| Match Reports: | 2004 | 2003 | Centenary Season, 2002 |
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2 May 2004
Romany win by one wicket.
In a traditional nail-biting (beginning of the season) low-scoring game, played on a damp wicket, Romany`s elder statesmen D. Gale and P Hockin steered the team to victory with 3 balls of the match remaining, in a last wicket stand of 11. They also returned bowling figures of 2 for 6 and 2 for 9, with Mike Campbell chipping in with 2 for 7. Mike (not quite an elder statesman, but OBE never the less) also scored 29 runs to set up the run chase.
The outstanding feature of the day was six dropped catches, of which three were dropped off consecutive balls off the bowling of M Grayshon (also elder statesman). So incensed was the captain having seen two go down, that he deliberately dropped the third and proceeded to run the batsman out. The two youngest members of the side both failed to trouble the scorer ... a victory for old heads.
Paul Lewis (Captain)
9 May 2004
Romany cruise to victory by 97 runs.
This was a rain-reduced match of 35 overs. Romany were put in to bat on a damp wicket and scored 181 on, arguably, one of the smallest grounds in the country. The ground is beautifully positioned next to Crakehall Hall, in village green surroundings.
The side saw the return of J Gawthorpe to the side, scoring 85 and returning 7 overs, 3 wickets for just 15 runs. His lodgings in the grounds of Crakehall, however, make him vulnerable to a hostile takeover bid. Steph Boyd scored a quick-fire 23 (mainly on the leg side) and returned figures of 6 overs, 5 maidens, 4 runs for 3 wickets. All catches were held and the fielding was excellent (something to do with the youthful balance of the team). Once again the two elder statesman of Hockin and Gale carried their bats.
Paul Lewis (Captain)
16 May 2004
Romany lose by 19 runs.
On a beautiful early summer's day in this lovely north Yorkshire village, Kirklington decided to bat first and scored 214 for 6. Romany used seven bowlers, with Anthony Walker taking 2 wickets for 28 runs, and dismissing the opening Aussie batsman with the worst delivery of the match. The Aussie`s eyes lit up as a short-pitched "buffet" ball sat up and screamed "Hit me". Unfortunately for the visiting Australian (who didn`t say much), the delivery virtually stopped at first bounce, and he was through his shot before the ball arrived...whoops!
The run chase began steadily when three quick wickets fell - partly due to the overzealous umpiring of the captain, who now concedes he probably made a mistake in giving poor James Hutt out caught behind when the ball clipped his pad....sorry James.
Then our newest recruit Nilesh steadied the ship with some elegant shots (considering he hadn`t played for a couple of years), and the opposition began to wonder whether we also had an overseas paid professional in our team.(He also bowled a tidy 7 overs, one wkt for 16 runs.) Nilesh was finally caught behind on 23 and we started to fall further behind the run rate. -
Enter Charlie Strickland ... hates bowlers and is feared by all right-minded cricketers in North Yorkshire and by all landowners of adjoining fields. In an unprecedented display of controlled power-hitting, Charlie dispatched the ball to every corner of the ground and beyond, scoring 86 in (probably) 45 balls or less. His innings consisted of 5 sixes and 10 fours. He pulled the game back to a point where, had he gone on to score a well-deserved century, we may have won...but it was not to be. He was caught (on the boundary) and that was that. Once again Hockin carried his bat (with Gale being rested).
Paul Lewis (Captain)
23 May 2004
Those who saw the Druids fixture in 2003 will remember a feast of runs at Arthington - each side scoring over 300 runs, with Jamie Hockin nearly emulating Sir Garfield with 36 required off the last over.
The fixture last Sunday was at St George's Road, Harrogate, where Yorkshire secured the County Championship in the late 1960s. A splendid setting, the coolest scoreboard I have ever operated (electronic, changed from the other side of the ground), and a wicket that was so white as to be almost dazzling.
Three overs into The Druids' innings, it seemed that, with a little tightening of our bowling attack, we might indeed keep them under 400. It was left to the experience of David Gale to becalm the batsmen. (In his Romany cap and impeccable whites, David looked entirely at home on a county ground.) At one stage, we had the joy of David and Raife Gale bowling in partnership - does a Gale from each direction technically constitute a tornado?
In the event, three late wickets from Martin Grayshon helped to restrict The Druids to a respectable score of 238 - distinctly "gettable" on such a fine wicket and with a fabulous, weed-free outfield.
Every Romany batsman dreamed of stroking the ball for four through the covers on such an occasion - to see the ball gather speed as it raced across the outfield, to acknowledge the applause of the largest crowd seen at St George's Road since the previous Wednesday's net practice. And so it turned out - nearly every batsman scored a four.
Sadly, eleven times four doesn't get very close to 238. We fell a little short of the opposition's total - but got about half way there in the end. Only Charlie Hare (who had earlier disproved the theory that we were bowling with an uncatchable ball) caused the scoreboard to light up for any significant length of time.
But what a place to play cricket!
Tim Halstead
30 May 2004
Match abandoned before tea due to a thunderstorm. Romany, having been put in to bat on a boating lake (by a team who never put the opposition in unless it's waterlogged) were 102 for 4. Saved by the rain!
Tim Halstead scored 41. Joe Halstead and Jack Childs (aged 12 and 14) are still waiting patiently down the order to score their first runs of many for Romany.
Paul Lewis (Captain)
6 June 2004
This match was played in an almost idyllic village setting, where the sun always shines... as it did on Sunday; with the grey sandstone church tower in the distance only slightly obscured by the large oak and poplar trees; with the haymaking season soon upon us (although for some Romany batsman this remains in their psyche for the entire year); and the ancient village pub which is so small that an old-fashioned orderly queue is formed to purchase beer: all of this very nearly distracts from the match itself... which we lost in an exhilarating run chase which fell apart around the 25th over.
Saxton batted first and posted a total of 204 for 3, with their two openers retiring on 50 apiece. We did likewise, in the spirit of the game - with Mike Campbell scoring a hard-hitting 53 (he was never likely to run 53) and Paul Lewis scoring 52 before retiring. Steph Boyd and extras got into the 20`s but that was it. We ended up on 172 for 3.
This was the first match played on Saxton's new square, and it played quite well. Joe Halstead (aged 12) took 2 wickets in two balls to become the first wicket-taker on the new square - well done, Joe (who also scored his first Romany run...in the singular). The captain, however, was deprived of buying his main strike bowler a pint (of coke), as his parents arrived to whisk him away to a barbecue (most strange). Unfortunately, there were no other bowling or fielding exploits worthy of mentioning as far as I can remember - apart, perhaps, from S Murray, who won the fielding prize after a late revival in the field.
Paul Lewis (Captain)
13 June 2004
A most unusual game with many highs and lows.
Romany batted first, scoring 230 for 5. Tim Halstead opened and hit a memorable 115 after being dropped on nought - whereupon he "made them pay". Tim was bowled on the last ball of the match to give the rest of us a chance to catch up in the averages race. Romany's first centurian this year - well done, Tim!
The in-form Mike Campbell supported Tim with a sturdy knock of 29, followed by Nilesh scoring a stylish 41 (including some imperious drives on the up...but staying on the ground if you know what I mean) before running himself out in pursuit of runs for the team. Steph Boyd blasted the leg side as usual for a quick-fire 19 before being not quite caught out...but he had to go, as it was a friendly. Ed Hilling spent too long in the sun waiting to bat all afternoon, and when he did eventually visit the crease he promptly returned to the pavilion (and the sun) after one delivery. The rest of us didn't bat.
Enter Tim Heaps, age 16, Romany's new opening bowler. Probably as a result of the opposition reversing their batting order, Ledsham were 14 for 6 after 7 overs (I think). Tim had taken five wickets in his first three overs. At this point, the team pleaded with the captain to relax the bowling attack, but two handy looking batsmen came to the crease and he refused to have anything to do with it. The next wicket fell at 198. These two batsmen scored 114 and 85 respectively.
Then more arrived at the crease. Ledsham were 9 wickets down with 2 balls to go, needing 7 to win and 6 to tie. Steph Boyd bowled a great delivery, passing approx six inches past the off stump (so he says), and the opposition umpire (and also their captain) awarded a wide. Off the last ball, Ledsham needed 4 to tie and 5 to win: unbelievably, they found the gap where Mike Campbell would have been standing had he not left the field early to meet his dinner guests, and they scored 4. Game tied.
Paul Lewis (Captain)
20 June 2004
Game abandoned at tea time due to rain.
Romany batted first and were all out for 122. One memorable innings was that of John Heaps, who claimed not to have batted properly for 5 years. With sublime timing and imperious cover drives (some slightly uppish but dissecting the field), John opened the batting and scored a beautifully crafted 55 before being caught out. Eddie Hilling carved out a gritty 19 from some tricky bowling.
Romany then dismissed the opposition's no1 and no 3 batsman for 3 runs apiece - with some very sharp bowling fom Strickland and Boyd and some sharp fielding - and suddenly it was game on. That was, until tea when the opposition had accumulated 39 and the heavens opened.
The wicket has been relaid and is much improved, keeping a little low if anything. As usual the lunch, port, and tea were excellent, and we were well looked after by our hosts.
Paul Lewis (Captain)
27 June 2004
Romany lost by 5 wickets.
Having been put into bat, we raced to 77 for 1 after 14 overs and 250 looked possible. But it wasn't to be. Anthony Walker struck a solid 36 before being caught out. Other notable scores were 22 a piece for Eddie Hilling and Shaban, with Mike Bosomworth majestically cover-driving every ball to leave him 12 not out. The rest of us failed miserably, although I did supply some nice buns for tea which made me forget about my off stump being forcibly removed by the number 4 bowler. Romany all out for 136.
We then took a wicket on the first ball of Almondbury's innings, with specialist outfielder Tim Halstead snapping up a catch at square leg off Steph Boyd's bowling. To reward himself for this fine reaction catch, Tim chatted to the umpires at square leg at both sides of the field for the remainder of the afternoon. Some tight bowling by Steve Clapham, Nilesh and Shaban was not enough to save the day, as we were too light on runs. The opposition knocked off our total in 31 overs.
Paul Lewis (Captain)
18 July 2004
Romany batted first and posted 229 for 7 declared at tea (old-fashioned timed cricket). Toby Jacklin scored Romany's second 100 of the season (well batted, Toby), with Nilesh scoring fluently on a damp green wicket eventually being run out for 46. Steve James looked a little shaky in his first over, but struck 18 off the next over when we needed quick runs; he finished on 25. Steph Boyd was not out for 15 after a slow start to his innings - having shaped to play a forward defensive stroke (for the first time this season) off his first delivery, he changed his mind and hooked it for 6 instead. Jack Childs hit a sweetly-timed 4 off the middle of his bat, and having faced only 3 deliveries achieved a strike rate of 133%. P Lewis and Adam Bowen did not bat.
With two hours to bowl the opposition out, it all faded into a rather dreary affair, in almost identical fashion to the previous year. At stumps the opposition were 81 for 6, having imported a team of dead-bat specialists, and the game was drawn.
However, Romany's evening in the field was not without incident. Sometime around the 20th over, a very nice elderly lady in her 80's walked across the pitch to chat to her husband, who was umpiring. She couldn't be blamed for believing the game wasn`t in progress, as nothing much was happening on the field of play. On my best estimate from the score book, the opposition's specialist batsman Dodman (some might say Deadman) batted for 20 overs, scoring 3 runs. He also exhibited a lack of cricketing dress code, displaying what can only be described as "builder's bottom syndrome", which was somewhat off-putting for those fielding in the slips.
This ancient form of timed cricket had to be explained to the youngsters of the game and they, like our visiting overseas professional from Bombay, struggled with the concept. Andy Brian is still trying to explain it to his girlfriend (who read an entire book during the opposition's innings) some two days later.
Steph Boyd: 13 overs, 4 wkts, 30 runs
Steve Clapham 8 overs, 6 maidens, 1 wkt, 4 runs
Steve James 6 overs, 4 maidens, 0 wkts, 2 runs
Paul Lewis (Captain)
15 August 2004
Romany returned to winning ways after the Tour with a comprehensive victory over Yapham.
Batting first in warm sunshine on a sticky pitch, the Romany innings was held together by a patient innings of 53 from Anthony Walker. The eventual total of 144 was creditable given the amount of turn in the wicket but slightly disappointing having regard to the supposed strength of the batting. This latter may well have been responsible for a number of dubious decisions by various stand-in umpires, who probably thought this was the way they’d get a bat.
James Hutt contributed some adventurous running between the wickets in his 19, and the innings ended with an unbeaten partnership between Halstead père et fils.
Stand-in Captain Halstead (T.) announced his winning tactics to the team at tea, namely tight bowling and saving singles. The opening attack of Strickland and Nilesh duly obliged and Yapham sailed to 24-0 after 5 overs, with a couple of missed catches.
Halstead turned to his spin twins, Jacklin and James, and Yapham promptly collapsed. Steve James took 5-4 (his first wickets for 6 weeks) and Jacklin 2-11 (the latter’s figures being ruined by the scorers’ decision to debit Halstead’s byes against the bowler). The rout was completed by Grayshon and Joe Halstead, the latter taking 2 for not very many, and Yapham were dismissed for 56.
Romany won by 88 runs.
Mike Bosomworth
12 September 2004
Romany chase 213 to beat the opposition with 4 balls to spare in a thriller at Alwoodley.
Romany lost the toss and on a grey day with rain threatening were invited to field first. On a nice pitch Charlie Strickland bowled well, returning figures of 4 for 45. Nilesh took 3 for 42, and Ed Smith returned to the fold, managing four overs without injuring his back again.
Romany`s batsman decided this was gettable with a bit of application - providing Stuart Murray (playing for the opposition) bowled at least 5 overs... which he did. Paul Lewis hit 48, Mike Campbell 38, Nilesh 30, James Hutt not out 39, which proved to be the backbone of the innings when a few quick wickets fell. Henry Donaldson then hit a sensible 22 (including a six onto a new BMW "Seikh1"), which left Ed Smith to come in and hold up the other end..which he did.
With 6 needed off the last over, James dispatched the first two balls for a 4 and a 2 and that was it. Everyone made a valuable contribution - and well bowled, Henry Murray.
Paul Lewis (Captain)
19 September 2004
The final game of the season proved a close contest with a finish that would have been even more exciting had any player present been sufficiently numerate to add up the scorebook.
In blustery, cool but dry conditions Captain Lewis lost the toss and the opposition chose to bat. Surveying the troops at his disposition (four over-50s, 2 over 40 and the rest under 20, but deprived of the Fixture Secretary who had ricked his back the previous day, picking up not - as was rumoured - his wallet to go shopping, but apparently a pile of bricks), the Captain went on the attack, deploying the youth when not bowling in catching positions close to the wicket. This had the curious consequence of leaving the out-fielding to the geriatrics, thus presenting the astonishing sight of Campbell as the sole occupant of the covers, with Creasey performing a similar role on the opposite side of the wicket.
It has to be said that Campbell rose to the challenge and stopped everything which came within a foot of him, although little else (apart from performing one full-length flop which was later measured at 4.6 on the Richter scale). Curiously Creasey (who has clearly put his time off since the Tour to good effect, weight-training) was less successful, finding novel ways of missing the ball and his footing. This he later explaining was due to his decision to field wearing bifocal spectacles. These, however, did nothing to diminish his ball-locating skills. After Campbell had spent five minutes in the adjacent field leading an unsuccessful search party, Creasey vaulted the fence and immediately recovered the ball, lying as it was five yards from the fence. The downside of this manoeuvre was that the fence gave way under Creasey’s new bulk just as he was straddling the upper length of barbed wire, almost exacerbating the ‘groin strain’ which incapacitated him at the start of the season.
Later, after an Arthington batsman had 'picked' his slow full toss, Creasey was able to direct, with unnerving accuracy, Steve Clapham - who was wandering aimlessly towards the Hall among a herd of cows - to the ball with the words, "It's 10 yards behind the bull", thus enabling the latter to comprehend why the somewhat larger brown cow he’d just passed had spherical udders.
Meanwhile on the pitch, as the scoreboard ticked steadily along, various Arthington batsmen came and went. This sadly had nothing to do with the Romany bowling but rather to the fact that the opposing captain had decided that batsmen should retire when they reached 50, the first three achieving this. In fact, there was little wrong with the bowling, Clapham achieving pace and hostility (demonstrated in the closing overs when he bowled a head-high bouncer at a 14-year-old, who promptly hooked him out of the ground) and Tom Howarth some accurate swing.
Sometime after the 150, a wicket was finally taken and three more were to follow. In the 36th over, the Captain turned to spin albeit inadvertently, when Shaban, recalled to the attack and realizing that pace had little effect on an excellent pitch, decided to bowl off-spin, and turned the ball square - much to the chagrin of the redundant Campbell and Grayshon on patrol in the covers. This sadly did little to reduce the scoring rate, as the only person more perplexed than the batsmen was the stand-in keeper, although the flood of byes was slightly reduced by the posting of a long stop. The final score was recorded as 251-4.
The Romany reply after a slow start was promising, Lewis with two straight-driven sixes and Campbell putting on 61 for the first wicket. A flurry of wickets left Romany 87-3 at the halfway point and 8 an over seemed too stiff a task.. Hope was generated by a partnership of 65 between newcomer Jonathan Aspinall and Steve Clapham, the majority being scored by the latter with a beautiful exhibition of straight driving (nine fours in his 51). Sadly he failed to appreciate that the fact that just because he had been told by the skipper not to retire after reaching 50, this did not mean that he had to get himself out having reached that target.
Aspinall, who previously had seemed incapable of laying bat on ball, now exploded into action, moving from 9 to 58 in just nine overs. He was ably supported by the bifocal-clad Creasey, whose spectacles did little to inhibit his sight of the ball but had a curious effect on his ability to run. Having cracked the ball through the covers, Creasey remained in his ground - where he was joined by Aspinall, whose upbringing in the Huddersfield League had taught him that it is customary to run on such occasions. The ball meanwhile had stopped 6 inches from the boundary. Alerted to this fact by the crowd (sic), Aspinall set off at speed for his own end before Creasey was finally urged to follow him and Aspinall to turn round and run back. A single was thus achieved for which Aspinal had run some 50 yards while Creasey waddled about 20.
With 53 needed off the last 4 overs, victory seamed beyond reach, but 19 was bludgeoned off the 37th, engendering hope (which would have been the greater had more than 15 been added to the scorebook.) Unfortunately, this brought back the opening bowler in the gathering gloom, who accounted for Aspinall. With 19 supposedly required off the last over, the task proved impossible - Romany ending on a creditable 238-7.
As the teams left the pitch, the opposing Captain thanked the Romany for providing the best friendly game of the season and the two umpires (one of whom had perspicaciously brought along a pair of night-vision glasses, much to the excitement of Campbell who talked about them loudly throughout the Arthington Captain’s speech).
Later examination of the scorebook revealed that Arthington had in fact scored only 245 - 12 off the last over would have been a different story. Further analysis of the scorebook revealed that we scored more runs with the bat than them (217 to 207), and that the difference between the sides was made up of byes and leg-byes: 13, thus proving that blame for turning a moral victory into defeat should be laid firmly at the door of Halstead and his building activities.
Mike Bosomworth