passing 50 runs before retiring "blind" as the scorebook reads; in other words there were raindrops on his glasses and he couldn't see! An early tea was taken in view of the inclement weather and the captains agreed that Bures would bat on after tea now that the weather had improved, to give the youngsters a little time at the crease. Valuable runs were added by James Bocking and Tom Rodliffe and Bures declared at 168 for 6.
Chappel started brightly with two young batsmen, but once McKenna had remembered where the stumps were, runs became harder to get. James Lee promptly bowled the opener, while his companion led a charmed life in terms of dropped catches. The esteemed Dr Brogan demonstrated his athletic prowess to the full with a most sensational drop, perhaps the gentlest dolly ever ("but, to be sure Sir, it was spinning in de air, Sir!). Meanwhile, McKenna nearly lost his right hand to an Exocet missile provoking a stream of expletives "my eye why that bloooooooooooooody 'urt basstards" provoking widespead hilarity amongst both sides. The introduction of Mr Slow brought the now customary increase in run rate but also a prize wicket, but the weather intervened and hands were shaken with no prospect of further play as the heavens opened.
A sad end to an amiable encounter, but amends were made away from the Chappel bar in the Bures Swan with copious pints and a conviviality which one would give a fortune for............