July 2010
Mid-season results
Bolton Percy 183 - 6 (S Clapham 3 - 26); Romany 187 - 1 (S Clapham 77*; T Mills 60; A Johnson 43*) - won by 9 wickets
Seas End Hall 177 (D Cadwallader 4 - 24; N Walker 3 - 27); Romany 169 - 8 (T Mills 39) - match drawn due (so he says) to the captain batting heroically for 15 overs to avoid defeat, single-handedly holding off the might of the opposition when all others were falling around him etc etc
Swinton Park 153 (O Tucker 3 - 12); Romany 162 (?) - 2 (?) (M Knight 34 ret'd; T Gibbs 30 ret'd; A Maiden 30 ret'd) - won by something like 8 wickets
Leeds Caribbean 184 - 9; Romany 185 - 4 (T Mills 66; F Black 59; H Murray 34) - won by 6 wickets (with 2 balls to spare)
Romany 267 - 5 (J Halstead 71*; A Maiden 58; M Knight 57); Yapham 183 - 8 (A Maiden 3 - 25) - won by 84 runs;
June 2010
Further results
Yorkshire Gentlemen 171 - 8 (A Maiden 3 - 61); Romany 122 (E Hilling 40) - lost by 49 runs
Romany 193 - 6 (R Howard 96; P Lewis 62*; next highest score 2); Sheriff Hutton 151 (M Middleton 5- 51; J Singleton 3-29) - won by 42 runs
May 2010
Early season results
Kirklington 119; Romany 120 - 2 (T. Marcham 53*; M Knight 37) - won by 8 wickets
Romany 94; Druids 97 - 5 - lost by 5 wickets
Romany 174 - 6 (R Wyard 45*; F Black 41; P Lewis 30); Baldersby 104 (R Wyard 4 - 18; A Walker 3 - 36) - won by 70 runs
Romany 195 - 6 (P Lewis 72; T Gibbs 64; H Murray 36); Lofthouse & Middlesmoor 196 - 8 (M Middleton 5-36) - lost by 2 wickets
January 2010
New Tour fixture at Arundel
Our Sussex Tour this year will feature a new match at the delightful ground of Arundel Cricket Club. The picture on the left shows the pavilion at the ground where we will be playing. It is the ground of Arundel Cricket Club, not the (more famous?) castle ground. The picture on the right is of Arundel town, with the castle in the background, just to confuse you. They are clearly eagerly awaiting us - see their website. (They seem to think we are gentlemen, but they may never have met a northerner before.)
AGM - Monday 25th January at Wetherby Golf Club, 6-30 pm
The Annual General Meeting will take place at 6.30 pm at Wetherby Golf Club.
Members who have not received a letter, with the agenda, should please contact the Club Secretary, Mike Bosomworth.
A map giving the location of the club can be found here.
News 2009
September 2009
Romany glitter at Goldsborough - Stuart Murray reports
Batting first, Romany amassed 200 runs for 7 in 35 overs. Highlight was a fantastic fourth wicket partnership of 142 between 17 year old Sam Ryan and Tim Gibbs. Tim made a robust 55 (now recovered from the loss of the Ashes) and Sam a cultured 104. Clearly he likes this ground, having made a 100 when playing for the opposition earlier in the season. Henry Murray had made a steady 12 including a huge 6 after we had lost our openers quickly, but was then run out after deciding to have a “discussion” with the Goldsborough opening bowler half way through running what should have been an easy two.
Sadly towards the end of the Romany innings whilst attempting a quick single Peter Hockin (8 off 6 balls) hurt his back and had to retire from the game.
Romany took the field with their 10 fit men but given the runs on the board felt confident that they could contain Goldsborough. In actual fact, despite his obvious batting ability, Sam Ryan is a bowler and proved this with a tight opening spell of 5 overs taking 2 wickets for 8 runs. With Mark Middleton also in good form, Goldsborough were well behind the rate, at 31 for 2 off 10 overs.
Wickets fell steadily and Goldsborough were all out for 161. Some tight bowling and athleticism in the field meant that the result was never in doubt. For the record the other bowling figures were Paul Bennett 2 for 38, Stuart Murray 2 for 35, Will Hockin 2 for 18 and Henry Murray 1 for 24. To cap an all round performance Sam ran out one with a direct throw.
Some great catches in the deep notably by Mark Middleton, Howard Elgot and Adam Bowen and a great catch behind by Ed Hilling keeping wicket. Stuart Murray was forced to apologise for his celebration following his caught and bowled off one of the young Goldsborough batsman. In his defence the said batsman had tried to sweep him first ball Kevin Pietersen style.
All in all a fantastic afternoon. The game was played with great spirit and professionalism by the Romany side.
August 2009
Twenty/twenty at Alwoodley - Paul Lewis reports
Alwoodley requested a T20 game earlier in the season which proved to be timely as the rain fell heavily just after 5.30 when the game was concluded with a victory to Romany.
Paul Lewis (acting captain) put the opposition in to bat on a reasonable track (Aire Wharfe league team) at a nice ground in North Leeds. Bowlers were restricted to four overs each. Romany had a young side (except Paul and Tim Halstead) and welcomed back ex youth players, Shaban and Adnan, who brought with them a fellow cricketer, Imran, to make up the numbers.
Romany had four wicket keepers in the team but Tim Halstead was handed the gloves on the basis the other three looked to be in their early 20s and therefore would be a lot more agile in the outfield. However, this theory did not quite prove to be the case for Toby Marcham. Firstly he is not in his early 20s. Second he got lost with Johnny Gale driving to the ground in Leeds!! As they did not approach the ground from the direction of their respective homes one didn't dare ask from which night club they were returning. On arrival they announced that they had £1.90 between them and could they be subbed for tea as they had not managed to eat for three days. Any idea of getting subs out of them at this point was abandoned.
As punishment Toby was confined to the deep fine leg boundary to protect fine leg, third man and act as long stop. The first three balls that came to him went straight through him. Only when the fourth ball approached him did he pick the ball up cleanly and hurl it in to the stumps with a direct hit, breaking the (Slazenger) stumps and causing a five minute delay!
Adnan bowled swiftly and put Alwoodley's openers under pressure, taking the first wicket with a fine catch by Eddie Hilling at cover point. Johnny Gale bowled well and deserved more than one wicket, finding the edge often - and all the time the bowlers were keeping the opposition below a run a ball. Nick Singleton bowled well but was hit for an almighty six which landed on Adnan's BMW, crucially deflecting the impact away from the bowler's father's car. Imran then bowled an excellent tidy spell of wrist leg spin, taking 4 for 21. Four catches were held and two difficult catches dropped. Alwoodley 109 for 9 after 20.
Romany's innings started well. Eddie Hilling, also returning to the fold and playing his first game of the season, never looked as though he had stepped off the cricket field. He opened with Shaban and both were very positive from the outset. Shaban scored a quick fire 20 before being caught but Eddie went on to score 62 not out with Imran, Jack Singleton and Toby batting around him. The winning runs came with 4.4 overs to spare. Romany 110 for 3. The teas were excellent and the hospitality very good.
Shortly before 6 pm a wave of elation overcame ten Romany members fielding on a damp afternoon in the otherwise idyllic setting of this country park. The cause of this unbridled joy was not the achievement of a Romany victory, but the news that England had regained the Ashes. The fact that this applied to ten members was not the habitual reason, to wit that we couldn’t field a full XI, but rather that the eleventh team member was an Australian in the form of Tim Gibbs who was somewhat less than gruntled by the announcement.
It is a Romany tradition that Vice Captains endure a trying baptism, and this occasion proved no exception as DPT Gale led the side as Alternate Vice Captain, the first time anyone has done so since the post was instituted some four years ago. His first act after arriving somewhat late (another Romany tradition) was to lose the toss. This proved crucial as we were inserted. Whereas the Thorp Perrow pitch is normally a placid slow affair, the home side had put the heavy roller on it the day before. While the wicket was not overly quick it was bouncy, disconcertingly so from a length, a fact fully exploited by the opening bowler, a character by the name of Fishburn, who jabbered on endlessly throughout the innings, but had cause to do so because he was a rather good and quick bowler. Maiden tried to rectify this by taking him on but after a couple of decent shots, followed a wide out swinger which he should have left to be caught behind.
Ed Smith had looked competent on his return but was unsettled by a nasty blow to his wrist in an attempt to fend one off his face. Tim Gibbs struck some fierce blows in typical Australian fashion before being suckered by a slower ball from Mr Fishburn to be bowled round his legs. (Strewth, aren’t these Aussies dumb!) There then followed an amusing cameo from Campbell who looked in good nick before he inexplicably spooned one to extra cover. Seasoned Romany watchers might suspect that this was entirely deliberate. The attention given to the wicket had not been matched on the outfield where the grass was long with piles of recently cut grass. This, coupled with the large playing area, made boundaries a rarity and thus Campbell’s cultured drives required some strenuous running to which he is not well suited. After being driven to run a three for the first time in living memory, he called for assistance in the form of water 2 overs before the scheduled drinks break. Many thought his dismissal pre-empted a visit to the nearest coronary unit.
The heart of the Romany innings was provided by youth in the form of Henry Murray and Will Hockin. The former batted with considerable maturity and sense, particular at the start of the innings against the quick stuff compiling a slow but determined 21 while the latter demonstrated that he had not been coached by his father with some fine lofted on drives amid sensible defence. The departure of these two exposed the tail, which was not promising given the last five’s combined age of slightly less than 290 years. Murray senior’s improved batting deserted him and Grayshon gave the opposition some catching practice after a couple of decent shots. It was thus left to the alternate Vice Captain and the Secretary to achieve some respectability, before the latter succumbed to Campbellitis, advancing down the pitch to Mr Fishburn (bowling off spin now), and being too knackered to even attempt a return to the crease, thus allowing Hockin Senior to the wicket who responded by achieving a bye.
109-9 was thought to be 20 or 30 runs short and so it proved.
Ed Smith and Alistair Maiden began with tight opening spells which allowed only 17 to be scored off the first 10 overs but alas without taking a wicket. The aforementioned Mr Fishburn also proved to be a very good bat spoilt by his ’Mickey taking’ running between the wicket with associated commentary at the expense of the ancient Romany fielders of whom S Murray excelled, notwithstanding his movements giving the impression of a two legged uncoordinated giraffe. Accompanied by the wicket keeper they put on over 50 for the first wicket. Gale turned to the Hockins in an effort to stem the runs and break through and the junior version responded with a performance which, while not quite in the Stuart Broad class, was as near as Romany would get, taking two wickets. The only blot on an excellent spell was the revelation that his father’s coaching included the infamous Hockin slower ball which, like so many before, was dispatched to the boundary. In fairness the next barely quicker did secure a wicket.
Fishburn passed 50 and Thorp Perrow were heading to an untroubled victory when the most startling event of the day occurred. To describe it is difficult - given that, of those on the field, only Maiden and Gibbs (keeping wicket) were able to see it in the gathering gloom. Maiden had reverted to off spin because either his hamstring was playing up or he was pissed off with failing to take a wicket with his quicker stuff. Fishburn unleashed a fearsome drive which was destined for the boundary at a velocity slightly less than the speed of light, were it not for the presence of two obstacles. The first was the umpire’s face to which the ball was inexorably heading and the second was Maiden’s left hand with which he somehow managed to place in the path of the missile. Not only did he save the umpire from facial reconstruction but he also managed to catch it despite the fact that the force propelled him 5 yards beyond the wicket, letting out a yell which most fielders assumed was a justified cry of distress at the impact of the projectile which, to everyone’s amazement, was lodged in Maiden’s smarting left hand. If ever there was a candidate for the champagne moment, this was it. Fishburn thus departed for 67 and the succeeding batsmen crawled to victory with 7 overs to spare. In truth had Maiden performed this feat rather earlier in the innings the game would have been much closer.
Weeton match fails to provide respite from gloating Aussie - Paul Lewis reports
Prior to the game, Weeton's skipper announced the club had succumbed to pressure from its younger players to abandon old fashioned traditional cricket involving tactical declarations and a limited 40 over game ensued. The weather was fantastic, and the game was played at this tranquil country ground in a village with no pubs...but the Hunters Arms was only just down the road. This was the first time this fixture had been played for three years due to the previous wet summers.
Romany were put in to bat. There was youth and maturity on both sides. Romany opted for youth in their opening pair (Jack Singleton and Henry Murray) but they were soon out to an accurate spell of bowling from the left arm opening bowler Smith, who took 4 for 26 in 8 overs, bowling each one of his victims. Extras were always present at the crease and accumulated 48 as top scorer. Paul Lewis came in at no 3 and took his time to try and stave off the fall of wickets and scored 27, eventually losing his off stump which happens with regular monotony these days. Tim Gibbs ( Australian), exhibiting a pre match glow of pride, scored 13 rapidly before his off stump was also removed. Kieran Clarke, a guest player returning from the Test match at Headingley in the morning (presumably bored with proceedings), batted well for 28, trying to stay out in the middle as long as possible to avoid listening to Tim Gibbs' account of the morning's play at Headingley. But by 30 overs Romany were 8 down. However, Stuart Murray scored a well deserved 19 not out (to include a crashing lofted straight drive back over the bowler's head ) and - together with the other tail enders - ensured Romany used up all their overs to take the score to 160 all out.
Weeton looked a compact side of youngsters who could play with a straight bat, coupled with an air of youthful but friendly arrogance, making them look quite dangerous. But they didn't quite reckon on the youthful Leeds Grammar School student Mark Middleton's opening accurate spell of bowling - he took 4 for 12 in 8 overs. This spell undoubtedly turned the match in Romany's favour. Weeton's batsman looked good but no one got in and kept going. Wickets tumbled at regular intervals as the batsman found Will Marshall's opening spell difficult to score off (2 for 18 off 9). Guest, Kieran Clarke and Henry Murray finished Weeton off with some tight fast/spin combination bowling. Weeton 67 all out in 22 overs. It's only a pity Romany's other bowlers didn't get to bowl on the day. All catches were taken well by Romany, the most spectacular being guest Kieran on the mid wicket boundary.Tim Gibbs keeps wicket better every time he puts on the gloves and is now a choice Romany keeper (Editor's note - the expresion "choice" - not "first choice" is duly noted).
Amusing Anecdotes. When batting, Paul Bennett complained the fielding side were far too noisy and he couldn't concentrate! The ECB are looking into this. Paul Lewis came out of captaincy retirement to captain the side on the day and duly set his field, but knew he had lost all authority when Paul Bennett, fielding at fine leg (100 yards away) ordered him to move in 20 yards from a position he had strategically placed himself in before the first ball was bowled!
This was a fixture with a difference. From the moment we arrived to the moment we left (and probably for a long time either side) the beat of Caribbean music resounded across the Scott Hall Road playing fields (and probably for a long way either side), creating a rhythm sadly lacking in most Romany batting or bowling displays. The pictures below include one of the sound systems in the corner of the visitors’ dressing room – mercifully not connected – no changing facilities should be without one. The dramatic backdrop of the Leeds city skyline gave a feel of LA, rather than LS7 - OK, that bit's exaggerated.
This was the first fixture between our two clubs – strange perhaps, as the home side has just celebrated its 60th anniversary and Romany is now well over 100 years old. After experiencing the warmth of the welcome and generous hospitality of our hosts, all present were keen that this should not be the last. Grateful thanks are due to Harwood Williams for bringing the two teams together (even if he appeared to think at one stage that Dunnington were also playing).
Batting first, Leeds Caribbean posted 156 for 5, against a 12 man Romany fielding side (with "mini-Harwood" putting senior colleagues to shame). Romany's reply was tentative at first, not least because one of the opening bowlers kept his hat on throughout (see pictures below) - a little off-putting when the batsman almost pulls away at the last minute, thinking that the hat is coming off. (Such is the author's excuse for scoring only three runs in rather more than three overs.) Fraser Black held the innings together, with an invaluable innings of 41, setting the stage for John Randerson to weigh in with a timely 59 - easy of course, when the openers have done all the hard work of taking the shine off the ball. Alistair Maiden contrived to pull a muscle (requiring a runner), then got out to the penultimate ball, leaving three to win and two to tie, as Joe Halstead came to the crease for his first Romany innings of the season. It transpired that the batsmen believed that they needed four to win, so nearly didn't bother running the second run that secured the tie.
In the event a tie was a fitting end to a match played in great spirit. The best part of the day was yet to come however - in a series of gazebos set up for the day, our hosts treated us to a full three course Caribbean meal, enjoyed by all the Romany team and several guests. The opportunity was taken to present Harwood with the George Hodson Trophy for the champagne moment of last season, but the whole day proved to be of champagne quality.
As you will see from the picture below, some of the Romany spectators got rather carried away by the calypso spirit of the occasion, but we hope that that won't prevent an invitation to play again next year.
A fuller set of photos from the day can be found here.
Geoff Pears was a stalwart of Bolton Percy CC (and of Clifton CC) - a larger than life character who ran The Crown Inn and an outside catering company and did many other things in his life. Sadly, he died earlier this year - see his obituary here. His son, Martin, captained a Geoff Pears XI against Romany in the traditional Friday afternoon opening match of the annual Bolton Percy festival. At the appointed starting time, only a great optimist would have given us any chance of playing cricket, as persistent rain fell in the area. We were nearly resigned to spending the afternoon watching television to see whether that great British player, Andy Murray, might win through to the Wimbledon final - in the event, of course, the useless Scottish man was well-beaten.
Miraculously, as Murray was losing, the sun came out (to celebrate?), leaving us to start a reduced overs match of 25 overs per side, taking advantage of the home side's magnificent new set of covers.
The team winning the toss were always going to put the opposition in, to take advantage of the drying conditions later. Adam Bowen, captain of Romany turned out to be the "losing tosser". Romany lost their No 2 and no 3 batsmen in the first 2 overs for 6 runs. Paul Lewis and Fred Parkes then slowly built a partnership but found batting difficult and were only scoring at 4.5 an over by the 11th over, having no idea what a decent score might be. The remainder of the Romany batsman scratted around scoring 10`s and 12`s except Toby Jacklin who came in with 7 overs to go and blasted a quick-fire 57 not out, taking Romany's total to 134 for 6. Young Tom Atkinson's left arm quick bowling for Bolton Percy was worthy of mention for his accuracy, although surprisingly, he did not take a wicket. Bolton Percy also found this wicket difficult to score freely on, with Steve Clapham bowling 3 very tight opening overs, taking 2 for 8 ( the 8 runs were two streaky inside edges). Paul Bennett delivered up another spell of accurate bowling, taking 1 for 11 in 3 overs and Toby Jacklin excelled with 2 for 6 off 5. All the medium quicks kept the runs down whilst the slower bowlers (Bowen and Wilkinson) tempted the batsman to go for big shots as they fell behind the run rate with some good catches being taken in the deep.(Ollie Tuckers being the best "hang high"). With Bolton Percy needing more than 2 runs per ball with 4 overs left it looked as though it was slipping away from them ...which it was. A couple of mighty blows from Martin Pears tried to get them back in the run chase but it was not to be and they ended up at 95 for 8 after 25 overs. As always a great match played in the true spirit of cricket. Paul Lewis
Pannal Ash beat Romany by 55 runs. Pannal Ash 153 for 5 after 35 overs Romany bowled out for 98 in 27 overs. Romany Bowling: W Marshall 2 for 21; M. Middleton 1 for 26; S Murray 1 for 16; A Bowen 1 for 16;
Romany batting: Mike Campbell back in the groove 19; Paul Lewis still in the groove 25; Ollie Tucker in the Youvraj/ Alfridi mood 19; A Bowen just refusing to get out 11.
On a hot but strangely damp early afternoon on the outskirts of Harrogate, great interest was shown in this new fixture at Pannal's quite large and very flat ground. Twenty players had made themselves available - selection on grounds of merit and other considerations reduced the squad to 12 with Stuart Murray fielding and bowling for Paul Lewis who could only manage to bat after slipping a disc again ...any excuse to get out of fielding.
Romany won the toss and elected to bat. A good toss to win. After 15 overs Pannal were scoring at only 2/3 runs per over with byes being top scorer, as keeper "Doni" Halstead stood up to everything (Editor's note - the byes total was due largely to the home side's umpire forgetting that the signal for a leg bye differs from that for a bye; but then the editor is said wicketkeeper). But they had 8 wickets in hand and accelerated with some steady middle order batting and then their skipper R Clarke arrived at the crease to score a rapid 49, giving them a very competitive total of 153. Five dropped catches by Romany were noted on the boundary edge, some hard, some not so hard.
After a light tea (with BBQ to follow in pub afterwards) Romany then started the run chase facing two good opening bowlers. They lost opener T Halstead for a duck and no 3 batsman Fraser Black for 4 quickly. Mike Campbell's return to form was welcome relief batting at no 2, scoring 19 before providing the fielding side with some elementary catching practice. The run rate slowed and 2 more wickets fell. Paul Lewis (batting with Ian Bell's actual bat; no wonder the poor fellow can't get in the Engalnd team) arrived at the crease with Ollie Tucker and they increased the run rate by scoring 25 and 19 respectively. Both were out going for big shots and that was it really, with the skipper Adam Bowen defiantly holding up one end with 11 not out with one eye on his average. 98 all out. Afterwards we adjourned to the local pub for a fantastic BBQ and some great hospitality. Definitely a fixture to put in your diary next year. Paul Lewis
Driven to distraction - Romany lose low-scoring match* against Yorkshire Gentlemen
The records show that Romany have been playing the Yorkshire Gentlemen for well over a hundred years. Yet the YGs managed to defeat Romany by using the oldest trick in the book.
A twelve noon start, with lunch at 1.30 pm, always raises the niggling thought - what if we're all out by lunchtime? A reasonably steady start saw Romany's batsmen progressing well (at least sufficient to make the match last respectably until after tea), but then the prospect of the customary Escrick lunch seemed to go to the batsmen's heads, with Romany losing quick wickets either side of the interval. The home team's trick will be well familiar to generations of Romany players, but appeared to have been lost on the relatively youthful eleven who played in this match. At lunch, the customary port was supplemented by generously provided wine. Those batsmen who had survived till lunch stood little chance afterwards - if only they had followed the sage advice to hit the middle of the three balls being bowled with the middle of the three bats that appeared to be in their hands. Adding to the distraction of the alcoholic lunch, the YGs had thoughtfully provided the entertainment of several buses full of young ladies from the adjoining school passing to and fro behind the bowler's arm.
The home team's bowler, Nigel Bartram (who doubles up as the groundsman), nearly emulated the feat of Umar Gul the previous day, with several wickets in quick succession - and Umar Gul doesn't have to roll the pitch before he can bowl on it. In the event, the Romany total of 127 was never going to be sufficient and the YGs secured victory by four wickets (after tea).
There was one bright feature in the day, with the Romany debut of a young player called Jason or Justin or some other such name - his colleagues called him every variation of names beginning with "J". He batted with style and (once he had changed to boots without gaping holes in the side) bowled with verve. His fielding was athletic - and he could throw the ball further than any three other Romany players combined. Someone had mumbled something before the game about Hampshire schoolboys, although it never became clear whether Jason/Justin had played for a representative side there or simply been to primary school in Southampton. He clearly enjoyed his day and was very keen to play just the sort of cricket that we play. All in all, a great find. When asked whether he could play again next week, he said that he had to be elsewhere - and that he was then starting a new job in London the following week. Oh well, back to retrieving the ball by a three-man relay.
* "Low-scoring match" ie we batted first and didn't score enough runs.
Crakehall match rained off
For a number of years, the Crakehall match was played at one end of the season or the other and regularly fell victim to the weather. That was a great shame as the setting of the Crakehall ground makes it one of the most picturesque of our venues, not suited to a chilly April day or the dank gloom of an early autumn Sunday. So we moved the fixture to the end of May, when surely sunshine would be guaranteed...
Balmy days at Baldersby - winning streak extends to two matches ...
Romany 153-8 (P Lewis 37* (again), O Tucker 25); Baldersby 92 (P Bennett 5-12, J Creasey 2-19). Romany won by 61 runs.
On the most perfect of early summer's days Romany played an entire match in glorious sunshine without a cloud in the sky, capped by Baldersby's splendid evening hospitality with a BBQ and cold beers and wine, where cricketers of all abilities sat and exchanged cricketing tales and urban legends of almost unbelievable prowess until the sun dropped.
Romany were invited to bat first by the home team and each batsman arrived at the crease looking set for a century playing aggressive controlled shots in a limited 35 over match. But it was not to be. Most batsmen got in and got themselves out for 8,15, 12, 17 etc. on a difficult wicket which would later take its toll on the home team's batsmen. However extras were equalling the scores of each batsman and the scoreboard was rotating steadily but looked a little on the light side. At the same time Romany were losing wickets. Enter Olly Tucker at no 6 who hit a controlled and sometimes hard hitting 25 (to include the biggest six of the match) before being mercilessly grubbed out by a quick delivery that did not bounce after pitching. Paul Lewis arrived at the crease mid/late innings to score a steady 37 not out with an eye on using up all of the overs in his new found role of no 6/7 batsman. Romany 153 for 8 after 35 overs.
Baldersby thought this score was gettable which it might have been at Lords. But this was North Yorkshire. Baldersby's batsmen also had a tendency to get in and get out. Fast bowling by Olly Tucker taking 1 wicket for 12 runs in 5 overs put them on the back foot (which was a tactical error because on this pitch it was best to go forward). Then, enter accurate "dibbly dobbly" first change bowler Paul Bennett. Putting the ball on the spot at slow medium pace,and letting the pitch (and the batsman) do the rest, he turned in a man of the match winning performance taking 5 wickets for 12 runs in 7 overs. Victory for Romany bowling the opposition out for 92. Paul Lewis
Summer arrives in glorious Nidderdale - Henry Murray celebrates in style, with possibly the fastest fifty ever by a Romany player
Romany 182 ( H Murray 53, P Lewis 37*, T Halstead 28); Lofthouse & Middlesmoor 167 (A Maiden 3-15, N Singleton 2-17, A Bowen 2-18). Romany won by 15 runs.
The wonderful drive through Pateley Bridge, up the valley to Lofthouse and Middlesmoor, was made more glorious by the beautiful bank holiday weather. If that is the best we get all summer (and it may well be), those who enjoyed the unbroken sunshine will agree that it was a good season. The generous and friendly hospitality of the home side made the day even more special.
Romany batted first in steady, but unspectacular style, until the arrival at the crease of 17 year old Henry Murray. Regulars will know Henry as a slightly-built young man, capable nevertheless of playing a few shots and skidding the ball through when bowling. This was a different Henry Murray altogether (although actually the same one, if you follow). Coming in to face the second delivery of the over, he heaved his first ball over midwicket for six, to the astonishment of his watching family. He then did the same to his second ball - and to his third and to his fourth. To the rather uncharitable disappointment of his demanding teammates, he hit his fifth ball for a mere four (to become top scorer in the innings by that stage, jointly with one of the openers, who had laboured for twenty overs for his 28). His innings continued in similar fashion - with just the occasional defensive shot (to prove that he could, if he wanted to), with Henry reaching fifty off just thirteen balls (seven sixes, two fours and four "dot balls" for the record). That is surely the fastest fifty in the history of the club - unless any reader can tell us otherwise. (Note to Peter Hockin - we don't count fifties you scored in your dreams.)
Just as Henry's innings was about to overtake his father's career aggregate, he hit a catch (with a certain sweet justice) to the unfortunate bowler of Henry's spectacular first over, being dismissed for a remarkable 53.
The game then returned to normality. Captain Adam Bowen chose to open the bowling with Alistair Maiden (the first time in his life that Adam has bowled A Maiden?) - and (whilst we're having a go at Adam, which is his reward for turning up late, wearing interesting check shorts), perhaps the captain could reveal who told him that Rupert Bear was a 2009 fashion icon?
Romany seemed to have the upper hand in the second innings until some rather untidy bowling gave the home side the opportunity to get right back into the match. Young Mark Ramsden was clearly showing such signs of winning the match for the home team that one of the Romany bowlers (who will remain nameless for fear of attracting a personal injury claim) decided that it was fair game to bowl fast yorkers on to the toe of a twelve year old in trainers. Once he had hobbled off (retired hurt), the final wicket was taken to give Romany their first victory of the season.
Below are a few pictures taken on the day - if you have never been to this fixture, make a point of going next year (but let us hope that the 12 year old has not "done a Murray" and turned by then into a demon fast bowler.)
Arthington vindicated in drainage decision?
Romany v Druids - match cancelled due to weather.
Heavy rain in the second half of the week caused the Arthington pitch to be unplayable, leading to the cancellation of our annual fixture against The Druids.
In a week in which the one day international at Headingley was also abandoned without a ball being bowled, the Arthington committee must feel vindicated in their decision not to spend £600,000 in the close season on a state-of the-art drainage system. No doubt they will continue saving for the "Rolls Royce" version previously installed at Lords.
First defeat of season in low-scoring match at Kirklington - Paul Lewis reports
Kirklington 159 (W Marshall 2-24, K Bennett 2-20, P Chapman 2-17); Romany 137 (K Bennett 47, A Walker 29). Kirklingtom won by 22 runs.
Romany arrived for this fixture with a full team + 12th man/umpire and scorer in a vain attempt to intimidate the opposition.
Kirklington batted first in the North Yorkshire drizzle and were limited to 159 all out in 35 overs by some tight bowling from Al Maiden and Karl Bennett and some fast bowling from Uni Hedge fund student "going short" Matt Pollard who delivered the ball (from a reverse delivery stride of Paul Adams notoriety) at great pace, dismissing Kirklington's opening batsman. Will Marshall took 2 wickets showing signs of early season promise, clean bowling his victims. Karl Bennett (47) and Alistair Maiden (19) opened for Romany after tea when the sun shone all evening. They faced some tight bowling from young and old alike and struggled to score quickly. Anthony Walker scored a solid 29 at number 3 but all the time Romany were getting behind the run rate. The middle order then collapsed with only Tim Gibbs and Will Marshall putting up some token resistance at the 36th over but it was too little too late, with Romany dismissed for 137 in the 39th over, 23 short of the target. Fantastic teas. We then adjourned to the village pub for ale.
Season opens with dramatic tie - and an early contender for Man of the Season?
Romany 198-4 (T Halstead 92*, T Marcham 39, J Creasey 29); Ledsham 198 (R Burnett 3-22, D Bennett 3-47, D Gale 2-17). Match tied.
For the second time in recent seasons, our fixture at Ledsham ended in a tie, both sides scoring 198.
Romany batted first with Julian Creasey taking the first ball of the season in his first innings for two years. He scored 29. A good knock from Toby Marcham (39) contributed to Romany's final total of 198 for 4. A notable feature of the Romany innings was the number of chances that the batsmen gave the opposition fielders, with not a single catch taken - rather ironically, given what was to follow.
The mainstay of the Romany innings was Tim Halstead, who finished on 92 not out. Astute readers may query how a batsman can bat through a 40 over innings without scoring at least 100. In his defence (and there was a lot of that), Halstead explains that he was following the advice of those experts who say that batsmen should eliminate the shots that they can't play properly - scoring a century with only pulls and cuts is really quite hard. Halstead also points out that, had his teammates given any indication that he was nearing a century, he would not have happily watched the final over from the non-striker's end.
Ledsham worked steadily towards the target of 199, needing 30 with 6 overs to spare, 4 wickets in hand and looking comfortably poised for victory. The turning point was the departure of Creasey, leaving early for some unspecified assignation. Ledsham’s wicketkeeper Mark Kelly wanted some outfield fielding practice and volunteered as a substitute forf Creasey. He confounded his side's earlier fielding performance by taking two stunning catches, each with the sun in his eyes - the second being one-handed, high to the left, to deny Ledsham the boundary that would have won the game for them.
The last pair came to the wicket, with two runs to win, to face Russell Burnett, firing the ball in at yorker length on the leg stump. Two convincing LBW appeals were denied before the home side decided to attempt a bye when the ball passed through to wicketkeeper Halstead (whose "running" during his earlier innings had clearly convinced the batsmen that there was little danger of his beating them to the stumps). By failing to ground his bat. the non-striker just lost out, leaving the scores level, the match tied and substitute Mark to face the baffled reception that greeted his match-winning performance for the opposition.
Whilst enjoying the hospitality of the Romany players in the pub later, Mark confirmed that he was free on the last Monday evening in January, to collect the John Baldwin Memorial Trophy.
Ledsham fixture - Sunday 3 May 2009
The season starts on Sunday 3 May in the picturesque village of Ledsham.
Bolton Percy stalwart, Geoff Pears
We are saddened to report the death recently of Geoff Pears, for many years the man with whom our matches with Bolton Percy were arranged (and also the former landlord of The Crown at Bolton Percy. Click here for the obituary that appeared in the Yorkshire Post.
Lincolnshire weekend - Sunday 5 July 2009
A new fixture has been arranged this season against Seas Hall End CC near Spalding in Lincolnshire. This is considered to be the finest cricket ground in Lincolnshire, standing in the grounds of the local manor house. It is anticipated that some players will wish to stay in the area the previous evening (but the ground can be reached in a single day - perhaps a two to two and a half hour drive from Leeds). Those who wish to register their interest should contact Toby Marcham or Adam Bowen.
New fixture against Leeds Caribbean CC - Sunday 2 August 2009
Through our contacts with Harwood Williams, we have arranged a match against Leeds Caribbean CC on early August. The club has just celebrated its 60th anniversary. We greatly look forward to playing in glorious Caribbean sunshine - as promised by Harwood. He does however assure us that the pitch has been laid on grass, so our devastatingly fast bowlers will get a decent foothold.
AGM notice - Wetherby Golf Club - Monday 26 January 2009 - 6.30 pm
The Annual General Meeting will take place at 6.30 pm at Wetherby Golf Club.
Members who have not received a letter, with the agenda, should please contact the Club Secretary, Mike Bosomworth.
A map giving the location of the club can be found here.
News 2008
Surreal ending to season at Arthington
The season ended with defeat at Arthington in a rather odd match.
The hosts batted first and reached nearly 150 without loss. Harwood Williams then broke the partnership - with a hat trick. He complained (ever so nicely) about being brought on so late in the innings. It was pointed out that, had he not arrived 40 minutes after the match had started, he might even have opened.
Romany sort of played the match with 12 men, no one quite being able to work out which of those who arrived had not actually been selected. The captain spent most of the first innings devising ever more inventive ways of accommodating an extra man without being unfair to the opposition. As his team didn't take any wickets before the 37th over, options such as each side having 12 batsmen seemed largely academic.
One of the warmest days of the "summer" was made warmer still by the bonfire blazing in the far corner of the ground. It was indeed surreal to see the Arthington groundsman barrowing the old tea hut round the boundary to the bonfire, a few pieces at a time.
So ends a strange, rain-punctuated season, in which we probably lost as many matches to the weather as in any recent season. Seven defeats in a row at the start - then only a couple in the whole of the rest of the season. A great tour to Sussex. Some memorable cricket - and quite a bit of forgettable stuff. Relatively few difficulties in raising teams - our membership depends on new players, even if they only play a few times, so it was good to see many new faces. Credit to Adam Bowen and the ever enthusiatsic Paul Lewis for maintaining that level of interest in the club.
Now it's time to do the 2009 fixtures. Harwood has suggested a match against Caribbean Cricket Club next year - sounds good!
Romany won a four-way 20/20 competition at Harrogate Cricket Club on 14 September - further details are available here
Another hugely enjoyable tour has ended with Romany winning three and drawing one of its matches on the 2008 Sussex tour
Introduction
Over the many years we have ventured south to Sussex the club has been blessed with clement weather even when the rest of the country has been inundated. Alas all good things must come to an end, so while weather reports from Yorkshire indicated warmth and sunshine, a dirty black cloud followed us around the south periodically dumping copious quantities of a liquid entirely devoid of alcoholic content, on us at regular intervals. Nonetheless thanks to the fortitude of the players (not to mention umpires) and the generosity of the opposition in permitting immaculate squares to skidded upon, potholed, dug up and generally abused, an almost full compliment of games took place with remarkable success.
Romany v Midhurst - Sunday 3 August
The reason for this success was soon apparent on arriving at Midhurst. A group of remarkably young cricketers purporting to be playing for us could be seen on the outfield, practising unusual arts such as bowling, batting and catching with a competence not normally associated with the Romany. The first of these, John Randerson had played us before once at Swinton Park. As he surveyed the impressive Renaissance Elizabethan ruin of Cowdray Castle, he must have been under the impression that the Club only play at Ancient Monuments - a misconception, the ancient monuments associated with the club ordinarily tend to be the players - , somewhat different from his normal cricketing surroundings at Castleford, (anyone considering this last remark to be somewhat snobbish, should reflect that the last Romany member to play for Castleford was none other than our present VP, HH Judge J de G. Walford, although Randerson proved to be rather more reliable than the latter in actually playing for us) The next group of athletes turned out to be colleagues of Andrew Grayshon at his club in Somerset, Cheddar. Regretably my poor memory for names requires them to be referred to by soubriquets.
The Captain lost the toss and we were inserted - a decision which was fortuitous in pure cricketing terms but less so meteorolically. A steady if unspectacular start ensued against what was described by Grayshon (making an inspired decision to do the first umpiring stint, as it turned out) as an intelligent and penetrating attack, Lewis surviving a number of overs in Halsteadian style, none of which I witnessed due to a) a late lunch in the pub and b) the attractions/mystification of the polo competition on the adjoining ‘lawn’ (not to mention the commentator, more of which anon.) He departed (along with someone else before him, who I may or may not know) soon to be followed by the younger Grayshon and Romany looked unlikely to achieve a challenging total.
Enter Commonwealth Cheddar (a young South African by the name of Doyle - a name to remember for the future ) and the aforementioned Randerson who put the wily Midhurst attack to the sword, with some prodigious driving and pulling although the latter’s attempts at pulling sixes suggested either a general lack of judgement given the 80 yard boundary on one side of the wicket or a desire to complete the demolition job of the castle on the other. He was the first out for 75. Doyle reached the nineties before proving that he is qualified to play for England in a Peterson moment, which provoked multiple (and the first of many tedious) fines imposed by the Captain, slogging the spinner when on either 97 or 99 to deep midwicket, who promptly dropped it at the third attempt, the ball ending up somewhere over the boundary. He subsequently departed for a figure somewhat over a hundred which Lewis for some unaccountable reason has not divulged from the scorebook in his sole possession. This gave the opportunity to Fraser Black to prove his athletisism in a final partnership with Mild Cheddar, including an all run six (with overthrows) which necessitated a prolonged lie-down at tea.
ROMANY 236-5 off 36 overs.
After a sumptuous tea, Romany took to the field just as drops of rain began to fall. On the usual basis that they had fielded for us we stayed out as the rain fell steadily before becoming somewhat torrential. The Midhurst openers were resolute in the face of an accurate attack from Karl Bennett and Mild Cheddar, although seeming unlikely to threaten the Romany total. The latter then became the first of many Bowen fine victims when he aborted his run up halfway through when reminded by the umpire that he was still wearing his cap (understandable in the conditions). Having removed it he failed to deliver the next delivery after his surfing technique let him down as he approached the crease. Subsequently he incurred further monetary pain for an impassioned LBW appeal off a thick inside edge which even the umpire spotted, albeit with some assistance from Farmhouse Cheddar behind the stumps. The openers having been removed, the opposing Captain, H Cowell, with some lusty blows - and a let off when skying the ball to mid off where Lewis and someone else (Marcham?) left the ball to each other - threatened to make a game of it despite the conditions before departing for 50. Wickets now fell as regularly as the rain and I would like to be able to recount how and who took them but interest at this stage was solely concentrated in trying to suggest to either our Captain or the opposition that this was all becoming very silly and that the square ought to be saved before it flooded completely. The elder Bennett showed no similar sign of weakness as an umpire although he did retire briefly for a comfort break, to be replaced by one of the opposition, equipped with an umbrella. Once positioned at square leg Fraser Black sensibly installed himself under it, only to be rebuked and fined by the Captain for not walking in. He rectified this the next ball by walking in appropriately, albeit propelling the umpire and his umbrella with him.
If the weather conditions were not enough, the teams had to endure the drivel of the commentator on the adjoining pitch (sorry, lawn). This gentleman apparently a local legend in his own lunchtime, is clearly polo’s answer to Murray Walker, with a vocabulary borrowed from John Motson, delivered in a mixture of cockney and aristocratic accent. One forgettable passage earlier in the day comprised; “Look at this… look at that….he must score..what a goal !………it’s gone wide.” As he droned on banalities, he almost brought play to a halt when delivered the following during Mild Cheddar’s run up, “ Ee, eee, oooh, ooooh, … aarh … ah.” the last being emitted in the delivery stride causing wicket keeper, close fielders and umpire to crack up with laughter. Fortunately the ball was delivered normally and the batsman left it thus obviating the necessity of the umpire calling a dead ball on the grounds that the batsman had been disturbed by the apparent fake orgasm sustained by the neighbouring commentator. He was later to inform us and anyone unfortunate enough to be listening, that he was going to have a hot sausage for his tea as well as a hot bath, a menu he later unaccountably changed to a boiled egg (soft or hard? We really don’t need to know). His final contribution was almost lucid when he commanded, “Forget the bloody horse, get the ambulance!” when some unfortunate Annabelle or Chardonnay had apparently parted company with her pony.
Meanwhile back at the cricket, Tom Howarth was called upon to bowl his first ball of the tour and took a wicket with it, whereupon the opposing Captain sensibly called the whole thing off.
MIDHURST 112 FOR 7 off 30 overs
Most considered the game to be abandoned as a draw but this did not take into account the Duckworth Lewis method. Lewis declared that the conditions were on the whole, normal for playing cricket in Yorkshire and therefore this amounted to surrender and a concession of defeat and accordingly Romany had won. The result will now go to arbitration by the ECB (but is likely to reversed by the ICC sometime before the next tour, by awarding the game to Midhurst) [Incidentally anyone wishing to know where the Duckworth in the above comes in should consult the 4th. verse of Ilkley Moor bar ’tat, which I trust was sung in its full 7 verse format at Chichester on Tuesday night as is customary.]
Arrival in Chichester - Sunday 3 August
After a convivial drink with the opposition the party reached Chichester where an excellent curry was consumed in an upmarket ‘Indian’ , even by Tom Howarth who survived without visible signs of illness. The curry was declined by the Bennetts on the grounds that coming from Bradford they were not accustomed to such cuisine. There were no incidents there, although the good behaviour was threatened by the receipt of various text and voice messages from Creasey announcing his arrival and informing us that he’d spent the previous 8 hours in The Tavern Pub adjacent to the ground.
On return to the campus, the majority retired for an early night (or morning) with the exception of Marcham and Randerson who continued the tour tradition of chatting up participants in the summer dancing school. In a sign of the times they were not only over the age of consent but also East European doubtless exciting a degree of optimism. Their chat up line was that they were members of the England cricket B Team, a line frankly doomed to failure, presumably in an attempt to explain the difference between ‘a long hop’ and ‘a good length’ not to mention ‘a full bunger‘ and a well executed pull [apologies- the spirit of Humphrey Lyttelton is not entirely dead ]. Apparently, when I passed this menage the females enquired why I had given them a quizzical and disapproving look, they explained that I was the Tour Manager and was wondering why they weren’t yet in bed. That line didn’t work either.
Romany v Slinfold - Monday 4 August
Those that made it to breakfast were filled with optimism by the bright and sunny morning. Alas by the time the party assembled at the pub in Slinfold the sky was overcast and threatening.
The party was now strengthened by the arrival of Harwood Williams (together with his young sons, thereby eclipsing the Bosomworths as the youngest tourists, although as neither made it to the Chichester bar and stayed till midnight, they may be disqualified), Toby Jacklin and the fifth member of the Somerset contingent in the form of Full Fat Mature Cheddar. (The latter turned out to be an accomplished left arm spinner with a neat trick of removing tops from beer bottles with his teeth) We also welcomed Dr. CJ Hatton as our tour umpire who on donning the white coat together with a white sun hat, gave every impression of a cross between an ice cream salesman and the fishmonger from Morrisons. Unfortunately our ex patriate Sussex man, Maiden had to withdraw to Yorkshire due to domestic problems - i.e. his girlfriend found out he was on tour. Thus Commonwealth Cheddar was drafted in to an already strong side.
I regret to say that I missed the first part of the game as I was detained in the pub with the Captain and Farmhouse Cheddar playing with remarkable success on the quiz machine. The dearth of club officers attending the start was compounded by the absence of the Vice Captain who declined the opportunity to lead the side, instead playing golf with the President at Royal West Sussex. I arrived to the remarkable sight of Toby Marcham pulling some hapless bowler for six over cow corner. What was remarkable was not so much the shot, impressive though it was, but the fact that he was batting in a green Romany cap, as opposed to the various helmets and lids the rest of the side chose to wear, meaning I could actually see who was batting.
Lewis who had won the toss (or not), had departed somewhat earlier on this occasion so progress was much more swift. Toby’s progress was interrupted by an inside edge which would have made any attempt to improve on the previous night’s encounter with the dancers academic, and after a pause for treatment was dismissed soon thereafter. Useful contributions were made by Jacklin and Williams, the former getting out to a dreadful hoyke (which he had fined himself for even before he reached the pavilion before Bowen now returned from the pub, had a chance) and just about everyone chipped in but the star of the show was again Doyle. The introduction of Slinfold’s chairman and some friendly donkey drops propelled him beyond 50 and by the last overs a message was passed to the middle that he needed 18 off the last 8 balls for his hundred. By this time he had been joined by the hapless Martin Grayshon who in his prime was not entirely equipped for quick singles to get Doyle on strike and certainly looked second favourite at this stage of his career. Fortunately he avoided the indignity of sacrificing his wicket for the second time this season in a vain attempt to enable his partner to reach a century, and Doyle ended up well short.
ROMANY 256-7 DOYLE 90*, JACKLIN 44 WILLIAMS 34.
The Romany innings had ended in drizzle and as the teams emerged from tea the black cloud above produced somewhat more substantial precipitation. Lewis showing unaccustomed innovation in his Captaincy by opening with (apart from Bennett) a spinner in the considerable form of Mature Full Fat Cheddar. This inspired move led to figures of 5 overs 1 for 9 (two of which were boundaries). With Karl equally tight at the other end Slinfold were clearly never going to get anywhere near our total, although according to the sodden Chris Hatton, the rain had transformed the Slinfold wicket from its normal run feast to something more treacherous. Hatton periodically wrung the water from his sun hat before eventually persuading his colleague to leave the field of play (it should be noted that the later brought along his bull terrier, it not being entirely clear whether this was his guide dog or his guard dog in the event of controversial decisions). Having got halfway off the rain stopped so the fielders returned and it duly rained again an over later. Hatton performed the same trick 10 minutes later. The rain finally abated an hour into the Slinfold innings.
On the cricketing front wickets fell at steady intervals, a large proportion being catches including Marcham taking one behind the stumps standing up and useful efforts from Bennett and Howarth. Lewis shuffled his bowlers with aplomb, there being only one long delay as half the side pointed one way or another in an effort to change in field, and it is believed that during the course of this general shufflehouses (©Henry Blofeld) Creasey discovered in moving from slip to gully that his broken ankle was not up to taking a meaningful part in the tour, certainly not as far as cricket was concerned. Lewis did cause consternation amongst the lid-wearing Cheddars by moving the elder Bennett to a very silly short leg without the benefit of protective clothing. Lewis was later to explain that this was not a cricketing move but an effort to shut him up.
On the boundary the President and Farmhouse Cheddar were coping admirably in entertaining the young Williamses (as father was taking 4 wickets) although the Captain plumbed new depths in his fine collection campaign, when he threatened to raid the three year old’s piggy bank if he didn’t catch the ball.
As rain threatened again, Harwood polished off the tail, although one player, probably a Haines, nearly reached 50.
SLINFOLD 146 all out. H WILLIAMS 4-11
On returning to campus, astounding news reached the bar from the advance party sent to Priory Park, that the raison d’etre of the tour was in fact to be a 20-20 thrash. Apparently their fixture secretary had resigned without informing us of the change in plans. (In fact this was actually rather prescient as there was no way a full game could have been played as it transpired) A delegation was dispatched to the club bar to be met by an apologetic Barnes and sundry Chichester luminaries. Typically they set to, to salvage the situation foreshortening the youth game in the afternoon and bringing forward the start time. Experienced Romany hands were concerned at the standard of cricket which would be played at 5-30 by a Romany party with nothing to do all day except tour the public houses of Chichester. In the event an excellent game and evening was had by all as the bond between the two clubs was further strengthened.
Romany v Chichester - Tuesday 5 August
For once the BBC forecast was correct, and the next day brought steady and heavy rained. As I departed north, the clouds lightened thus enabling play to take place, and I leave the rest of the report to the safe hands of Lewis who has provided a more factually correct and less flippant report than the foregoing. See Tour Report - Part 2.
One final thought for the future. In the past on Tour we always played a game of cricket (i.e. time not limited overs) and as a result games were always interesting and rarely ’dead’. This is an ideal way of making a game of it when the side s are uneven in talent in that the lesser side always has the option of playing for a draw. Normally, we are the weaker unit but on this tour certainly in the two games I watched, we were much stronger. It is very difficult to produce equally matched sides (for those old enough remember the Thames Ditton Wanderers fiasco). Those games, particularly the Slinfold one would have been much more interesting if the draw had been an option. Just a thought!
Thanks as usual go to Adam, Chris Hatton and in particular, Martin without whom the tour would never take place.
MJB 11 viii 08
Romany v Chichester Priory Park - Tuesday 5 August
Rain delayed start. 25 over match played. Both teams played two overseas guest players and two strong sides lined up against each other. Romany’s overseas players were Harwood Williams from St Kitts/West Indies and Simon Doyle (Aged 18) from Cape Town/South Africa. Chichester played two young top Grade Australian cricketers.
Romany were invited to bat and started strongly with Andrew Veale scoring a rapid 46 supported by Simon Doyle (26) and Harwood Williams 27. Romany ended up with 173 which looked a little light with the Ozzies waiting in the wings.
The crowds assembled for Chichester's response. Romany started well with Simon Doyle (bowling near the 80 mph mark) and Matthew Loughlin (bowling considerably slower) taking a wicket apiece in their opening overs, dismissing both Chichester's openers. Bishop, the young Aussie club professional, then arrived at the crease and proceeded to carve up the bowling attack, scoring a quick fire 79, putting his side ahead of the run rate before falling to the spin and guile of Toby Jacklin who had him caught at mid wicket.
However, Chichester's side was packed with good batting and the mid order placed them in a strong position to win the match. With one over left Chichester required 3 to win and 2 to tie, with 3 wickets in hand. Enter man of the match Harwood Williams for Romany who took 3 wickets for one run in the last over, helped by some brilliant fielding from Matthew Loughlin at deep square leg who took two diving catches (one off the last ball) to win the match for Romany.
Romany were then treated to some excellent hospitality at the Chichester club which included some beer and a BBQ.
Romany v Singleton - Wednesday 6 August
40 Over Match. Romany fielded a number of its more senior players in this match but still had a good balanced side. Losing the 4th consecutive toss on tour the captain became affectionately known as a losing tosser for the remainder of the tour.
Singleton decided to bat on a warm day and started strongly with father and son opening and putting on 76 for the first wicket. Robinson then came in at no 3 and scored a hard hitting 111 before being bowled by Harwood Williams. Singleton's 254 for 6 looked a competitive total. Simon Doyle for Romany produced the best bowling figures taking 3 for 28 off 8 overs.
Romany decided to promote the hard hitting Loughlin up the batting order to get them off to a good start and he didn't disappoint, scoring 69 including 5 sixes. Toby Jacklin batted well for his 49 with Harwood Williams supporting (31). Andrew Veale was unbeaten on 34 and Andrew Grayshon unbeaten on 15, securing a victory for Romany with 6 balls to go.
One performance of note for Singleton was the bowling performance of the captain's 13 year old daughter (Chichester and Sussex) who bowled a menacing medium quick spell troubling some of Romany's best batsmen and claiming the wicket of Toby Jacklin. We then BBQ`ed and drank beer with the opposition until dusk.
PL - 16.8.2008
Romany recorded victories in three successive matches in July. Against Swinton Park, Romany scored 159 (K Bennett 31*, T Marcham 33*), winning by 50 runs. A last over victory secured a 3 wicket win in our first ever match against Leeds Doctors, followed by an 8 wicket win at Yapham, Romany scoring 157-2 (P Lewis 42, T Gibbs 71).
A new section has been added to this website, giving guidance to being a match manager - click this link. All members should read it, as it will help them understand the job that match managers do.
Match report from Mike Bosomworth:
Romany Captains are accustomed to being unjustifiably blamed for defeats but on this occasion defeat can be fairly and properly attributed to the efforts of the Vice Captain. On a glorious warm and sunny day Romany arrived at Crakehall to find a pitch sodden from the week's rain and unable to dry out due to slow clearing overnight mist. Thus the toss was crucial and Fraser lost it, we were duly inserted and the dye was cast.
Fresh from his maiden century, Paul Lewis remarked to his opening partner Jamie Young that the last time they had opened together he had been out first ball. He was correct and the first ball of the match which was short hit the base of his leg stump. This brought to the wicket Alistair Maiden who immediately showed an air of competence normally lacking in a Romany side. However, even he was dumbfounded by the slowness of the pitch as his trade mark clip to leg struck the back or toe of his bat and looped gently into the off side. Fortunately as the point fielder waited patiently for the ball to fall to earth, it hit a leaf then a twig and possibly a small branch of one of the trees within the playing area and was duly declared under local rules to be a 4. Young meanwhile was defeated by a ball which barely rose 3 inches off the ground to be bowled.
Tim Gibbs produced a couple of lusty fours before departing bringing to the crease Toby ( 'I can score runs North of Harrogate') Marcham. Toby batted with unusual circumspection and application while dispatching the bad balls for four and raced to the twenties leaving Maiden in his wake.
Alas a premeditated decision to blast a spin bowler over square leg failed to adapt to the fact that the ball was straight and full, duly bowling him. Thereafter Maiden dominated proceedings scoring 90 of the subsequent 100 scored. Quite apart from regularly striking the trees he afforded Romany players the opportunity to inspect the herbaceous borders of the adjoining hall grounds searching for the balls he dispatched over the wall. He did however, demonstrate the qualities required to play for Romany by running out Daniel Bennett by calling a suicidal single and then attempting to repeat the process on Martin Grayshon, the latter just about making half way before the keeper dropped the ball and then demolished the stumps without taking the precautionary measure of recovering the ball first. He was ninth out for 103 and the side subsided to 172 all out a reasonable score but unlikely to be enough given that the pitch had now dried out and the smallness of the ground.
Curiously, tea was not taken between innings (except for a cuppa) a fact which was lost on Martin Grayshon who failed to appreciate this until halfway through the Crakehall innings, and disconcerted Toby whose culinary plans for the day were entirely disrupted by this turn of events, causing him to grumble repeatedly throughout the Crakehall innings. It was fortunate that Campbell was not playing otherwise this might have turned into a full blown international incident.
In order to give Maiden a rest, the Vice Captain chose to open the bowling and decided to combat the drying pitch by exploring the area three yards in front of the bowling crease for damp patches or avoiding the pitch altogether thus demonstrating to Jamie Young why he not donned the wicket keeping gloves for Romany since doing so for Leicestershire under 19's . In fact no run was scored off the bat in his first over but 7 were accumulated in various extras while four boundaries were scored in the second along with a similar number of extras, the precise number of 'deliveries' being impossible to ascertain as the scorer ran out of space in the requisite box. Discretion proved the better part of valour as he replaced himself with Maiden. The latter then engaged in an appealing competition with his opening partner William Marshall, which ensured that denizens of houses adjoining the village green were unable to enjoy a peaceful afternoon. This was undoubtedly won by Maiden, on one occasion executing a leap with one and a half turns, twist and star jump with stare,together with associated bellow earning 5.9 for artistic merit but failing to impress the umpire who, given that he hails from North Yorkshire where LBW decisions in friendlies are as rare as free beer, was unmoved. Marshall had the last laugh gaining a decision in his second spell with a full bunger much to the displeasure of the opposing captain.
Despite reducing the scoring rate this pairing failed to take wickets and the captain thus turned to the Bennetts, and in particular Daniel. Prior to his first ball the Captain engaged with the bowler and his father in a lengthy and to the rest of us, tedious discussion as to where Toby was to be placed following his removal from first slip (not only to prevent Young suffering from earache) during which Toby was moved a couple of yards this way and that way before Daniel finally got his way and positioned him where he wanted him in a position roughly between mid wicket and mid-on. The first ball was promptly pushed in the air in Toby's direction and the latter swooped full length forward to snatch a catch inches off the ground. The brilliance of this catch was eclipsed by the next dismissal as Maiden once more hogged the limelight. A long hop from Bennett was struck violently into the leg side some three yards to the right of Alistair who was at the time engaged in meaningful conversation with the square leg umpire (a la Williams with the exception that he was paying attention to the cricket). Pausing in mid sentence he leapt acrobatically to his right plucking the ball from the air a yard behind him before resuming his discourse with the umpire. In fact Tim Gibbs subsequently caught another catch which on any other day would have been the catch of the match.
Steady and sensible bowling by the Bennetts, pere et fils ensured a regular flow of wickets but the opposition opener resisted all efforts to dismiss him on the now bone hard pitch despite the reintroduction of Marshall and Maiden and Crakehall passed the winning post with three wickets to spare.
At the conclusion of the match tea was taken for which the opposition made no charge. Indeed they provided beer to accompany it at negligible cost which we consumed in the balmy evening sunshine on the village green in a scene reminiscent of the Sussex tour, with the result that for the first time in living memory the club did not visit the local hostellery even though it was open after a game.
ROMANY 172 all out (36.3 overs. A Maiden 104, T Marcham 29, A Taylor 4-23)
CRAKEHALL 173 -7 (32.2 overs ST Roberts 53*, J Lincoln 32, Extras 37 !, D Bennett 3-51, P Bennett 2-39, A Maiden 7-1-11-1.)
We have yet to win a game this season and the YG's are next – I have no intention of umpiring!
Chance encounter in Leuven
John Chartres writes as follows:
I was wandering down Naamsetraat in Leuven on Saturday afternoon, having taken a decent lunch with a colleague after our research meeting, when I spotted a man coming towards me wearing a bright green rugby shirt. It proved to be Roy Hodson, and were were both very surprised at the encounter. Roy was on his way to an Irish bar to watch SA v Wales, and was wearing the Wath on Dearne Irish tour shirt for the occasion, and I was off to the centre of town to do a little shopping before flying back home later that evening. It was a great delight as well as a surprise, since I had not previously known Roy was now living in Leuven, although I was later to find his new address in the club handbook, waiting for me at home. Roy of course sends good wishes to all. For those of you not already in on the secret, Leuven is a wonderful town, and we should perhaps consider a little bonus tour there, relying upon Roy to find a team and a pitch !
The match against Almondbury Casuals on Sunday 22 June 2008 will be held at Arthington.
Our intrepid reporter, Guy Williams sends us his report of this great event - click here for the full story!
May 2008
Match report from Mike Bosomworth:
The archetypal BBC bank holiday forecast of dull cloudy and cool weather proved fortuitously incorrect as sundry Romany players travelled north through the bank holiday traffic to the idyllic moorland setting of Lofthouse and Middlesmoor. The selected Romany X was immediately depleted due to the late withdrawal of Julian Creasey due to 'family problems' (whether these were his own or someone else's family remain clouded in mystery) and this coupled with the non appearance of the mystery tenth man made it inevitable that Romany batted first.
A century opening partnership ensued, sadly this not comprising runs scored but years accumulated (and then some), of Campbell and Lewis. The partnership did at least accumulate double figures, Campbell essaying a number of exquisite straight and cover drives none of which made contact except for the last which contact unfortunately was his middle stump. This brought the welcome return after many years of our former captain GAE Williams who fresh from his shock recall to the Spofforth 3rd. XI the previous day, promised much. Alas his trademark (or at least to those who attend the geriatric nets at Lordswood over the winter) both feet off the ground, bat thrust downwards, backwards defensive stroke failed to make contact as the ball passed inexorably onto his off stump first ball. Henry Murray avoided the hat trick and punished the bowler for his subsequent impudence in reverted to leg spin by pulling him powerfully to the boundary.
Unfortunately he then repeated the effort with an elegant sweep shot which had the drawback of a) missing the ball, b) being executed with his feet beyond the crease and c) making no discernible effort to regain his ground, inducing the opposition keeper to reluctantly remove the bails. Lewis meanwhile was striking the ball beautifully but partners in the form of Childs and Bowen soon departed, the latter adopting the novel tactic of advancing and then retreating up and down the pitch as the bowler ran up, presumably in a fruitless attempt to disconcert him, ending up in a 'Duke of York' moment (neither up nor down) which saw the ball rise not very far into the air before falling into the bowler's hands.
The appearance of the Secretary provide some support for Lewis allowing him to pass 50 but when when he was given out controversially LBW by young Murray ( all right I was plumb, but given the parlous position any self respecting Romany umpire should have had a momentary attack of blindness and/or insanity) Romany were reduced to 78 for 6 with no sign of the mystery ninth man.
There then followed one of the most remarkable partnerships in the annals of Romany history. Stuart Murray is renowned for many things but batting is not normally one of them. To his normal two cricketing shots he added a third if not a fourth. His stoic support allowed Lewis to achieve a maiden century (22 fours - surprisingly given the size of the ground, no sixes). Indeed had it not been for his son umpiring declaring an exquisite leg glance for 4 to be leg byes, he would have achieved a personal top score for Romany. Even his demise was not of his own making as Lewis ran him out but at least by this time the mystery man had appeared.
The good news was that he was Australian, the bad he hadn't played for ten years. No one had much idea what he was called except that it began with a T. However, TX soon joined in the fun smiting a rapid 27 not out including the only six of our innings. A total of 196 for 7 at this stage seamed a fair and in the circumstances remarkable effort.
As usual a sumptuous Tea was provided by the opposition and their supporting ladies.
The Romany attack was opened with 'ancient and modern' in the form of the 60 year old Guy Williams and the 16 year old Henry Murray. The former soon rolled back the years with his customary aggressive stare at the batsman as the latter dispatched him to the boundary and beyond. In truth both bowled well and removed the openers and kept the score within bounds. Stuart Murray adding to his batting performance bowled without luck but the supporting cast were not up to the job as two accomplished league players took us to the cleaners.
Jack Childs' long hop excellently caught in the deep (or as deep as you can get on this ground which is not very deep) should have provided respite but Tim Gibbs (the Aussie) celebratory canter caused him to put a foot on the boundary (sic), a fact pointed out by an opposing supporter who had spent the afternoon imbibing in either the top or bottom pub or both, and declared himself somewhat incoherently to be an erstwhile league umpire (of what we weren't quite sure, lacrosse perchance?) informed the square leg umpire who insisted in recalling the batsman despite it being neither of their business. As it was, the opposition progressed serenely to victory with eleven overs to spare and we adjourned for a pleasant evening in the top pub with the opposition.
ROMANY 196-7 ( P.LEWIS 114*. T.GIBBS 27*, S MURRAY 13, M BOSOMWORTH 12, B CHALLIS 3-44)
LOFTHOUSE and MIDDLESMOOR 198-2 ( D SPENCER 67*, P KENNEDY 62*, H MURRAY 1-28)
Defeat against The Druids left Romany still looking for their first win of the season after two matches. From just under 100 for one wicket, Romany collapsed to 133-9 after 40 overs.That was never likely to be enough on the beautiful former county square at Harrogate, The Druids running out as winners by five wickets. Romany's top scorer was Fraser Black (47 runs) - he also impressed when bowling.
A glorious (?) 50 from Toby Marcham was not quite enough to secure victory in our match at Kirklington. Having restricted the opposition to just under 200, Romany fell around 15 runs short. (All figures and information provided by a rather vague club captain - anyone with access to the scorebook and/or a better memory should please pass details to Tim Halstead).
Despite the glorious Monday Bank Holiday weather, the Sunday match against Ledsham was called off, due to persistent rain. Next stop - Kirklington on Sunday 11 May.
April 2008
For many years we have taken the view that April is just too cold and wet to be playing cricket. After the glorious April of 2007 however, we took the decision to start the season with a fixture at Saxton on Sunday 27 April 2008. The omens were good with bright sunshine on the Saturday - inevitably therefore, we woke to persistent drizzle on the Sunday, causing the game to be rained off. Russell Burnett had his first taste of match managership, coping with several late team changes, all of which proved a complete waste of time. He has some way to go however before he achieves the club record held by Steve Throup, who organised about ten teams one wet June, without a single one of them taking the field. The next fixture is at Ledsham on Sunday 4 May 2008.
The 2008 fixture booklet has now been published. If you would like a copy, please contact us through the link on the home page.The fixtures can be viewed at Romany CC -
17 July 2005Romany, batting second, win by one wicket with one over to go.This must be the most stunning setting for a cricket match in Yorkshire and it was hot. The wicket, however, is lethal and requires some work. Tom Howarth received a nasty blow to the elbow first ball to welcome him back to the fold from university which caused him to retire hurt. Others just ducked. To be grubbed out or bounced out was no discredit to those who went early.In a 30-over match, Swinton's multi-cultural side batted first, scoring 140. The two resident South Africans were instructed to speak loudly to intimidate the opposition. However, Romany took all their outfield catches to dismiss five batsmen, of which Stuart Murray's spectacular diving catch at cover to dismiss the opposition opener was the best. Of merit in the bowling department were Jack Childs, taking 2 wickets and 2 catches and crucially catching and bowling one of the resident South Africans.Tom Howarth and Henry Murray both took 2 for 14. Tom Howarth took two great catches at deep mid-wicket, with the ball arriving from somewhere in the stratosphere before smashing one or two bones in his hand.In the batting department, we had Sam Ryan (aged 13) scoring a very sensible 20 when we lost a few early wickets and we just had to build a partnership. Tom Howarth was in the action with 19. Extras scored a considerable amount of runs. Paul Lewis was not out 26 and Julian Creasey not out 29, hitting the winning runs with a six.A good all round performance.Paul Lewis (Captain)
10 July 2005Romany 124 all out in a 35-over game, losing their last wicket on the last ball of the innings. This was a heat-affected game reduced to 35 overs, played in blazing conditions with three drinks breaks during the afternoon. Unfortunately not many of the Romany batsman were able to take advantage of the excessive drinks intervals, as each was soon back in the pavilion. Each bowler was restricted to 7 overs. The captain (who had been dismissed on the first ball of his innings at Bolton Percy a week earlier and had therefore developed a pathological hatred of all bowlers) managed to score 68, but that was it in the batting stakes unless you count extras.Baldersby 126 for 5 in 27 overs. Henry Scott took two wickets in 2 balls in his opening over, and bowled a very accurate line and length. So too did Raife Gale, taking one wicket. However, these were the only two recognised bowlers in the squad, and as soon as the opposition realised it they dead-batted them until their 7 overs were used up. They then flat-batted us to all parts of the ground to win the match.Paul Lewis (Captain)
1 July 2005Romany 161 for 9 after 40 overs
Bolton Percy 162 for 6 after 35 oversA score of 200 might have been enough to protect and go on to win this match, but three days before the game we lost three bowler/batsman who couldn't get time off work, and at such short notice we were very grateful to the youngsters who stepped in to play - notwithstanding the risk of a visit from the local educational welfare officer, as this game was played on Friday, which was a school day.At 99 for 2 after 20 overs, Romany looked set for a score of 200+. At 99 for 6 after 22 overs, this was no longer looking achievable. Charles Hartley and Stephen Clapham batted well together up the order, scoring 43 and 34 respectively. Tim Halstead steadied the ship with a reliable 25 as wickets were tumbling at the other end. Sam Irving, playing his first match, batted well for 15 with a much appreciated rearguard action from David Gale, who scored 14 not out. A score of 161 might have been enough had Bolton Percy's very family-orientated catering staff not plied our bowlers and fielders with a most magnificent tea, including strawberries and cream, served in the cricket festival marquee. Incredibly, we fall for this trick every year, resulting in a softening of attitude toward the opposition batsman.We started well, restricting runs and taking wickets. At one time the opposition were 4 wickets down with not many runs on the board. However, it was not to be as Bolton Percy could bat right down the order (or they may have even reversed their batting order). Steve Clapham and Sam Irving bowled aggressively (11 overs and 9 overs), with David Gale as reliable as ever, bowling 9 overs and taking 2 wickets. However, too much was asked of the bowlers, and the middle order knocked the runs off.We then adjourned for drinks and a post-match analysis in this lovely setting. Get this match in your diaries for next year, as we are made very welcome.Paul Lewis (Captain)
19 June 2005As the storm clouds gathered over Escrick, causing flash floods all around, the Yorkshire Gents v Romany match looked poised for a tense finish. At least it would have been, had the Romany fielders (Adam Bowen apart) known how to catch a cricket ball. In the event, the home team ran out winners by five wickets, after Romany had declared their innings at 182 for 5. (Such a target proved too low in the circumstances. Having batted through the morning session for 24 not out and then almost up to tea, the acting captain took the view that it would be rather better for relations between the clubs to declare at tea-time, rather than in the early hours of the following morning.)It was rather fortunate that Romany won the toss and elected to bat on a baking hot day, especially as we started the match with only nine men. By lunchtime, we had acquired a player from a local club (17-year-old Carl Blundell of Cawood, who subsequently opened the bowling to great effect) and brought Joe Halstead across from his morning juniors match in York. When we finally took the field after tea, we looked like a real cricket team (until the opposition started to offer catches).It was a pleasure to have Will Kemp in the side. He batted well for 36 runs, took 2 wickets for 24, and actually held one of the catches offered to him. Moreover, he showed the true spirit of gentlemen's cricket by "walking" when stumped (relieving the Romany square-leg umpire of the problem of having been watching a group of bikini-clad Queen Margaret's second-formers holding a barbecue in an adjoining field.)Jamie Young also looked in good form with the bat, after an absence of two years.Final scores:
Romany 182 for 5 declared (T Halstead 83, W Kemp 36, J Young 35)
Yorkshire Gentlemen 183 for 5Yorkshire Gentlemen won by five wickets.Tim Halstead
5 June 2005Romany 106 all out in a rain-reduced 35 over match
Pool 108 for 2 after 20 overs. Victory to PoolRomany are short of bowling this season, having lost Ed Smith, Steve Clapham, Nilesh and Steph Boyd. This game was no exception.On the batting front, Fraser Black batted well, scoring 33 - with 32 coming in 4s. Joe Halstead, batting at no. 4, played a sensible innings, crucially accumulating 9 runs at a time when we needed someone to steady the ship. Toby Marcham could teach us all how to play the pull shot (clearly his favourite shot) scoring a rapid 13 (all pull shots) and was unluckily caught out to a magnificent one-handed diving catch at midwicket (where else) whilst pulling imperiously.Our only recognised bowlers were Fraser Black and Joe Halstead, and after they were exhausted the part-time bowlers were put to the sword. Henry Murray bowled well given his tender years, and so too did his father of less tender years.Paul Lewis (Captain)
29 May 2005Romany all out for 91.
Cambridge Methodists 92 for 7.Notwithstanding the scores, this was a very close game on a pitch that proved difficult
to score runs freely on, and was played in a great sprit on a beautiful day in a very
pleasant setting. Romany were a couple of players short due to the bank holiday, but
Cambridge Methodists have an abundance of players and kindly donated a couple.Performances of note with the bat were James Hutt, who batted sensibly for 24, and Henry
Donaldson (20).Bowling performances to mention are firstly Anthony Walker, who opened the bowling and
took two quick wickets in the first three overs. Of note, he clean bowled D Britton who (so
the opposition kept reminding us throughout the afternoon) had scored 133 the day before.
Jon Aspinall then stepped up and took an early wicket, and the opposition had lost their
first 3 wickets for 14 runs...game on. The remaining batsman then steadily accumulated runs, but kept losing wickets at
intervals. Crucially, however, their no. 4 batsman batted through, not out for 38,
and he steered them home.Our overseas borrowed all-rounder, Raj, also bowled well, taking 3 for 29, and James Hutt
proved himself very capable and athletic behind the stumps. Andy Brian took two brilliant
catches in the midwicket/cover area, coming at him out of the sun - luckily, he was one of
only two men on the field wearing shades... the other being the captain, who was not trying
to look cool but couldn't see very well following his eye operation.and had to keep his back
to the sun at all times...We all adjourned for a pleasant pint after the game in the Railway pub down by the canal,
and a good day was had by all.Paul Lewis (Captain)
15 May 2005Romany batted first and scored 193 for 8 in 40 overs.
Kirklington 196 after 38 overs.
This was a good competitive match and the game was always in the balance.
Had Romany not dropped "Doubleday" (opposition captain who plays for West Tanfield)
three times, the result would have been different. Mike Campbell, ever reliable opener these days, carried on where he left off
last season and scored a patient and well-crafted 73, with some quiet spells followed by some explosive 6-hitting. Had he not run out of stamina, 100 was surely in sight -
but when he knew he was exhausted he nobly ran himself out for the sake of the team. Facing some very accurate bowling, Tom Hilling (fresh back from university)
scored 33ish starting steadily but certainly hitting the biggest 6 of the day. A welcome
return by Henry Donaldson bolstered the middle order, followed by Charlie Strickland
with a quick-fire 21 and Paul Lewis (wearing glasses) batting down the order with an even
quicker 24 not out, causing some consternation on the boundary at his impending laser eye
operation (which is now done). A warm welcome to a new member Andrew McGee who was
unfortunately run out by the captain when runs were needed quickly in the last over...
Sorry, Andrew - you will be back. Peter Hockin was the pick of the bowling, putting the ball on the spot and taking 3
wickets, and there were good performances from Raife Gale and father David Gale. Also in
the bowling department, Tom Hilling looked a little rusty and showed all the signs of the
first-year university student returning from Newcastle Uni, having not quite made it to the
indoor nets as the girls' hall of residence happened to be en route...but he will loosen up
as the season progresses.Kirklington won the match with a six from "Doubleday" into the long-on orchard....Ball
lost, and we adjourned to the village pub...Well played everyone, and thanks to Jack Childs who turned up as twelfth man and scored
for us. Oh, and a great catch by Anthony Walker.Paul Lewis (Captain)
8 May 2005After the disappointment of the cancellation of the Thorp Perrow fixture, the season finally got under way at Crakehall, with a game reduced to 30 overs. The game started with a hailstorm, delaying the start for an hour while half an inch of hail was swept off the pitch, and ended in glorious sunshine. The Romany turnout was poor with just 8 players, plus one borrowed from the opposition (the organiser's wisdom in persuading two locals to play after they had spent the previous day at a Point-to-Point and then Thirsk evening races, mostly in the beer tent, proving questionable). It did, however, provide a rich vein of excuses for not being available, the best of which were:
In contrast, TJ Halstead won the club loyalty award (and if he’d entered, probably
the Spanish Grand Prix) after leaving Yapham at 12.50 - where Joe had been playing for
York Juniors - for a 1.30 start at Crakehall, 50 odd miles to the North.Given the shortage of players, it was decided Romany should bat and we got off
to a bad start, with Anthony Walker being caught behind when a ball lifted
unexpectedly after hitting an errant lump of ice. The calypso pairing of Creasey and
Campbell added some solidity and some lusty blows in a partnership of 31, before
Campbell departed, bowled essaying an extravagant heave. This brought the welcome
return after many years of Frazer Black, who exhibited his class with a compelling
display of straight driving (failing to appreciate the intricacies of the Crakehall
ground, given that the straight boundaries are the longest and the churchyard wall was
only 10 yards from the bat - a fact he finally appreciated with a couple of 'Surrey
glides' for 4 between his legs). Creasey, meanwhile, looked set for the first
half-century of the season before being dismissed on 49. He was aggrieved that he had
not been told his score before he got out. In fact, Campbell - who was umpiring -
had been told of his score the previous over. "When you said he was 43, I thought
you meant that was his age." Halstead held the tail together and had the pleasure
of batting with his son - twice. After the last man was dismissed, the opposing
Captain sportingly invited Joe to return, despite the fact that he'd been bowled
earlier in the over, the pair adding 10 useful runs. After 30 overs, Romany had
achieved a respectable 133 for 8 (J Creasey 49, TJ Halstead 26*, F Black 20).Prospects of victory seemed distant as the Crakehall openers saw off the opening
attack of Walker and Black, in a partnership of 46 in 9 overs. Creasey applied the
brakes with a tight spell and secured the first wicket with a smart stumping from
Halstead. The latter was soon in the action with a run-out. He was in the process
of deciding which set of stumps to hurl the ball at when he realised that both
batsmen were in the middle of the pitch, engaged in a heated and somewhat acrimonious
discussion, so walked to the stumps to remove the bails. An inspired bowling change brought Joe Halstead into the attack, and he accounted
for the remaining opener in his first over, caught behind by his father. This was a
regulation catch in contrast to his first wicket for the club - coincidentally, also
caught by his father on the same ground - a skier which Tim claimed after demolishing
both first and second slips, not to mention gully, in his efforts to get under the
catch. The wisdom of his then lack of confidence in Romany’s fielding abilities was
proved a few overs later when, as the opposition staged a fightback from the
stranglehold imposed by Creasey and young Halstead, the Secretary dropped a simple
skier. Later he surprised himself and the rest of the side by taking a rather more
difficult skier over his shoulder for his annual catch. Meanwhile, DPT Gale was
skulking on the boundary mulling over his earlier duck, declining to bowl on the
basis we should ensure we won the game. Once pressed into service, he proceeded to
polish off the tail, dismissing the last two batsmen with successive balls. At this
point, the not-out batsman (who had not faced a ball) demanded that we play 'last
man out' (presumably a strange North Yorkshire version of the game). Given the
opposition's previous generosity and the fact that he had fielded substitute for us,
the least we could do was comply. At this point, Halstead suggested the field close
in for the hat-trick ball. The Secretary declined, saying it was not an 'official
hat-trick'. Gale promptly bowled the batsman first ball. It was then decided that
the Hat-Trick was official enough for Gale to buy a round of beer - and for the
opposition as well.Crakehall 95 for 11(!) (DPT Gale 3.5-1-8-4, J Halstead 2-18, A Walker 2-22; C Poole 24)
Won by 38 runs.Michael Bosomworth
Romany member Nilesh Keshkamat is now a married man. Click here for some photos of the wedding.
The 2004 Romany CC AGM will be held at Wetherby Golf Club on Monday 31 January at 6:30p.m. Please make every effort to attend as there are important matters for discussion.
Michael Bosomworth
Hon. Secretary
The death of Peter Brayshay, one of the great characters in the history of
the Club, was announced in July 2004, in the Yorkshire Post:
BRAYSHAY Peter Beldon
July 6, peacefully in Roundhay Hall, aged 87 years, dearly beloved husband
of Mickey, beloved father of Carol, Hazel and Susan and a much loved grandpa
of Joanne, Helen, Amanda, Nick and Johnny. Funeral service and committal at
All Hallows Church, Bardsey, on Tuesday, July 13, at 12.30 p.m., followed by
private cremation. Family flowers only please, donations in lieu, if desired,
to Martin House Hospice. No black dress please.
Click here for Romany members' memories of Peter.