The first cricket match on the new Sportsfield
The twenty-two members of the Club plus umpire who contested the first cricket match on the new Sportsfield.
Twenty-two villagers from North Marston and Granborough played the first cricket match at the newly renovated Sportsfield on a gloriously sunny September afternoon (20th September 2009). Cheered on by families, friends and fellow villagers who had prepared picnics and barbeques, the match turned out to be a truly remarkable occasion.
The first innings
The first ball is bowled by Arlen from the Pavilion end.
Club captain Trevor Lane was rewarded for his hard work and dedication in getting the Sportsfield into a playable condition and in organising the day 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 fifteen from Mick Hurrell, sixteen from Andy Lane and eighteen 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 five overs still remaining there were doubts that being bowled out for 85 would have been a winning total.
The reply
While some debate the play, it's too much for others.
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 two wickets for four runs added to the pressure on the batsmen. But was this from four overs or his limit of five 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 five overs, three wickets for eleven runs to set up a nail biting climax.
The scores were tied with nine 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.
The result
Both teams finished all out for 85. The match was tied. A fitting end to a great day.