Buccaneers Cricket Club

An eagerly anticipated rematch following the rain affected draw in 2019, the Buccaneers arrived at the idyllic Ascott Park to play The Nomads in what would be the Buccs’ first outing of the year. Following some last minute recruitment by our bean counter Mr Marsh, the team on paper was a young and strong one, full of batting promise. To that end, a negotiated toss led the skipper to elect to bat and send out openers Marsh and Kalidasan. It wasn’t long before Kalidasan was soon heading back after some sharp and accurate bowling saw him caught off the bowling of Hamilton, the young quick. Hamilton accounted for the next two wickets of Leech and Berry respectively. Milne and Machin fell to the ever dangerous Shawl, whilst Marsh dug in for a good knock of 29, eventually succumbing to the bowling of Y Malhotra. Fletcher showed good resistance in the middle order with a knock for 30 being C&B off Royals and the tail wagged with Hobbs getting a quick fire 25 before the Buccaneers were all out for 130 off 41.4 overs.

The Nomads started their innings needing 131 to win with plenty of overs on offer to get them. As usual, skipper Brockton opened the batting with C Malhotra joining him. Malhotra fell quickly to the slow seam up of The Buccs skipper, Metcalfe but Brockton looked in worryingly good form at the other end. Three more wickets fell in relatively quick succession, putting The Nomads at 68/4 which brought Y Malhotra to the crease. Some crisp hitting soon powered Malhotra onwards in the scorebook and Brockton reached his well-deserved half century. Malhotra fell to Hobbs C&B for 35 leaving Hamilton to join Brockton but the damage had been done. Hamilton and Brockton saw The Nomads home for five wickets down and only 34.1 overs needed to get them.

BUCCANEERS CC Innings

J Marsh     bowled        Y Malhotra 29

E Kalidasan c  Ralphs   b Hamilton    0

C Leech     c Vithlani  b Hamilton    4

A Berry     bowled        Hamilton    4

J Milne     bowled        Shawl      14

M Machin    bowled        Shawl       2

T Fletcher  c & b         Royals     30

M McLeod    c & b         Bahl        6

W Metcalfe* lbw         b Bahl        0

R Hobbs     c & b         Royals     25

W Okines    not out                   4

Extras      b3,lb0,w7,nb2)           12

TOTAL       (All out,41.4 overs)    130

Fow:1-2(2),2-23(3),3-27(4),4-54(5),5-58(6),6-70(1),7-84(8),8-105(7),9-105(9),10-130(10).

Bowling– Shawl 12 3 31 2,Hamilton 8 1 29 3(w7),Y Malhotra 9 3 12 1,Bahl 6 1 15 2,Page 3 0 17 0(nb2),Royals 3.4 0 22 2.

NOMADS CC Innings

T Brockton* not out                60

C Malhotra  bowled      Metcalfe    0

A Faheem    c Leech     b McLeod   11

B Ralphs+   c Milne     b Marsh     1

S Vithlani  c Kalidasan b Metcalfe  9

Y Malhotra  c & b         Hobbs    35

J Hamilton  not out                 8

Extras     (b4,lb3,w2,nb0)          9

TOTAL      (5 wickets,34.1 overs) 131

Dnb:C Royals,S Shawl,S Bahl,C Page.

Fow:1-1(2),2-34(3),3-45(4),4-68(5),5-121(6).

Bowling-Metcalfe 7 1 21 2(w2),McLeod 9 1 27 1,Marsh 10 0 24 1,Okines 3 0 23 0,Berry 3 0 18 0,Hobbs 2.1 0 12 1. 

The Committee is delighted to announce that Thursday 28th October will be the date of the Annual Dinner.

We have reserved the East India Club and look foward to seeing as many Buccaneers there as possible.

We will release more details nearer the time.

The Committee

Although the club only played four games in 2020, the Committee has published averages for the year including leading batsman and bowler.

These can be found here.

It feels strange writing a match report for the Buccs’ final game of the season having played just three matches prior to this – but this really has been the strangest of summers. Following two victories and a winning draw in the previous three fixtures, the Buccs’ bubble rolled into Brook looking to make it an unbeaten season. 

Following a few socially-distant pints in the Dog and Pheasant and a manufactured toss, the Buccs were batting and looking to get off to a solid start. Eswar and T Fletcher (more on him to follow) began the innings nicely and looked to be in little trouble until the Slaughter and May opening partnership was split but the lively Williams. Ward came and went, again to Williams before Charlie Leefe and Eswar steadied the ship with some typically big hitting. After Charlie departed after a very useful 40, a succession of cameos looked to be accompanying Eswar to a maiden Buccs ton. 

Alas from the seventh ball of the over (not the first of its kind in our innings) Eswar was LBW to who else but the skipper Williams, for a very pleasing on the eye 90. His wait for a Buccs ton goes on but I have no doubt in a full season he will be troubling the upper end of the batting charts for years to come. A few lusty blows from Berry and Milnes looked to be setting us up for a big total until Williams returned to the attack once more. After Berry looked to the skies again, being bowled by one of Brook’s many talented youngsters in the process, both Hobbs and Okines fell in consecutive balls to Williams, giving him a five-for in the process and leaving D Close to face a hat trick ball. Cue ball on pad, mass appeals, bowed heads on the sideline, and mercifully an unmoved umpire. Survival. Although not for much longer, a suicidal run ensured the Buccs failed to bat out our 40 overs but still managed a defendable 212. 

It was at tea that the aforementioned T Fletcher set up for one of the stranger couple of hours that any of the Buccs had previously witnessed on a cricket field. Thanks to an unnamed client Fletcher was scheduled to attend two hours of conference calls (and yes, the game was on a Sunday). This led to our young lawyer hooking up his phone and headphones and hiding in the field. 

The fielding and bowling effort was true to this season’s form and the Buccs took wickets at regular intervals and stand-in keeper R Hobbs was up to the task, giving away just one bye. Not bad for someone that last kept as a 17 year old. R Rydon and S Leefe were the pick of the bowlers taking 7 wickets between them. At 152 for 9 the Buccs sensed victory and few more COVID compliant pints before toasting the season farewell. Enter Brook’s number 11 and our very own Jeremy ‘Rakeem’ Milne. Floating someone temping non turning off spinners Milne took confidence from his first over that went for just 4. This was clearly enough of a sighter for the number 11 and the following Milne over was plundered for 28. Cue a few sweaty palms in the Buccs ranks. Up stepped R Hobbs, fresh from his keeping stint, he would go on to take his second wicket including the much needed last to give the Buccs by 22 runs. 

A great day out as always at Brook with our friendly hosts buying the first round in the pub after. So an unbeaten season, albeit a highly truncated one. Many firsts witnessed across the season – from sanitation breaks to conference calls at cow corner. Here’s hoping for a longer, more normal season in 2021!

Innings of the Buccaneers

E Kalidasan LBW Williams 90
T Fletcher Bowled Williams 8
L Ward Bowled Williams 1
C Leefe Caught Owen 40
R Rydon Caught Ward 18
S Leefe Bowled Thomas 14
J Milne Not Out 11*
A Berry Bowled 14
R Hobbs Bowled Williams 0
W Okines Bowled Williams 0
D Close Run Out 1

Extras 15

Total 212

Innings of Brook CC

189 all out

Bowling Figures

Bowler Overs Maidens Runs Wickets

L Ward 5 0 26 0
R Rydon 8 2 27 3
W Okines 6 0 29 0
S Leefe 8 2 35 4
A Berry 4 0 33 1
R Hobbs 3.2 0 11 2
J Milne 2 0 32 0

Total Extras 4

Remote match manager Richard Hobbs was pleased to receive the news* that Buccaneers made it two-from-two for the 2020 season with a 67 run win in a low-scoring game at Follies Farm on 6 September.  Eswar Kalidasan (52) was the standout Buccs performer with the bat, but a lack of long partnerships and a cascade of middle and lower-order wickets saw us bundled out for 128 in 34 overs. Buoyed by some delicious ham sandwiches (meat sourced from the pig farm attached to the ground) at tea, Will Metcalfe and Caspar Milne each bowled eight overs of accurate and miserly inswing, taking regular wickets with the support of some excellent catching and ground fielding. Will finished with five wickets and Caspar two. Rob Rydon roared in off his short run to clean up the tail in double quick time – Follies Farm Old Spots all out for 61 allowing Buccs ample time to savour their post-match sausage rolls and ale in the glorious evening sunshine.

A selection of ‘action’ shots from the game courtesy of El Presidente

*Richard sadly was unable to fulfil his duties due to travel quarantine restrictions

Innings of Buccaneers
J. Milne b. De Bruyne 5
A. Rydon ct. CSD b. De Bruyne 12
A. Berry ct. [Unknown] b. M. Barson 25
E. Kalidasan b. Roland 52
C. Leefe ct. CSD b. M. Barson 8
S. Leefe b. M. Barson 0
R. Rydon b. Meadows 1
C. Milne c. Grant b. Meadows 0
W. Metcalfe lbw M. Barson 18
T. Fletcher not out 1
D. Close ct. [Unknown] b. T. Barson 0
Extras 6
128 (all out, 34 overs)

Follies Farm Old Spots CC bowling
Roland 7. 2. 1. 19.
De Bruyne 6. 1. 2. 16.
M. Barson 7. 0. 4. [Unknown]
Bell 5. 0. 0. 39.
Meadows 4. 2. 2. [Unknown]
Grant 4. 1. 0. 11.
T. Barson 1. 0. 1. 1.

Innings of Follies Farm Old Spots CC
B. [Crugs] b. Metcalfe 16
[Lumley] b. Metcalfe 0
T. [?] lbw C. Milne 1
M. Barson ct. [Unknown] b. Metcalfe 9
De Bruyne ct. [Uknown] b. Metcalfe 5
T. Barson lbw C. Milne 2
Meadows b. R. Rydon 1
Bell ct. [Uknown] b. Metcalfe 0
Grant not out 20
CSD c&B R. Rydon 0
Roland b. R. Rydon 0
Extras 7
61 (all out, 21 overs)

Buccaneers bowling
W. Metcalfe 8. 1. 5. 23
C. Milne 8. 0. 2. 14
R. Rydon 3. 0. 3. 10
S. Leefe 2. 0. 0. 7

Buccaneers won by 67 runs

BUCCANEERS v WARBOROUGH & SHILLINGFORD

An Indian Summer it was, a raging bunsen it was not. With perfect blue skies above, a slow-and-low wicket below, and plenty of spin options within, the Buccaneers won the toss and opted to bat. As openers Angus Berry and Ollie Robertson strode out into the glorious sunshine the other Buccaneers retreated, at an appropriate social distance, to the shade of the old oak tree which in years past has been the canopy for the famous Warborough & Shillingford port-fuelled lunches. Alas, not this year, but the treats of the picnic hampers were unpacked and the stage was set for some entertaining afternoon cricket.

Warborough & Shillingford won the initial exchanges, with a superb spell from Chamberlain who went for less than two an over in a long opening spell, extracting more bounce and carry than the surface had suggested. Ollie Robertson signalled intent within the first six overs with a big heave-ho but found himself stranded. Controversy and confusion reigned when, after an elegant and incident-free quarter of a century, Eswar Kalidasan was caught and bowled. Umpires and players alike debated whether the ball had bounced once, twice or perhaps even not at all, but the decision went with a fair catch and he departed. Angus Berry skilfully alternated between obdurate blocking and thrashing seven boundaries before Chamberlain deservedly got his man shortly after the drinks & sanitising break. The experienced observers settled down to watch a long partnership from Messrs Leefe and Rydon, but two excellent catches tore up the script and the Buccaneers found themselves 89/5 after 25 overs.

Enter the young guns. Metcalfe boshed 52 from 55 balls, bypassing the lightening outfield to hoist five maximums in his innings. Tom Fletcher stroked a classy unbeaten 41, dealing in more ones and twos than he’d have liked, but taking his career aggregate at this ground to 152 unbeaten runs from 151 balls and inking himself into next year’s team. James March scored an effortless 19 from just 8 balls to help the Buccaneers to 206/6 from 43 overs.

The work was only half done, though. Metcalfe opened up from the Six Bells End and quickly had two wickets as reward for a penetrating spell. But it was Hamish Robertson who struck the initial blow, and if it had not been for the rarity of a back-foot no-ball his rewards would have been greater during an excellent opening burst. Then Marsh set to work, making the most of an ungenerous surface, with flight and guile that returned him 2-21 from 12 overs. Tight spells from Rydon and Leefe pushed the run rate up and WinViz lurched towards the visitors. The Buccaneers ground fielding was superb: the catching was a little more mixed, it should be recorded. H Robertson was an inch away from a catch-of-the-season, the captain pouched a catch which was notable only for the conversation that the batsman initiated prior to the dismissal being confirmed (the contents of which shall not be disclosed in polite company, although no offence was taken at the time). Ollie Robertson redeemed an earlier misdemeanour in the field to bowl an excellent wicket maiden towards the end to set up an intriguing finish, but in truth Warborough & Shillingford held on comfortably, with a steely 40-minute partnership between captain and youngster. After an honourable draw was called and stumps themselves were drawn, with the home team 113/7 from 45 overs, the players sauntered across the Green to the Six Bells to reflect on an excellent day all round. 

Sunday 13th September 2020   Warborough & Shillingford 1st XI v Buccaneers at Warborough Green   Buccaneers won toss – elected to bat Buccaneers   Batsman                                   How Out  Runs   Balls   Angus Berry   b Chamberlain   36   57   Ollie Robertson   st Ward† b R Iswariah   1   17   Eswar Kalidasan   c & b Halvorsen   25   39    Simon Leefe   c Zagoritis b Halvorsen   18   21    Rob Rydon   c F Iswariah b Halvorsen   6   14    Will Metcalfe   b Zagoritis   52   55   † Tom Fletcher   not out   41   48   James Marsh   not out   19   8        Extras  (2 byes, 4 leg-byes, 3 wides, 1 no-ball)   10           Total  (6 wickets, 43 overs)   208

Did not bat: Hamish Robertson, Neil Robertson, * Warwick Okines

Bowler                                 Overs   Maidens   Runs   Wickets  Tim Chamberlain   12   4   24   1    Rohan Iswariah   8   1   35   1    Trajan Halvorsen   7   0   45   3    Junaid Hassan   9   2   40   0   James Tilley   5   0   36   0    Adrian Zagoritis   1   0   10   1    Lucy Johnson   1   0   12   0            Warborough  Batsman                                                How Out  Runs   Balls    Mark Searle   c Leefe b Metcalfe   7   26    Freddie Iswariah   lbw b H Robertson   2   8    James Tilley   b Metcalfe   1   5    Trajan Halvorsen   c H Robertson b Marsh   29   81    Rohan Iswariah   c Okines b Leefe   22   64    Tim Chamberlain   c Fletcher† b Marsh   4   6    * Adrian Zagoritis   b O Robertson   28   54    Robert Johnson   not out   4   29    Dave Treacher   not out   0   0        Extras  (2 byes, 8 leg-byes, 3 wides, 3 no-balls)   16           Total  (7 wickets, 45/45+ overs)   113

Did not bat: † Chris Ward, Junaid Hassan, Lucy Johnson

Fall of wickets: 1−7 (F Iswariah; 3.1 ovs), 2−8 (Tilley; 4.1 ovs), 3−24 (Searle; 8.4 ovs), 4−72 (Halvorsen; 29.5 ovs), 5−72 (R Iswariah; 30.2 ovs), 6−76 (Chamberlain; 31.5 ovs), 7−109 (Zagoritis; 43.6 ovs)

Bowler                                 Overs   Maidens   Runs   Wickets    Will Metcalfe   8   1   16   2    Hamish Robertson   7   3   14   1    James Marsh   12   6   21   2    Rob Rydon   5   2   16   0    Simon Leefe   7   3   17   1    Warwick Okines   2   1   17   0    Angus Berry   3   1   2   0    Ollie Robertson   1   1   0   1    Match drawn

WC & T CC 234 – 8 (40 overs), Buccs 235 – 4 (35.1 overs). Buccaneers won by six wickets

Buccaneers cricket made a very welcome return at West Chiltington & Thakeham on Sunday 26 July. This was our second visit to the picturesque ground at WC&T and we were again very well looked after by our hosts, whose organisation to ensure covid-compliance while still allowing for an enjoyable day out was particularly commendable.

The toss was negotiated, the format set at 40 overs per side and, in a repeat of the 2019 fixture, WC&T got off to a flyer with the bat. Buccaneers were lacking somewhat in the seam bowling department, and it was therefore no surprise to see Rob Rydon come out of ‘retirement’ to take the first wicket with a classic away swinger.  WC&T’s youthful batting line up continued their assault on the Buccs spinners, despite Buccs managing to take wickets at relatively regular intervals. A fast outfield – and an exhibition in slip juggling and deflection from Milne Snr – saw runs flow at a quick rate, and Buccs were once again looking at a chase requiring more than five runs per over. James Marsh was the pick of our bowlers, finishing with 3-40 and extracting significant turn from the wicket (much to the concern of the Buccs batsmen).

Energised by their covid-secure sandwiches in the tea break, Angus Berry and Eswar Kalidasan strode to the wicket to begin our pursuit of 235. WC&T’s opening bowlers seemed intent on testing out the middle of the (admittedly bouncy) track and, after watching a few short balls sail by, the Buccs openers decided the time had come to counter. Gus and Eswar unleashed an impressive range of cuts, pulls and punches and were more than happy to throw their hands through blazing drives on the odd occasion the ball was pitched up. Both passed 50 in a thrilling opening stand of 147 that did not leave much work to do for those that followed. The introduction of spin saw wickets begin to fall – Eswar was bowled for 57 and Angus was caught for 73 (yet again declining the opportunity to score his maiden Buccs hundred and buy a jug of beer for his mates). Charlie Leefe (18) and Rob Rydon (9) both entertained with sixes in their short stays at the crease before Simon Leefe (27*) and Ludo Milne (15*) saw us home without alarm and with more than four overs to spare. A memorable chase and Buccs victorious by six wickets in what must be one of our highest scoring ‘season openers’ ever.

With the series poised at 1-1, we very much look forward to returning to West Chiltington in 2021.

Innings of WC&TCC
E. White ct. Fletcher+ b. Rydon 38
J. Taylor b. A. Marsh 35
H. Gillespie ct. [Unknown] b. J. Marsh 33
M. Goring b. Rydon 4
B. Lucking ct. [Unknown] b. J. Marsh 36
T. Taylor LBW b. S. Leefe 18
C. Davies ct. [Unknown] b. S. Leefe 32
R. Taylor st. Fletcher+ b. J. Marsh 1
O. Van Noort Not out 10
C. Tear Not out 20
C. Wyatt Did not bat
Extras 7
234 – 8 (40 overs)

Buccaneers bowling
L. Milne 7. 1. 39. –.
G. Smith 2. –. 25. –.
R. Rydon 8. 1. 27. 2.
A. Marsh 8. -. 48. 1.
J. Marsh 8. -. 40. 3.
C. Leefe 2. -. 21. -.
S. Leefe 5. -. 30. 2.

Innings of Buccaneers
A. Berry ct. b. Lucking 73
E. Kalidasan b. Davies 57
C. Leefe ct. b. Lucking 18
S. Leefe Not out 27
R. Rydon LBW b. Davies 9
L. Milne Not out 15
J. Marsh Did not bat
G. Smith Did not bat
A. Marsh Did not bat
J. Milne Did not bat
T. Fletcher Did not bat
Extras 36
235 – 4 (35.1 overs)

Buccaneers won by six wickets

Buccaneers will soon be receiving the Club’s fixture card for the coming season. Although we know that no cricket will be played during the first part of the season at least, your committee felt that you would still like to see what fixtures have been arranged.

Also, if and when cricket is possible this year, we thought that it would be useful for you to know which fixtures still remain following any resumption. We are, of course, always in the hands of the host club as to whether a match can take place and so we will post the latest news on the status of each fixture here.

Buccaneers won by 17 runs

Innings of Buccaneers

O Metcalfe lbw Kirkham 8
L Milne ct Jake b Kirkham 12
E Kalidasan b Black 35
J Milne lbw Meadows 6
C Leefe b Meadows 14
W Metcalfe ct H Bryant b Black 9
S Leefe ct Ford b Grant 27
R Rydon ct CSD b Grant 23
R Nazar B Grant 0
T Fletcher not out 6
R Hobbs run out 1
Total 161 all out

Bowling
Kirkham 8-1-25-2
H Grant 6-1-21-0
Meadows 4-0-37-2
Hardman 8-4-11-0
Blacks 4-1-14-1
T Grant 4.4-2-22-2
Roland 3-1-13-1

Innings of FFOSCC
Hardman st b W Metcalfe 26
Ford lbw Nazar 1
T Grant lbw Leefe 35
H Grant lbw Metcalfe 7
C Maunder ct Kalidasan 30
J Black ct Kalidasan 6
L Meadows st b Leefe 0
R Beavley st b Leefe 3
CSD st b Leefe 9
T Kirkham not out 2
D Rowland run out 1
Total 144 all out

Bowling
R Rydon 5-0-9-0
Nazar 4-1-12-1
W Metcalfe 8-1-12-1
L Milne 3-1-9-0
R Hobbs 5-0-31-0
S Leefe 7-1-25-4
G Leefe 6.3-0-12-2

James Stringer writes:

Tuesday 12th November witnessed the poignant and sad celebration of the life of Richard Gwynn. Known to gathered Buccaneers almost universally as ‘The Hack’, his friends from all parts of his life were there. Well represented were numerous friends from the cricket fields of southern England – be they from school, Bromley CC or our club.

Simon Woolfries spoke on behalf of the Club and highlighted Richard’s great friendship to many (especially younger and new members), his outstanding skills as a cricketer and his devoted service to the club. If, as would be expected of a peerless match manager, he was looking down at the assembled Buccs squad in Richmond’s Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club to pick his first XI for later that day, he was spoiled for choice. No need to raid the pubs of Richmond to secure numbers 10 and 11.

Chunky Goulstone, remembered their lives together as young tearaways both on and off the pitch. Hack would be missed as the tyro brother Chunky never had. And fellow hack, golfer and debater Paul Trow kicked off the eulogies with a round up of their lives as hacks, raconteurs and frequenters of the pubs and bars of Fleet Street. Everyone enjoyed Paul’s observation that although many of Hack’s best stories, including “have I told you about the time I got into Lord’s via the garden?”, “…Wimbledon with a toilet seat?” or “…being bowled by Gary Sobers?” were endlessly retold, they were also endlessly enjoyed because Hack always managed to reveal a new aspect to the story that had previously been secret.

Paul’s speech is repeated here for those who were unable to attend.

Simon presented a framed picture of Hack’s final journalistic piece to Susan, Emmy and Bea. The article about how Hack was responsible for ending Bob Massie’s Test career has been filed for eternity in September’s Cricketer magazine. It can be found here and here. The Club would like to thank Editor Hugh Turbervil and the magazine for permission to reprint the article.

Hack would have loved to have been in middle of the gathering, with all his favourite people. He will be sorely missed.

However, we were all confident that he would no doubt be enjoying his full expenses allowance in the pearly Long Room upstairs, asking St Paul whether he had heard about the time he threw a snake up a tree at Blackthorn Golf Club. He no doubt, has bat in hand and pads at the ready.