Concorde v Thames Valley Ramblers

Match Report

It was a glorious day for cricket, 22 degrees and blue sky. Many of the TVR team turned up late so the game got underway at 14.00.

Jordy (who hadn’t played cricket for 2 years) and Nick F entered the crease for the opening game of the season. Both took only a few balls to get going before slashing beautiful cover drives to the boundary. Nick F pushed to 22 runs before trying to pull a shot he wish he hadn’t and was replaced by Justin who similarly seemed to see the ball like a beach ball. Both Jordy and Justin struck huge shots to the boundary and the opposition where regularly searching for the ball in the field across the road and in the neighbouring cottage grounds. Jordy was quickly on 50 and then seemed to accelerate to 100 even faster. Justin waved at a nippy ball and was caught by their keeper on 25 to be replaced by Chris Jones on his debut for the club. Chris has had very little practice for close to 20 years but struck the ball beautifully driving a couple straight back past the bowler. He was teased by some slower bowling and crept out of his wicket only to be stumped by their Northern Irish keeper, nonetheless a great 10 runs for his first game back. Phil replaced Chris and also came out striking the ball beautifully….however, what we all were witnessing here was something rather extraordinary. Jordy was on top form and really had his eye in….he looked unstoppable and almost everything bowled at him was heading to the boundary….Concorde’s batting record was in his sights….the only thing was the previous highest score ever at Concorde was Jordy’s….148 and he smashed through this with an huge 6!…Phil then gave an edge to the keeper and was headed back to the dressing room. The next debutant was Billy Craigen – only 12 years old. He came to the crease and within a few shots was driving the ball beautifully and doing his best to keep Jordy on strike for the last couple of overs before tea. We declared for tea at 16.40 Jordy on 171 Not out and Billy on 7 Not out – our Innings total was 261 which we would have happily taken before we started! 😉

Tea by Janet and Dotty was fabulous and Georgina and Mick served at the bar.

We came out after tea knowing the opposition were unlikely to get too close to our score, however, we obviously needed to get them all out!!….We opened with Dan Hill (12 years) and Ben Westen – both bowling a few wayward balls in their opening overs. Ben then struck with 2 wickets in quick succession, the first a well taken catch at mid on by Jordy and then clean bowling their no.3. Dan was replaced by Chris Jones who similarly took a few overs to get his rhythm but soon found his line and length. Edgar replaced Ben and was fizzing the ball like ‘Warney’ – his first wicket however, was a full toss which went straight into the hands of Jordy (his second catch of the day!). Eddie then clean bowled another and took their wicket total to 4. Things were looking good. Phil Hall replaced Chris jones and bowled a very impressive fast seam up spell claiming a further 2 wickets. Time was starting to run out and we needed to get these last few wickets….it seemed they had dug in for the draw. I replaced Phil and managed to take a wicket (from a play on) on the first ball….suddenly it felt like we were back in it and could get the win. Next over I took another LBW and suddenly we all had the belief we could win. The field was tightened for the last few overs and a few catches nearly came….alas, we were left with a winning draw with TVR on 200-8.

A wonderful day of cricket played – the opposition were a great match and I hope they also enjoyed their day out. Hats off to Jordy Dyer for a new Concorde CC batting record which will not be beaten for a very very long time. Also special note to Nigel Wright who fielded impeccably and may have his name on the fielding cup already!! 😉