Romany Cricket Club

Romany CC vs Crakehall CC – Match Report

The inspired and inspiring captaincy of George Holden, and the benevolent presence in the side of Club President Peter Hockin, as well as the usual welcome from Colin Poole and all at Crakehall CC, helped us all to have a very enjoyable game, as always, at Crakehall.

George won the toss and inserted the opposition, and although they immediately started hitting some boundaries, having Keith Egerton’s spinning wiles to open the bowling with George, led to the dismissal of many of Crakehall’s young, fit, and crack league batsmen. 3 clean bowled by Keith.

George took himself off, saving some overs, put on Howard Elgot, who immediately got another wicket; plumb LBW with his very first ball. George himself then got a spectacular direct hit run-out, (with a throw reminiscent of Samit Patel’s at T20 Finals Day the day before). Howard then appeared to have bowled another Crakehall batsman, but it was with an over waist-high full toss, so ruled out as a no ball. However, he was soon back among the wickets with a very good low catch by Geoff Lawler (his first Romany catch) and another LBW.

Crakehall were 95-7 (better than we’ve normally achieved against them mid-innings). However , despite some steady and not too expensive bowling by the rest of our attack, Andrew Moore, Peter Hockin, Charlie Read, and your humble scribe, several hard catching chances or half-chances weren’t quite accepted- ( great efforts by Scott Munro, and  young Charlie Read among them) so Crakehall recovered.

George came back and bowled Crakehall veteran Colin Poole, but Crakehall closed on 188-8 in their 30 overs. John Surtees had done an excellent keeping job, as keeping is never easy at Crakehall, especially on the kind of dull, grey day it was throughout.

After an excellent tea, as usual Duncan Read gave us an excellent start with hard-hit boundaries,  but was bowled for 14, others found it tougher but Scott Munro made 10, and George made a superb captain’s innings 38. He was then, ironically, himself a victim of Crakehall’s own direct hit run out.

We were behind the required scoring rate but John Surtees hit several boundaries in making 24, before being unluckily bowled off his pads. It was difficult to deal with Crakehall’s opening bowlers brought back, and the target was out of reach, but to salvage some pride by not being bowled out, Geoff Lawler (4 not out) and your scribe (10 not out) held out to the end at 135-7.

(Crakehall then kindly volunteered to bowl an extra over so young Charlie Read could have a hit, which he enjoyed, and he hit some good shots and wasn’t out.) – Pleasant drink, as always, in the village pub opposite, after the game.

Nick Hawkins
4th September 2017

Romany Cricket Club

Romany CC vs Little Valley CC – Match Report

Match Report – Romany CC vs Little Valley CC (at Old Town CC – Hebden Bridge)

Result:
Romany Loss by 20 runs

Little Valley CC 206-4
(S.Shazheen 93*, Soden 27)
(K Egerton 3-19)

Romany CC 186-4
(C Lloyd 102, K Egerton 26, H Williams 24)
(I Hussain 2-13)

Match Manager’s Remarks:

I think we were all unsure what to expect of this fixture as it is a new one on the card for Romany this season and in the opposite direction to where we normally find ourselves heading on a Sunday afternoon. We need not have worried as what we found in Hebden Bridge was cricket played very much in the spirit we all enjoy and an extremely warm welcome from another friendly little club.

When we arrived it was clear that the wicket and outfield had taken a bit of a soaking over the last few days, in places it was described as swamp like…and so captain Knight made the correct decision to let the opposition bat first to see what sort of total would be competitive.

With the side we had available we knew we would be a little short of bowling, but we fielded well in difficult conditions and in particular Harwood Williams, Charlie Lloyd and Andrew Moore (who recovered well from a tricky first over) bowled with good accuracy to restrict the scoring somewhat.

The oppositions no.3 batsman, Shazheen, however did take us on and was able to score quickly often advancing far down the wicket whenever the ball was dropped short of a length. In total he hit 16 boundaries in his 93 before sportingly retiring and allowing others to take up the challenge.

Spin did seem to be the most appropriate approach and Keith Egerton bowled a very tight line of left arm getting through his full allocation of 7 overs, only conceding 19 runs and taking 3 wickets into the bargain. Nick Hawkins and Matt Knight also held down one end for 6 overs between them.

After a decent tea, we began our reply. With Knight and Williams opening the innings. It did appear that the bounce of the wicket became less consistent for our innings and Matt took a couple of blows reminiscent of Brian Close back in the 60’s (I’m sure Matt remembers watching it on the telly in his late teens)

Matt (15) and Harwood (24) fell in reasonably quick succession having got us off to a good start with a 44-run opening partnership and Tim Halstead (in his first appearance of his 37th Romany season) also fell shortly after for just 1.

This brought together the Charlie Lloyd and Keith Edgerton partnership who put on 91 for the 5th wicket before Keith was caught for 26. Charlie continued his innings supported by Scott Munroe (6*) and accelerated to finish on 102 not out, with 4 consecutive sixes in the final over of the match.

Overall a good day, with two sides well matched in both capability and approach to the game. After the game three of our number were presented with souvenir bottles of beer from Little Valley’s namesake brewery in recognition of their efforts while we all enjoyed a well-deserved pint.

Thanks to all those who made themselves available for the match, and to Martin Grayshon for scoring throughout

Man of the Match: Charlie Lloyd, for his superb 102. Just eclipsing (topical!) Keith Egerton who gave a great all-round performance

Rob Smith
21st August 2017

Romany Cricket Club

Romany CC vs Leeds Caribbean CC – Match Report

Another Romany Victory.

Caribbean CC 153 all out (30 overs). Romany CC 154 – 2 (29.4 overs)

After twice losing the toss I decided to ask our good friends from Caribbean to bat as we only had 10 men.
We got off to a great start when the electric pace of Haseen Bashir got an early LBW. Fortunately for us their other opener had to retire after a very quick 40 and didn’t get back in until almost the end of their allotted 30 others. The other Caribbean batsmen came and went at regular intervals kept under pressure from Shamiraiz (1-15), Zofi Akhtar (1-21) and Larry Audain (2-21). Keith Egerton (4-21) then ran through their tail, hitting the stumps at regular intervals. Two other bowlers deserve honourable mentions. Lloyd Thompson made his debut for Romany while on holiday from his teaching job in Qatar and Charlie Read would definitely have had a wicket stumped Read bowled Read if the umpire at square leg had been watching.
Tea was taken in the grand style with chicken, rice and beans prepared and served by Harwood Williams who had organised the game from the Caribbean side. Thanks so much, Harwood.
We opened our innings with Larry and Duncan Read and they both retired at 40 and 41 respectively. This was a terrific effort by both batsmen as the Caribbean bowling was tight and skilful. We reached 100 for no wickets and it was a surprise when Haseen eventually got out for a very quick 25. This brought in Freddie Read who unselfishly sacrificed his wicket in the last over to allow Zofi to regain the strike with three balls left and 4 runs to win. The next ball was straight-driven for 4 by Zofi. I was man of the match for an excellent 0 not out in the crucial last ball partnership.

Howard Elgot
13th August 2017

Romany Cricket Club

Romany CC vs Collingham CC – Match Report

Victory v Collingham!
Delighted to report on a thoroughly enjoyable game in which Matt Knight led us to victory.
Collingham batted first and Matt as skipper made the inspired decision to open with seam (Charlie Lloyd) at one end and left-arm spin (Keith Egerton) from the other – and each took an early wicket, so two of Collingham’s best were gone. Throughout the game, wickets fell pretty regularly and the Romany fielding was excellent-good catches by Adam Bowen (two), Rob Smith (off your humble scribe-thanks, Rob) and Duncan Read, and  general excellent fielding all round was a feature. There were three near-misses too, each of which would have been sensational if held-Matt Knight off a rasping drive back at him (saved 4) Nick Palmer almost grasping a skyer, and Charlie Read nearly an excellent diving caught-and-bowled chance.
Though one Collingham batsman called Fas reached 50 and retired (24 off one over, redeemed later by AB) – we got him out courtesy of Danny Fitzpatrick’s extra pace, 3 balls after he returned as last man. Matt had switched the bowlers skilfully and everyone who bowled got at least one wicket (except RS who had deserved to). Freddie Read’s keeping was immaculate as always. Keith Egerton was the star performer with the ball.
We had 155 to get to win. Reads Duncan and Freddie made their usual solid start as openers, the good work was continued by Charlie Lloyd (47 not out) and Matt Knight, retired 52 not out – as he said exhausted by running 3’s – (some to John Surtees sweeping on the boundary as he’d kindly played for Collingham, to make up their numbers) . Only Nick Palmer unluckily picked out a fielder after shaping well for his first two balls, but Charlie Lloyd and Danny Fitzpatrick saw us very safely home with overs to spare.
Excellent tea and facilities and hospitality at Collingham as always-a very good day indeed all round, and the rain didn’t start till after we’d won. Onwards and upwards!
Nick Hawkins, Match Manager
6th August 2017
Romany Cricket Club

Romany CC vs Yapham CC – Match Report

ROMANY CC MATCH REPORT V.YAPHAM Sun 2nd July 2017
BY Nick Hawkins (having been asked to write it on behalf of Howard Elgot-fellow elderly Barrister of this parish-as he had a v.busy week coming up with a tricky trial starting on Mon)
Not sure how many RCC matches featured Romany needing 6 to win off 2 balls and returning veteran El Presidente Hockin then trying to flick last ball over keeper’s head Jos Buttler style, but…
We all had a great time-team was a mixture of senior players – in addition to the President, Judge John Walford also returned, bowled craftily and gave us every chance with the bat, as did Matt Knight skippering, your scribe, Bowen, Elgot, Steve Hardy, welcome guest from Scotton CC, (via recent Barbados tour connections…) agile keeper and good bat, but we had fielded and bowled well including a direct hit run-out by said Elgot, and wicket first ball for your humble scribe, and restricted a good largely young and fit Yapham side to 193-7. New Barrister player Dan (new colleague in Chambers of Howard’s) sadly pulled hamstring in field but is nevertheless most welcome to Romany.
That we got close-188-9- was down to 3 younger players – two, Tom Egerton and Charlie Lloyd, (also from Scotton) I’m delighted to report enjoyed “The Romany experience” so much they have immediately volunteered to play regularly for us, starting this coming Sun-they bowl quickly, field superbly and bat well-brilliant club recruits-and our third star who has played well for us many times, Danny Fitzpatrick, who made well over 50 and got us very close indeed, out to penultimate ball trying to hit winning 6…
Yapham always make us most welcome and their new pavilion/clubhouse is great. Thanks also to Mike Bosomworth for support and umpiring!
Lovely weather, great fun had by all!
Nick Hawkins

2nd July 2017

 

Romany Cricket Club

Romany CC vs Markington CC – Match Report

Match Report

 Great hospitality and a match played in a good spirit, but Romany fell well short in the end.

 Markington had quite a few of their first team playing. Most of the Romany team had not played a first team game for many years. However we got off to a great start and Charlie Lloyd soon had Markington 2 for 2. He added another wicket later, but the scoring rate soon increased. Good bowling by our debutant Keith Egerton kept us in the game as did an excellent spell by Nick Hawkins, but Markington’s 189 all out off 35 overs looked a tough score on a pitch that had been uncovered all week and was of variable bounce – low or lower. Freddie Reid kept wicket beautifully and I’m sure that he and his brother, Charlie, will soon be playing in some first teams, even if most of us won’t.

 Duncan and Freddie Read got us off to a solid start and we had reached 40 by the time Freddie was out. Duncan followed almost immediately, but the run rate slowed dramatically as soon as I came in and the rain set in. There were a few gloomy predictions that “This was it for the day.” But it wasn’t and I was soon involved in a run out with poor Tom Egerton. It’s always the fault of the batsman at the other end of course!!

 After that batsmen came and went as I proved conclusively that it is possible to bat twice as long as anyone else and still not top score. In the end we hobbled past 100 before losing our final wicket and adjourning to Markington’s one remaining pub.

 Thanks to all who played.

 Howard Elgot

30th July 2017

Romany Cricket Club

Romany CC vs Lofthouse & Middlemoor CC – Match Report

MATCH REPORT SUN 9TH JULY v LOFTHOUSE & MIDDLESMOOR
Although we all enjoyed the game, in lovely weather, (as we always enjoy L & M), this result was a big contrast to our glorious victory at Bolton Percy on last Friday. It was (proposed by them and agreed in advance by Harwood, for the avoidance of doubt…) a 35-over game, and 164 all out in 34 overs was not too bad-though we’d hoped for 200+.
Romany was indebted to the collective Read family-after your scribe had won the toss and elected to bat, Duncan opened with a fine 23 before getting a really good ball which bowled him. Elder son Freddie went on and held the whole side together, making about 70-odd (haven’t got scorebook in front of me) and being out only when “going for it”, on instructions, with about 6 overs left, and running out of partners.

All others chipped in-new stars Tom Egerton and Charlie Lloyd at 3 and 4 (Tom perhaps somewhat unlucky on LBW decision) , lusty blows from John Surtees, and some scrambling by Geoff Lawler before he ran himself out, Adam Bowen seeking to strike out and young Charlie (CJ) Read confident shot off the mark – Andrew Moore another good not out at no.11.
Tom and Charlie L bowled really well with no luck at all for first 8 overs-the L & M openers simply gave no chances at all. Same story when Rob Smith bowled well, Andrew Moore no luck, Duncan tried an over then it was decided we should change keepers, John Surtees took the gloves so Freddie Read could bowl medium-pace.

At last, the first chance, with half the overs gone and L & M ahead of the rate-a hard one Duncan couldn’t quite cling onto-off his son’s bowling….

Your scribe decided, after Adam Bowen’s excellent bowling at Swinton Park, he should have a go and at last our first and only wicket-(caught, inevitably, by Freddie Read at deepish mid-on).
Young CJ Read came on to bowl with 4 needed and his first ball was excellent, but sadly a swipe off the next brought L & M a deserved victory with time to spare. It should be noted that Romany’s fielding never lapsed-CJ Read especially athletic at the top of the hill and Geoff Lawler very safe with a lot of stops to make.
Wonderful tea as always and a good drink afterwards up the hill at the Crown at Middlesmoor.

Nick Hawkins

9th July 2017