Founded in 1930, the Buccaneers is a wandering cricket club with Sunday fixtures, some all day, played throughout the South East of England including in Oxfordshire, Surrey, Sussex and London.

"Let us take our stand and play the game, but rather for the cause than for the fame"

Caspar scares The Mote to help us back to winning ways

We arrived at the lovely old Kent ground in Mote Park in bright sunshine. We agreed a 40 over match much to the dismay of their Umpire. As he was descending the stairs of the large old pavilion he asked us what the format was and then was heard to mutter “oh how disappointing” then descended four more steps to and almost in the same breath ask their Captain to confirm the format and was then overheard to say “oh bloody hell not this 40 over rubbish” to much eye catching and sniggering in the back rows.

We lost the toss but were inserted which suited us nicely as the pitch looked good and the outfield was fast; although we quickly found out that the wicket was actually slow and misbehaving from the top end. This was in evidence early on when Ludo Milne (15 yrs) was hit on the elbow from a lifting delivery off a length. He bravely carried on although he was in some pain but was the first wicket to fall to a good ball not long afterwards. Jeremy Milne played a superbly measured innings of 72 to give us a great platform and was ably assisted by Crispin Vollers, Somak Bose and Richard Hobbs the latter confusing everyone with a hook shot that looked like a Phil Mickelson lob wedge that spun around the stumps.

We got slightly bogged down in the middle period of the innings but a superb big hitting knock from debutant Angus Berry (68 not out) and a lightening between the wickets Tom Fletcher (28 not out) put together a nice partnership that just gave us enough runs (218) to defend.

We opening the bowling attack with Hobson and Caspar Milne (13yrs) two great fast bowlers who’s hang time rivals that of Michael Jordan. They started well with two maiden overs. Then their opening pair relaxed their shoulders in the next two overs to hit some big boundaries but this did not deter Caspar who struck back with the last ball of his third over having Buckland (13) caught magnificently by Angus Berry diving low to his right at square leg with a well worked out field placing by the captain. Hobson then had Sterling stumped by the impressive debutant keeper Fletcher for a duck with some vicious tempting outswing outside the off stump.

Caspar ‘s fourth over was an absolute joy to watch from all perspectives. He had Bristow (4) lbw with a straight looping ball that, although the batsman got a fair stride in, hit him on the front foot right in line. The batsman was absolutely furious with the decision and let a sharp volley at the umpire that rent the atmosphere. Totally undeterred by these events the umpire strode after the departing batsmen with the fury of a whirlwind gesticulating and admonishing him severely for bad sportsmanship. After another four dot balls, Caspar had Feltham caught for another duck at cover to much hooping, hollering and head patting from all the fielders. A double wicket maiden

Hobson then took himself off for Warwick Okines who took a wicket with his fifth ball by dismissing Joseph for a duck (bowled with a fine turning ball that went through the gate). Another wicket maiden in successive overs, the visitors cock-a-hoop and the hosts in tatters at 25 for 5!

However there was another twist in the tail as we suspected that a reversed batting order was in force as one of their first team players arrived and started to knock our few bad balls for big fours. Williams (68 not out) and White (43) chased down our total well until their partnership was broken by a real fast bowler and debutant Stephen Moules bowling White and shattering the stumps.

Walters (51) then assisted Williams to take the chase even further toward our total and we started to get a little bit nervous. However, with the return of Hobson and Caspar Milne to bowl at the death victory looked assured.

Caspar went for only four runs off the first over of his second spell and his last over for two runs where he dismissed Walters to a fine catch to restrict the hosts to 205 and win the game. A fantastic spell (of 8-1-27-4) for a terrific young cricketer in the Buccaneer mould. We look forward to his next game at Brook.

Another fine Buccaneers victory.

Toss: Mote

Buccaneers Innings

J Milne c Buckhard b Adams 72
L Milne c Buckard b Walters 7
C Vollers b Waterson 17
S Bose c Adams b Waterson 8
S Moules c Buckard b Adams 0
A Berry not out 68
R Hobbs b Feltham 8
T Fletcher not out 28
Extras 10

Total (for 6 wickets, 40 overs) 218

Bowling:
Walters 8-2-30-1
Williams 5-0-19-0
Adams 8-0-34-2
Waterson 8-1-64-2
White 5-0-16-0
Feltham 6-0-45-1

Mote Innings

S Buckland c Berry b C Milne 13
M Bristow lbw b C Milne 8
T Sterling stumped Fletcher b Hobson 0
C Feltham c b C Milne 0
J Joseph b Okines 0
R Williams not out 68
M White b b S Moules 43
L Walters c b C Milne 51
R Adams not out 4

Extras 18

Total (for 7 wickets in 40 overs) 205

Bowling

P Hobson 8-1-30-1
C Milne 8-1-27-4
W Okines 7-1-30-1
A Berry 4-0-23-0
L Milne 3-0-22-0
S Moules 4-0-32-1
R Hobbs 4-0-23-0

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Records tumble as 699 runs scored in draw

Old Cranleighans 387-4 (Rolling 203*, E Copleston 53*, Jordan 53) drew with Buccs 312-8  (R Rydon 102*, Cross 3 for 31,)

For the first time since (what has felt like) the dawn of time, the weather held out and battle was able to commence between the Old Cranleighans and the Buccaneers on 12th July. Rumours were rife on arrival at the ground of excessive run scoring exploits throughout Cranleigh’s cricket week – these rumours were confirmed on closer inspection of the wicket which could only be described as a road. The match the previous day had yielded an aggregate of 700 runs and not many wickets – it was enough to make the most seasoned bowlers weep into their jockstraps.

The toss was lost and the affable OCs skipper predictably elected to bat. The OCs opening batsmen, Rollings and Cross had clearly had their Weetabix that morning as they piled on the runs at 10 an over. Rydon bowled without much luck until he dismissed Cross (32) caught and bowled. This didn’t stem the flow of runs however with Jordan (53) further accelerating until young Buccs leggie Ballantyne lured him down the wicket and took his edge well caught by keeper Chakravarti. Hamish Robertson bowled without luck for the Buccs before the skipper Steele turned to the wily flight and guile of Woolfries. The flow of runs was finally stemmed before the pressure told on Hill who was bowled for 21 by a Woolfries Doosra. The greatest achievement however was the maiden that he managed to bowl amongst the run-mageddon.

Lunch was taken at 1pm with the Buccs on the wrong end of 220 odd for 3 and opener Rollings already past his century. Comfort was sought in and taken from the Chicken Korma, Naan bread and poppadoms provided. The Buccs regrouped and in the first over post-cuzza Dave West, feeling fresh from some exotic exploits the night before, took the wicket of Coplesdon S (1) via a fine sharp catch from Neil Robertson.  The joy was short lived however as the OCs accelerated again and the score approached 300 with the huge crowd sensing a sporting declaration. Cranleigh however batted on with Rollings eventually completing his double ton, a new OC record score (203*) via a series of reverse pulls/ sweeps and general left handed batting. This prompted the Craneligh skipper to finally declare on 387-4: a tough score to chase down in less than 50 overs.

Buccs openers Milne and Chakravati started breezily until Chakravati was out for 22 and Jeremy Milne returning to the hutch before tea for a composed 42. New bastmen Steele and Hobson managed to make it to tea without overindulging on the buffet bowling being served up by the OCs. After a civilised tea Steele (40) then pushed the run rate on but fell caught in the deep after getting too greedy at the OCs trough. Hobson then fell soon after for 25. Neil Roberston, ably supported by son Olly, then stabilised the middle order before Olly fell for 18.

This brought Rydon to crease (obviously smarting from his bowling figures (10-0-78-1)) and began taking the game to the opposition assisted by N Roberstson (30) and West (10). Ballantyne fell for a duck and it left Hamish Robertson, displaying a very straight bat, to guide Rydon to a superb swashbuckling 101* off 86 balls and secure a very creditable draw for the Buccs who finished on 312-8.

Overall an excellent game of cricket played in good spirits.

OC Innings 387-4 dec

Rollings not out 203*
Cross O ct and bowled Rydon 32
Jordan Ct Sujay Chakravarti B Ballantyne 53
Hill D Bowled Woolfries 21
Coplesdon S Ct Robertson B West 1
E Coplesdon not out 5*

Bowling

Rydon 10-0-78-1
Hobson 6-0-74-0
Roberston H 5-0-53-0
Woolfries 14-1-68-1
Ballentyne 3-0-38-1
West 9-0-66-1

Buccs Innings – 312-8

J Milne ct Coplesdon E b Scriven 42
Sujay Chakravati st Davies b Coplesdon C 22
Steele Ct Harrison B Cross 40
Hobson ct Jordan b Cross 25
O Robertson B Cross 18
N Roberston ct Chalmers b Langmead 30
Rydon not out 102
West ct Langmead B Scriven 10
Ballantyne b Scriven 0
H Robertson not out 6

Bowling

Hill 7-0-33-0
Scriven 7-0-44-0
Coplesdon E 16-2-107-3
Cross 5-0-40-1
Jordan 8-0-31-3
S Coplesdon 5-0-28-0

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Battle of Betchworth brings roll to an end

An unusually dry Betchworth ground welcomed the hastily scraped together Buccaneers team. The team included debutants Darryl Bird and Subir’s squash partner Richard Sadler.

The game started on a familiar note with the Buccs losing the toss and being asked to field. Richard Manyon and Freddie Bjorn produced an impressive opening spell which resembled the opening hour of a Test match at Headingly with six maiden overs in the first 10. Richard finally snapped up the first wicket with a smart low catch by the keeper Sujay. This was quickly followed by what could be possibly the catch of the season – a stunning caught and bowled by Richard Manyon. Freddie deservingly joined in and the Pilgrims were stumbling at 33 for 3. What then followed was a frustrating period of play before lunch. This included a few questionable umpiring decisions and a spilt catch at mid-wicket. However, impressive contributions by our latest recruits with Darryl’s aggressive bowling and Richard Sadler’s athletic fielding coupled with Hack’s spell of accurate bowling and usual banter, kept the Buccs spirit up. Lunch was taken with the match well poised. Unfortunately, the hearty lunch and round of port predictably swung the post-lunch session the Pilgrims way.

The Buccs begun the session promisingly with Warwick in particular bowling an excellent spell. However, some unorthodox and productive shot-making from their overseas players ensured the Pilgrims declared at 230 for 6 after 53 overs.

The Buccaneers reply started with the in-form James Stringer and the debutant opener Muktesh Ghatak. Unfortunately, Muktesh fell caught behind in the third over quickly followed by James who smashed a full toss straight to short mid-wicket. Darryl strode in at number three and demonstrated Klusener-esque ability to hit the bowl down the ground. However, he went for one shot too many and was yorked for 14. At 30 for 3 the brothers Chakravarti got together to try and rebuild the innings.  Several tense overs followed either side of tea before Sujay clipped a simple return catch to an innocuous off-break. In spite of some dogged batting (Richard Sadler) and at times entertaining (Freddie Bjorn) partnerships, what followed was a steady procession of wickets. The Buccaneers only glimmer of hope of winning (having clearly being informed by Hack that saving the game was not an option) faded when a promising eight wicket partnership of 32 between Subir and Warwick was ended when Subir was trapped in front of the wicket for a well-made 57. The remaining two wickets fell rapidly to ensure more time at the Red Lion and a good-humoured discussion with the opposing team about the quality of the umpiring.

Innings of Pilgrims:

Kandasamy c Sujay Chakravarti b Manyon 8
Janardhan c & b Manyon 22
Burgess c Bjorn b Woolfries 36
Saikia b Bjorn 0
Nathavani c Sujay Chakravarti b Oakines 27
Kanabarajan not out 66
Nichollls b Manyan 14
Vijayan not out 35

Total: 230 for 6 (53 overs)

Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-32, 3-33, 4-100, 5-120, 6-170,

Richard Manyon: 14-3-44-3
Freddie Bjorn: 10-4-42-1
Darryl Bird: 6-0-33-0
Richard Gwynn: 7-1-22-0
Warwick Oakines: 12-0-62-1
Simon Woolfries: 4-1-18-1

Innings of Buccaneers

James Stringer c Nathavani b Wood 6
Muktesh Ghatak c Bushe b Vijayan 2
Darryl Bird b Wood 14
Subir Chakravarti LBW Nathavani 57
Sujay Chakravarti c & b Baty 24
Richard Sadler c Wood b Baty 6
Freddie Bjorn c Bushe b Saikia 8
Richard Manyon c Burgess b Sakia 3
Warwick Oakines st Bushe b Sakia 13
Richard Gwynn b Nathavani 4
Simon Woolfries not out 0

Total: 145 all out (42.2 overs)

Fall of Wickets: 1-9, 2-9, 3-30, 4-69, 5-80, 6-97, 7-109, 8-141, 9-145, 10-145

Wood: 8-2-23-2
Vijayan: 9-1-28-1
Saikia: 14.2-2-43-3
Baty: 10-0-36-2
Natavani: 2-0-7-2

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Buccs drink back fixture as Hobbo continue fine form

A young and athletic Buccaneers side arrived bright eyed and bushy tailed at the fine Hurlingham ground. A thirty minute delay ensued as the “home” umpire and scorer were not prepared to officiate the game as the Buccaneers failed to turn up with an umpire. It turns out revenge is indeed a dish best served cold.

When play eventually got underway, the Buccaneers were put out to graze. The “Oval-induced” hungover Will Metcalfe (10-3-40-0) and debutant James Rutt (10-1-38-0) opening the bowling tightly. The introduction of Charlie Leefe (12-0-64-3) with his excellent leg spin saw the breakthrough, via an excellent catch by father Simon. The father and son show continued as Simon got a wicket with the last ball before lunch to leave the home side on 107-2 after 27 overs. The nagging line and length of Nav Kokri (4-0-16-1) got an early post lunch wicket which brought to the crease former Kent and England batsman, Ed Smith. A rather circumspect 22 from 36 balls was ended when Charlie Leefe drew him into an ugly hack and was caught on the boundary! Hurlingham declared on 249-5 off 52 overs.

The Buccaneers top order was blown away by the excellent opening spell from McAlister (11-2-28-3) and the bandanna wearing Jack Brooks lookalike Cattermull (12-4-24-2) Umpire Sam Glass got into the action early on with the wicket of Simon Leefe and Ollie Metcalfe being given out LBW to the left arm over McAlister. Having been reduced down to 35-4 , gritty resistance came in the form of debutant Richard Hobbs (21) and power packed Will Metcalfe (32). Umpire Glass was brought on at the other end and captured a further 3 sharp LBW decisions to prompt a slightly faltering chase. Nav Kokri (31) tried to steer the tail to victory and at 127-6 entering the final 20 overs, the remaining 120 looked possible. However a low order collapse left the last wicket pair needing 100 runs. Some big hitting for our final debutant Oliver Svhelik (15 from 10) propelled us to 166 when the rain came down with 10 over remaining.

Having burgled a draw, some members of the team were intent on recapturing the winning formula and after some fine drinks at Hurlingham, the Fulham Road once again bore the brunt of thirsty Buccaneers. The last wicket fell at 3:30am with Paul Hobson pulling up stumps after another long post match knock. A superb day out at one of the most imperious grounds and all played in great spirits.

Innings of Hurlingham

S Razvi  c S Leefe b C Leefe 19
R Cripps b C Leefe 101
F Lyon b S Leefe 22
S Chapman c Cunynghame b N Kokri 26
E Smith c E Cunynghame b C Leefe 22
C Stewart-Liberty not out 17
M McAllister not out 19

Extras 23
Total 249 for 5 dec
FOW 1-75(1), 2-107(3), 3-164(4), 4-198(5), 5-224(2)

W Metcalfe 10-3-40-0
J Rutt 10-1-38-0
R Hobson 10-1-36-0
C Leefe 12-0-64-3
N Kokri 4-0-16-1
S Leefe 1-0-7-1
O Svehlik 3-0-29-0
R Hobbs 2-0-7-0

Innings of Buccaneers

S Leefe lbw McAllister 7
S Bose b Cattermull 1
P Hobson c R Jenkins b Kenwood 9
O Metcalfe lbw McAllister 7
R Hobbs lbw Kenwood 21
W Metcalfe lbw Cattermull 32
N Kokri c Jenkins b McAllister 31
E Cunynghame c E Smith b Lyon 13
J Rutt lbw Chapman 2
C Leefe not out 1
O Svehlik not out 15

Extras 27
Total 166 for 9 – abandoned (rain)
FOW 1-10(1), 2-10(2), 3-30(4), 4-35(3), 5-61(5), 6-109(6), 7-126(8), 8-138(9), 9-142(7)

M McAllister 11-2-28-3
M Cattermull 12-4-24-2
F Lyon 11-2-43-1
A Kenwood 7-0-46-2
S Chapman 3-1-12-1

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Nomads domesticated as Buccs return to winning ways

The Buccs got back to winning ways on a new ground against The Nomads at North London CC on Sunday.

A good toss to win on what first looked like a bit of a pudding wicket and with a hint of that fine rain in the air; The Buccs chose to bat.

Vic Kandampully and Ollie Metcalfe both started well and after 15 overs a healthy total of 94 was already on the board for no loss. Vic unluckily fell for 43 to a deft catch down the leg side by the keeper after attempting a 20/20 style ramp off The Nomad’s spinner Ireland. Enter the in form Hobbo, fresh off the back of an unbeaten ton the week before. Ollie continued to deal in boundaries alone, reaching his fifty without troubling the scorers with any 1s, 2s or 3s.

Ollie and Hobbo continued to pile on the runs; some particularly powerful pulled flat 6s over mid-wicket from Metcalfe saw him quickly go on to make his first hundred for The Buccaneers and really put the pressure on The Nomads. Ollie eventually fell for 107 after miss-timing a drive to mid-on. Hobson did not relent and continued to score freely before being caught with a sharp catch to dismiss him for 87. Dilip and Crispin took up the reins and kept the scoreboard ticking, Dilip falling for 27. At 311 from 42 overs, The Buccs thought they had enough on the board and decided to declare 4 wickets down.

After a hearty tea and a medicinal ale, The Buccs took to the field to try and get a result. Metcalfe Senior opened the bowling with newcomer Richard Hobbs at the other end. A tight first couple of overs led to the fall of the first wicket, as the pressure of the run rate got too much for The Nomad opener Ramjag, trying to hit a ball that wasn’t there to be hit ending up caught at mid-wicket. The other opener Liversidge found his feet and started to score more freely with The Nomads beginning to make a comeback. The number 3 for The Nomads (Stokes) also started to pick up the pace until he was brilliantly caught at mid-off by Dilip, a very low and powerfully hit shot.

Hobbs tired after 5 overs of ripping spin and was replaced by The Buccs superstar all-rounder Hobbo. The names were not confusing at all for the scorers. Hobbo made an impact in his first over picking up the wicket of Steele for a duck. Metcalfe then struck again with a sharp caught and bowled to dismiss the dangerous opener Liversidge for 48. Hobson picked up another wicket with his next over, again claiming another victim without troubling the scorers. Hope was restored for The Nomads when Ireland came to the crease batting at 7. He came in and had obviously been just watching the Eng v NZ ODI in the bar as he straight away started pumping the ball to all corners of the ground. The Buccs began to get a little worried, but eventually Ireland holed out to another great Dilip catch at long off from the bowling of Nav Kokri for a swashbuckling 73. Little resistance followed and The Buccs wrapped up proceedings bowling The Nomads out for 187 off 29 overs.
Innings of Buccaneers

V Kandampully 43
O Metcalfe 107
P Hobson 87
D Bharadwaj 27
C Vollers not out 25
N Kokri not out 3

Extras 19
Total 311-4 (42 overs)

Robbins 10-0-69-0
Matthews 4-1-38-0
Ireland 10-1-64-1
Ormiston 12-0-53-2
Paige 2-0-27-0
Smith 4-0-39-1

Innings of Nomads

Liversidge ct & b W Metcalfe 48
Ramjag ct b W Metcalfe 1
Stokes ct b W Metcalfe 16
Steele ct b Hobson 0
Smith ct b Hobson 0
Ormiston ct b Hobson 21
Ireland ct b Kokri 73
Latchman ct b Hobson 10
Page lbw Kokri 11
Robbins not out 0
Matthews bowled Kokri 8

Extras 25
Total 187 all out (29 overs)

W Metcalfe 9-2-50-3
R Hobbs 5-0-36-0
P Hobson 9-1-53-4
S Bose 3-0-31-0
N Kokri 3-1-11-3

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Hobson’s heroics fail to turn the tide

The Buccs failed to halt the slide to 4 defeats in a row at Bitchet Green on Sunday against The Knockers (St Lawrence CC, Sevenoaks).

In a game reduced to 35 overs each after the home team turned up late, The Buccaneers batted first on a slow, low wicket. Paul Hobson and Sujay Chakravarty batted positively and put on over a hundred for the first wicket at five an over. Chakravarty struck the ball powerfully, scoring 32 in boundaries out of his 35. When Simon Leefe joined Hobson after 20 overs, the second wicket pairing put on another 60, with Leefe contributing a valuable 25 and then cameos from Ollie Metcalfe, Soumak Bose and Randall Walker took the total to 215 after 35. overs. In form opener Paul Hobson carried his bat beautifully for 110 not out, with a brutal cover drive to bring up his well-deserved ton.

215 looked like giving us a decent chance of recording our first win in this otherwise very enjoyable fixture, but some ordinary Buccs’ bowling and a magnificently ruthless innings of 83 from Paul Seldon (who incidentally also bowled very well), including eleven fours and four sixes, took the game away from us. Redeeming points for the losing side came from the bowling of Simon Leefe, who in one over dismissed Seldon and The Knockers’ captain, Tonbridge schoolboy Calber, who hit a fine 40, and Richard Gywnn, who bowled with his usual guile and economy; and a brilliant catch at cover by debutant Randall Walker to hold onto Seldon’s final exocet.

430 runs scored at over six an over made for a very good game, but the Buccs will have to return in 2016 to record our first victory for long overdue revenge.

Innings of Buccaneers

P Hobson not out 110
S Chakravarti ct B Hut 35
S Leefe b Seldon 25
O Metcalfe b Seldon 10
S Bose run out 3
R Walker not out 5

Extras 27
Total 215-4 (35 overs)

Speed 8-0-30-0
Calber 5-0-33-0
Knowles 7-0-42-0
Elliot 2-0-19-0
Hut 5-0-28-0
Seldon 8-0-37-2

Innings of Knockers

Calver ct & b Leefe 40
Amri ct b Walsh 8
Seldon ct b Leefe 83
Caz not out 33
Howe not out 27

Extras 21
Total 216 for 3 (30 overs)

M Walsh 3-0-29-0
R Walker 3-0-8-0
Metcalfe 3-0-25-0
B Palmer 6-0-41-0
S Leefe 7-0-42-0
R Gwynn 6-0-32-0
R Henderson 2-0-19-0

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Vic for Victory as Buccs make it three in a row

Turning the clock back to the heyday of the Buccaneers (when it invariably involved Hack), preparation for this game started at midnight the night before, with a swift half at the Coopers Arms followed by a dance-off at the Fez Club (with two old Buccs minding a youngster who later took 3 for not many).

Surprisingly the Captain and his charges arrived in good time at the picturesque ground of Newdiate CC. The view was slightly marred by the building site of the new club house (6 weeks late), the open air changing facilities and a portaloo. However, the building itself does look impressive and we are all looking forward to going back next year to sample its delights.

IMG_0718

So down to the cricket. We won the toss, elected to bat and it was a decision that was immediately put under the microscope when on the fifth ball of the innings some strange calling, followed by some equally strange running to the same end, resulted in the umpires converging for quite a while. Did the keeper control the ball? Who was actually run out? Did anyone video it for YouTube? Unfortunately there was no video replay available to aid their decision and Sujay ‘The Wall’ lost his appeal.

However, these fears were quickly allayed when James Crichton joined the fray hitting probably the best four fours we have witnessed but unfortunately didn’t go through with his next shot and chipped it back to the bowler. Vic Kandampully got into his stride with some solid hitting especially his cover drives which ended up racing to the midwicket boundary.  There was a good cameo from Tom ‘The Fezter’ Grundy adding some quick runs to get the board ticking along nicely.

Vic scored a measured 82 with some lovely shots before he was stumped trying to push up the run rate after being ably assisted by Messrs Stringer (30) and Ghatak (28) who also did some big hitting of their own.  During Vic’s innings he was caught up in some controversy involving their captain who tried to Mankad him when he was “virtually still in his crease”. This tussle revived itself throughout the Newdigate captain’s innings.

Towards the end of the Buccaneers innings Jim ‘Clairvoyant’ Harcourt called his method of dismissal and what followed was some big hitting from Will Metcalfe (24) and Rob Rydon (doubling the amount of balls he has faced this season, to 6 for another not out big hitting cameo).

Onto the Newdigate Innings. We witnessed a very tight opening spell from the Rydon Express who steamed in downhill with the ball missing the bat and hitting the gloves (and the floor? Ed.) with regularity. He returned superb figures of 8-2-17-3 and with Will ‘on the spot’ Metcalfe, we kept the run rate at bay.

Rydon had the captain caught behind but although he admitted he had hit it, said that the catch was a bump ball – much to our amazement. Unfortunately the umpire was unmoved and after a choice word, Vic caught another volley.

Crispin Vollers produced a cracking leg spin bowling performance keeping the runs down after a drop catch off Metcalfe put him “in a dark place“. He was unlucky not to take more wickets: having an lbw appeal against their captain turned down (after some vigorous team-wide appealing; especially from Vic at Square leg, who received it in the neck again with the comment “I’m going to teach you the laws of cricket”.

James Crichton also bowled well (and quickly) down the hill hitting the captain on the helmet with a short one and Paul ‘the Cad’ Hobson disgraced himself with four double figure overs – his last going for 20 to give Newdigate a sniff of victory.

Tom then produced two of the finest throws from distance, fielding first at deep mid off up the hill and then deep mid on down the hill, hitting the stumps with laser-like precision to run out batsmen 7 and 8.

Will and Tom finished them off in the 37th over with 32 still required.

And the last word goes to Vic who pulled off an amazing catch off Metcalfe to dismiss their captain (for a superb 89) by leaping backwards like a salmon after running in too far. When he hit the floor our hearts were in our mouths for about five seconds as we watched him sprawl about on the floor but fortunately he raised his arm aloft in salute to much celebrating. Kandampully won both Man of the Match and Champagne Moment in one go. A stunning Buccaneers victory.

Newdigate v Buccaneers

Toss: Buccaneers

Buccaneers Innings

V Kandampully  stumped  b Wickremasinghe  82
S Chakravarti run out 0
J Crichton c&b May-Jones 20
T Grundy c b Renwick 19
J Stringer b O’Malley 30
M Ghatak b O’Malley 28
C Vollers stumped b O’Malley  5
J Harcourt b O’Malley 1
W Metcalfe c b Roast 24
R Rydon not out 14
P Hobson not out  2

Extras 10
Total (for 9 wickets, 40 overs) 239

FOW 1-4, 2-32, 3-87, 4-139, 5-176, 6-186, 7-196, 8-216, 9-226

Bowling:

Jones 6-0-40-1
Kehl 4-2-19-0
Renwick 7-0-39-1
Roast 7-1-40-1
Wickremasinghe 8-0-29-1
O’Mally 8-0-64-4

Newdigate Innings

C. Osbourne c Hobson b Vollers 26
H Patel b Rydon 16
T O’ Malley lbw Rydon 3
M Ashkuri b Rydon 0
R Wickremasinghe c Kandampully b Metcalfe  89
M Ronce b Crichton 19
J Bowley run out 0
J May-Jones run out 8
S Roast c b Metcalfe 5
S Kehl c b Grundy 10
J Renwick not out 7

Extras 12

Total (all out, 37 overs) 208

FOW 1-27, 2-44, 3-45, 4-102, 5-131, 6-132, 7-152, 8-181, 9-202, 10-208

Bowling

Rydon 8-2-17-3
Metcalfe 6.4-0-34-2
Vollers 8-0-43-1
Crichton 8-0-45-1
Hobson 4-0-46-0
Grundy 2-0-13-1

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Only one team turns up at Ripley

This was a one-sided match.  Fortunately, the Buccaneers were the one side.  Having lost the services of Simon Leefe, who had suffered an injury the day before playing football (in May!), we arrived with 10 long-experienced campaigners.   In contrast most of our opponents seemed only just to have taken to long trousers.  So, instead of a toss, the captains quickly negotiated a deal whereby the Buccaneers would bat first.  Ripley had asked for a 40-over match and we obliged.

Andy Morgan celebrates his 50th Buccs season at Ripley

Andy Morgan celebrates his 50th Buccs season at Ripley (young shaver Gwynn at first slip)

As if in early desperation, Ripley managed to take to the field with 12 men but during the second over their cunning stratagem was spotted by the umpire and so we took the interloper for ourselves– very beneficially as it turned out.

Messrs Hobson and Sujay Chakravarti opened our innings and began cautiously but steadily against two tidy opening bowlers, who were one of Ripley’s rarer species – their voices had broken.  By the end of the 20th over they had 100 runs to their combined credit.  They then accelerated, adding 21 in the next two overs, but alas in the 23rd over Sujay was stumped for 78 and in came brother Subir.   He continued the theme of steady accumulation.  Paul reached 80 and then rushed for the finish line with no sign of nineties nerves, taking his next 20 runs from 7 scoring shots to reach a fine century, once planting the ball in local cottage garden.  Subir meanwhile was accelerating too, hitting what is, he maintains, his first ever six (do we believe him?) and then another, before being bowled for 59.  Rob Rydon then joined Mr Hobson but had little time to display the full range of his shots, ending the innings on 5 not out with Paul finishing on 114 not out.  The Buccaneers total was 264 for 2, an obviously impossible target.

After what was Ripley’s finest contribution to the afternoon, a splendid tea, Rob Rydon and Paul McCann opened our bowling, and very tidily too.  Rob was very threatening, constantly whistling the ball past the bat, but alas had no luck.  Paul snapped up two wickets in two balls in an excellent spell but it was left to Paul Hobson and the young man from Ripley, Josh Thomas, to extract the only teeth that Ripley showed, two batsmen with double figures.  After that is was a matter of trying to remove the remaining plaque, some of which was stubborn.  Steve Brandes came on to wield his dental pick and in a tenaciously accurate spell of 8 overs took 2 wickets for one run, a remarkable return.  Richard Gwynn similarly contributed, bowling 3 overs for no runs and taking a wicket.  The end came in the 32nd over, a total of 53 all out.  While it’s good to have a win, do we need such a gentle start to the season?  Answers on a postage stamp to Mr Close.

Buccaneers v Ripley – 10 May 2015

Innings of Buccaneers

P Hobson not out 114
Sujay Chakravarti stumped Gibbons 78
Subir Chakravarti b Fell 59
R Rydon not out 5

Extras 8
Total 264-2 (40 overs)

M Cliff 8-0-30-0
J Anderson 4-0-27-0
J Bell 4-0-27-0
T Clover 2-0-21-0
T Zapp 8-1-49-0
C Gibbons 4-0-31-1
P Fell 4-0-30-1
C Anderson 2-0-26-0
D Govey 1-0-3-0

Innings of Ripley

T Zapp ct B Hobson 15
J Anderson b McCann 6
T Clover b McCann 0
M Cliff ct b Thomas 16
J Bell lbw Brandes 2
D Govey b Thomas 0
R Baddock st Morgan b McCann 1
C Gibbons ct b Gwynn 1
C Anderson b Bryant 2
P Fell not out 1
B Mulvinhill ct b Brandes 0

Extras 9
Total 53 all out (31.2 overs)

R Rydon 5-1-13-0
P McCann 7-3-11-3
P Hobson 3-1-7-1
J Thomas 5-4-7-2
S Brandes 8-7-1-2
R Gwynn 3-3-0-1
J Bryant 0.2.-0-1-1

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Andy Morgan receives the 2015 Geoffrey Moore Award

Each year one Buccaneer is chosen to receive the Geoffrey Moore Award, in memory of the Club’s founder, for a notable contribution to the Club.

The President awards this year's gong to Andy Morgan

The President awards this year’s gong to Andy Morgan

Last Sunday Andy Morgan was presented with the trophy by Club President Simon Woolfries at the match against Ripley CC in Surrey. Andy was chosen for the award in recognition of his achievement of having now played for the Buccaneers for 50 years – a unique record in the Club’s 86 year history.  Andy will undoubtedly add to his playing years as he is still sought after by match managers for his wicket-keeping and aggressive left-handed batting.

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Deep batting rescues Buccs from a cold and watery grave

Thorpe (left) and Hussain (right) celebrate the win at Forest Row

Thorpe (left) and Hussain (right) celebrate the win at Forest Row

In gathering gloom reminiscent of England’s famous win in the Karachi twilight almost 15 years ago, the Buccaneers wrestled victory from the slavering jaws of defeat at Forest Row on Sunday 26 April.

With captain James Stringer (46 not out) playing the Nasser Hussain role, though with less good humour but more shots, and Nav Kokri (47 not out) reprising Graham Thorpe’s well-paced match-winning knock, the Buccaneers chased down 195 with four wicket standing and 2.3 overs to spare.

Yet this terrific win looked as unlikely as a Peter Moores knighthood midway through the innings when Buccs were 80 for 5 and then 114 for 6 on a damp greentop. The Forest Row bowling was challenging enough in the conditions and the early tone was set when Sujay Chakravarti departed in the first over.

James Smith looked in very decent nick until given out lbw for 24 by Umpire Close, whose surname seemed something of an oxymoron in the circumstances given the batsman’s view of the questionable decision. Smith reacted to the dismissal with the charm and good grace one would expect from a man raised in the northern leagues.

The Buccaneers’ bowling and fielding was generally impressive considering the challenges that nature placed in the way on the day: arctic temperatures, a wet ball not to mention a short boundary on one side and an even shorter one on the other.

All of the six bowlers took at least one wicket, Smith two with his spin. Paul Hobson hooped the ball around like Jimmy Anderson in a wind tunnel and was unfortunate not to pick up more than one wicket. Manyon returned after a chastening early-season spell first up, to bowl ball of the day, pitching middle and hitting the top of off to dismiss Ellis. Bjorn defied local UKIP prejudices to show that Scandinavians can bowl tidy inswing and Stern bowled with both flight and guile … (enough of this. Ed.). Stern also contributed to the afternoon by offering Hobson cod-instruction on how to bowl the inswinger at the drinks break. The Buccs stuck at it well and for once no catches were dropped.

Forest Row v Buccaneers

Toss: Buccaneers

Forest Row innings

J Holmes         c                                  b Bjorn           47
S Ellis              c Suj. Chakravarti      b Kokri          20
B Ellis                                                  b Manyon       17
J De Souza      c Hobson                    b Smith           9
D Rosslee       st Suj. Chakravarti     b Stern          12
C Franklin      run out                                                37
S Mason                                              b Smith           32
I McPake         not out                                                  4

Extras                                                                             27
Total (for 6 wickets, 40 overs)                                195
FOW 1-57, 88-2, 102-3, 121-4, 122-5, 190-6, 195-7

Bowling:

F Bjorn 8-3-32-1
R Manyon 8-2-49-1
P Hobson 8-1-26-1
J Smith 7-0-32-2
J Stern 5-0-22-1
N Kokri 4-0-24-1

Buccaneers innings

†Suj. Chakravarti                                           b Woodward 0
J Smith                        lbw                              b Mason         24
Sub. Chakravarti                                            b Young          13
P Hobson                                                       b Mason         19
J Stern                                                             b Holmes        7
M Ghatak                    c                                  b McPake        20
N Kokri                       not out                                                 47
*J Stringer                  not out                                                46

Extras                                                                                        22
Total (for 6 wickets, 37.3 overs)                                         196
FOW: 1-0, 2-42, 3-51, 4-66, 5-80, 6-114

Bowling:
Woodward 8-1-27-1
Cryer 3-0-16-0
Mason 8-1-16-2
Young 3-0-17-0
Holmes 7-0-33-1
McPake 3-0-24-1
Franklin 2-0-13-0
De Souza 3.3-0-36-0

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