Match Report - Bures vs. Chappel 25/04/04

Bures 172 for 2 declared (37 overs)

Chappel 86 for 7 (40 overs)

Bures won by 86 runs.

What better way to start the season than with a comprehensive victory over local rival Chappel? Rookie skipper Chris Chambers won the toss, settled on a 40-over format and elected to bat on a slow and low wicket which had been cut on the edge of the square. The cutting referred to had unfortunately not extended to the outfield, which in places was at meadow length! Opening batsmen David Coyle and James Lee negotiated the opening overs carefully, finding runs hard to accumulate. 16 runs off the first 11 overs would not have been a start that the skipper was looking for but with the arrival of Chris Ayers at the crease, the tempo increased somewhat. Chris and David then plundered some lacklustre bowling in the second half of the innings and the run-rate soared with Bures declaring after 37 overs at 172 for 2, an excellent effort from both batsmen.

Tea at five was a treat! Sally Warden, with husband David dutifully in tow, had clearly been honing her sandwich technology over the winter and she unleashed a formidable array of nosh all of which was so sophisticated that I am unable to recall any precise ingredients (well, bread perhaps...).

After tea, lethargy set in as the sun shone, providing a lovely Spring vista. Opening Bures bowlers McKenna and Chambers C. were as economical as ever, with just 13 runs scored off the first 10 overs. Enter Mr. Slow who shrugged off his winter rigor mortis with a liberal sprinkling of flighted deliveries, two of which were dutifully slapped back to him on the full by the Chappel batsmen - a brace of caught and bowleds! New recruit Mark Shennan who had journeyed from distant Little Cornard to play, was immediately amongst the wickets with his first ball, a spectacular pea-roller which was uncharitably (but quite correctly) called "no-ball" by the umpire. Marc & Lee Norton, Junior Slow and David Coyle trundled in vain against the Chappel batsmen who had long since settled for batting practice and occupation of the crease in favour of any attempt at the run chase. Final score, Chappel 86 for 7 off 40 overs. All rather dull I'm afraid but good humour was maintained thanks to copious ridicule at the habitual misfields of all.

After the game it became clear that matters other than cricket were uppermost in many Bures minds. The club as a whole adjourned to The Eight Bells where fine mild ale brewed by Ridley's was consumed in preference to more renowned but markedly inferior Bury St. Edmunds offerings. New recruit Mark Sheenan showed a definite weakness in the beer department, staying for an extra pint secure in the knowledge that his dinner had already been on the table for sometime. He has made an excellent debut and he would appear to be a prime candidate for being led astray.

Another game, another day and another season underway.