Sunday 2 June 2019
Banstead  182/5 off 40 overs
SCCC 183/9 off 35 overs
SCCC won by one wicket

Chris Muldoon writes:

We lost the toss and 10 man Banstead chose to bat.

Grinders had Banstead up against if from the off.  Grinders bagged two early wickets thanks to catches by stand-in ‘keeper Hugh who took both with a nonchalance betraying that he had no idea willow had touched leather. Briefly, Banstead had to consolidate against a background of formidable Cryptic bowling and fielding.

Unfortunately the fielding then descended to more typical Cryptic standards and in the course of the match there were three dropped catches and two butchered run outs. (That’s hardly a bad day – Ed)

Tommy snagged the third wicket breaking a sizeable stand, with Seeckts contributing a clean bowled, – the youngster sulking on his way off.  Rod came back at the end, grabbed the final wicket of the day, and comically missed an extremely sharp, brave, and painful caught and bowled opportunity.  Debutant Will Jewiss bowled with fine pace and bounce, arguably with a little lack of luck in seven consistent overs.

Banstead were restricted to 182/5, which we felt on a flat track offering a little to the bowlers in movement and uneven bounce was achievable.

Pippa and Grinders were tasked with getting the Cryptics off to a good start, however they were soon back in the pavilion accompanied by No.3 David Jewiss, on his debut for club.  At 6/3, this set the scene for the ever steady hand of Hugh to join Keith in the middle, and they set about a sizeable recovery.  Keith then falling with the score on 70, was ably chased into the pavilion by Tommy (a duck) who clearly wanted an early pint.  This left the chase in slight disarray at 81/5.  But with the new ball well and truly seen off, and Hugh seeing it as large as a watermelon, (albiet occasionally “opening the face” and guiding it through the slips) the tail wagged admirably, with several useful contributions.

With the score on 181/8, Hugh was guilty of shot watching (surprise?). Having smacked the ball to cow corner, he waited for it to cross the boundary and started to discuss the merits of the shot Rod,  who having run the first was questioning why Hugh was not running.  As the ball pulled up short of the boundary, Hugh decided to scamper the quick single required to keep his wicket intact.

With the scores even and the win delayed, Rod duly obliged in coughing up his wicket.  This brought the Skipper hobbling out to the wicket with his strapped up knee.  It was the start of a new over, with Hugh facing and 1 run still required, so when Hugh connected they chose to run two – I guess to make up for the one left a couple of balls previous?.  This left Skip with his first 0 for the club – though an impressive effort in turning out for the game whilst in obvious discomfort.

Hugh though clearly seized the opportunity for notoriety, with a Man of the Match display with gloves and bat, and guided the chase masterfully though to its successful close in 35 overs, making 82 not out.

Jingle Bells

Editor’s note: The Jewiss brothers became the tenth pair of brothers to play for the Cryptics and the second pair to make debuts together, following Fraser and Cameron Matthews v Tappers at Pembroke College, Oxford in 2005. Other pairs are: Atkinson, Banks, Dickson, Edwards (Rod’s nephews!), Grindrod, Hudson, Milner and Wright (Jonny and Ben, who played one game each, 20 years apart).