Buccaneers Cricket Club

Hurlingham Club 120 all out (35 overs) lost to The Buccaneers 121-3 (26.1 overs) by 7 wickets

As ever, with Hurlingham comes gloriously sunshine. This year we were invited to play a timed game format, starting at 13.30 with 20 overs from 18.00. The Buccaneers lost the toss and were put into the field. After the liberal application of factor 50, the Buccs took to the field with Hamish Robertson and Ludo Milne opening up the attack with the new ball. Both bowled well but had little luck with catches not reaching or streaky edges through the slips. It was looking like it could be a long stint in the field until the first wicket fell in the 13 th from the first change Stephen E Moules. The middle stump cartwheeling towards Fletcher as Steve bowled the opening bat. A few overs later Moules struck again with an LBW and Simon Leefe added another through Tom Fletcher’s fast handed stumping. Moules continued his form with another bowled and a couple of catches behind reaching an excellent first five-for of his playing career! (7 overs, 5-30).

Chris Leech soon came to the fold with his tweakers mopping up the tail with a keen three wickets in 4.4 overs. This left Hurlingham all out for 120 in 35 overs.

We were all set to head back out to play following a 15 minute changeover, when we all heard the tea trollies clinking down the path. At which point, a tea comprising sandwiches cakes and refreshments was taken.

Berry and Kalidasan were tasked with opening up for the Buccs and, like Hurlingham, our opening pair got off to a solid start reaching 48 runs without loss before the first wicket fell in the 15th over. It was Berry walking back to the pavilion with an admirable 26 runs. Michael Harms (centurion in the most recent fixture between these two sides) came and went fairly quickly with one run from his five balls faced before blocking one with his pads in front of the sticks. Eswar remained the steady constant for the Buccaneers as Charlie Leefe stepped up to the crease dispatching his first ball for four through the covers.

As ever, Charlie continued to see ball, try to hit ball and a few more crushing fours came off until he missed a straight one and was bowled for 26 runs from his 21 balls faced. Ludo Milne came in to support Eswar to his wonderful 50 no out, sending the Buccaneers to a seven wicket victory. Further revelry and Pimm’s was enjoyed in the setting sun.

The full scorecard can be found below:

Steve Moules’ analysis can be found below:

Eswar’s batting stats can be found below:

Armadillos 181-9 (40 overs) beat Buccaneers 160 all out by 21 runs

A long wet spring meant the Sheffield Park outfield had only had its first cut a few days before the Buccs’ arrival. Nevertheless, despite the lush outfield the pitch itself played remarkably well with little variable bounce. A close fought 40 over game followed, which the Buccs narrowly lost by 21 runs.

The Armadillos were put into bat by the Buccs’ skipper Simon Leefe, to groans all round. However, a tight opening spell (Robertson 3-36, Rydon 1-14) soon had the Armadillos at 38 for 4 and struggling to score. The Dills’ skipper, Ant Pickering, held their innings together and was out to a good ball from Moules, clean bowled on the last ball before lunch. After lasagne and rosé, Miller and Davison started scoring freely and took their side to 140 for 5 before debutante Rhys Skinner bowled a very tidy spell of medium quickish to finish with 2 for 8. Berry joined the party with two quick wickets (2-35) and Jim Mann showed typical Buccs’ ruthlessness by catching out son Ollie at cover point. Plaudits should also go to Kalidasan who showed great athleticism and skill behind the stumps having been persuaded to don the gloves. A total of 181 for 9 off their 40 overs seemed eminently gettable.

Berry was the star of the Buccs’ innings. He kept the scoreboard going by leathering anything that was up to him, frequently taking the aerial route rather than trying to hack his way through the undergrowth. Unfortunately, partners came and went. Moules looked particularly dangerous and scored a useful 30 but was unlucky to be out to a pea roller. Rydon and Skinner also contributed, but once Berry had fallen for the day’s best of 67 there was a certain inevitability to the outcome. The Buccs got close but were finally undone by a direct hit from the boundary which did for a hurtling Close (are you sure?, Ed.), trying to get back for a second.

As always, a great fixture and for the first time in a while, actually played under a cloudless sky.

Armadillos innings

A Pickering bowled S Moules 46
S Maclay ct Kalidasan bowled H Robertson 3
J Bebb bowled R Rydon 3
H Park bowled H Robertson 3
D Myrtle ct Kalidasan bowled R Skinner 0
E Davison bowled H Robertson 31
C Miller ct J Mann bowled A Berry 47
O Mann ct J Mann bowled R Skinner 15
B Pickering ct and bowled A Berry 0
G Colville not out 8
J Colville not out 0

Total 181 for 9 off 40 overs

Bowling

H Robertson 10-1-36-3
R Rydon 6-0-14-1
S Moules 5-0-23-1
R Skinner 6-2-8-2
S Leefe 4-0-13-0
R Hobbs 5-0-37-0
A Berry 4-0-35-2

Buccaneers innings

A Berry bowled H Park 67
J Milne ct S Maclay  bowled J Bebb 1
E Kalidasan ct O Myrtle bowled O Mann 9
J Mann bowled C Miller 5
S Moules bowled E Davison 30
R Rydon ct ? bowled B Pickering 16
R Skinner bowled G Colville 14
R Hobbs bowled H Park 1
S Leefe not out 10
H Robertson bowled G Colville 0
D Close run out 2

Total 160 all out

Bowling

J Bebb 4-0-14-1
O Mann 8-0-25-1
C Miller 6-0-27-1
E Davison 4-0-23-1
B Pickering 8-0-42-1
H Park 6-0-30-2
G Colville 1-0-1-2

11 golfing Buccs enjoy rounds at Felixstowe Ferry and Woodbridge GCs

Founded by the late Reverend Frank Cocks and Howard Spencer, The Golfing Society returned to its spiritual home at the links of Felixstowe Ferry GC on Thursday 27th April. Two teams – The Bazballs and The Boycotts – battled it out in dry but windy conditions where experience (and age) triumphed over (relative) youth. It certainly wasn’t a day to ‘grip and rip’.

The Boycotts made up of Del Fulcher, Chunky Goulstone, Simon Woolfries, David Close, Chris Wykes and Mike Shilling beat the Bazballs of Doc Holliday, Johnny Philips, James Stringer, Phil Butler and Paul Thompson. Nearest the pin was Paul Thompson and longest drive was James Stringer.

After an overnight stay in historic Woodbridge and an interesting dinner, day two was played at Woodbridge GC’s Heath course. In warm but changeable conditions where nightingales on the course were the most numerous of birdies, an individual stableford competition was won by Jonny P who also won the nearest the pin. James S won longest drive again.

The Golfing Society will be meeting for a round in October and is planning another two day trip to Dorset in 2024. If you would like to be added to the Golfing Society mailing list please contact James Stringer on stringer.redhill@gmail.com.

Sunday 13th November saw the 2022 autumn meeting of the Buccaneers Golfing Society. Eight golfers competed in two teams (the ‘Allstars’ and the ‘Legends’) for the Buccacup at North Downs GC with the Allstars triumphing by 133 points to 105.

After a misty start, the sun appeared on what was a soft track. Despite that, a number of players played to or better than handicap. Winners of the individual awards were as follows:

• Nearest the pin (with an outrageous Bubba Watson power fade): Angus Berry

• Longest drive: Richard Hobbs

• Highest individual points: For a second year running (Handicap Committee? Ed.): Chris Leech with 37 points

Beside Gus’s curly whirly nearest the pin, Phil Butler took honours for most memorable moment when he thudded his approach to the 18th green into the roof of the club house causing a shower of tiles. A part of the course will forever remember Mr Butler.

Photos of the teams and play:

The 2022 Annual Dinner was successfully held on Thursday 27th October at the East India Club Pall Mall. 30 Buccs and guests enjoyed a dinner of traditional fare and great company where the club President Simon Woolfries gave a recap of the season. Following a successful season for the Marsh family, the leading run scorer and highest average was James Marsh and most wickets were taken by Archie Marsh with leading bowler being Ollie Mann. The averages for the season are found HERE.

The 2022 Geoffrey Moore Award was presented to Archie Marsh (below), who collected on behalf of his winning brother James. James scored two centuries for the club, both at Betchworth.

“Not sure I have done enough with my life…” was regularly heard from Buccaneers, after our guest speaker Dr Sarah Fane responded to the toast to our guests.

Dr Fane is currently Director of the MCC Foundation (and so Angus Berry’s boss) and previously as a medical doctor visiting Afghanistan, she set up Afghan Connection, a charity which, from 2002-20, supported some 500,000 children with Health, Education and Cricket in Afghanistan. Showing more courage in her career than a pair of England openers facing the ’80s Windies, Sarah explained how the things we take for granted – like a bag of cricket equipment – has the power to tranform lives and create a shared bond through the love of cricket, that we all recognise.

Simon Woolfries presented Sarah with a donation from the club by way of thanks and we will be sharing more details of how Buccaneers can contribute to the charity through the ‘Big Give’ initiative in the coming weeks.

To find out more about the MCC Foundation, please click HERE.

The Buccacup pits ‘The Allstars’ versus ‘The Legends’ in a four ball competition.

The Allstars are the younger members of the Golfing Society and they face The Legends, Buccaneers who may be a little older, but who usually play more regular golf!

The 2022 meeting takes place at new venue North Downs Golf Club near Woldingham on Sunday 13th November.

The format will be a 9.30am meet for a full English breakfast followed by 18 holes of golf. Cost for the event is £60 which includes individual prizes.

If you would like to play, please sign up via our Google form by 14 October. The sign up form can either be accessed by clicking HERE or by copying the link below into your browser. If this is blocked by your work browser please email James Stringer on stringer.redhill@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday 13th November.

The Golfing Society

Despite the grave warnings issued by BBC Weather the day before, all parties were pleased that this year’s House Match could be played without a drop of precipitation interrupting proceedings, albeit with just as much time spent in The Red Lion as on the pitch. The Gentlemen won the toss and elected to field, anticipating that a sticky Betchworth wicket and sodden Betchworth outfield would dry up over the course of the day. What they did not anticipate was having to deal with a brutal C. Leech in form.

Rydon sr and jr took the new ball and bowled with their usual skill and accuracy, the father hitting his trademark line and length in the corridor of uncertainty while the son (rather miraculously) extracted some zip and nip from a wicket that did not look like offering much to the seamers. Hobbs fell early, undone by R. Rydon’s classic straight one (no swing, no seam, pitched on middle, hit middle). W. Rydon replaced his nephew from the bottom end and delighted the crowd with his guileful off breaks, eventually taking the wicket of Bowden. Harcourt put up some resistance but fell to O. Parvin’s quick, Michael Yardy-esque off-spin. A large and leisurely lunch at The Red Lion followed, with so much food and hydration on offer that one might have been forgiven for momentarily forgetting that more cricket was to be played.

Bellies full, the players returned to the field and in a masterful bowling change, C. Leefe was brought into the attack to bowl to the incoming batsman: his father. The car journey home could not have been pleasant as father top edged a long-hop from his son to the eager hands of W. Rydon at mid-wicket, without troubling the scorers. A. Marsh and Moroz put up some good resistance, but both fell to Okines – that canny operator – who bowled with fluency, ease, and grace. But while wickets fell around him, C. Leech was unperturbed. He despatched the ball to the boundary (and over it) regularly, with some exceptionally clean striking and a Dhoni-esque sense of calm, and made a well deserved century to take the Players to 210 (declared).

Tea followed, and would have lasted longer were it not for the very helpful chivvying of R Rydon, reminding all that one full innings was still yet to come. The innings of the Gentleman followed a very similar pattern to that of the Players. Wickets fell early to some good seam bowling from Wedge-Bull, ably assisted by Starkey at the other end.

The spin twins of S. Leefe and A. Marsh were a delight to watch, dismissing a good chunk of the Gentlemen’s middle order. But just as Leech did for the Players, J. Marsh did not allow the fall of wickets around him to stop him playing with his characteristic poise. He amassed runs calmy and elegantly, ensuring that the Gentlemen were always up with the rate. J. Milne entered the fray and looked in terrific form, driving sweetly his first three deliveries with impeccable timing, but sadly dragged his back foot out of the crease in his eagerness to take the attack to S. Leefe’s bowling. However, just when things were looking uncertain for the Gentlemen, R. Rydon took to the crease and steadied the ship. J Marsh finished the chase off in style with a six, and an excellent unbeaten century.

Innings of the Players

1. C. Leech                                                                                       126*
2. R. Hobbs (c)                                                  b R. Rydon                  0
3. A. Bowden                                                  b W. Rydon                 21
4. J Harcourt+                                                 c&b Parvin                  11
5. S. Leefe                   ct W. Rydon                b S. Leefe                     0
6. A. Marsh                 ct. J Milne                   b Okines                      19
7. I Moroz                   st Kalidasan                 b Okines                      23
8. E. Wedge-Bull                                                                                 1*

Total: 210 for 6 (37 Overs)

Gentlemen Bowling
T. Rydon         7-1-33-0
R. Rydon         6-0-29-1
W. Rydon        5-0-27-1
J. Marsh           4-0-28-0
O. Parvin         5-0-28-1
C. Leefe          1-0-7-1
W. Okines       7-0-45-2
J. Milne           2-0-13-0

Innings of the Gentlemen

1. J. Marsh                                                                                      125*
2. E. Kalidasan (c)+                            b Wedge-Bull                          8
3. C. Leefe                  ct. A March      b Wedge-Bull                          5
4. O. Parvin                 ct Wedge-Bull b S. Leefe                                17
5. J Milne                    st Harcourt      b. S Leefe                                2
6. T. Rydon                                          b. A. Marsh                           14
7. R. Rydon                                                                                       28*

Total: 216-5 (32 overs)

Players Bowling
E. Wedge-Bull             6-0-45-2
M. Starkey                   6-1-21-0
S. Leefe                       7-0-41-2
A. Marsh                     6-0-41-1
A. Bowden                  4-0-26-0
I. Moroz                      2-0-24-0
R. Hobbs                     1-0-8-0

The Gentleman win by five wickets

Why not join us for the Annual Dinner, held at the East India Club, Pall Mall on Thursday 27th October 2022 at 18.45.

Dr Sarah Fane OBE has been asked to propose the toast to the Club. Sarah is currently Director of the MCC Foundation and previously as a medical doctor visiting Afghanistan, she was inspired to set up Afghan Connection, a charity which, from 2002-20, supported some 500,000 children with Health, Education and Cricket in Afghanistan. The charity helped build and renovate 130 schools and trained more than 1000 teachers. In partnership with the MCC and alongside the meteoric rise of the Afghanistan National Cricket Team, it delivered cricket projects to more than 100,000 young people. 

Why not also attend the annual Annual General Meeting before Dinner at 18.30. The agenda for the AGM will be available shortly.

Please note that due to cost increases, tickets will this year be £60 per person.

To book your Dinner ticket, please contact David Close at dclose@griffithsandarmour.com or on 07947 370069.

The Committee

The plan had been simple. Turn up with 11 players and chase. But the game didn’t go to plan. The Buccs turned up with nine and were inserted, ironically by Mark Searle of Warborough, who then generously offered himself to the Buccs’ cause in an effort to level up the sides. 

Although the batting card, of 10, was shorter than hoped, and both the pitch and the bowling were stickier and slower than desired, the Buccs innings began solidly with 22 off the first six overs. Archie Valentine’s departure (to his dismay, two runs short of his personal, even intimate, target) brought Archie Marsh to the crease. The subsequent 15 overs were the high point of the match for the Buccaneers, methodically moving towards what looked set to be a low but competitive total. Ollie Robertson led from the front but was overshadowed when his swashbuckling father, Neil, entered the stage and bashed 13 from 12 to record the best strike-rate in the family. After Ollie fell – another one, bowled – for an innings top-score of 36, Eric Wedge-Bull saw off his partner, mistaking him for a younger and quicker Robertson in a calamitous run-out. Briefly he and the bristling Rob Rydon looked like they would swing momentum towards the batting side. However, the innings eventually folded for a sub-par 134/9, not for the first time in Buccs history being cleaned up by a mesmerising spell by a Tilley.

What followed was a delicious tea. What followed that was sickening. The pitch dried and quickened, and the result became increasingly inevitable. Hamish and Ollie Robertson bowled a truly memorable opening spell which on another day might have bagged them several in the office: the Buccs had three slips despite only playing with ten, but somehow – incredibly – nothing worked. Ollie took a wicket with perhaps the only bad ball of the brothers’ spell, but Warborough & Shillingford cantered home led by excellent batting by their skipper and their former Oxfordshire opener. The penultimate word should go to the wicket-keeping of Andy Morgan, which was jaw-droppingly athletic and skilled as the ball zipped around. His first Buccs game of season ensured he remains an active player in his 56th season for the club. The final word should go to the hospitality of Warborough & Shillingford and the healing cosiness of the Six Bells. With rumours flying that the legendary luncheon might return in 2023, the team departed: chastened, but looking forward to the fixture next year.

Full details of the scorecard can be found here

Innings of Buccaneers

O Robertson b Iswariah 36
A Valentine b Potter 13
A Marsh b Hassan 12
N Robertson run out 13
E Wedge-Ball c Hassan b Tilley 19
R Rydon b Hassan 15
H Robertson c Potter b Tilley 8
A Morgan c Ward b Charters 0
M Searle c Gregory b Tilley 5
W Okines not out 7
Extras 6
Total (39.4 overs) 134 all out

Bowling

I Potter 7-1-19-1
A Gregory 6-1-16-0
R Iswariah 9-2-14-1
J Hassan 9-1-47-2
J Tilley 4.4-0-14-3
P Charters 4-0-24-1

Innings of Warborough & Shillingford

F Iswariah b O Robertson 7
A Zagoritis not out 62
A Hobbs not out 64
Extras 4
Total (26.5 overs) 137 for 1

Bowling

H Robertson 8-3-20-0
O Robertson 6-1-25-1
A Marsh 5-0-29-0
R Rydon 4-0-19-0
W Okines 2-0-18-0
A Valentine 1.5-0-24-0

Warborough & Shillingford won by 9 wickets

Follies Farm vs Buccaneers CC – Sunday 4 th September 2022

Buccs 184-8 (40 overs). Follies Farm 186-6. Follies Farm win by 4 wickets

A warm welcome was received once again a the picturesque Follies Farm. The Buccs were put into bat by Follies’ skipper Henry Grant. Having not batted thus far all season skipper Hobbs bravely faced the first ball alongside Tom ‘The Wall’ Fletcher. The first over went for a healthy six runs, however none scored from the Hobbs bat, all wides. After standing steadfast The Wall was the first victim falling for six runs and there the top order collapse started. Hobbs fell for nine in the next over, quickly followed by Berry and Mann leaving the Buccs on 33 for 4. Stephen Moules entered the crease and immediately hit form with his trademark leg-side pick ups and straight drives. Metcalfe and Leech couldn’t give much support as they fell for five and nine respectively. It was the wagging tail (surely should have been batting higher up? Ed.) of Ollie Mann (24) and Rob Rydon (23) that supported Moules and added excellent shots and innings of their own. Ollie also hit probably the shot of the match with a perfectly timed cover drive, with a professionally held pose. Okine’s 3 N.O ensured that no Buccaneer was in the duck hunt that day, leaving the Buccs on a respectable 184-8.

A tea of cake, sandwiches and Provençal Rosé was had by teams and umpires as the Buccaneers prepared mentally for the defence of their total.

Mann and Rydon took the new ball, opening up with some accurate and pacy bowling littered with dot balls and those narrowly missing the outside edge on multiple occasions. However, sadly not picking up the wickets of the opening pair.

Metcalfe and Moules came into the fold at first change, Metcalfe struggling with his length at times allowed a few runs to be scored in between maidens. Moules struck with his first over followed by a double wicket over in his third. The first wicket fell at 76 runs, leaving the Buccaneers with a tall task to limit Follies to their total of 184. Follies batted well and confidently, seemingly knowing well the undulating contours of the wicket. Follies eventually knocked the winning runs in the penultimate over of the game, in what was a tight and well contested match.

The teams and throng of fans were treated to wine, beer and nibbles post match. The Buccs look forward to returning next year in the hope of getting revenge.

Innings of Buccaneers

R Hobbs ct [ ] b Lloyd-Davies 9
T Fletcher ct [ ] b Rowland 6
A Berry ct [ ] b Gibson 9
S Mann ct [ ] b Rowland 2
S Moules ct [ ] b Grant 74
W Metcalfe ct [ ] b Baker 5
C Leech b Grant 6
O Mann b Grant 24
R Rydon not out 23
W Okines not out 3
Extras 21

Total 184-8

Bowling
Rowland 8-1-16-2
Lloyd-Davies 8-2-33-1
Gibson 8-1-44-1
Baker 7-0-47-1
Grant 8-2-37-3
Another 1-0-7-0

Innings of Follies Farm

T Green b Moules 46
C Scudamore ct [ ] b Moules 7
H Grant ct [ ] b Moules 5
C Baker b Moules 15
G Gibson ct [ ] b Mann 51
G Lloyd-Davies not out 8
J Lloyd-Davies b Leach 11
F Gibson not out 4
Extras 29

Total 186-6

Bowling
O Mann 8-1-27-2
R Rydon 8-3-25-0
W Metcalfe 8-2-33-0
S Moules 8-1-40-4
W Okines 1-0-20-0
C Leach 5.2-0-20-1