| Match Reports: | 2004 | 2003 | Centenary Season, 2002 |
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1 June 2003
For those who do not know, this was against the staff of the luxurious Swinton Park hotel, near Masham, in the grounds of the hotel itself - a fabulous castle and the ancestral home of the Cunliffe-Lister family.
Before we started, we had to learn the house rules:
We lost the toss and fielded. After two or three early wickets, the captain was faced with a difficult decision. This was, after all, a genuinely social fixture, against a team made up solely of hotel staff. Should we ease up a little, mixing the bowling up, allowing the opposition to post a reasonable target that we could knock off with ease, whilst still being seen to be good sports? Or should we follow the Lewis theory of captaincy - reduce them to 22 for 8, then give the opening bowlers another five overs each, just to be on the safe side?
The wicket looked a little green. Charlie Strickland - a first year trainee solicitor lat Lewis's firm - looked suitably menacing. (They clearly train litigators well at Nelsons.) I suggested he should come off his short run, relying on guile and accuracy. I had not appreciated then that guile and accuracy are second-year subjects at Nelsons. Still, 150 in 30 overs should not have been too challenging.
Tea was taken from trestle tables on the lawn. A perfect occasion, in a perfect setting, on a perfect day.
When it was our turn to bat, Campbell and Halstead were an awesome prospect as openers. Each had fallen short of the traditional "1,000 runs in May" target by only just over 999 runs. Sadly, Campbell is on track to fall short of the June equivalent by the same margin.
Having seen the gentle approach that we took, the home team responded in traditional style. As the left arm Australian opening bowler tore in from the top end, my decision to discard my thigh pad seemed a little injudicious. (In truth, that decision was made mainly out of modesty, as the changing area was too far away to walk after a scone-and-jam tea.)
Despite some sound batsmanship from Jamie Young, we fell a little short of the opposition's total.
You can probably tell from these fond ramblings that this was a day to savour - made even sweeter by the continuing generosity of our host at the hotel bar after the match. I understand that there are 34 names on the cards already for the equivalent fixture next year.
Tim Halstead, Honorary Captain
8 June 2003
We beat Saxton with some application after a thunderstorm-affected game on a very wet field with a lot of long grass. In a match reduced to 30 overs, they scored 119 for 9, and we knocked them off for 4 wickets with 2.4 overs to go.
Tom Hilling took 5 wickets, and all the top order batting performed. Henry Donaldson was top scorer with 33; Mike Campbell scored 27, Shahban 27, and James Hutt 23 not out (and looking to score a lot more). The in-form batsmen of Grayshon and Lewis didn't even get a bat (but preserved their averages).
Paul Lewis
14 June 2003
Another win for Romany played on a beautiful summer's day at Ledsham.
Romany scored (this is from memory as I have no score book) 255. Newcomer Steve Boyd scored 102 not out, Paul Lewis 74, Jamie Young 20-something, and there was a blustering quick-fire knock from Eddie Hilling.
The bowling was an all-round performance as we reduced the opposition to 132 for 9. David Gale took 3 wickets, Joe Halstead 2 wickets.
At the interval, the opposition informed us they had bowled a side out for 9 runs the previous week. This was the perfect opportunity to do the same to them, keeping our openers on for 20 overs each - but I was informed this would not be in keeping with the spirit of 100 years of Romany cricket, so I gave everyone a bowl instead as we clearly had runs to play with.
Paul Lewis
22 June 2003
The match between Romany and Yorkshire Gents at Escrick was an all-day affair, including lunch, port, tea and evening drinks. The ground (which is as big as any county ground for those of you who haven't played here) was in very good condition, and the wicket was the best any of us could remember. It was a beautiful summer's day in a picturesque setting. Cricket at its best...
However, this opposition side is strong, and we came up against some quite cultured batting whom we could have knocked over if we had played our best bowling attack with an agile fielding side. Which we didn`t have. This was confirmed by the match statistician, who pronounced the total age of the Romany side to be 441 years.
Romany batted first and declared on 199 for 6. Shahban built a very cultured innings of 74 not out, supported by some controlled power play by Julian Creasey (41). A very useful 29 from Steve Boyd steadied the ship (with Mike Campbell) when we lost the early wicket of the no-longer-in-form skipper Lewis for 2 (who packed the kit bag and collected the tea money too when it became obvious just how generous the declaration had been).
With 200 to knock off, the opposition had no difficulty in reaching their target in 32 overs, only losing 2 wickets.
Paul Lewis
29 June 2003
We played this 'home' game against another nomad side at Saxton. We were a few players short, so we borrowed a few Saxton players, all of whom played against us when we beat them a couple of weeks earlier.
We contained Almondbury, bowling them all out for 184. The vice-captain considered this a "competitive" total, having bowled a very economic 13 overs, taking 3 wickets for 22 runs. However, Ed hadn't reckoned upon the batting prowess of the revitalised Saxton recruits. Their opening bat announced that he was completely out of form (in the same way the school swot announces he hasn't done any revision for the exam he gets top marks in) and promptly scored 158 not out in 25 overs. He was supported by Will Kemp (also of Saxton), who scored 19 not out. The only Romany contribution was 6 runs from the bat of Tim Halstead.
Paul Lewis
A great game at St Peter's school ended with the home side a couple of runs short of Romany's total of 247, after a determined run chase.
Romany were assisted by Collis King - Kingdom to his friends - who scored 101 retired (not many singles in this innings) and also bowled a few tidy overs. Alvin Kallicharran chipped in with a tidy 32 (all wrist and timing) and some cheeky little trademark offbreaks.
Young Stephen Clapham (Romany's newest young find, only 16) took 5 for 35 in a great spell of fast bowling and caught the eye of the the older professionals. Equally as important, a great day was had by all.
It would would be nice to play that fixture again some time with a celebrity team...
Paul Lewis
11 July 2003
Bolton Percy 228 for 8 after 40 overs having been put in
Romany 181 for 6 after 40 overs
This was the first day of Bolton Percy's cricket festival, and we received a very warm welcome. This is a very nice venue and well worth booking an afternoon off work to play.
Bolton Percy's batting line-up was reasonably strong in places, added to which we dropped their two run-scoring batsman twice (to difficult chances). Both batsman went on to score 70+. I think it would have been a different story had we dismissed these two, but that's cricket for you. Our bowling attack was generally consistent, with a fine spell of spin bowling by 17-year-old Toby Jacklin, who bowled 6 overs for 20 runs and one wicket. Ed Smith and Steve Clapham took 2 wickets apiece.
We were then fed a superb tea in the festival marquee, with our two openers Donaldson and Campbell taking second helpings of strawberries and cream. That's four helpings more than their combined total of runs...
The captain made a quick 24, batting at number 3 and trying to bring the run rate back up. This was followed by 50 not out by 16-year-old Steven Clapham, and another 50 not out by not-quite-so-young James Hutt. However, it was not to be this year - we were never quite up with the run rate.
Paul Lewis
6 July 2003
Romany 140 for 8 after 40 overs
Sheriff Hutton 142 for 0 after 23 overs
On a sticky drying wicket, the Romany captain called heads successfully for the fourth time in a row and decided to bat.
We struggled to score runs on a slow track, but once again the in-form Creasey came to the rescue with a reliable middle-order 37, accompanied by Tom Howarth's return from university. He cross-batted a quick 20 into Cow Corner with as much finesse as a student who had clearly struggled to locate the university cricket nets due to their location beyond the girls' hall of residence and the bar!!
In stark contrast, the opposition (having survived a few early scares with Ed Smith steaming in from the pavilion end) had no trouble putting bat to ball and beat us by 10 wickets, knocking our total off in just 23 overs.
The opposition captain then announced that his team batted right down the order to number 10, and that they had never beaten anyone by 10 wickets before. So we all had a beer.
Paul Lewis
20 July 2003
This match was a timed game, and was technically a draw.
Romany scored 265 for 5, declaring after 38 overs. The opposition were 114 for 9 (with a little help from a mini-storm) after their alloted time, batting for a draw from the first ball.
It was quite a difficult task explaining to the youngsters in the side how a team who fail to make less than half the oppositions score can still draw the match ... so let's call it a winning draw for the records.
Nevertheless, records continue to tumble. Romany's two openers, Ben Jacklin and Richard Ewen, both scored 100s, putting together an opening stand of 162: is this a record?! Toby Jacklin then followed with a well -rounded 39, and the rest of us didn't really get in.
Guy Williams took 5 for 15 in two great spells of bowling, with the older generation of fielders (of which there were only a few) holding their catches. Steve Ewan took a spectacular one-handed catch off Ed Smith's bowling - could be the catch of the season.
We adjourned to the pub afterwards and a good day was had by all.
Paul Lewis
27 July 2003
This match seemed to have everything, but unfortunately it was not a day when more Romany records were to tumble.
However, whilst on the subject of tumbling, I must record a vicious delivery to Mike B which, although it pitched on a good length, popped up sharply and caught Mike just above the cheekbone, forcing him to retire from the match. Perhaps the club helmet will see the light of day after all!
On what seemed a good track, facing some aggressive bowling, we looked doomed at 42 for 6. Ben Jackin was unlucky to be dismissed to a spectacular c and b. A partnership between Richard Ewen (41) and new recruit James Laycock (38) put on 76 for the seventh wicket. Final total 144 for 7.
The bowling attack was led by our spinners; at 0 - 2 and 13 - 3 all was going to plan, thanks to Toby Jacklin taking all three wickets. Wickets continued to fall steadily, and victory was in sight when we had the Leos at 98 - 9, Stephen Clapham finishing with 4 for 46.
Sorry to say though, the last pair for Old Leos clinched the match in 36 overs. Excellent bowling from Guy Williams when the run chase was on, finishing with 0 for 9 off 4 overs. All in all, a most exciting match - one which those who participated will remember for many a day!
Stephen Ewen
10 August 2003
Despite scoring 306 for 5 in 40 overs against Druids at Arthington, the game was lost. The Druids had amassed 323 batting first, although it has to be said no fewer than nine Romany players contributed to the bowling.
In the field, a couple of highlights were notable. Peter Beagrie made up for dropping two "sitters" to take a diving left-handed catch close to the boundary. He also demolished the stumps from the boundary for a run-out. The first "bowled Joe Halstead stumped Tim Halstead" has now appeared in the score book.
To have got so close to the Druids' score batting second was absolutely fantastic. Highlights included 105 not out from Jamie Hockin (including six sixes), 52 from Tim Halstead, 34 from Peter Beagrie, 32 from Chris Gill, and 28 from Anthony Walker.
In the last over the Captain's instructions to Jamie to hit six sixes started well when the first two went over the boundary. The Druids certainly were worried, keeping their two opening bowlers on for a total of 27 overs, which included the last 15 unbroken.
Thanks to all who played - who put on a great performance in searing heat.
Stuart Murray
17 August 2003
I am pleased to report that against Yapham on Sunday we got back to winning ways.
We posted a score of 219 for 4, which included a tremendous 106 from Tom Hilling and 69 from Anthony Walker. Tim Halstead managed to use only one bat, compared to the four he had used against the Druids.
At the start of their innings Yapham raced away reaching 67 for one in ten overs. The guile of Martin Grayshon who took 2 for 12 arrested this. Your Captain for the day Stuart Murray produced figures of 5 for 42, which are normally more attributable to his whole season. Yapham were eventually all out for 180.
This season so far as I can see from the slightly incomplete scorebook we have played 14 - winning 7 and losing 7.
Stuart Murray
7 September 2003
Unfortunately, the match at Crakehall on 7 September had to be cancelled, as Crakehall had just three fit players available. (Our Fixtures Secretary thought this would put them at an unfair advantage.)
21 September 2003
The last day of Summer provided the club with a fitting end to an eventful season. A cloudy start and a soaked ground gave way to a glorious bright late-summer afternoon, and an action-packed and controversial Romany victory.
The 1.30 p.m. start proved a little early for the Romany stalwarts after Lewis’ controversial decision to bowl, after winning his eighth successive toss. Two 11-year-olds took the field in place of Campbell (attempting to find his kit in the dressing room [sic]) and Bowen, who was blowing the final whistle at a nearby Harrogate League football match - not to mention the Secretary, who had to complete his pre-match fag while fielding at third man.
In the second over, Shaban discovered that it is a good idea to wear a set of studs in wet conditions by failing to negotiate his run-up, let alone bowl the ball. Thus Murray, not mentally attuned to bowling, was summoned to complete the over - which had not started in the fist place - and was duly dismissed for 14 runs in the over, while Shaban repaired his footwear. Suitably inspired, Arthington raced to 40 for none in 6 overs, and another Druids performance seemed on the cards. Shaban, now complete with studs, bowled one opener round his legs and had the next man palpably caught behind second ball; palpably that is to all but the rather elderly umpire (who it subsequently transpired was their opening bowler), who declared he hadn't heard a noise. (Later, the opposition captain berated the unfortunate gentleman, telling him that the sound of the 'nick' could be heard in Pool, in a voice that could be heard in Otley.)
The Captain rewarded Shaban for his breakthrough by removing him from the attack and replacing him with Carl Mills. The latter was substituting for Harwood Williams, who was playing in some minor competition in the West Indies. It did, however, prove an unusually inspired piece of captaincy, as Carl went on to take 7-20 in 14 overs, and aided by some inspired catching Arthington were reduced to 159 all out (apparently). No catch was more inspired than a brilliant gully catch by Adam Bowen, who then showed his dexterity by stopping the next delivery with the back of his neck. Lewis rather spoilt the fielding performance by dropping the dolly of the season at silly mid-off (a position he had taken up in succession to the Secretary, whom he had placed there earlier in the innings to test the recovery of his fractured cheek, once the latter had finished his fag). Later, the Captain explained that this was not a costly drop, as no more runs were scored by the batsman in question, which was rather beside the point as he was the last man.
The Romany reply was entrusted to the sub-Caribbean partnership of Halstead and Campbell, and the former was into his usual stride by getting a leg-bye in the third over. Meanwhile, Campbell seemed intent on an early visit to the pub, with some powerful blows and energetic running which even forced Halstead to run some singles. After a mighty six, however, it all ended in tears as he ran himself out having almost lapped his 16-year-old partner, causing onlookers to wonder precisely what substance he had consumed in his tea.
Thereafter, the youthful partnership of Shaban and Steven Clapham (who had replaced Halstead, controversially given out caught behind by the Secretary, who had become bored) put on an elegant 70-partnership before both gave their wickets away. The more mature pairing of Lewis and Mills seemed to be steering Romany to a straightforward victory, but not without some alarms and excursions. A textbook cover drive from the Captain went to the longest boundary, only to be overhauled by the Arthington fielder a yard inside the fence. Meanwhile, Lewis had run about two and a half, while Mills had sauntered about four yards down the wicket. As both batsman ended up at the ends at which they started, the scorers assumed that it was a two only to be disabused by Halstead, who was now getting into his umpiring stride, declaring that in fact no run had been scored.
By now the difficulty of the east/west layout of the Arthington wicket had become apparent, as the astute Arthington captain put on a leg-spinner who bowled 'donkey drops' with the setting sun directly behind him. Lewis was unable to put bat to ball (which probably had more to do with the turn rather than the sun), while Mills swatted at the ball as if it was some irritating Caribbean mosquito, with similar lack of success. Panic led to some chaotic running between the wicket, not assisted by Halstead calling one run short.
As the sun went behind the trees, however, victory seemed assured until both got themselves out in the penultimate (or so it was thought) over with 3 still needed to win. As the last over was about to start, the now officious Halstead pointed out that, as the innings had started at that end, it was either the 38th over or the match was over, which would have provided a novel way of Romany snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. The scorers were consulted and, aided by various Romany players and some 11-year-olds, declared during the course of the next five minutes and a number of recounts, that either 37, 38 or 39 overs had been bowled.
It was finally decided that 38 was about right and thus we had two overs to score the requisite 3 runs. Even then the drama was not over, as the Secretary responded to the opposition putting everyone within 10 yards of the bat by hitting the ball over the top but failing to notice that mid-off had stayed back, to whom he duly holed out. Grayshon after a couple of practice swings made sufficient contact to score the final two singles, the last provoking a wild shy at the stumps which went to the boundary and the players departed to the pavilion to celebrate victory.
However, on adding up the scorebook the Secretary found that one scorebook had Romany scoring 158 and the other 159, but decided that rather than announcing this fact to the players - most of whom were now changed - and causing the final 2 balls of the game to be bowled, he would credit Grayshon with the 4 overthrows which the umpires had not bothered to signal. (In fact the bowling analysis revealed that Romany had scored either 164 or 168 - depending on which score book you looked at, and indeed totalling up the Arthington score it turned out that they had only scored 151 - or 152 if you added up the bowling analysis!) I think we should take urgent steps to find a scorer next season.
My thanks to everyone who has contributed to a wonderful season, and to George Hodson’s grandson for his contribution to my facial reconstruction.
Mike Bosomworth
Match Result (subject to Lord's enquiry)
| Arthington | 159 - 9 ( Smith 58, Nash 31 . Mills 7-20 ) |
| Romany | 164 - 7 (S. Clapham 46, C. Mills 28, S. Ahmed 24, M. Campbell 20; A. Stoddart (or B. Meredith) 2-5) |