Another month of enjoyable cricket, home and away, as the season sadly comes an end with the club’s final match on Sunday 20 September.
A good win at Crick was followed by the now traditional defeat at Pattishall and a narrow final over loss to the Open University, avenging their defeat against us in August.
The Crick match featured an early start (weather concerns), a solid all-round team performance led by captain Stephen Nelligan and, to everyone’s surprise, first class fielding especially from Ed Hall who took two good catches. This restricted the home side to 114-7 (25 overs).
The relatively modest target was made more difficult by a strong home bowling attack, with the result in doubt until the final few overs, batting honours going to Richard Bull and Jordan Shingler, before we all settled in for an excellent tea. Many thanks Crick.
At Pattishall normal service was resumed with a 58 run defeat as were out-bowled and out-batted. Mention must be made of a quite brilliant boundary catch by Pattishall’s Joel Sweet, accounting for Stephen Nelligan whose straight drive any other day would have gone for six.
Chasing 186 to win, there were good batting performances from Dhillon (27), Tom Sabin (23) and Jordan Shingler (25) who also bowled as fast as a train to take 2-5 off two overs, but it was never going to be enough as we finished on 127-8.
And, finally, a keenly contested affair against the OU that went deep into the final over.
Chasing 124 to win, thanks to Stephen Nelligan, Richard Bull, Andy Nightingale and Alex Goddard, OU were always there or thereabouts with the required run rate.
Then with just two balls left and the scores level, the OU batsman missed the ball. Unfortunately, so did our wicket-keeper and the match was won with a bye. Good game, great finish.
Finally, it is with some sadness to report this is Peter Collins’ final season at the club.
Throughout his time in Badby Peter has played, captained and prepared more pitches than he has probably had hot dinners, in addition to many off the field activities, too many to mention here – a colossal effort.
Peter, we don’t know what we are going to do without you. Thank you so much for all your efforts and enjoy your retirement – you’ve more than earned it. GW