Tresco & Bryher CC v Bayshill CC • Bayshill Cricket Club

Gisela and Charles Liley Memorial Cup

Bayshill vs Tresco Scilly — *The Chairman and his Caterpillar!*

Colonel Mustard once more picks up his goose quill to report from sub-tropical Tresco on the evening game of Thursday 21st July 2022.

Talk on the island of Tresco on a hot and dusty day had been of pith helmets and the battle to come. The battle of course was for the shiny silver cup on offer and before the game, Bays troops had arrived in small groups, in order not to spook the natives (no dear reader not a racist comment! – reference purely to the locals of Tresco & Bryher). Some arrived at or about 11, some at midday and a few some time later.

The Blockhouse had proved difficult to take, but a number of Bays players managed it before the sun reached its heady zenith. The game was scheduled to start at 6, so there was no excuse for Bays’ players to dehydrate in the heat. The Ruin Beach Cafe, with its heavyweight wooden furniture and incidentally very appropriately named, was the first stop for vittals and imbibement. The afternoon drew on, with some players donning Edwardian bathing costumes in order to take to the salty, but chilled waters.

Before there was time to shout, ‘Where has the time gone?’ the game had began.

Tresco were a number of players light, so it was that the Bays had to field with their 10 players, whether they likes it or not. Harvey James and Andy Lawson (Head Gardener at Tresco Abbey Gardens) opened for Tresco & Bryher, with the former looking intent on damaging Bayshill’s attack. Tom Liley and Paul Saunders took the new ball. Tom bowled accurately giving away less than 5 per over, but Paul’s deliveries seemed to the liking of the batsmen, who dispatched him at slightly more than ten per over. Lawson was the first to go, on 34, well run out by Paul. Henry DT, Lawson’s replacement didn’t last long, being sharply caught and bowled by Chris (The Reverend) Horner for a quacker. Bayshill were desperate to dislodge James by now, who was steadily building the Tresco innings with a solidarity akin to the nearby Blockhouse.

Horner, captain and virtual pipe smoker, turned to the youngest player, Jamie Liley and the oldest, Steve, the wicket keeper! Yes that’s right, if you want something done, he was thinking, get the right chappies for the job. So it was that Steve Liley (VP number 1), still wearing the keeper’s pads stormed in left around the wicket between the umpire and the sticks. Off his full run, the ball left his hand and like pie in Benny Hill’s famous song, the dangerous Hackworthy, bit the dust for 9. Jamie at the other end bowled well and ended with just 16 off his 2.

Taylor came in and joined James, to take the score to 137, a total that looked reasonable on the wicket. Some Bays’ fielding was a little tentative to say the least (you know who you are), but there were also moments to cheer, especially when the occasional players made great efforts to keep the score down.

There was no time for tea or even a cheeky snifter, so on the game went. Fran Stirrup representing Bayshill on 7 or so he thought and The reverend Horner pushed the score to 56 off the first 8 overs, bowled by Henry DY and John Taylor. The total seemed within reach, but then The Reverend was caught for 24 off 25 with 3 fours t his name. Tom Liley joined Fran, but alas Fran was next to go, after the cry of, ‘Get a move on, we’ve a boat to catch!’ drifted across the outfield and the attendant pied wagtails. Fran looking steady, had fallen for 27 off 24, with just the two fours. Toffee Crisp Man (Chris Wayman) batted supporting Tom, who seemed intent on chasing the score down. tom top scored with 31 off 29 with 4 fours before he was caught off foster’s bowling.

At this point Bays needed 27 off 3 and it seemed the game may have been Tresco’s for the taking. Steve Liley went for just 3 off six with the score 15 light. Saunders scored 10 off 8 with two fours. With six needed off 2 Paul paddled the ball around the corner for a single and the game was up. A dot ball finished the innings and Bays were 5 runs short. Chris Wayman carried his bat for 20 off 24, with the one four.

Adrian Liley, Jamie Liley, Martin Van Dyke and Rory Niblett Liley need mentioning, as their performance in the field was exemplary. They didn’t bat, but were ready for action if called upon. We salute you, as without you there would have been no game!

The cup was lost, the boat nearly missed and there was no time for the promised food in the New Inn. Bays’ players trudged to the quay at New Grimsby, bereft at the loss and not even a walrus to see back in the harbour at St. Mary’s.

Tresco 137/3

H James 63, A Lawson 34, J Taylor 17.

Liley T 4 0 19 0

Saunders P 4 0 42 0

Stirrup F 4 0 19 0

Wayman C 1 0 9 0

Horner C 3 0 16 1

Liley J 2 0 16 0

Liley S 2 0 14 1

Bayshill 132/4

Name runs balls 4s 6s

Stirrup F 27 24 2 0