Brown&Co East v West cricket returned on Tuesday 2nd September

Report by C Sheldon, R Taylor & B Hurn 

The last match in 2022 saw ‘The Wellies’ return West having amassed a huge 177 from 20 overs, the East falling short on 147. Before that in 2019, the East took a chase of 127 down to the last over to secure victory in these close run fixtures. 

Bradley Hurn arranged for the fixture at Burghley Park CC, moving away from its usual home in North Runcton. A late venue change to Uppingham CC took place after Burghley Horse Trials blocked access to the ground the night before. 

Captains R Taylor & C Sheldon agreed the playing conditions and prayed for the rain to stay away. The West batted first and Drabble, showing typical left handers distain carved 34, including 7 fours. At the other end Sheldon typically ‘nudged and nurdled’ away against the tidy opening bowling of Redden. 

The bowling of Robinson & Bodie Jnr proved difficult to get away for the West. Such that Starling was in totally the wrong place at fine leg, talking to the many supporters, made a real mess of fielding the ball, falling over getting up, falling again and kicking the ball over the boundary for four. The game stopped briefly while the players composed the fits of laughter. “That’s the funniest thing I’ve seen on a cricket field” came somewhere from the East’s deep fielders. 

Tindle came in at 3, playing some huge swipes to the bowling of Bodie Snr, making 5 before Hurn bowled a filthy delivery that was brilliantly caught by Gowler at square leg. The hard hitting Gaunt was next in, having scored 34 from very few deliveries in 2022. Hurn returned to bowl another hit-me ball, Gaunt did, only to be well caught at long on by Bodie Jnr, on the boundary. 

Debutant Acott-Smith was next in who showed real style with the bat. Sheldon, on 19, took a run to the strikers end with Acott-Smith, slipped on the wet wicket end and was run out by keeper Cox. Calmly helped up and given out by Umpire Gilbey. Meanwhile Umpire Godson was surveying the threatening clouds from the other end. 

Acott-Smith continued to make his merry way to 13, now trying to hit boundaries, was well caught again by Gowler at square leg. Which meant both ends were open for the East, and the West’s momentum was slowing. A panicked West dressing room of Megginson, Birks, Green and White were all trying to agree the remainder of the batting order. 

Cheer and Megginson were now in, and having showed ball striking previously, the tall figure of Cheer could not hit the ball off the square. Cheer made 11, in fours to third man, and some singles, before being bowled in the last over by Taylor. Megginson worked quick singles to the leg side and testing out his recently repaired knee. Birks ran out to the middle like a spring chicken, to make four singles off four balls at the end. 

Green watched on nervously from the boundary stating, “I haven’t played in 20 years”. Green was reprieved, as Megginson was dismissed from the last ball. The West has made 118 from their 20 overs, having been 79/3 at the halfway stage. The East’s bowling certainly picked up the pace towards the end of the innings, and the field shepherded by Taylor for the incoming batsmen. 

Still awaiting the arrival of strike bowler Walter, 12th Man Holliday took to the field with the West. 
Robinson and Scott opened the batting. Green opened the bowling for the West having hit the stumps with a practice delivery! Megginson struggled to find a length at the other end and a no-ball was conceded. 

Scott choosing to be the aggressor by hitting the first six of the match. Robinson was more watchful and took singles into the off-side. Sheldon bowled a two over spell which Scott took several from, but was nearly dismissed, if only LBW was in play. Umpire Birch confirmed. 

Robinson continued to make her way and the West tried as they might to dismiss her. In the process, Tindle and Drabble both hit her on the thigh, the quip “A letter from HR is on its way to you two” rippled around the ground. 

Scott took on all the bowling he was faced with including very tight bowling from Tindle as usual, and surprising pace from Birks. Scott retired on 26 including 3 fours and a huge six having been dropped by Cheer with a ball that came down with snow on it. 

This brought Gowler to the crease having taken two excellent catches in the field. Gowler didn’t say much in the middle but unfurled a textbook straight drive for four up the hill off Drabble. 

Tindle’s spell of 3 over for 15 was tidy. Drabble finally dismissed Robinson, bowled. This brought Captain Taylor to the crease who showed his class with a sharp cut for four off Drabble. Clearly irritated by this, Drabble came off a longer run and bowled accurately, with good pace. It was a high-class battle with Taylor and Gowler. Drabble finished with 1-17 off 3 overs. 

Walter gave his cap to Umpire Birch and exchanged pleasantries as the rain started to fall. Walter bowled up the hill to Gowler and Taylor, showing prodigious swing. Cheer from behind the stumps said “Ian, I’ve never seen a ball swing this much” Walter bowled a skilful two over spell of swing bowling for 0-13. He certainly ran in through the worst of the conditions. 

Taylor continued to show pure, off-side strokes as Acott Smith replaces Walter with his off spin. Taylor took most of the strike and scored rapidly to retire on 30 including five fours. The weather cleared, the game was still in the balance with the East needing 29 off 20 balls for victory. Gowler was still playing nicely as Staton came to the crease. 

Staton took a liking to Acott Smith and hit the ball for two one bounce fours into the cow field, but in between, Acott Smith could have had Staton out a few times. Left arm quick Gaunt came into the attack and bowled quickly down the hill. 

Staton retired on 25, having really made the dent in the rest of the target. The left-handed Hurn strode to the middle. Gaunt and Hurn were locked in an exciting dual, during which wicketkeeper Cheer dropped Hurn’s outside edge. 

Gowler and Hurn exchanged singles, Hurn was then on strike needing 1 to win. Hurn played a classical left handers cut shot off Gaunt for four down to backward of square. The East had regained ‘The Wellies’ with a strong batting display including three retirees at 25.

Man of the match – James Drabble 

Champagne moment – Giles Starling’s hilarious, chaotic fielding, from the wrong position, which resulted in falling twice and kicking the ball for four in front of all the supporters. 

A huge thank you to the players, supporters and Bradley Hurn for arranging the fixture and providing the excellent scones, cream, jam and beers! 

Brown&Co East 
Bradley Hurn – KL ABC 
G Starling – NH ABC 
Jamie Redden – BSE ABC 
Jess Robinson – NH HR (watch out Simon & James!) 
Nick Staton – BSE LA 
Oliver Bodie – BSE LA 
Peter Cox (Wk) – BSE ABC 
Phillip Bodie – NH A&P 
Rob Taylor © - NH ABC 
Will Gowler – NH LA 
Will Scott – NH ABC 

Brown&Co West 
James Drabble – Lin Resi 
Simon Tindle – STN A&P 
Will Gaunt – Lin Comm 
Ed Megginson – Lei LA 
Guy Acott Smith – STN Comm 
Tom Cheer (Wk) – Lin ABC 
Chris Sheldon © – Lin ABC 
Ian Walter – Lin LA 
Paul White – Lin ABC 
Edward Green – Hum LA 
Tom Birks – Ban LA 
Tom Holliday (12th) – Hum ABC