A Buccs side full of youth turned up to picturesque Farnham CC keen to avenge last year’s loss against the Wanderers. Faced with a stodgy looking wicket and no sign of the six foot six spinner that ravaged the Buccs in 2014, Vollers used the winning toss to send his oppo into bat.
The opening pair of Metcalfe and Moules started well with the latter rewarded early on, dismissing a dangerous looking bat after he sent a pearler through the gate. Unfortunately the second of the Buccs pacemen had to withdraw from the after twisting his back so Hobson was thrown the almost new ball to dibble and dobble from the pavilion end.
After a few very tight overs, Hobbo decided to throw in some variation and try the ‘much-slower-full-bunger’…success! The batsman had just about finished licking his lips when he found he had plonked the pie straight at Chakravarti at short mid-wicket. Oops. Woolfries joined the party and was soon awarded a plum LBW. A couple of quick wickets and the Buccs were back in the game. One problem stood in the way however – the other opening bat, who appeared ungetoutable.
Leefe was particularly impressive in the field, throwing himself around the boundary as the big opener began to see a beach ball. Leefe’s commitment rubbed off on the rest of the team and while the Buccs weren’t taking many wickets, run scoring was tough. The star fielder was relieved of his boundary-stopping duties and thrown the ball to join the spin attack. Keeper Morgan, playing in his 50th season for the club (50th season!!), clung onto a knick to remove another sponsor-laden batsman and this lifted the fielding side. A solid spell from Woolfries was followed by more Moules who bowled a fine 13 overs in the heat of the day.
The Wanderers declared on 226 from 42 overs which, with a now sun-soaked pitch and faster outfield in store, was very generous of their captain. Would the Buccs capitalise…?
After a delicious tea, Hobbo headed to the local off license to get a few cold ciders for the spectators and returned to see the Buccs were three down for not many. Streatfield, on debut for the club, followed a couple of good looking punches down the ground with a gentle sweep straight into the keeper’s gloves and Bennison was castled by a jaffer. Hobbs entered the fray and immediately smashed one into the bushes. Unfortunately this cavalier approach didn’t come off and the next attempted biff found the hands of the Wanderer mid-on. Vollers was in next and he and Chakravati attempted to plug the holes in a fast sinking HMS Buccaneer. They seemed to be succeeding before Vollers inexplicably threw his wicket away, gently chipping one into the air off a bowler whose spell would end 2-0-24-1. Blast. Metcalfe’s day didn’t improve as he left a ball that jagged back into his off stump then Moules didn’t last much longer as scoreboard pressure started to tell. At 95 for seven, the incoming Hobson set about protecting his top of the table Buccs average. Dealing almost exclusively in boundaries his squash-buckling knock was admired up close by Leefe, Morgan, and Woolfries who all provided brief support before the Buccs were eventually bowled out for 120. It was a shame they couldn’t do the beautiful setting justice but a good day was had by all and the Buccs enjoyed a post-match de-brief in the local pub while Hobbo calculated his average in the corner.
Innings of Wanderers
G King not out 123
S Gul ct Morgan b Moules 8
P Melhuish ct Chakravarti b Hobson 20
B Aldridge lbw Woolfries 1
M Nicholson ct Morgan b S Leefe 23
S March b Leefe 5
R Love not out 18
Extras 16
Total 226 for 6 dec
Metcalfe 3-0-14-0
Moules 13-1-58-1
Hobson 9-1-36-1
Woolfries 8-0-60-1
Leefe 9-0-49-2
Innings of Buccaneers
Streatfield ct Brooks b J Aldridge 6
Chakravarti ct b Tindall 31
Bennison b J Aldridge 2
Hobbs v Melhuish 6
Vollers ct Bennett b B Aldridge 18
Metcalfe b J Aldridge 0
Moules ct J Aldridge b Bennet 4
Hobson not out 36
Leefe ct J Aldridge b Tindall 7
Morgan ct Mar b Bennet 1
Woolfries lbw Tindall 1
Extras 15
Total 120 all out
J Aldridge 9-0-37-3
P Melhuish 5-2-7-1
B Aldridge 2-0-24-1
R Tindall 7.3-1-23-3
J Bennet 6-1-27-2