Sunday 26 July 2026
SCCC 257-7 (40 overs)
Blackheath 226-7 (40 overs)
SCCC won by 31 runs
40 over match
SCCC won the toss
Scorecard
Scottie writes:
The glorious Cryptic summer of 2026 continued at Blackheath CC with its scorched outfield and lush green wicket. The side assembled by Toby Seeckts contained a Cryptic blend of youth, experience and injured / half fit players, slightly stronger in batting than bowling, so perfect for a summer evening run chase. With a full team there prior to the toss, Toby promptly chose to bat when the coin landed in his favour. However, he had managed to agree 40 overs per side and a useful maximum of 10 per bowler.
Skipper reprised his opening partnership with Jimmy G that in 2020 put on 131 for the first wicket, then swiftly ran Jimmy out for a duck. Ricky spends most of his time chez famille Grinders or chez Hugs, this was his chance for a change of lodging for the first time since 17th May, all be it to a familiar one. Keith joined Toby to assume calling duties. The two excellently steadied the ship and by leaving or missing the ball allowed extras a flying start of 28* when Toby, having made a composed 18, decided Jimmy would have calmed down enough for him to miss a straight one (53-2 from 10.3).
Enter Scottie, in the nervous 4980s of career runs. Instructions to umpires and scorers went out to mark down any of his runs as byes, wides or runs to Keith where ever possible. All parties did their bit with Keith running one from the 6th ball of each over, the scorer marking down byes for a edge through first slip’s hands and Bridges signalling wides for a tickle down to fine leg for four. With the diminutive left hander seeming to struggle under the weight of expectation, Keith took the initiative and started to score more freely taking us to 107-2 at 20 overs creditably bowled in about an hour.
The drinks break didn’t help Keith who promptly chipped his second ball after the break back to the bowler for 47. Hugs walked to the wicket, announced his reluctance to run, shovelled his third ball to cover and reclaimed the already homesick Ricky from Jimbo. Plewman dispatched his first ball to the boundary and tried to repeat this every ball until missing a straight one on eight, resulting in the Cryptics slipping from a comfortable position at drinks to 136/5 just 4 overs later.
Those chaotic four overs also saw Scottie become the second Cryptic (since record began) to score 5000 runs, in 127 innings at an average of just over 54, making him the only current Cryptic over age 31 with an average above his age (not for long pal – ed).
Unshackled and joined by Andy, the pair steadily accelerated the innings with 89 in 13 overs. Scottie obviously wasn’t going to see the innings to a close so departed for 55, his 43rd score of over 50 (moving one past Pippa). There was still time for late entertainment with Bridges on 49 consecutive innings without a duck surviving a very close LBW call (thanks skipper) but remaining unbeaten on 0 not out, and Andy to seeing the innings to a close finishing on 59 not out and himself moving past 500 runs for the club in his 17th innings. We finished our 40 overs on 257/7 with extras top scoring with 67 a record both for and against us.
Stu spurned the full spread of a Blackheath tea on account of his appointment to open the bowling, seemingly something that doesn’t happen Monday-Saturday. His was a tidy opening spell (5-0-17-0) backed up by Bridges (5-0-30-0) making Blackheath 48/0 from the first 10 overs. No byes! Change came in the form of Harvey and Tom Leonard, the latter’s extra pace getting first wicket in the 14th over. A couple of overs of spin prior to drinks brought further reward as Blackheath arrived still just in touch at 88/2.
Surely we could defend 8.5 per over, even if the skipper was struggling with the maths. Blackheath’s bold young guns took them to 162-2 from 30 overs leading 96 required off 10, relatively easy maths. Shrewd changes of bowling and choice of fielders in key places turned the screw on the gutsy hosts but in the end Blackheath finished 31 runs short despite an excellent 76 by their young wicketkeeper batsman. Excellent bowling of Stu (10-0-45-3), Tom (9-1-44-2) and Jimmy (4-0-26-0), and Plewman’s energetic ‘keeping costing only five byes secured the win after the batsmen had set a stiff target. A proper team effort.
The day, though, belonged to Scottie who was presented with a bottle of bubbles by the “Chairman” in a warm hearted presentation where he was reminded that he is only the 4th family to reach 5000 runs and is now, thanks to daughter Izzi’s debut 2-29, the second best bowler in his family and he remains the Cryptic bowler of last resort.
Jingle Bells
