Buccaneers v Armadillos 15th May 2022 Sheffield Park
Dills 232-4 dec. Buccs 81-3. Match abandoned: rain
After the driest spring on record, it was inevitable that the rain would start falling as the captains went out to inspect the wicket at 11.30. The ‘dreich’ (for any Scots out there) did not stop until half an hour after play was concluded.
Despite the adverse conditions, a lot of cricket was played. The Armadillos were put in to bat on a green pitch that looked like it would do plenty. Ludo Milne and Jack Greenhearth enjoyed a few balls that popped off a length and Ludo in particular got some to jag sharply. The Dills openers chanced their arms and scored boundaries when they went aerial. Almost anything along the ground failed to get to the rope. At 57-0 Sammy Maclay finally holed out to the skipper at mid off for a well deserved first wicket for Ludo. Rob Rydon and Buccs newcomer, Tom Whitmore, tightened things up and slowed the scoring rate before the skipper came on and was launched for a number of maximums into the Sheffield Park shrubbery. Rich Hobbs fared much better and got the two Dills who had passed fifty (Morten Tilley and Hector Maclean) out with the aid of some smart catching from Tom Fletcher (who will be spending time nursing his aching limbs back to health after an acrobatic display behind the stumps). Jack picked up the last wicket as the Dills declared on 232-4, a good but gettable score.
Mention must go to the catering as the Buccs gorged on a world class lunch and tea, the latter proving too much even for the Buccs’ considerable appetites.
Having rained constantly throughout the Dills’ innings, conditions were not easy as Ludo and Angus Berry stepped out for a tricky half hour session before tea. With an increasingly wet pitch the ball was lifting nastily off a length and both batsmen did well to get to tea unscathed. After Victoria sponge cake, scones, sandwiches and a lager or two the Buccs openers continued strongly after tea, Ludo driving tidily through the onside and picking up fours when he lifted the ball clear of the wet tundra. Ludo eventually fell for a handy 37 after failing to clear the infield. Angus departed shortly thereafter when he walked, Gilchrist-like, after a thin edge went through to the keeper (unheard by the umpire). The Buccs ‘ reputation for honesty and fair play reinforced once again. Rob and Tom took up the run chase with enthusiasm, running quick singles and smashing the bad balls. Rob was finally caught and, with Rob Mason having faced his first ball as a Bucc, the two captains called it a day with the rain beginning to fall hard on what was now a bedraggled-looking Dills side.
The Buccs finished on 81-3, a commendable effort in tricky conditions and, with the 20 overs about to commence, it was probably honours even in the match as a whole. Both sides retired to the bar for some well earned refreshment.
Scorecard can be found here