18 June 2008
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.
16 June 2008
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!
16 June 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)
11 June 2008
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 !
9 June 2008
The match against Almondbury Casuals on Sunday 22 June 2008 will be held at Arthington.
4 June 2008
Our intrepid reporter, Guy Williams sends us his report of this great event - click here for the full story!
19 May 2008
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.
15 May 2008
The starting time for the match at Crakehall has been brought forward 30 minutes, to 1.30 pm.
14 May 2008
The match against The Druids on Sunday 18 May 2008 will be held at The County Ground, St George's Road, Harrogate (the home of Harrogate Cricket Club). The game will start at 1.30 pm (earlier than the time printed in the fixture booklet). Click here for a map.
14 May 2008
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).
6 May 2008
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.
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.