Many great ideas are born with a chance happening, a mistake from others or a stroke of inspiration; William Webb Ellis picking up a football in the creation of Rugby as one example. But no one could conceive the brilliance of what was to follow on Sunday, the 21st of June 2009 at a small cricket ground in Shoreham…

A cancelled match against Wrotham meant that an abundance of players were left and the idea was born. 3 teams – the Sundays, led by Pat Barrett, the Exiles, and Boakes Meadow Massive. The first game of a three match tournament was to be played by the Sundays and the Exiles, which gave BM the chance to exercise their various pre-match warm ups. The Sundays were put into bat, and immediately made their mark on the tournament, with both Steve and James Trick reaching 25 in retirement. This left the remaining two Tricks at the crease with Asplin to bowl…

Cut to Sam walking back after being given lbw first ball off Jasplin, amidst bursts of rapturous laughter from the viewing gallery. The other notable contributions came from Ray (21), Brad Sims (15*) and Richard Nash (7*) to get the Sundays up to a competitive total of 98-2 from 10 overs.

The Exiles went out to bat and decided to make the difficult situation almost impossible, stumbling to 8 for 3 before the ship was righted again by Sean (27 ret) and Montie (22*). Despite this, the Exiles ended up 8 runs short, which ended a very enthralling opening game, and also meant that Ed and co had to get up.

Sundays – 98 for 2

S Arikosamy (27 ret)
J Trick (25 ret)
R Trick (21)

J Asplin (1-7)
W M Jones (1-22)
R Marsden (0-7)

Exiles – 91 for 6

S Bromfield (27 ret)
A Montie (22*)
Kavi (8)

K Senthil (1-4)
B Sims (1-9)
P Barrett (1-10)

Sundays won by 7 runs

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The Exiles went out to bat again and made a better fist of it, with JD (15), Kavi (12) and Mark Doughty (18*) scoring well and Jasplin retiring scared. However, some tight bowling from Ed (2-0-10-1), Nick (1-0-5-0) and George (1-0-3-1) meant that Boakes Meadow restricted the Exiles to 81 for 4. A tea from Dea followed, before the team by the stream headed out to chase town the runs.

The two youngest Boakes Meadow members Oliver and Dexter Haysler started things off well and Rupert continued the good work (28 ret) before Jack (15) and Greg (20), with the famous yet infamous sweep got Boakes Meadow within touching distance of the total. Ed and George then finished the innings off with two balls to spare, handing Boakes Meadow their first win of the tournament. Some good bowling from the Dinnis duo and wickets for Sean Bromfield and Wyn should also be noted.

Exiles – 81 for 4

M Doughty (18*)
J Dinnis (15)
Kavi (12)

G Rivett (1-3)
E Walker (1-10)
R Harris (1-21)

Boakes Meadow – 82 for 3

R Harris (28 ret)
G Taylor (20)
J Rivett (15)

W M Jones (2-27)
S Bromfield (1-13)
G Dinnis (0-3)

Boakes Meadow won by 7 wickets

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The final match would decide it then: who are the best team in Shoreham; would it be the Sunday side, led by Pat Barrett, or would it be the Boakes Meadow elite. Ed and George opened up, and who could have predicted what would follow…

Both Ed (26 ret) and George (27 ret) starred with the bat, with sixes for both batsmen, with George’s six off the bowling of James Trick! Nick (25) and Rupert (5*) then carried the innings through with good impetus, ending on 99 for 1, the best total scored in the tournament so far. With the BM massive on a definite high, it would be hard to chase the runs.

Ollie Haysler did the damage early on, with Ed taking a good catch in the deep to dismiss Nigel. The underdogs were on fire, stemming any runs with some tight bowling and fielding – with Ed and Greg picking up a wicket apiece to leave the Sunday side struggling on 30 for 3 from 5 overs. However, Steve hit a staggering 26 off 6 balls (mainly off the bowling of Greg) and got the Sunday team a scent of victory. However, tight overs from George and Ed meant that 24 was required off the last over to win. Under pressure, Rupert bowled exceptionally well and was on for a hat-trick, thus ending the Sunday side’s hopes of glory, with 4 runs coming off the last over, and only 16 runs off the last 3 overs.

Boakes Meadow – 99 for 1

G Rivett (27 ret)
E Walker (26 ret)
N Walker (25)

K Senthil (0-3)
S Arikosamy (0-8)
S Trick (0-12)

Sundays – 81 for 6

S Arikosamy (26 ret)
P Barrett (11)
J Trick (11*)

R Harris (2-8)
O Haysler (1-4)
N Walker (1-13)

Boakes Meadow won by 18 runs

A great performance by the underdog Boakes Meadow team, which left only one question to be asked… where does their water come from?

Alex Haysler

The victorious Boakes Meadow Massive

Posted on Thursday, 25th June, 2009 in Friendly Match Reports.