Cryptics v Cross Arrows at Lord's.  Match Drawn

Simon Halliday, the Cryptics second most prolific centurion, continues to close on the first place by scoring wonderful 100 at Lord's.  Towards the end of this innings two straight sixes were hit in one over!!  Francois Vaninker got a fine 87 and rues missing out on his hundred.  When rain drew proceedings to a close the Cross Arrows were well-placed.

For pictures of the day follow this link:

http://gallery.me.com/tonybeadles#100065

AND for coverage of the game on the BBC follow this one:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/world_news_america/9018060.stm

Cryptics Cricket Club against the Cross Arrows at Lord’s on the Nursery Ground on Tuesday, 14^th September.  50 over match.  10.45 am start- Full Report by Tony Beadles

 

It proved easy to recruit a Cryptics team for this match.  No one cried off and a strong combination arrived on a darkish day at Lord’s to play on the Nursery Ground.  Tom Swerling, who started our Centenary Year captaining teams in South Africa, closed the year by leading the Cryptics side.  The team represented those who had played loyally for the Club over the season.  It was particularly good to welcome Marcus Sharp and David Page from the north

The Cross Arrows team, captained most genially by Omar Khan, won the toss and chose to bowl.  Tom Swerling opened the batting with Simon Halliday.  One opening bowler was distinctly quick and Tom fell leg before in his second over.  Francois Vanker, who played on the tour to South Africa, and Simon then batted skilfully to see off the new ball that offered some movement.  Francois played a mature and well-crafted innings driving the ball particularly sweetly, and Simon scored successfully off the quick bowler, often to his favoured third man area.  After 18 overs the score had reached 92.  The spinners exercised some control on a ground that is notoriously difficult to defend.  The very short straight boundaries and the lightning outfield present challenges to bowlers – and captains.  After 30 overs the score stood at 130, perhaps a bit behind the standard rate for this ground.  Francois then hit the first six and the score moved along to 167 after 35 overs.  Francois, on 87 and deserving a century, then hit a full toss straight back to the bowler.  John Carroll announced himself in splendid style with an imperious cover drive and made 50 in 36 balls with some lovely batting, falling in the 48^th over with the score at 275. .  Simon had reached a terrific hundred and then showed everyone his full range by clearing the mid-off boundary twice.  The last four overs produced 53 runs and the Cryptics ended at 299 for 5.

A good lunch was enjoyed by the teams and immediate supporters, a shield was presented and the President said a few words, outlining the Centenary Year and thanking the Cross Arrows for their welcome to this, the final event.

 

The early overs of the Cross Arrows innings featured some steady bowling by Marcus Sharp and Will Buckland.  Indeed, Marcus’s spell of seven overs for only 15 runs was undoubtedly the best bowling of the day.  He was unlucky only to get one wicket.  After 11 0vers the score was 44, but then sudden acceleration showed how difficult it was to defend on this ground.  Our quartet of skilful off-spinners all beat the bat at times, but could not control aggressive play from Maslen, who made 100 in 90 balls, Williams and Akram.  The fine drizzle that caused one delay and produced a wet ball did not help them.  The clouds became lower, the scoring rate accelerated.  Eventually play had to be suspended with the score at 227 for 2.  ‘Cross Arrows fail to reach a good Cryptics total’ would not be an accurate summary of the situation!

 

Malcolm Watson had done some wonderful work to set up a special reception after the game.  We used the Officer’s Mess of the King’s Troop in Ordnance Hill, very close to the ground.  In delightful surroundings we drank the champagne most kindly given by the Free Foresters before moving on to other refreshment.  About forty people were there to see out the year – the Cryptics team, many of the Cross Arrows and other Cryptics supporters.

The President of the Club had the privilege of managing this match.  He writes this now as the ex-President, as he has handed over the reins as soon as the last match was played.  He thanks all those responsible for organising so many good occasions during the year.  He is thrilled that Andrew Lewis has agreed to be his successor and knows that the Club will be in good hands.

Tony Beadles

 

Cryptics win nailbiter at HAC. 

An 85 run opening partnership between Andrew Lewis(46) and Simon Halliday (48) should have set up the Club for a big score.  Unfortunately no other Cryptic except Nick Hughes (43) got double figures and 159 did not look like enough.  Three early wickets saw the Cryptics on top before a big stand turned things in favour of HAC.  Catches in consecutive overs by Steve Jones at mid-wicket dismissed both HAC leading batsman and, notwithstanding some lusty blows and comical missed catches, the Club secured an epic win by 2 runs.  A triumph for new match manager Nick Hodgson whose team included a Cryptic record 4 Nicks!

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Alexia Walker becomes first lady of Cryptic cricket.  Former England Ladies ODI player Alexia contributed a 6-3-7-2 analysis against Ditchling.

....but not quite:  news reaches the Cryptics webmaster that Sue Leach played in the game agaist Romany in August 1996; she scored 4 and fielded brilliantly.

Stragglers of Asia

An unbeaten century from Stragglers of Asia’s J. Reid was undoubtedly the difference on a difficult batting track, as the home side defeated the Cryptics by three wickets.

A scrambled Cryptics side took to the field at the military cricket ground in Tidworth and it was miraculous the game even went ahead after a week of weather more akin to the Somme in winter. The pitch was in good condition bearing this in mind, but was low and slow and conditions offering help to the bowlers.

The sun did shine – at intervals – on the arena’s lovely setting, but occasional drizzle and a chilling wind made fielders grateful for chasing down a ball to the boundary on the slow outfield.

The Cryptics batted first and got off to a solid start. Seb Phillips dug in and scored 45 – putting in the same effort and determination which would normally see a score of twice that – along with opening partner James Young.

Young fell with the opening partnership just shy of 50 and as so often happens, one wicket brought two - Will Langton soon making his way back to the hut.

Good bowling from the Stragglers reduced the Cryptics to just 141 all-out, a useful 33 from candidate Harry Sutton giving some hope to the side.

Going into bat the Stragglers were confident of an easy victory, but great bowling first-up from Chris Fox and Will Langton sent them reeling at 1-2 from just seven balls - the insider information that 140 wasn’t far from a par-score seemed about right.

Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals – Langton picking up another, Sutton claiming two and Karl Noll trapping James Allsop LBW and forcing the chairman of the Stragglers – T. Lerwill - off after an attempted leg glance ricocheted into the bridge of his nose and forced him off – Noll keen to claim this as a wicket because without the intervention of Lerwill’s face the ball would have dropped into Will Gilgrass’ gloves behind the stumps.

But it was the century from Reid which won the game, as he hit a six to take him to his personal milestone and with it, the game, despite none of the other Stragglers batsmen making it into double figures.

A fiercely fought and well spirited match was won by the outstanding individual performance on the day, which for a drop of the ball could have so easily gone another way.

NORTHERN TOUR

v East Lancs cricket club

Due to injuries and traffic on the M6 the Cryptics started the game with 9 men and eventually managed to get 10 for the remainder of the game.

Winning the toss and batting on a wet wicket looked like a poor decision as we were reduced to 12 for 2. Then the rescue act was initiated by Ben Westhead a 3^rd generation cryptic and by far the best!!!!! Along with David Page as the blend of youth and experience managed to put on 120 for the 3^rd wicket. Westhead eventually fell for an excellent 63 and when Page (78) fell the Cryptics finished on 176. A.Gunn (4 for 22) and M.Bhada (2 for 26) the pick of the East Lancs bowling.

The reply started with wickets for local cryptic Dan Lord (3 for 13) to reduce East Lancs to 40 for 3 when the rain started and never relented resulting in an abandoned game. This was a real shame as the match was well balanced and could have gone either way.

 v Durham Pilgrims

Cryptics CC:

Vaks W. (Captain); Frankland L (Wkt); Hodder D (Wkt); Joynson A; Edwards R; Sargant S; Hutchinson A; Mooney T; Hurley R; Westhead B; Cann J; 12^th Man Mooney P

 Durham Pilgrims CC:

Applegarth A (Captain); Davey L (wkt); Brown S (Steve); Applegarth G; Robson C; Turnbull K; Eadie R; Brown C; Brown Simon; Telfer B; Young B.                     

Castle Eden Cricket Club and its loyal membership were again the consummate hosts of this jewel of a two day cricket match first played in 1924. Weeks of inclement weather suggested that the wicket would be helpful to bowlers. On first inspection the green tinge appeared to confirm this suspicion but for the majority of the game bowlers found it hard to extract any life from an unresponsive surface. Cryptics put out a youthful team with 3 Under 15 players making solid contributions at various points in the game. Veteran Cumbrian swing bowler Cann by far the elder statesman of the team evened things up slightly and it was good to see 3 Southern Cryptics (Hodder, Sargant and Hutchinson) make the trip North-although two were on the physio’s books before the match was over. A strong and gritty Yorkshire element led by skipper Vaks completed the line up which on paper looked slightly weaker than in previous years.

 

Pilgrims made a quick start plundering 70 runs in the first ten overs but then this was always a fast scoring ground with short boundaries either side. Applegarth (G) was particularly vicious smashing his way to 141 with his first 50 coming in just 29 balls. Joynson was able to rein in the quick scoring finishing with 3 wickets taken in quick succession. Westhead also proved to be an able change bowler with 2 wickets taken towards the end of the innings. Pilgrims declared on 260 meaning that 160 at least were needed to avoid the follow on. A steady start from Hodder and Edwards augured well for Cryptics and Edwards in particular showed a fine array of strokes on both sides of the wicket. Edwards finished with 68 but was well supported by Vaks with 58. At the end of the first day Cryptics finished on a creditable 198 for 7. Mooney (T) and Hurley were at the wicket with Cann and Sargant still to bat.

Day 2 started with the news that Sargant’s knee was playing up after a valiant (but with hindsight silly) slide and stop on Day 1. 12^th man Mooney (P) was called into action and Applegarth, Pilgrim’s captain gave compassionate leave for him to bat & bowl. Perhaps he had witnessed Mooney’s recent efforts with both and decided that this was a safe option. Cryptics innings (233 all out) ended with a bang and Cann (16 no) relished the opportunity to bat for the first time in this fixture for a few years.

Pilgrims decided to attack but Cann was inspired taking 3 early wickets giving the Cryptics hope of a small run chase. Hope soon turned to despair as Robson and Eadie put on 195 with the latter smashing a very quick 142. Persistence by Tom Mooney brought the deserved success in taking the wicket of Eadie who was the star of the match with over 150 runs and 8 wickets to his name. The target of 240 in around 43 overs was gettable and Hodder and Edwards started well. Edwards again batted will but this time perished 6 runs short of what would have been two fifties in the match. Westhead breezed a quick 25 but holed out just before tea when Pilgrims appeared to be taking the upper hand. Sadly 3 quick wickets after tea changed things and with the ball now turning it was Simon Brown (once of the 3 Lions [Pakistan 1996]) who put pressure on Cryptics’ batsmen. Tom Mooney (15 yrs) was joined by dad Phil (much older) and the two held out for over 20 overs when with 17 balls remaining the younger prodded firmly to silly mid off. Never mind-a top innings by Tom-and his 3 fours off Brown was a joy to watch from the non-striker’s end. A silly run out nearly scuppered the chance of a draw but Hutchinson and Cann held on to earn Cryptics a share of the spoils.

Once again the Castle Eden Club deserve our thanks for being brilliant and generous hosts and a further appeal is made to serious cricketers from the south to play in this great annual fixture.

v Yorkshire Gents

 After winning the toss on a lovely day at Escrick the Cryptics chose to bat first. At lunch honours were pretty even with the cryptics on 55 for 3. After a lengthened lunch to accommodate the centenary presentations it appeared that the YG’s had enjoyed a little too much port as the Cryptics then raced onto 146 for 3. Nick Westhead finally went for a very well constructed 60. James Ferguson then set about the bowling and hit 5 very big sixes on his way to a fantastic knock of 104 not out. The Cryptics eventually declaring at 217 for 5.

The Yorkshire Gentlemen started their reply reaching tea at 30 for 0. The game looked finely balanced until 4 over’s of mayhem where the Yorkshire Gents lost 6 wickets and were suddenly 62 for 8. 2 excellent  run outs and some fine catching in the field by the Cryptics and still 20 over’s left to bowl.

Then the Captain Richard Umbers and N. Bartrum shut up shop and somehow survived until the end to force a draw on 109 for 8.

A very enjoyable game made even better by the number of cryptic officialdoms watching the game.

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v Old Cranleighans

Not a great day at the office, it could be said.  If it had not been for a call the night before at 11.30pm, the Club would have started with 8 players.  Instead we had 9, and with a couple of OCs taking stints on the field for us, we had a full complement.

The toss was won by the Cryptics and with humid conditions and a drying wicket, seemingly ideal bowling conditions, the OCs were invited to bat.  Sam Sargant opened up and after a couple of looseners, surprised the batsman with a straight good length delivery, and trapped him leg before.  Steve Jones however immediately found a good line and length, but was not rewarded in either of his two brief spells (with 3 further days of cricket, he unfortunately could not be over-bowled).  Sargant lured the number 3 into a third pull shot of the over, with some slightly misdirected bowling, and the additional fielder from OCs was most welcome when the ball landed in his hands at square leg.  At 12-2, things were looking promising.  102 runs later and 5 bowlers used, Ed Montague dropped a ball short and the OCs sub fielder again came in useful, removing Howard for a brisk 72.  Following lunch, Chris Ward managed to get the next breakthrough, clean bowling Starling (50).  The runs continued to build up, as did the huffing and puffing of Ward.  Rewarded with only the one wicket, he admirably held up one end with his nagging bowling, accumulating 17 overs either side of the lunch break in the process.  By the time he came off the OCs were nearing a declaration total.  Of note also must be the steady off-spin bowling from Nick Ashton, who used reverse psychology on the batsmen by coming around the wicket tactic and not turning one. A single wicket for 40 runs was quite respectable.  Also bowled was James Wardrop, who tried four different bowling styles in his four overs.  1-45 was not a great economy rate, but it should be noted that he had bowled better for the Cryptics previously!

Batting.  Not a great deal can be said on this really.  There was only really one partnership between Wardrop and Montague of 63 for the fourth wicket, which was of any significance.  It could be said that a couple of decisions did not go our way, but that's cricket.  The bowling was not of a particularly high standard, but neither was the batting on the day.  A great shame.  Extras was the third highest accumulation of runs on the board (19).  Owing to the shortage of two Cryptics in the normal batting line-up, Simon Halliday and Andy Logan were sent is again, in an effort to get the score up to something more respectable, both were able to improve on their original scores (4 and 14 not out, and 5 and 8 respectively!) but unable to prevent the inevitable.  The end came with 11 overs in the final hour still to play.

Thanks to all those who did play.  An appeal for 2011 – Cranleigh School is a very fine location to play, with an extremely good wicket, one of the best pavilions (and changing rooms) I have ever used, and good hospitality of the OCs.  I urge you to consider it next year.

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CRYPTICS v HAMPSHIRE HOGS

 

This was notable for an extraordinary first day as The Hogs started with 6 men. With the addition of a 70 year old barman and the transfer of Tom Tennant (who is a Hog) from the Cryptics ranks, they ended the day with 8 men. This was a poor performance from the Hogs but they clearly had to bat first as they searched for new players. They later confirmed that they would have 11 for Day 2 which led to the return of Tennant to the Cryptics ranks. This led to a very confusing day for Tennant who fielded for the Cryptics, batted for the Hogs, fielded for the Hogs and then fielded for the Cryptics as The Hogs were reinserted at the end of the day for their second innings.

            What the Cryptics attack lacked in pace they made up for in accuracy as Jones, Warnes, Bennett-King and Stafford hardly bowled a bad ball between then in dismissing The Hogs for 154. The young left arm spinner Bennett-King, bowling in the style of Derek Underwood, was particularly dangerous and was subsequently offered generous terms to sign on.

            The Cryptics provided fielders so that the home team could compete but Mike Stafford stormed to a century, helped by 65 from Jonny Young, and the manager could declare at 267 for 2 with a nasty 15 overs left to bat. The Hogs cruelly sent in the 70 year old barman as an opening night watchman, but he was caught at silly point off Stafford. The score at stumps was 4 for 1.

            The squad had a pleasant evening at The George in East Meon where Tennant tried without success to resolve his identity crisis and Stafford released the secrets of his success in staying at the top as a 56 year old in the Uxbridge first team. But it was raining as the team dispersed to the homes of kind local hosts Mrs Tennant and Mrs Preece.

            The start of the 2^nd day was delayed for an hour due to a damp square. There was then an odd morning’s play as The Hogs stonewalled to 45 for 3 in 26 overs with men all round the bat. There was constant drizzle but the attack coped well with the wet ball. The morning was brightened by the arrival of The President who gave a pleasant speech at lunch before the match resumed in drizzle. Finally, after another 45 minutes of wet cricket, the umpires walked off because “we can’t see”. Neither had, as yet, made use of the contact lens revolution. The Hogs were 59 for 3 and the match figures for Tex Warnes were 23-6-23-3. Day 2 had been like an old-fashioned test match, but played in a swimming pool. The Hogs will have to make sure that they are better prepared for this excellent 2-day game next season.

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CRYPTICS v DITCHLING

 

The Cryptics celebrated their centenary by arriving with Steve Elworthy (ex South African test player) and Alexia Walker, the captain of Sussex Ladies and possibly the first lady to play for the Cryptics. The Cryptics were also in the unprecedented situation of being able to select from 12, and after a pitch inspection decided to leave out Steve Jones (ex Western Province). Jones was grateful for this after the pressure of being the fast bowling spearhead for the Cryptics on the previous three days.

            The Cryptics did well in tough batting conditions to amass 250 for 6 by half time. Tom Tennant (ex Harrow captain) made a cultured 65 and Dave Leadbitter hit 7 sixes in a boisterous 78 that showed off all his hockey skills. The compulsory port provided at lunch by Patrick Nolan was just one example of the excellent hosting by the home club. Bill Blackshaw even sold a couple of books.

            The Cryptics opened up with Elworthy and Levenger who both exploited the pitch to frighten the batsmen and slips. A small gaggle of excited locals massed behind the bowler’s arm to examine the effortless grace of Elworthy as he took the first two wickets, one an improbable catch by keeper Halliday. Nevertheless, Ditchling recovered as their two Aussie guests settled in at the crease. It took a lovely spell from Alexia Walker to change the game as she removed one Aussie and bowled 3 consecutive maidens. Her figures were 6-3-7-2.

            However, one Aussie still remained and had 70 when Elworthy was brought back to try and take the crucial wicket. It was the pivotal moment of the match and was won by Elworthy as he induced a fatal mistake from the Aussie, helped by a good catch running back in the covers by Leadbitter. It was left to Hodgson, Bennett-King and Levenger to clean up the tail but everyone knew that Elworthy’s ninth and final over had been the key.

            The unassuming Elworthy and Walker, and our generous hosts, all helped to make it a special day. This was confirmed by the Ditchling Club, who, in a lovely gesture, gave young Cryptic James Wilson £100 to partly make up for his loss of £150 due to a theft in the changing room.

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v Earl of Carnarvon's XI.   Lost by 1 wicket

Cryptics                   277-6 dec (P.Armstrong 98, W.Gilgrass 70)

Earl's XI                  278-9 (J.Lee 70, S.Qureshi 70,K.Barker 60)

The headlines do not tell the story!  Cryptics seize defeat from the jaws of victory in game which see-saws right until the 19th over of the last 20.

Brilliant early batting by Paul Armstrong was spoiled only by his dismissal in the penultimate over before lunch just 2 short of what would have been his first century before lunch.  He had been well-supported by Olly Burns who, although out of touch, stuck with it. Will Langton struck the ball well for his 38 but the star of the second half of the innings was Will Gilgrass who, after a tentative start, batted superbly, fashioning some great inside out drives over extra cover en route to his top score for the club.

When taking the to the field it soon became clear to stand-in MM, Nick (teflon) Priestnall, that his bowling resources were stretched... little did he know how stretched they were to become.  After good opening spells by Francois Vainker and Will Langton which were blunted by one stubborn batsman and one brilliant one as Johnny Lee used his feet superbly to hit both to the boundary regularly, on came guest Rupert Brow.   It was not long before second change Andrew Ward got into the action.  He took two wickets in his first over including Johnny Lee who clearly planned to get the match over early. 

This is about where it all unravelled for the Cryptics.  After two good overs Rupert Brow pulled a fetlock and had to retire to slip.  Three bowlers left.  Not long afterwards Andrew Ward was no-balled for the second time for high full tosses and given a warning; a second warning followed soon afterwards...and in the second over of his second spell a further full toss was called again and he had to be red carded (although the batsman had hit two of the three for four and in fact pleaded his case!).  Just two bowlers left.  Francois Vainker and Will Langton bowled over 20 overs each on a hot day.  Their fantastic stamina and enthusiasm was not supported by the other 9.  Priestnall dropped a routine catch and missed two straightforward stumpings and somewhere between 5 and 10 other catches were dropped or missed, of which about half were straightforward and the rest harder.  The final debacle came when still charging in after more then 20 overs Will Langton saw the simplest possible catch dropped which would have won the match.  He or any one of 3 others could have got there and caught it.  The culprit shall be anonyomous but, extraordinarily, it wasn't the skipper, who by this stage had had a go at catching a ball in his mouth as the gloves seemed useless.

Added to all this the last hour of play was rendered farcical by an infestation of flying ants at one end making batting and keeping there very unpleasant. 

So a great day at a beautiful venue saw a very exciting game won in the penultimate over by the Earl's XI who were superb and generous hosts, with once again probably the best cricket lunch in the world and great hospitality and conviviality for which we thank them.

THE RADLEY FESTIVAL

v MCC

Cryptics got the Radley Festival off to an excellent start with a hard earned 3 wicket win over MCC, who brought a strong side including West Indian legend, Courtney Walsh. His presence certainly helped to make this a special occasion and was appreciated by all.

 

MCC won the toss and elected to bat and were soon in trouble after the loss of two early wickets thanks to a run out and a Dom Pike off cutter which the MCC opener failed to read. Opening bowlers Marcus Sharp and Dom Pike maintained the pressure on MCC throughout the first hour but gradually MCC steadied the ship although runs remained hard to come by on a pitch offering some assistance to the bowlers. The introduction of spin brought the next break through with the score on 60 when Joe Porter had R. James caught in the covers. This brought the hard hitting Ollie Clayson to the crease who took the attack to the bowlers but he was undone when he misread a flighted Porter delivery and was stumped for 38. Further excellent spin bowling from Joe Ireland (2-41) and Tom Cox (2-20) ensured that the MCC batsmen never really got on top with wickets falling at regular intervals as MCC tried to pick up the pace. The re-introduction of accurate seam bowling in the form of the evergreen Sharp (2-30) ensured that MCC were eventually dismissed for a below par 207. The fielding was also impeccable, encouraged by fine wicket keeping by Chris Barras and every chance which came the Cryptics’ way was taken. MCC's opener Salisbury was the pick of the MCC batsmen with a well crafted 62 although special mention must be made of Walsh's entertaining cameo of 23.    

  

Cryptics in reply made a steady start before Simon Halliday was caught behind for 9 off the bowling of Walsh (still a very useful performer at this level even off his short run!). Cryptics looked to be in trouble when Tom Cox and Joe Porter were both dismissed cheaply with the Cryptics score still in the 30s and things were looking bleaker still when opener Darryl Redhead was bowled by Walsh for a fluent 27. David Page and Dominic Pike set about rebuilding the innings but again suffered a set back when MCC opening bowler R Craig had Page caught behind for 15. Cryptics 89-5 with everything to play for. Skipper Andrew Lewis then joined Pike and together they put on 61 runs before Pike was dismissed for a classy 64. Cryptics looked well set now at 150-6 and despite the loss of 6 overs to a rain shower looked favourites to win the match. Christian Elsdon (28 not out) and Lewis (40) together put on a partnership of 55 and almost got Cryptics across the winning line before Lewis became Walsh's 4th victim of the day, attempting to pull the former West Indian pace man in front of square for 4. It was then left to keeper Chris Barras and Christian Elsdon to scamper the final runs completing a memorable victory with an over to spare.

Chris Barras     

v President's XI

We were privileged to be matched against a President’s XI composed of one representative of each of eleven teams that we play year in year out, among them the Gloucester Gipsies, the Worcester Gentlemen, the Sussex Martlets, Old Rubberlubbers and the Bloxham Blockheads. A lovely bunch of fine men they were too, most gracious in their role as cannon fodder for disposal by eleven crack Cryptics cricketers.

Commander Halliday won the toss and elected to bat on a pitch that put the ‘flat track’ into ‘flat track bully’. He and prolific country doctor Alban, whose first wave of the willow it was, got us off to a good start, although Alban was dropped behind on 2. A succession of bowlers was seen off, with one belted for six over square leg by the doctor, but the searing pace of Traitor Hodgson was too much for Alban, who went first for 32, of which nine came in the form of three threes. Ready Redhead, in at three, didn’t last, and Slapper Armstrong provided the usual cameo: some big shots, including a six over midwicket, and then out. For 34. At lunch the Cryppers were 183-3, Halliday on a sedimentary 64.

The writer spent the first 40 minutes after lunch discussing ‘100 not out’ with the author, the Lord Blackshaw of Brighton and Hove Albion, and didn’t pay much attention to the merriment, looking up only to appreciate Halliday also reaching 100 not out and to take note of Skipper Lewis (non-playing) going for an inaugural run. When interviewed afterwards, Halliday confessed to having scored more hundreds than Umpire Williams, estimating his lifetime tally at about 150. Fine achievement that, quite simply a stunning performance by the Harrow man.

The Cryppers finished on 289, with Traitor Hodgson bowling seven overs for 31 runs and two wickets, comfortably the best figures for the President’s. It was only he that kept us below 500.

Moon Mooney and Lanky Buckland opened up for the Cryppers. Both bowled magnificently, although Buckland was unaccountably taken off after just four excellent overs in favour of Slow Joe Ireland. Despite the unforgiving pitch, Mooney snaffled a couple of wickets in his ten overs before retiring to the long grass to nurse his damaged quadriceps.

The key moment of the day came when Slow Joe beguiled opposing captain Mark Semmence into miscuing one to mid-off, where Lanky just managed to pull off a simple catch. Semmence’s two was at least 98 fewer (Robert, it is ‘fewer’ rather than ‘less than’, isn’t it?) than expected, and the match was, while not quite in the bag, only just managing to poke its head out of the aperture. Doc Alban, at mid-on, ventured to the writer that Slow Joe would take six for 40. The writer agreed.

After tea, Deputy Assistant Superintendent Ward was brought on to keep them in the chase and nick a couple of wickets into the bargain. He successfully implemented 48.68% of his orders, according to the Performance Management Unit of the Thames Valley Police and subject to confirmation by the TVP Performance Steering Group (North) for final approval by the Review Board (South). The remaining 51.32% was given back to Ireland. For the President’s, Cryptic Christian Elsden scored an accomplished 60 and Mighty Mike Harrison walloped a quick 40 with two big sixes, but Calamity Joe worked his way steadily through them, taking five for 58 to claim both the match and the man of it.

Cryppers won by 62 runs and went into the Club Dinner with two wins out of two, ready for a bi-directional torrent of drink and the arrival the next day of the Free Foresters.

William Buckland

v Free Foresters

 

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Superb victory against Hampstead, the Cryptics' longest standing Club opposition. 

Brilliant batting by Francois Vainker and Matt Baggs with good support from Dom Pike, Ed Murray and Kevir Vedd saw the Club home with 6 overs to spare.  This was the 82nd fixture since the first one in 1912 and both clubs have agreed to plan for a big event in 2012 to mark the centenary of the first match.

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Club holds on for draw at Middleton

Cryptics lost the toss and Middleton Stoney elected to bat. The wicket was low and slow and Middleton Stoney made very slow progress against a 6 pronged Cryptics seam attack. The pick of the bowlers were Chris Ward and Nick Hodgson who both picked up 3 wickets although special mention and thanks goes to guest Stephen Jones (ex Western Province) who bowled 10 overs for 11 runs. Middleton Stoney were eventually (after 64 overs) bowled out for 191 with the highlight being a brisk 52 from Sathya Vadivale. After the loss of an early wicket Simon Halliday and Dave Leadbitter made good progress but the loss of regular wickets and a rain interruption hindered Cryptics' run chase. Despite some lusty middle order blows from Stuart Simons and Ben Geeson-Brown it was eventually left to the last pair Stuart Turner and Chris Ward to hold out for a draw, Cryptics ending up on 152-9. The highlight as ever was the famous lunchtime curry.  

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Cryptics run out victors at Amersham

 

The Cryptics recorded a comprehensive victory over Amersham on Sunday 30th May by 135 runs and with plemty of time to spare. By wining the toss The Cryptics took first use of a fine looking wicket but with a soggy outfield. After weathering the early loss of Simon Halliday, Andrew Lewis and Matt Baggs combined in contrasting styles to take the initiative. Baggs punished anything loose but was eventually to fall shortly after reaching a half century during an over from which he had previously taken 17 runs. Lewis combined with Dave Leadbitter but he fell for a neatly compiled 42 to the leg spin of Thompson before lunch which was taken with the Cryptics very well placed at 150-3. Leadbitter took a positive approach throughout his knock, he was never shy of taking the aerial route and he too reached a half century on debut. His dismissal bought Chris Barras to the crease who would eventually top score and featured in two highly dynamic partnerships with debutants Kevin Haigh and Stuart Simons. This allowed the Cryptics to declare on 283-6.

 

The Amersham reply began with some very attacking fields but some slightly wayward bowling from new ball pairing Simons and Stuart Turner intially allowed them to make a positive start. However they both struck back in some style and shared 4 wickets with Simons (2 for 27) looking particularly impressive. After tea wickets continued to tumble with only Thompson (77) showing any stomach for the fight. Will Buckland bowled with impressive control to snaffle 4 wickets in partnership with Nick Hodgson who grabbed a couple of his own. The dominance of the Cryptics performance was summed up when victory was achieved before the start of the final 20 overs.

 

Stuart Turner

MATCH REPORT FROM GIGGLESWICK SCHOOL

A bad day at the office yesterday I'm afraid.

We agreed to play a 45 over format mainly due to the threat of rain later in the day. Cryptics won the toss and batted first. A useful opening partnership of 45 between Nigel Fletcher and Ryan Hurley saw off a reasonably dangerous school opening attack. Andrew Lewis and Ben Westhead then played the mainstay part of our innings with 35 and 55 respectively before John Wharton and myself completed the innings with 33 and 16 not out.  At tea with 191 for 6 on the board we were quite confident (working on past experience) to finish the job job off in the field.

 

We were lacking a little in the bowling department but an experienced opening attack of Dave Page and Phil Mooney started well and both were unlucky not to pick up early wickets with several edges not quite going to hand. Diaster struck when Mooney pulled up in his 7th over with a ham string tweak which consigned him to 1st slip for the rest of the afternoon.

 

Chris Ward bowled 9 economical overs and picked up one wicket in the process but by now the school batsman were scoring freely. We chopped and changed bowlers in an attempt to break the partnership but credit to the school they saw things through with something to spare.