Match 1. April 26th- Away to
Report - Steve Luckhurst
Manor ventured a couple of miles West to the picturesque location of Long Furlong to play a Findon XI of 2/3's.
Having lost the toss we batted and totalled 148-9 at tea off 45 overs. It was a an innings of fits and starts, with Livermore's 39 in 51 mins with 4x4 and 1x6 the highlight. Salt 27, Smith, 16, Luckhurst 15, Bertinus 10, Mason 8, Baker 4no, Murray 3, Urben 2no, Brown 1 and Scerri 0 were the other batters in decending order of runs!. Findon took 29.1 overs to knock them off as the slope of the wicket took it's toll! - Luckhurst, Brown, Bertinus and Murray took a wicket each. Baker, Scerri and Urben didnt! - an enjoyable start to the season had by all.
Match 2. May 2nd - Manor home to Partridge Green.
Report - Steve Luckhurst
After a brisk start by the PG openers, steady bowling by Reynolds 8-3-15-2 and Tel Griffin 7-0-30-4 finished off the lower/middle order after Luckhurst (2) and Haggis (1) had earlier nipped out the top order. In bowling PG out in 46 over for a getable 183, Manor had 48 overs in which to win. After a cracking start by Smith (35) and Reynolds (23) who took us to 70-1, followed by a brisk 25 from Mason, Manor needed 100 of 120 balls, this started to squeeze as PG's change bowlers strangled the middle order and the rate changed to 80 off 80, then 60 off 48 until with 30 odd required off 4 overs Manor's tail crumbled as the rate rocketed. This meant the tactic was to bat out the last 3 overs....until the last wicket fell to the first ball of that period. Manor lost by 29 runs in a match we should have won. Squad changes next week will see 5 or 6 changes in the trip to St. Matthias (who soundly beat us in our last league match last summer).
Match 3. May 9th - Away to St Matthias
Report - Steve Luckhurst
This match had in fact seen 4 changes to the defeat the previous week. Back came Skipper Andrew Livermore, with all-rounder Miles'sherry'Scerri and bowlers, Nick'Fudge'Brown and Dan'Marilyn'Muncer'the other changes
Having won the toss Manor's innings was in short bursts of runs with wickets falling at regular intervals. Dave Smith falling for 12 means he's now just 12 runs short of the 10,000 milestone for the club. After Gary Mason had fallen for a quick 19 to a (partly) debatable catch, Miles Scerri (27) and the skipper (23) increased the tempo further. Simon Haggis then came in and stroked 42 in 45 mins with 5 boundaries - looking odds on to score the clubs first 50 of the summer when he top-edged a pull. This made it 148-6 in the 34th over, still 15 overs to go. All too common the next couple of wickets fell, before a suprise effort by Nick Brown, who's 17no was one boundary away from a career best for the 1st XI. Our 189 all out off 42.3 overs was deemed 15-20 of the minimum required.
In reply SM started slowly, although they had in effect 52 overs to play with, they were quickly pegged back by the loss of wickets in the 3rd and 4th over, losing both openers, bowled, by Luckhurst and then Haggis.
33-2 off 15 overs meant 157 required off 37 overs. After Luckhurst 10-3-22-1 and Haggis 9-1-29-1 made way, Terry Griffin and Miles Scerri came on. TG continued his amazing sequence. Having taken wickets in consecutive overs the previous week, he did so again, taking wickets in his first 3 overs too - a record that will need some disputing of 5 consecutive overs with wickets. Miles also chipped in with wickets in his 5th, 6th and 9th overs as 123-9 off 41 overs meant in the last 11 overs Manor had 1 wicket for victory and SM needed 67. A late blast from an injured no.7 and a young no.11 saw the total rise to 142 before the Skipper ripped out the youngster.
Manor won by 47 runs. Well Done!
Notable efforts too were fine catches by keeper Mason and (off a skier) Haggis. Luckhurst appeared for Manor for the 600th time.
Bowling figures Luckhurst 11-3-27-1, Haggis 12-1-46-1, Scerri 10-4-27-3, Griffin 5-1-29-3, Muncer 3-1-4-1, Livermore 3.2-1-9-1.
Manor head for Preston Park, Brighton to face Brighton Electricity in the next match.
Match 4. May 16th - Away to Brighton Electricty
Report - Steve Luckhurst
David Livermore coming in for Dan Muncer was the only change from the previous week. Disappointed to hear that the 11 who took the field were the only 11 available. Over 20 bods declined to play.
However, those who did witnessed a great family performance by Skipper Andrew Livermore and his son David.
Following the deeds of Grandad Mike (who holds the club record 124 wickets in a season), Manor's brittle batting line-up was held together by Andrews' 73 which included 10x4's and 4x6's. 64 in boundaries alone! - one huge six crashed through the trees to cannon off the front of Gary Mason's car. Nice Thud. No mark left - could have been worse.
Manor's 161 all out also included double figure scores for Smith, Salt, Mason and Scerri. But Livers' 71 minute innings was by far the highlight. Perhaps the funniest moment was Beefy being dropped on the boundary (fielder pushed the ball back in before falling over the boundary) and thinking it was a six didn't run. Next ball, same shot, fielder caught it without moving.Nuts.
BE's Keeper took 5 catches.
Manor taking 39 overs meant Electricity had 55 overs to score the runs.
Drizzle at tea livened the pitch further, although BE's young opener hit 53 including 5x4 and 2x6 as their start looked ominous.
The introduction of 15 year old David Livermore to bowl for the first time this season was a great ploy by his dad. Four consecutive overs of taking wickets saw a 6-1-20-4 spell only cut short by the regulations stating he couldn't bowl more in a spell!
Skippers regular bowling changes - often 1 over spells - saw Milo, Haggis and the Skip take wickets, before the re-introduction of David who nipped out the last two to finish with 9.4-2-25-6.
His previous 6 matches had brought 3-190, so this was proof that we've got a good young'un.
Haggis' 13-2-49-2 takes him to 40 overs in 3 matches.
Gaz Mason took 4 catches behind the stumps, with Livers' one-handed leaping catch the best of the out-field takes.
Brighton Electricity had fallen for 140 for a Manor victoy of 21 runs. There were still 14 overs to play.
Dave Smith had started the match needing 12 runs for 10,000. Which he duly got with a boundary that took him to 15. He was out next ball.
Manor lie 3rd in the table, with the visit of Last Seasons' Division Champions, West Wittering, coming to the Manor.
Match 5. May 23rd - Home to West Wittering. WW scratched on the friday night prior to the game. 30 points duly received.
Match 6. May 30th - Home to PC UK of Croydon
Report - Steve Luckhurst
After a selection headache for the skipper, who had to perm a winning side from 17 available players, a strong XI was picked for the visit of PCUK's first ever visit to the Manor. The batting line up had 8 centurians in it, which as it turned out meant that from a potentially dire position a record partnership took Manor to victory.
The match had started in a bit of concern as the visitors claimed not to have known of our Plastic Wicket and said to all wear 'spikes' - as their players, bar one, arrived wearing various shades of trainers, this proved not to be a problem. Having won the toss, PC were soon 5-2 after 3 overs as Luckhurst got a wicket with a full toss and a LBW from a rare straight one from a bit of leg-side line spell. Having been removed after 5-2-11-2, Reynolds (4-0-19-1) came on and having been hit for six off a full toss, bowled a straight one that the opening bat missed. 36-3 moved on to 72-4 and 116-5 as Haggis and Livermore (9-0-46-1) chipped in with further wickets. A score of 150 should have been the target, except that catches were being dropped left, right and centre (7 in all) going down, the most costly being that off the no.4 who went on to rattle 84. Supported by 47 from the no.7 the score flew past 200, before a returning Haggis 15-0-61-3, David Livermore 9-0-41-1 and a late run-out saw the final score of 228-9 off 49 overs.
On a baking hot day and with the boundaries being ever narrowed by the Council Groundsman, this was certainly obtainable, but possibly 30-40 more than they really should have got. Skipper Livermore did his best and permed his 7 bowlers, but too many spillages were frustrating.
After demolishing Tel Griffin's tea, Manor set off for the 229 target.
The top 8 had 61 hundreds between them and 346 fifties, so every confidence was had. A quick start by Dan Griffin (12) and Dave Smith (21) took the score past 40 in 12 overs, but the loss of Gary Mason to a second ball 0 (fingered by Haggis!), was compounded by the run-out of Skipper Livermore (13) whilst backing up (the short mid-wckt had attempted 3 or 4 similar shy's before getting his man) - we then found ourselves at 65-4 off 18 overs. Therefore 27 overs to get another 164 for victory.
A stiff target under normal circumstances, but No.3 Steve Eke (who through his teens and early 20's had averaged near 30 for the club) who had started to make the odd re-appearance for the club in 2008 and Simon Haggis who before this season hadn't played for Manor since 2001 - came together and started stroking it around. Eke's 3rd scoring shot was whipped over mid-wckt for 6 and thereafter he played crisply and despatched the numerous bad balls to all parts. Shaggy guided the ball around with the occasional thump included. The 164 required was duly reach in 20 of those 27 overs - a good rate of over 8 an over as Eke 94no with 11x4 and 3x6 and Haggis 53no with 6x4 broke the 5th wicket partnership record that had been held since 2006 by Dan Griffin and Chris Hazlehurst.
Simon now shares partnership records for the 5th, 6th, 9th and 10th wickets!
Eke himself shares the biggest ever partnership, 244no in the opening stand with Reynolds back in 1989.
The 6th wicket record is also held by the Eke/Haggis combination way back in 1985 when they were both teenagers!
Despite not playing regularly for some time, both players were clearly enjoying being back at their first club - and it looks like they will be around for some time.
So - having cruised home at 229-4, Manor moved into second place in the league, behind Dome Mission (who having lost to Brighton Electricity) are now only 6 points ahead of Manor.
Manor visit Wish Road to play Hangleton & Knoll, knowing the line-up will be different - rotation is required - unless we can get another 5 availables and get two XI's out - having a squad of 17 is great for guaranteed XI's - but 22 would be fantastic!
Match 7. June 6th - Away to Hangleton & Knoll at Wish Road, Hove.
This weeks' guest writer....Chris Salt.
Leaders Dome Mission were without a game, so Manor travelled to Hangleton & Knoll knowing that a fifth successive win would take them to the top of the table.
After a delayed start caused by horrendous traffic on all routes coming east from Worthing, H&K chose to bat on a Wish Road pitch that looked somewhat less than well prepared. Nevertheless, opener Khan (45) got them off to a positive start, before an excellent spell of bowling from Steve Luckhurst (5-23) wrestled the initiative back for Manor.
Bowling for 13 overs, Steve bowled the ideal length for the pitch and found regular movement off the seam to record his twenty sixth 5-for in Manor colours. With a wicket apiece for Dave Baker and debutant Philip Sethi in his first over, at one point it looked like H&K would do well to reach 150. In the end they managed 199, which was almost entirely due to a hard-hit 91 from Glen Reynolds, who marshalled the tail extremely well in an innings full of powerful shots. Special mention too for Gary Mason, who kept wicket admirably in testing conditions, especially whilst standing up.(Haggis, Scerri and Livermore also took a wicket apiece).
In reply a brisk opening stand of 34 soon became 39 for 2. This brought Dave Smith (57) and Steve Eke (54) together for what proved the decisive partnership. While the pitch could never be completely trusted, the outfield was fast and allowed Steve to unleash his usual range of attacking shots, though not without riding his luck (dropped 3 times). In contrast, Dave's innings was chanceless and notable for the way in which he punished the bad ball. Both fell in quick succession, followed by Philip, who retired hurt without scoring after dislocating his knee. (Sadly he has since had a cast fitted to that knee and seems unlikely to play again in the near future, so our best wishes go to him).
This, however, only hastened the arrival of Simon Haggis (21 not out) to join Andrew Livermore (27 not out) and they calmly saw Manor over the line with plenty of overs in hand. A glance at the table shows us with a 22 point lead over PC UK ahead of Saturday's trip into the unchartered territory of our first ever game with Crawley Nayee.
Match 8. June 13th - Away to Crawley Nayee.
This week's guest writer...Dan Grffin.
Manors bandwagon rolls on after this tricky afternoon at Nayee’s pleasant Bewbush ground.
Skipper Livermore made a complete mess of the toss, and Manor found themselves inserted on a very green and bumpy surface. Sure enough, the accurate if gentle medium pace of the Nayee bowlers produced an unpredictable mixture of shooters and poppers, and Manor struggled.
After 20 overs the top five were back in the hutch with only 60 on the board, iffy shot selection and iffy umpiring adding to the demons in the wicket. Not surprisingly it was the clubs two longest serving players who dug them out of this hole, as Neil Reynolds and Chris Salt added 95 for the sixth wicket. Watchful defence was the order of the day at first, as loony fielding could be relied upon to keep the board ticking over – an all run 6 came closer to finishing Reynolds off than any of the bowling.
But some increasingly assured strokeplay raised Manors sights higher than the 150 they thought would be competitive. Reynolds (55) particularly unfurled a series of unfamiliarly sumptuous leg-side flicks, while Chris ‘Bravo’ Salt (23, though surely worth twice that in the circumstances) also began to punish anything loose.
They were both sawn-off by absurd LBW decisions, but even this worked in Manors favour, as it enabled Shops and Ruby to add a brisk 34 for the ninth wicket with some lusty blows, and Manor went to tea pretty chuffed with their 191-8.
There were some murmurings that the pitch quietened down as Manor’s innings progressed, and when the first ball of Nayee’s reply disappeared over square leg in typical Asian style, these seemed well founded. But Livermore jnr & Shops produced accurate opening spells, and Manor soon began to make regular breakthroughs.
David was replaced by his dad after a 2-wicket burst, and promptly caught a terrific one-handed catch off him, above his head at mid-off. The rest of the wickets were a mixture of nicks behind & dobs into the infield, with a couple clean bowled. Baker was probably the pick of only 4 bowlers used, he had no luck at all in a marathon 14 over spell and 1-50 didn’t do him justice.
Quite funny though.
The Livermores shared 7 victims – David (3-24) continues to improve every week, as Andrew (4-40) indubitably
goes the other way, and Ruby picked up a scalp in a four-over stint.
But Raj, Nayee’s experienced no.6, determinedly continued the run chase, despite the limited capabilities of his last 3 partners. When he took three boundaries of Roob’s last over, there were one or two twitches. But a risky single to cover brought about the end, as Steve Eke’s direct hit beat the number 11 leaving Raj 45 not out, Manor winning by 40 runs with 7 overs to spare.
Manor stay top after a sometimes uncomfortable afternoon produced a hard-won 28 point haul.
Finally an interesting point of no interest to anybody – everybody who batted or bowled in this match did it right-handed.
Wow.
Match 9. June 20th - Home to Himani.
This weeks' guest writer....Chris Salt.
Dave Smith's 500th Match for the 1st XI.Only Neil Reynolds, Bill Winter and Steve Luckhurst have previously reached that figure.
Manor stretched their winning run to seven games with a hard-fought two wicket victory at home to Himani.
Chasing 170 to win, that outcome looked the least likely result of all as the innings subsided to 65 for 5 in the 20th over.
For the second week in a row, however, a sixth wicket partnership stabilised a precarious situation as Owen Voice (30) joined Chris Salt (47n.o.) to put on 69 and reduce the victory target to 36.
Though the innings again stuttered as three wickets fell for the addition of only 10 runs, Dave Baker (15n.o.) helped Salt take Manor over the winning line with just over three overs to spare.
Earlier in the day, Himani won the toss and chose to bat. Even though three of their top six reached at least 34, they rarely threatened to post a commanding score and a final total of 169 all out represented good work by the Manor bowling.
The wickets were shared by Simon Haggis (4-62), Baker (3-43) and David Livermore (2-32) with a direct-hit run-out from Baker completing the job.(The last of Shaggy's wickets was his 300th for the club- he's only played in half of the seasons' in the last 25 years, so conceivably could have had twice as many by now).
The win earned Manor a full 30 point haul as well as opening a 37 point gap at the top of the table following the draw between Dome Mission and Partridge Green.
Match 10. June 27th - Home to Rosehill Taverners.
This weeks' guest writeer....Chris Hazlehurst.
Only 11 to choose from for skipper Livermore, but a strong team took the field none the less.
Successful tossing meant those with an eye on ale supping later in the evening could take the field hopeful of a quick demolition of the rosehillers. (nice pub by the way and a pleasant bunch of lads).
Shopping opened up with a few page 3 balls, assisted by David Livermore (6-4-11-1) at the other end, bowling his best spell on the mat by all accounts.
However the first wicket went down after a piece of inspired thinking from Chris Hazlehurst, luring the batsman into thinking his misfield was accidental then hurling the stumps down much to everyone’s surprise, especially his own! Hurrah!
An eyelash strain saw Dave Baker (0-33) replaced by the skip (4-17) who proceeded to tear through the middle order (with some straight ones) whilst Simon Haggis charged up the hill to claim 4-21. In the midst of this were two well taken slip catches from Shops and a spell from Beefy (0-14), leaving the table toppers a target of 103 in masses of overs.
Le Manoir’s reply got going after a leisurely Chris Salt tea of Sussex celery and cheese & tomato sauce sandwiches, with the left arm opening bowler taking advantage of two poor shots from Neil Reynolds and Hazlehurst to reduce the manor to 6-2, both departing for a duck. The upping of the Taverner’s tails was soon back to a droop as Dave Smith and Miles Scerri set about compiling a match winning partnership. A series of well timed leg side scoops from Dave and clean hitting from Miles soon had a previously twitchy A Livermore sitting more comfortably in his seat.
A volley of fours from Miles (11 in total) finished the job in the 14th over to leave him 50* with Dave never troubled on 42*.
The Livermore juggernaut powers serenely on atop the division, pausing briefly to bask in the sunlit service station that is Lisbon and to fill up the tank with plentiful gallons at the petrol pump of Dan’s wedding.
‘east bound and down, loaded up and truckin’
‘we’re gonna do what they say can’t be done’
honk hooooooonk!
Match 11. July 4th. - LISBON,PORTUGAL.
v. Akbar Cricket Club(named after their captain (Portugal's skipper too)
Tour Reporter - Chris Hazelhurst...sorry, Hazlehurst
After an entertaining and informative bus journey down a single track to the ground an apparent lack of beer/off licence was too much for the thirsty griffin who declared (Reynolds probably would have actually) ‘this is rubbish I’m going back to Lisbon with the driver’. But the great loping stag was quickly pacified with the knowledge there were over a hundred cans of super bok chilling nicely and a curry on the hob. Marvellous.
A bit of lazy lying around on the plastic pitch made the lads feel at home and they were quick to spread out for quarno inventing fish hater captain Salt. A few huge wallops from their opener got the innings off to a bit of a flyer but he was soon snapped up by beefy and this was the way the rest of the innings panned out. Livers led the way with 4-30, Fudgey (1-67) got a bit of tap but swung it a bit, Beefy was unlucky not to find a couple more edges to add to his (2-28), Terry ‘my legs just go all over the place’ Griffin bagged (3-65) And salty managed to whip a table cloth out from under a skyer! Guffaws all round.
Top tea of curry, beany salad and ice cream was duly wanged down and it was off to see about chasing down a pretty daunting 241 off 40 overs. After a bit of doughty hanging around by Micky V and a masterful 3 from chris Hazlehurst the rate was soon up to 8 an over when Miles Scerri joined Dave Smith needing 200 from 25.
A rollicking rollercoaster of a partnership was duly compiled by these two for the second week running. A pretty good bowling attack was launched into as the impossible dream seemed a vivid reality. When the batting goliath that is Dave Smith was finally toppled for 104, Salty (12*) kept the calypso tempo up by striding down the wicket from ball one.
All the while Scerri was walloping at will (poor will) we looked odds on, however agony was ours as unlucky Milo failed to get a bat on the last ball to leave the manor stranded two short. A great knock from Scerri (79*) didn’t deserve to finish a loser, but he did, loser. A really good game was rounded off with some funny fines, cold showers and a demolition of the rest of the local brew with an Italian curryhouse to look forward to! Lock up your stingrays.
Match 12. July 5th. - LISBON,PORTUGAL.
v. Oeiras Cricket Club
Tour Reporter - It's Hazy again!
Day 2
Joint skip Reynolds (on pitch, no admin) set the tempo by shouting donkey as Beefy pelted down the opening ball, two dots later and the AC/DC loving strike bowler realised he had eeky for a hamstring, finished his maiden and hobbled off for the rest of the game, replaced by slip snaffler micky v.
Constant wickets however couldn’t keep Terry Griffin awake on the sidelines whose foot fell off his knee and landed on his foot. Kerching!
Neil quickly brought up his 50 in his 6th over but Dan Griffin (3-53) backed up by Andrew Liverspot (3-26) kept them in check.
Some rolling by Fudgey, groundhog day fielding by Mr C, and catch waving by Vaughney triggering Terry Urben kept shops and the watching troops happy, their pleasure was complete however at the site of big tel warming up! Their cheer mistakenly acknowledged by fdd who thought this rapture was for him as he proceeded to bowl a 12 ball over. Enter the Urbanator who saw off Ronaldo and his mate to finish with 1st XI best figures of 2-6 and a rare chance to lead off the troops was his.
More quality tea of paella and custard and lancing were ready for some flaying. NR and Owen Voice hung around pretty well in the face of some decent bowling before Gary Mason again defied the odds to get out cheaply, but it was Salty (56) again and Griff (54) who pummelled a 96 run partnership whilst displaying some of the politest calling heard on a cricket pitch.
These two buccaneers had had enough and left it to Scerri and MV to claim the glory, another overseas scalp was held aloft.
An appearance on Portuguese TV by some dancing manorites, the sad demise of stevie P after smashing up a table, a dancing puppet being converted into the sea, a taxi driver getting arrested, plenty of dubious chatting and the foreign assault was over for another year. Onward to Arundel for dg’s nuptials.
Match 13. July 18th. - Away to 2nd Place Dome Mission
This weeks' guest writer....Chris Salt.
Manor returned to league action after a three week break with a top-of-the-table clash against Dome Mission. The rain on Thursday and Friday had left the wicket at Horsdean looking green and it was no surprise that Dome Mission elected to bowl after winning the toss. Although rare failures from Dave Smith and Steve Eke handed the early initiative to the home side, the situation was repaired by solid contributions from Gary Mason, back to form with 38, Miles Scerri (24), Andrew Livermore (46) and Simon Haggis (20). At one stage it looked that Manor would pass 200 and earn maximum batting points, but some tame dismissals scuppered those hopes. Eventually skipper Livermore declared five balls early at 190 for 9, reasoning that Dome Mission were more likely to earn themselves an extra 2 points by bowling us out than we were to reach 200.
In reply, David Livermore (2-34) made the early breakthroughs and, with Andrew and Simon exploiting favourable conditions, the initial advantage was Manor's. The onset of rain at 6.10pm stalled that momentum, however, and a forty minute delay ensued. Under League rules, Dome Mission lost only three overs of their innings and, when play resumed, their task was to score another 129 runs in 24 overs. Even though the run rate ultimately increased to seven an over, conditions had shifted against Manor. The blustery wind had eased and with the damp ball offering less assistance to the seam bowlers, Dome Mission were able to play positively and succeeded in maintaining a steady scoring rate, Akshat making 53. Despite that Andrew (1 -28), Simon (2 - 43) and Miles (3 -36) stuck to their tasks well and wickets fall at fairly regular intervals. In the end the final over arrived with Dome Mission 10 short of victory. Miles limited them to two runs from the first three balls, before taking a wicket with his fourth delivery to level up the bonus points. Two runs from the fifth ball left Dome Mission needing to hit a six to win the game from the last ball, but that come to naught and their innings closed at 185 for 8.
Twelve points for each side mean that Manor maintain their slender lead in the table, albeit with a game in hand on Dome Mission, which comes this Saturday against Brighton Electricity. Mind you a combination of Sussex playing at Lord's in the Friends Provident Final and a lengthening injury list (Messer's Brown and Livermore A being the latest additions) may make team selection a little less challenging this week, so if anyone has yet to declare their availability, please don't be shy!"
Match 14. July 25th. - Home to Brighton Electricty
Report - Steve Luckhurst
Manor rolled up to play their game in hand on the other title challengers without a whole host of regulars (Reynolds, Scerri, Baker, Voice, Haggis, Murray, Eke) to find their opponents also depleted (missing both the leagues leading run-scorer and the leading wicket-taker)
- Losing the toss (useless tosser) Livermore sat for the first hour biting his nails as openers Dave Smith and gary Mason chipped into gaps and tested the fielders catching abilities on at least half a dozen occasions. That said, Gaz was truly back to form with the usual array of leg-side flicks and drives as a boundary or two dotted each over.
Gaz brought up his 50 (with 11x4) Dave had nurdled to 22 but soon began to hit the boundaries too.
The tables turned somewhat (with at least two overs where Dave hit 3 boundaries) and they both reached the 80's fairly neck and neck.
Dave's 14 off an over took him into the mid-90's leaving Gaz well behind. Livermore had by this time run out of nails to chew and in any case was now doing the scoring (still padded up).
Blazing past the 200 mark in around 35 overs then talk then started on when to declare. Bat through 49 overs and kill the game with 300 on the board?.
Nope, Liverspot had been advised the 244 partnership record was a possibility and around 250 would be a good time to call the boys in.
With a flurry of boundaries Dave flew past his 2nd ton in 3 innings and was soon followed by Gary's 1st League hundred (to go with 3 friendly ones.
210, 220, 230, 240 came up...and then Smithy spooned one to Mid-on for a career best 122 with 17x4's. Just four runs short of the Reynolds/Eke record from 1989!
Nige French came in with nothing to lose. Two dots later and Gaz was stumped for 103 with 16x4's.
Skip then called them in at 240-2 after 38.1 overs
Giving BE an extra 10 overs (now 55) seemed more than a little generous. But with no more batting points available, skip deemed the extra overs the carrott for the opposition and knowing Haggis/Baker/Reynolds/Scerri were missing meant we might need those extra overs to get them out!
B.Elec started steadily enough up against the father/son combo of Andrew/David Livermore.
A wicket each followed a run-out of another father/son combo where the father wasnt as quick as his son thought he should be as Nige French wanged one in to Keeper-Gaz.
Three down for 50-odd grew to 80-3 and 100-4 as B.Elec still had 30 overs to get 140 to win. All the while the no.4 (Mick Williams) was clubbing away, cleanly and clearly someone in his younger days batted at a higher level.
Supported by a clumping left-handed no.6, they took the score to 169 (just 72 from victory) when a trundling (more than usual due to a recently pulled hamstring) Steve Luckhurst deceived the no.6 with an even-slower-than usual trundle to nick to the standing-up Mason.
Game on again.
Skipper Livermore had by this stage lost the smile from his cheeks as the odd drop (Mr Williams was on 40 when son David dropped a catch of his bowling!) and the a couple of mis-timed dives saw the score reach 200 with some dozen overs to go.
By this time the slip-corden were ready to blame the skip for the early declaration, when two wickets in two overs by Luckhurst saw 8 down with some 30 still needed.
That 2nd wicket for Beefy was his 800th 1st XI wicket. The 3rd took the career total to 876 club wickets - equal with the Manor Legend Russell Wood (who took his in half the number of games - but heh...quantity over quality!)
David Livermore returned pick up the no.10 with the help of a very good diving-forward catch from Liam Durr at Mid-Wicket.
Definately game on now with the young, bespecled no.11 walking nervously to the wicket.
Mr Williams farmed the strike well and hit a couple of boundaries before taking a single early in an over from the returning Skipper (now bowling his 18th over). After digging out 4 balls, Livers' bowled the plucky youngster to a roar from the infielders as Manor dug victory out by 20 runs with around 7 overs still to go.
David Livermore 11-2-54-2, Andrew Livermore 18-2-81-3, Steve Luckhurst 7-2-20-3 and Tel Griffin 7-0-28-1 were the wicket-takers.
Williams was 118no and his efforts were in veign as the Back-Slapping began and the 'what a great declaration skip' chorus went round.
Manor now sit 31 points clear of their closest rivals, Dome Mission, although 2nd placed St Matthias are closer (21) but have played two match more.Manor's next two opponents, Hangleton and West Wittering are propping up the table.
Match 15. July 26th. - Away to Rustington.
This report by Crazy Chris Hazlehurst
A makeshift team arrived in dribs and drabs to a rainy Rustington not really sure who was playing, who did what and who was sober as four of the men had filled their boots at Lord’s on the Saturday, Bip Prees only commandeered into playing on the train home the night before!
Livers had a strapped up finger and making his debut was yet another Liverspot to add to the annuls, Steven, looking more like a Wesley Sysum lovechild than the son of skeletor that he is!
Captain for the day Hazy was informed upon his arrival that we were fielding and took his troops into battle with the drizzle failing to dampen high spirits. David Livermore (2for) opened up and was soon skipping them through to Mr sleepyhead Voicey.
Abit of the usual Manor fielding, Terry trying in vain to stamp on the ball like it was a windy crisp packet, Loz shouldering arms to a pea roller (yes he was fielding at the time) and Hazy trying to snaffle two catches with his finger nail, was interspersed with some good leg side stops from Mr C and Bip head butting the ball.
After a couple of rain delays and an early tea Neil grabbed the ball and proceeded to tear through the middle order with a combination of spitting off-breaks and flight & guile, or was it three straight ones and a double bouncer?
A pretty impressive spell from Dan ‘Ivor the engine’ Muncer (1for) was unlucky to bare only one wicket, and an improving Loz Judges were keeping the score rate down as a big improvement in the field and a few awkward catches were taken, Mr C down the leg side especially.
Then the baton was handed down to Steven Livers (1-15) who bowled an excellent 4 over spell of straight stuff, his good action pointing towards another top prospect from the family Spot. Nelly cam back to grab the final wicket and finish with 5-10, leaving the Manor 143 to win.
The reply saw Micky V and Owen V leading the way, but Mike TV was soon replaced by Bip who was quickly rolling back the years/beers with several languid straight hits and back foot cuts. He was well backed up by Owes who was happy to block the straight ones and Captain Caveman club anything short of a length.
A few dodgy dropped catches saw these two swiftly move us onto 90-odd before Owen was unluckily given out caught behind for 43, soon followed by Bip for 49.
The rate slowed down a bit before Muncy came in at 6 and finished things off with a few well timed wallops and the Manor were home and hosed.
Match 16. August 1st. - Home to Hangleton & Knoll
Report - Steve Luckhurst
Having chased down 200 to win back in June, Manor expected another victory in their quest for the title - feeling was 3 wins from the last 5 should do it.
However, if it hadnt been for the drizzle that turned into heavy rain, Hangletons' 69-0 off 8 overs could well have been the base for a very stiff target. H&K's openers flung the bat at Dave Livermore 4-0-33-0 and Dan Muncer 5-0-29-0 (who had a couple of edges through slips). Who knows what may have happened. However, with everyone drying off and going home, it was no suprise that every match in the Leagues' 8 divisions was rained off.
It may prove that we still need 2 wins from 4 to be promoted. 3 wins from 4 to win. But, all bar a couple of games have been pretty tough and the trip to West Wittering in our next match will prove a test too. Despite WW losing all of their 'stars' from 2008 (paddy over non-promotion) it will be a challenge.
Match 17. August 8th. - Away at West Wittering.
Report - Steve Luckhurst
A strong Manor team arrived (mostly late) at the very accomodating venue that is West Wittering. They had been stripped of many players earlier in the year and having seen a few players return from Uni/College put out a team said to be all under 21 years of age.
Livers won the toss and decided to field. Outfield like glass. Clear skies. 'Biscuit Brown' wicket.
At 12-2 after 3 overs Manor thought this could be their day. Milo Scerio had run out an opener with a quick pick up and under-arm throw from mid-wicket and David Livermore had induced a nick to a lumbering Nelly Reynolds at slip.
Tupper (28) and Huckshaw (53) then took the score on- with a mixture of firm drives and ugly swats. Huckshaw disliked the reference to an ugly shot and then proceeded to rabbit before, during and after deliveries. At 80-odd for 5 Manor were hoping to roll them over for 130-140. However, no.6 a posh-sounding James Irwin-Brown came in and started twatting it around. All the bowlers were hit for sixes while he was in - and supported by Gray (32) and Stoop (33) the score flew past 200. The odd wicket fell, 2 to Scerri, 1 each to Haggis and A Livermore as the score mounted. With the final over to start, WW were 258-6. At the end of it they were 260-9 as a run out was sandwiched between two wickets for Nelly. Mr JIB was triggered as the ball hit his 'box' on 99...oh dear, what a shame.
Three extra points were plucked from that last over.
Manor chasing down 261 in 45 overs was going to be a massive ask and needed a near 100 from the like of French, Milo or Livermore who are capable of scoring at such a good rate. Howver, Nige missed a straight one immediately after being hit by a sharpish delivery and then faced with a very good attack, we built to 80-3 off 20 overs - only after a spurting 27 in 26 mins from Scerri which included 6 boundaries.
Thereafter we set the target to get the 200 for max batting points.
Gaz Mason had continued his recent form and followed his last innings ton with 65 in 133 minutes with 11 boundaries. Liverspot biffed 4x4 in 17 and at 179-6 off 42 overs the thought of 200 was perhaps 10 too many. But we didnt want to lose for the mere fact that the WW 'boys' didn't shut up with their incecent nattering. No batsman or umpire returned with a good word to say. Talented yes. Annoying definately.
Rubes Murray joined Shaggy with 21 balls to play out - they did so, with Rubes smashing a cover drive with 3 balls remaining. After he blocked the next we knew we couldnt lose with 2 balls remaining. Cheers all round especially from Luckhurst and David Livermore who were due in next.
Good draw.
Well done everyone. Long day (it was 10 hours between me leaving home and getting home!) and the league seasons end is in sight. We want to win the league of course, especially as having gone 12 matches without defeat.
Match 18. August 15th - Away to PC UK of Crawley.
Report - Steve Luckhurst
Having lost the toss and been inserted, Manor's top order (minus Smith, Mason, Haggis) was going to need to rely on a big contribution someone standing up to the task. After 15 balls we were 21-0 with Neil Reynolds' 18 coming in quick time. Then he nicked one to the keeper. Then Nige French did the same 3 overs later. Two balls later Miles nicked one too. When skipper Livermore was fingered out LBW to a full toss the writing was on the wall. A stoic 15 from Chris Salt in 55 mins tried to steady the ship - until he chased a wide one and nicked to 2nd slip. All the while wides were ramping up as the PCUK bowlers sprayed it around (14 wides in all) Hugo'Boss/Agogo' Harding making his debut showed promise in his 10 - and while Voice 13, Luckhurst 11, Muncer 21 all got starts, they got out when thoughts of batting points were being discussed. 83-7 saw 100 a long way off - but Muncies 21 included 4x4's and took us past the 100 and with a few other chipped in runs we flopped to 122 all out. Three runs short of a 4th Batting point.
The PCUK batsmen had 65 overs to score the runs. After 12 they were 70-0 and looking at a 10 wicket victory.
Milo then produced an away swinger that was nicked to a tumbling Voicey in front of first slip.
Luckhurst then came on and with the first ball a return catch was popped back. 4 balls later the no.3 drove to Livermore at Mid-Off and 70-3 meant game on. The wicket was great to bowl on and in between the boundaries playing and missing and being hit on the hands/wrists/chest were the order of the day. Beefy's 5-1-14-2 spell stood out, but all the bowlers were unlucky not to get something - a late flurry of boundaries saw PCUK home at 124-3 with over 42 overs remaining. Now that's a thumping.
Match 19. August 22nd - Home to Crawley Nayee
Report - Steve Luckhurst
With five batsmen who could feature in the top seven away on hols, Skipper Livermore inserted the visitors having won the toss.
With the constant distraction of the Shoreham Airshow overhead (The Vulcan and Lancaster Bomber were fab!) Manor started steadily enough, with Luckhurst chipping away with three early wickets to leave CN at 60-3 off around 20 overs. This increased with 24 off two overs and despite a further lost wicket at the half-way stage CN were standing at 120-4 off 25 overs.
Liverspot rang the bowling changes to winkle their no.4 out, who continued to stroke the good and bad balls to all parts. Despite the heavy outfield (the worst in memory in August), the runs kept flowing, more so when Luckhurst (15-3-35-3) ended his spell with a tightening Hammy and bruised knee (from tripping over the flapping soles of his trainers, tightwad) - Rubes Murray nipped 2-25 off 5 overs and the Skip himself managed a 2-73 haul as the Parekh brothers increased the tempo. When 49 overs were up, CN's 261-7 looked imposing - even without the loss of those mentioned batters
After the early loss of the skip himself, Neil Reynolds and Bip Press rolled backed the years to the early 1990's to put on 65 in 12 overs to take Manor past the 100 mark.
Reynolds (48) and Bip (47) soon followed each other back into the Pavillion. Bip hit a couple of Sixes to increase his own club record haul. After that all hope of chasing down that total fell on the shoulders of Milo Scerri - big ask considering the length of the Manor tail. When he fell for 16, Owen Voice biffed away to a solid 26 to take us past the 150 mark and it was left for a maiden '6' by David Livermore to nip us past 175 to gain an 8th Batting point. We totalled 178 to lose by 83 runs with 4 overs remaining.
Note re young Sam Gunn who making his debut bowled loopy leg-spin which when he got it right looked great - and bodes well for the future. He was last out, bowled 2nd ball, as his defensive shot hit the back of his front leg and trickled back into his stumps.
Manor will not finish no lower than 3rd in the league. However, a win and defeats for both Dome Mission and Partridge Green could still see Manor Champions.
Match 20. August 29th - Away to Himani.
This report by Dave'boy'Smith
Manors 10 men (and boys) were inserted on a sporting pitch. Smith out 3rd ball of the first over, allowing him to “concentrate” fully on the umpiring duties ahead.
Ex-skip Hazy showed glimpse of past glories whilst Eke demonstrated to all how to play on a sporting pitch. At 50 odd for 2, Smith the umpire turned down an appeal for a catch behind. Maybe a bad error, but much merriment ensued as the opposition captain demanded a sacrifice. Eke obliged by walking (Eke take note - Skip says you only walk when your out of gas)
Regular wickets fell and in stark contrast to the earlier chaos, the junior LMCC tail was allowed to enter the fray under the Himanis Skips sporting instruction to bowl “nicely”.
Another of Lancings men, soon to fall foul of wedlock (Dan Muncer), opened the bowling to have the oppo’s Captain out first ball. Ickle spin guru, Sam Gunn, then got his first victim and soon his second (how dare you try to reverse sweep a 14 year old)!
Himani proceeded to bash their way out of trouble to win comfortably by 5 wickets to allow for an early evening drink in the Cherry Tree pub.
So its Division 4 for next year. A disappointment given where we were a month ago but we would have taken that at the beginning of the season. Well done all.
Match 21. Sunday, September 6th - Away to Staplefield.
This report by the skipper, Andrew Livermore
After our final league game last week, we headed off to Staplefield to start our month of Sunday friendlies. With the weather good and a strong batting line, Skipper Livermore had decided he would bat first, that was until he lost his 11th (out of 14) toss of the season (useless tosser), and Manor were put out to grass.
Taking the field with 10 men and a missing opening bowler, 'Dick Brown', young Livers took the first over. The missing 'Dick' then appeared from somewhere with laces untied and looking a little worse for wear, following the previous nights beer and curry. This must have been the making of the new Dick Brown as he proceeded to bowl the first 3 overs for no runs, (that's right 3 maidens in his first 3 overs, we think this may have surpassed his total of maidens in the previous 5 years!!). As Staplefield started to put on a decent opening stand as Dick and Little Livers started to tire (understandable for Dick but no excuse for Livers), new bowlers were required.
Then it happened - the new dawn of Manors future was introduced. A bowling partnership with an average age of 40, the 2 G's, Gunn (14 years old) and T Griffin (you do the maths), were introduced to stifle the batsman. Griffin nabbed the opener, who had been scoring the runs, with a good catch by Gunn at point, who must have been unsighted and in bad light as big Dan Griffin, who couldn't quite get to it, blocked his view (nice to see a bowler catching one for a fellow bowler). Gunn, unlucky in his first spell (a drop by Mr Reynolds at slip, who also dropped one off Little Livers later in the game) was rested, to be replaced by the aforementioned Reynolds. At this point Reynolds hands decided to wake up, and he proceeded to bowl a spell of 7-4-8-3, with first a spectacular left handed catch then a right handed catch both off his own bowling (he obviously can't coordinate both hands at the same time).
The Staplefield innings finished on 159-7 off 45 overs with good tight bowling from everyone. After a slightly expensive tea (note to eat and drink more next year), the Manor innings commenced, with the solid partnership of Mason and Smith back together after recent holidays. Smith, pleased to be back with his partner, strolled out to the wicket full of confidence, with last week’s 3rd ball duck well and truly behind him. Smith (0 again!!) decided that 4 balls would be enough for him this week and duly gave slip a simple chance. Mason followed shortly after. The barrage then began, the new helmeted Hazlehurst (unluckily run out on 54 and D Griffin (not out 73) started ripping the Staplefield bowlers to bits, 2 straight 6's from Hazy and 3 6's from Dan (including a straight one from the returning opener at the end) ensured Manor reached the total easily with 10 overs to spare. An enjoyable day ended with a beer and a bag of pork scratchings.
Match 22. Sunday, September 13th - Away to Merstham.
This report - Dan Griffin
Merstham 183-7 lost to LMCC 184-6 by 4 (or 3) wickets
It might only be a Pete Daly 6-hit from the M25, but barring a little noise pollution, the beautifully maintained ground at Merstham is probably the nicest venue on the fixture card. This was the setting for the 2nd leg of Manor’s September Sunday Sussex & Surrey Sojourn, and on winning the toss (!!) admin-only skipper Livers had no hesitation in sending the gallant visiting 10 into the field, because as we all know cricket is just better when you bat second. Actually I say 10, but we were only 9 to begin with, Froggy rolling on to the ground half an hour late. But to be fair he did manage to put in a few overs fielding in between important business calls.
With only two games remaining after this, its now or never for those with an eye on the averages, and sure enough there was a steely determination in beefy’s features as he roared in down the slope. Taking the new ball with him was Livers jnr, who had forgotten his entire kit and narrowly escaped being made to play in his pants. Instead he wore some ludicrous borrowed trousers – and oh what fun he had, but did it really turn out bad? No, not really, he bowled a very tidy 6 over spell. The main action was at Lovebird’s end though – two excellent nip-backers knocked back the stumps of either opener, and in between times he clung on to a dolly caught & bowled (of the kind that generally give him nightmares) to leave the home side struggling at 41-3. There should have been a 4th immediately, only for Livers to grass a sitter at gully, and it proved predictably costly as, not for the first time, Manor were put to the sword by 2 children. The younger of the two held his end up well enough, but didn’t really have the oomph to get the ball off the square, but his partner Rory soon began to hit the ball very cleanly, especially between mid-on & mid-off. Beefy (3-45) classically begged for one more over only to see it disappear for 14 to widespread chortling, while change bowlers Livers & Shops did a reasonable job of keeping the lid on the scoring. Nevertheless, the 4th wicket pair took the score on to 119 at a good lick, until out of the blue Shops bowled Rory behind his legs, the ball after the talented toff had reached the day’s only half-century. Very little happened after that – in-form Dick Crown produced another economical spell, and the days 2nd unexpected caught & bowled; Shops (3-37) nipped out another couple to finish with the pick of the figures; and the scoreboard inched along. Indeed such was Manor’s control, that on-field skip Hazy found that even a player short he had too many fielders, and deployed a newly invented position best described as boundary-slip. Splendid. Some late leg-side biffing from the 8th wicket pair got the hosts up to 183-7 from 45 overs, as the extra 15 minutes fielding took its toll, and cake possibilities dominated our collective thoughts…
High quality sandwiches, but no home baking on show left the tea verdict in the balance, but a big ice cream tub full of beetroot ensured an eventual thumbs up. Cakes, though shop bought, were in such abundance that their (over) consumption partially dictated the batting order. A bloated Liverspot found himself at no.7, a gluttonous Lurch at no.8
Messrs Mason & Salt did the opening honours in already murky conditions against some accurate if perhaps unthreatening medium pace. Gaz raced out of blocks, punishing anything overpitched, and we were just contemplating another big opening stand when he wandered across his stumps & was bowled round his legs for 20. Nige strolled in at 3 and proceeded rapidly into the 20’s himself, and it seemed that the only thing that could stop the lovely electronic scoreboard rattling along was some clown (me) dropping a cricket ball on the control panel. But Froggy got bogged down when the pie-chuckers came on, and frustratedly nibbled one behind for 22. Soon after that the innings lost its rock, Salt, yet another bowled round his legs for 27, and at 81-3 entering the last 20 overs things suddenly looked a tadge tricky. Budding six-whacker David failed to trouble the scorers after his promotion to no.5, unsurprisingly falling LBW having failed to get his enormous MC Hammer strides out of the way of the ball, and though Crowny managed a few biffs having been similarly hoisted up the list, he soon became a 4th victim for the persevering Hammond. Can’t remember that dismissal, but fairly confident that there was an overriding air of stupidity about it. 100-5. The two skippers came together to re-energise the spluttering chase, and we were just relaxing again when Hazy(23) managed to find a safe pair of hands – no mean feat on the day – at mid wicket with 50 odd still needed. That left Livers(40no) & Griff (26no) to see the manor home in the gathering dusk, with a couple of pleasant leg side flicks accompanying their more familiar thuggery. The latter notched the winning run for the 2nd week running, but not before letting out a girlie squeal when playing a full toss with his eyes shut having lost the ball in the gloom. The 7th wicket pair had added 48 in 20 minutes to get the manor home with 5 overs to spare.
An hour’s lager & lime & jabbering, and an hour in the car home completed a most acceptable day’s entertainment. We look forward to returning next year. More immediately, that’s 2 out of 2 for Manor’s September Sabbath-Breakers, and they go to Boxgrove next weekend with a hat-trick up for grabs.
Let’s Rock!
Match 23. Sunday 20th September - Away to Boxgrove.
This report - Chris Salt
Manor arrived at Boxgrove on Sunday to discover that the well-balanced side announced on Thursday had become numerically challenged (only ten) and with a batting line-up that some (notably Neil!!) feared would crumble even more meekly than Sussex the day before! Despite that Manor ended up agreeing to bat first, the Boxgrove skipper being insistent that they would be weaker than us.
We've all fallen for that one before and at 22-3, with Messers Reynolds, Voice (caught by a man taking his first catch in 35 years!) and Baker all back in the hatch, a four innings game seemed on the cards.
However, that proved the sum of the home side's success as a record-breaking fourth wicket partnership of 194 between Nigel French and Chris Salt took Manor to the unexpected heights of 216-4. I doubt it will surprise anyone to hear that both batsmen played to type - one flaying the ball to all parts on his way to entering the top five of leading individual scores (138 not out, 5 sixes and 18 fours), while the other scrapped to 51 not out with the benefit of lots of singles, 19 of which come in consecutive scoring shots.
It's all about partnerships not individual glory!! Helped by some undistinguished fielding the runs came quickly, allowing a declaration fifteen minutes early.
Fortified by a tea featuring a tasty array of homemade cakes, Manor re-emerged to see if the Boxgrove skipper's prophesy would prove true.
Initially the signs were encouraging with David Livermore (1-3), Ruby (2-31) and Fudgey (2-20) sending back the first five batsmen inside the opening 15 overs, helped by three catches behind the stumps from Mr C. Thereafter momentum slowed as a dogged sixth wicket pair dug in, despite another encouraging spell from Sam Gunn (0-22).
With seven overs left the match appeared destined to end in a draw until three quick wickets from Shops (1-3) and Neil (2-6) revived the contest and left Manor with 15 balls to try and claim the remaining two wickets. The sight of fielders crowded around the bat was reminiscent of Sundays long ago, but it was not to be and stumps were drawn with Boxgrove 92-8.
All in all an extremely enjoyable game played in an excellent spirit, rounded off with some good conservation over a beer in the Abergavenny Arms.
Match 24. Sunday 27th September - Home to Streat and Westmeston.
This report - Steve Luckhurst
Manor hosted their annual season closer against Stan and the boys of S&W.
Despite being the tail end of September, the sky was clear, the outfield short and browning and despite the partial covering with leaves and conkers, the scene was about as good as it gets at the Manor.
At the alloted start time we had 9 - so upon winning the toss Skipper Livermore (only his 3rd successful call of the summer) decided to field. Fortunately as we were shuffling onto field, Smithy rolled up (after the Pavillion/sitescreen/boundary marker duties were complete) and after a couple of overs, Nige French sauntered up. Both having been affected by the football season and small boys (insert comments here.....)
The two S&W openers certainly put their full weight behind anything loose and 35 off around 8 overs was quickly ramped up. David Livermore nipped out his 25th wicket of the season, before a quick treble by Beefy (including 2 LBW's) saw S&W stumbling their way towards 100. After Luckhurst 12-2-32-3 was replaced by Tel Griffin, DL 7-1-33-1 was replaced by Nick'Dick Crown'Brown who along with Griff snr. chipped in with wickets whilst seeing the (more than) occassional lose ball biffed by another hefty batter, this one called Church when Cathedral was perhaps more appropriate.
Tel finished with a solid 5-0-23-3 (which took him into 3rd place in the averages) with Fudgey's spell of 2-40 coming off 7 overs (although including wides it was more than 9 overs!)
The second wicket was Nick's 50th career 1st XI.
All the while the mirth in the outfield surrounded the efforts of Voice/Griffin who were in Mr Salt's fantasy team - but not Mr Livermore's - and therefore if they scored well (in fanasy terms) the £95 prize money would be winging it's way to Salt. When Mr Salt himself took his first ever slip catch - a one-handed affort at almost horizontal position, his cry of "it matters more when there's money on it" was something we'd never hear him say. It was also his first catch of the season and matched his total for the previous season - that 100th catch, now just 2 away, has crept just a little closer...maybe in 2011.
At this point young Sam Gunn was belatedly brought on and having been biffed for a six duly bowled the big hitting Church for 47 with a corking leg-break to finished with 1-20 off 2.5 overs - roll on next summer when he could well be making a major impact.
S&W finished on 166 all out.
Tea having been provided by Mrs Skipper was over-flowing with home-made cakes and actual sandwiches - a throw back to the good old days before everyone decided it was a darn sight easier to chop up a few French sticks and open a tub of marge. Well done
With Mason, Livermore, Salt wishing to share the batting, the line-up in the top half was a mixed bag - Smith and 'friendly opener' Voice opened only to see Mr.C out to a freakish run-out. A Cowboy-Hat wearing, goatie-beared, sun-glass-wearing, socks-tucked-in middle-aged chap picked the ball up one-handed at mid-off flung the ball in the general direction of the bowler (Mr Spiegel) only to see it cannon off Stan's chest and crash into the stumps. Mr Livermore who was still thinking cash not victory roared out an appeal from the boundary and after a moments hesitation, Umpire Salt raised his finger and Voicey was on his way back for 2. 'Yes' screamed the air-punching Livers.
Nige French fresh from his 138no the previous week soon kept the scoreboard ticking - and with 3x6's and 2x4's he flew into the 30's.
Smithy all this time was smoothly picking off the bad balls and washing away his two previous ducks on sunday's as he firmly cemented himself with the batting trophy. Another failure and Mr Salt could have nipped in, but with Salty batting down the order, Smithy rammed home his Silverware.
At 116 Nige skied one to be out for 36 - a suprise to all.
Smith was joined by Beefy who after the earlier overs was a little stiff, but having batted 6 times in 6 months, was given a chance of time in the middle. As it was Smithy began crashing boundaries and flew through the 70's and 80's, but after an end-of-chat about how a 3-1 hundred/50 conversion would look poor, it finished as 2-2 as he holed out immediately for 91.
That'll teach him.
Still 550 runs at an average of nearly 40 was streets ahead of anyone else. His 3rd Batting Cup in the last 4 seasons.
At 148-3 Beefy' was joined by Crownie as hard work against not-too-difficult bowling was at times painful - however a smash into the road for 6 by Beefy took Manor to 167-3 with 12 overs to spare.
A thoroughly enjoyable game had by all. With the weather spot on, it was quickly mooted that an October match would be sought.
Match 25. Sunday 4th October - Yes October! - Home to - Brunswick Village
This report - Steve Luckhurst
Another dry day saw Manor face a cheery bunch from Brighton who had spotted Manor's rare availability in October and thought we must be bonkers.
With Manor down to 10 men after a lunchtime withdrawal of an Aussie-Voiced Train Driver who will remain nameless, Beefy stepped up to skipper as Skip Livermore, Salt, Hazy, Dan etc were doing other Sunday things (Mr L was looking at Camper-Vans, but don't tell anyone) and Nelly Reynolds was still in transit. Toss duly won and after much dithering, fielding it was to be.
Manor's mixed bag of fielders scattered as the days' skip took the new ball - then watched it disappear at 5 an over. Then 10 an over. Then after the blasting opener had skied to Tel Griffin at Mid-Off, tension mounted as the ball bounced out the first attempt of a catch, did a loop out of the second attempt and hit the ground at the third. A couple of overs later an over of 640264 and the spell of 7-0-51-0 was over. Meanwhile, young David Livermore had chipped in nicely with around 20 off 6 overs.
Young Sam Gunn was thrust into the firing line and either side of a couple of sixes nipped out the other opener to a fine catch to Gaz Mason off a lovely loopy leggie as the first wicket went down at 85.
Skip then brough Nelly Reynolds on. He of course was on a roll of 10-24 in his last 3 sunday matches - and duly bowled the 6-blasting opener with his first delivery for 91..made out of 112!
Nelly then induced a wild slog from no.4 and a spell of 2-2 off 2 overs was complete. Bowling Trophy well and truly bagged.
Tel Griffin had given way to Dave'Shops'Baker who similarly had 2-2 off a couple of overs reducing Brunswick to 113-5.
'Shops' 2-8 off 5 gave way to Steve Liuvermore and a returning Sam in tandem (combined age 26?) a total of <150 was possible, especially when young Steven bowled two straight balls that were too straight for the batsmen. He finished with 2-12 off 4 overs. Like his elder brother, he's got the bowling action and over the coming years will be a very good addition to the team.
With the sight of the no.10 and no.11 (a young lady) Beefy decided to bring himself and David back. Good for David who nipped out 2 wickets to finish with 2-53 off 11, but poor skip had a mare. 23 off 2 overs as the Brunswick skipper drove his way to 74no meant a career low of 9-0-74-0 - if only Tel had got that catch....91,74no and 17 were the only double figure scores.
Still, 209-9 at tea was perhaps a par score on an outfield still quick.
Smith and Reynolds opened - some 30,000 career runs between them - only to fall for 19 between them. Smith run out failing to 'run/walk' a single to the boundary as the in-coming throw hit the stumps direct - consolating was the Batting Cup in the bag/on the sideboard.
'Shops' joined Mason at 24-2 and was soon biffing it around in his own style. They smoothly put on 99 for the 3rd wicket in only 16 overs before Shops holed out to mid-off for a season best 41 in an hour with 6 boundaries. Deserved a 50.
Chairman Voice soon got into his stride also biffing things around in true caveman style - 5 boundaries in a 24 minute 27 in a 47 run partnership with Gaz who had glided, almost without notice as David was having a nightmare with the scorebook, past his 3rd half-century of the summer. This had seen Manor upping the run-rate too and at 170-4 with 11 overs to go Manor had time and overs in hand.
However, Skippy Beefy knew that after him, especially as Gaz reminded him, that still to come were Tel, David, Steve and Sam who's combined ages may well have been around the 100 mark, but Tel's was over 60% of it, so it was down to them to see us home.
After a comical stumping/run-out day-dream event, Gaz and Beefy saw us home, with 4 overs spare.
Beefy for the 2nd week running hitting a 6 to win the game. Gaz finished on 74no and was the real batting star of the day, well supported by Mr Baker and Mr C.
Our opponents enjoyed the day so much the annual 'first sunday in October' match looks likely to be pencilled into the fixture card.
Roll on 2010.
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