Concorde v Jerry Wright XI

Match Report

This Sunday saw long time Member and ex Concorde Captain, Jerry Wright bring an invitation XI to Sendholme to take on the club. The invitation XI was made up of family and their friends and included in the ranks a number of ex Concorde personnel and indeed a number of excellent cricketers though few with any recent cricket behind them

To take them on, Concorde had put together a strong XI which included the power and excellence of Jordy Dyer who holds most of the Concorde batting records and Simon Duke fresh from opening the bowling for Surrey Championship’s Walton on Thames and surely one of the quickest bowlers ever seen at Sendholme.

On winning the toss, Ashley surprised his opposite number by electing to bat, a change from the time honoured tradition of inserting the opposition and very much a declaration of confidence. Jordy and Jody (plenty of potential for confusion there) opened the batting and against the whole hearted pace of Tom Barton and the skilful swing bowling of James Aston, a fascinating battle developed. Both batsmen struggled at times and gave chances but both were ruthless in putting away the loose ball and whilst no wickets fell for some time, the score mounted slowly and it would be hard to say that either side was truly in control.

Finally, with the score at 65 and after 22 overs, Jody drove hard at Tom and James Aston took a stinging catch at mid off. Jordy however, passed 50 and in company with Nick Freeman, had taken the score to 108 before pulling at one that was perhaps not quite short enough and got a leading edge which was comfortably taken by David Outtrim at cover for an excellent 75.

Was there now, an opening for the Invitation XI? Jerry Wright certainly thought so bringing himself into the attack and surprised even himself as Nick Freeman, Phil Hall, Rob Symondson and most surprisingly of all, Skipper Ashley, tamely handed him their wickets over the course of 5 overs. With Justin being caught behind the wicket off Freddie Cottrell and Simon Duke and Matt Stockbridge also going cheaply to Piers Du Boulay, the innings had subsided to a rather sorry looking 165 – 9. It was left to Luca Coleman, playing for the first time in quite a while, to attack the bowling, well supported by old stager Cudders and these two had taken the score to 220 before Luca was bowled by Freddie for a firmly struck 30 leaving Cudders gloriously undefeated on 6. On a rather slow and up and down wicket, this looked a par total.

A rather leisurely tea meant that the Invitation team were tasked with scoring 221 to win in 75 minutes plus 20 overs which looked a rather tall order which looked even taller when Nick Hudson, scorer of one of the fastest centuries seen at Concorde in the past, was bowled by the man with the golden arm, Captain Ash, in his first over. Nevertheless, James Aston was in pugnacious mood and some meaty drives down the ground got the score moving and Johnny Wright too looked good in sending a couple of balls to the boundary.

It was at this point that Cudders began to feel unwell and for fear of a reoccurrence of past problems, was forced to leave the ground. Perhaps as a result of the slight delay and general concern for Ian, Johnny’s concentration slipped and he missed one of Ashley’s surprise deliveries – a straight one – and was bowled for 10.

Nick Wright, not having picked up a bat for a period measurable in years, came to the wicket to be faced by a very revved up Simon Duke who was bowling with serious pace. Simon has developed a nice smooth run up and with his strong action, is a lovely bowler to watch – unless of course you happen to be facing. Nick, however, was quickly into his stride, cover driving him for 4 and then driving him over mid off for 4 more. This was a terrific contest and whilst it is fair to say that by virtue of not getting out, Nick was winning it, Dukie was having success with the middle order.

Having struck a belligerent 29, James Aston was caught off Dukie and David Outtrim, playing his first game for 17 years was well caught behind by Justin for a duck. A bit unfortunate to have your first game after so long and be facing express pace instead of some nice gentle medium pace! Will Neale made a valiant effort to keep the scoring rate up in making 18 and with Nick Wright still going well and passing 50, things looked to be getting back on track for the invitation XI.

However, Matt Stockbridge and Phil Hall nipped out Will Neale and Robin Du Boulay and most importantly of all, Nick Wright was brilliantly caught in the deep by Dukie off Matt Stockbridge for 57. When hard hitting,Tom Barton , held back for just this situation , got a shooter that gave him no chance and Freddie was bowled by Phil Hall, it looked all over for the Invitation XI at 150 – 9.

But Piers Du Boulay, playing his first game for at least 5 years had other ideas. He had played himself in and with Jerry Wright keeping him company, he set about the bowling, striking the ball with great power and precision and soon the field was being spread to try and restrain him. With Jerry Wright snatching singles where possible to give Piers the strike, a surprise win for the Invitation XI began to look possible and with 3 overs to go, only 18 were required.

Coming back into the attack, Dukie bowled a brilliant maiden over with every ball just short of a length and on middle stump and Piers found himself unable to do anything except keep the thunderbolts out. 17 off 2 overs put a huge strain on him and in trying to go for it, he holed out to mid wicket. A very brave 45 from Piers had almost snatched victory but in the end a well deserved win for Concorde by 16 runs

A wonderful days cricket, keenly contested and at times of a very high quality and all played in a wonderful spirit presided over genially and with total impartiality by Toby Cudworth, Jerry Stockbridge and Tony Wright.