Sunday 11 August 2024
FFOSCC 231-9 (40overs)
SCCC 142-9 (40 overs)
FFOSCC won by 89 runs
40 over match
SCCC won the negotiated toss
Scorecard
Dom Wood writes in detail:
Under the blistering August sun as summer finally arrived, the Surrey Cryptics assembled for their much-anticipated clash against Follies Farm. Typically a popular fixture in an idyllic Surrey setting, finding an 11 to play at Follies wasn’t a problem for the first time in 4 weeks as the allure of home-reared ham sandwiches awaited, but the burning question lingered: could we cut the mustard? As the Cryppos took the field and the mercury soared, optimism was in the air.
The toss put us in the field, and Captain Goss, leading from the front, immediately displayed his tactical genius. After a typically classy opening spell which included a proper wicket, snicking off the opener and calmly taken by Pup, Goss spotted the opposition’s gun bat striding to the crease and selflessly handed the ball to young Dom. A noble move, though in hindsight, some might suggest it was akin to throwing a lamb to the slaughter, as Dom and the other second-string bowlers quickly became acquainted with the art of boundary watching.
The Cryptics’ fielding efforts were, in a word, charitable. Dropped catches, missed run-outs, and a missed stumping attempt left the skipper tearing his hair out. Richard Seeckts, fresh from Olympic inspiration, started the game charging around the boundary like Noah Lyles and showed-off his remarkable shot put technique. Arms pumped, enthusiasm high, but as the day wore on and the heat intensified, so did his irritation. By the end, one wondered if he’d turn back into his former pencil physique of 1990: sharp but dangerously brittle.
In the midst of this, Will Ware bowled with commendable commitment considering the quality of batting. Scottie picked-up the key wicket of the Kiwi skipper LBW under somewhat dubious circumstances. Scottie, on returning to the huddle was sheepishly silent but the Cryptics wouldn’t turn down the one slice of luck for the day.
Despite the heat and a thorough thumping from the Follies owner (who clearly mistook our match for his personal highlight reel), the Cryptics kept their heads – a feat Kipling himself would admire. Paul Gladstone made a sparkling debut, channelling a Prime Ministerial calm during the bombastic batting of owner Guy, even as the rest of us wilted like salad in a heatwave. Gibby, our resident confidence player, bowled with a quiet menace and ended with figures of 33 runs with 2 wickets from his 8 overs.
Behind the stumps, Pup celebrated his 100th dismissal, a testament to his longevity, if not his consistency, given the shedload of byes he generously added to the tally. Considering the explosive batting from Guy and the searing heat, the Cryptics kept their heads and successfully made it to tea for burgers and cake. No mustard in sight this year.
After tea and much haggling over the batting order, a pair of Seeckts strode out to the middle with a tall task ahead of them to chase down 231. Unfortunately, the father and son partnership was a short affair. Toby, whose brain remained in Bolivia, played a questionable hoik as he tried to pick-up the run-rate on a surprisingly slow August outfield which was bowled for 6. Seeckts senior followed not long after, bowled by a snorting in swinger that nipped away a touch from the same tricky left arm opener for 5.
Will picked-up a bat for the first time in 3 years and headed to the middle. He defined the word ‘rusty,’ and forgot batsmen can’t communicate by telepathy, instead he needed reminding that partners need to converse verbally when a run is available. He was soon dismissed for a lumbering 5, playing a shot that would make a backyard cricketer blush, skying the ball which was comfortably held. At the non-strikers end, Dom plucked a notepad from his pocket and frantically started taking notes on technique and composure after a lamentable drop earlier which would have cut-short the owner’s exhibition innings. On the plus side, we were generously treated to an open bar by Guy: every cloud. Dom, completely cooked by the sun, followed suit with a shot that was consistent with our theme of the day and was caught for 21.
Hugs knocked the ball around for 9 and was made to work for each of those runs as the outfield remained treacle-like. Keith, whose bat seemed to be more effective in the hands of others, departed for 7. Scottie, however, took full advantage of the change bowling, ruthlessly plundering 44 runs, mainly off a teenager who was later spotted crying at third man. Sources say the lad has retired from cricket altogether, now pursuing a career in something less traumatic, like professional curling.
During a chaotic couple of overs, Will, in a moment of familial treachery, gave his dad out after a questionable quick single. Despite being a good 3 yards short, Will gave himself plenty of thinking time where he likely considered the frosty drive home before raising the finger to force Pup to depart for 1.
Gladstone’s debut ended in a duck, earning him the Ricky Duck award with a side of “please come back, we promise it gets better.” (A little harsh, scribe, he also took 4-27 off his 8 overs earlier – ED) To give credit where it’s due, Goss and Gibby, our number 10 and 11 showed the top order how to bat under no pressure and managed 12 runs each, making them joint-third highest scorers of the day. They batted sensibly, much to the chagrin of the Follies, who had hoped to wrap things up quickly with the writing on the wall. Instead, they were forced to endure the full 40 overs, as Goss and Gibby tapped the ball around with the carefree abandon of men who knew the game was up but were determined to make the most of their match fee.
Hugs, celebrating his 100th appearance for the Cryptics, watched the chaos unfold with the calm of a man who had seen it all before. Follies’ hospitality was as warm and wonderful as ever, with our charity in the field amply repaid at the bar where Bill’s snacks, service and dry wit keep all-comers happy throughout.
The Cryptics head to Ockham next Sunday where we hope proceedings will be slightly more productive.


Blood brothers:
100 caps and 100 wicket keeping dismissals
Welcome to the Cryptics Gladders