Colonel Mustard happily reports from the rural idyll that is Overbury.
Alex Van Dyke, ex-captain, batsman and all round cricketer, sent news of his conquest of America! Yes, that’s right, I did say conquest. Rumours, yea verily rumours, he had seen Goofy, Daffy, Pluto and Micky are nonsense, but it has been confirmed by a Bayhill spokesman, that he has been suffering from Disney spells of late. (feel free to groan)
Dressed as a Viking, battle axe in hand, Alex sent news that it was high time for Bayshill to have a Noggin the Nog Appreciation Society. Well thank goodness for that; it makes a healthy change from those tweed-clad Virtual Pipe Smokers, who have clogged these articles with cholesterol-like nonsense over the past year or so. VP Number one, outraged at such a suggestion (regarding the virtual pipe smokers), did however concede that Noggin, was a figure, to whom younger players in the club, perhaps could aspire. Don’t forget dear reader, that VP No’1 is prone to ultracrepidarian outbursts, therefore it might well be prudent, to take his comments with a pinch of salt, snuff or course ground pepper, depending on your particular predilections…
Now to the cricket. Overbury village is a delight to behold at any time of the year, even if it happens to be raining cats and dogs. Now by chance, there were no cats there on Sunday, but there appeared to be something, like the beginning of a Sausage Dog Festival! I jest not. There were as many as two of them, I counted them myself. Their names as I’m sure you’d like to know, are Dougall and Odin. As I said, to the cricket.
Chris Horner still captaining the team with aplomb and his bat as well, won the toss and decided to bat on the rain affected pitch of Overbury. The rain covers were finally removed for the 30 over game to start. Openers Horner and Pritchard began steadily, taking the score past 50, without any due trouble. First to go was Steve P, who was adjudged plum LBW for 19, with three 4s. Chris then retired, having achieved his half-century off exactly 50 balls, with 7 fours and one 6. A half of two halves, if that makes sense. His first 24 balls making 7 and his second 26 balls making 45! What a shame he had to go, as what followed was not the stuff avid Bays’ followers would wish to read about, let alone see!
Alex Van Dyke was 4th highest scorer with seven, whilst Steve Liley 3rd highest with 12, including just the one 4. The remaining 7 batters amassed 7 between them. Ouch!
Thanks goodness for the reliable extras, chipping in a hefty 32 of the score of 129 all out.
Tea was taken and the rain which had been spitting intermittently eased off to allow Overbury the chance to tilt at Bayhill’s meagre offering.
Alex Harding started the Bays’ attack, bowling as quick as he’s ever done, with his father at the other end, also racing in like whippet. Alex had opener Inchley, very well caught by Jamie Liley, at Mid On. A great moment for the two youngest members of the team, with Jamie just 12 clinging on to the well driven shot.
Goodwin was then sent back for just 4 by Colin Harding, not to be outdone by son Alex.
Alex Van Dyke not to be left out of the action, then took two stunning catches of his own at Cover Point, off Rod MacLoed’s bowling, getting rid of Hurford (5)and Dadd (12).
Paul Saunders recently back from La Belle France, took a sharp run-out, with the keen running batsmen Brunt (on 35), sent back to his clear umbrage. Beth clean bowled Townednd (31) as Overbury closed in on the total set.
Any fielding completed well in this match needs to be doubly applauded, as the orange ball used was seemingly made from granite. Bat-breakers, finger-wreckers, ball- … well you get the picture. Steve Liley then took a sharp leg-side stumping, which wasn’t given. An indication the batsman knew he was out, was confirmed by his remark to the umpire, which went thus. ‘Cheers mate, I’ll have to buy you a Coke after the game.’ Such are the niceties of cricket.
Whilst all this was going on, there were visits to the ground by House Martins, a Pied Wagtail and a Red Kite to boot. Not far away in the next field, at least five horse cavorted and played. One stallion, standing in the shade under a small group of trees and clearly silhouetted, seemed particularly excited by the Bays. The Bays, it seems, reaches parts other cricket teams can’t.
A close game in the end. Bays were perhaps 30 runs or so light. Never mind. Liquid refreshments after, went down well afterwards and if the truth be told during as well.
Bayshill 129 all out
Horner 53*/50/7 fours/1 six
Pritchard S 19/24/3/0
Liley S 12/30/1/0
Overbury 132/7
Brunt 35, Dadd 12, Townend 31, Cooley 21*.
Harding A 5/1/21/1
Harding C 5/1/25/2
MacLoed R 5/0/24/2
Pritchard B 2.2//0/20/1
Catches: Alex Van Dyke 2, Jamie Liley 1. Run Outs: Paul Saunders 1