17 July 2022
SCCC 190 – 8 (35 overs)
Ripley 160 – all out (33.2 overs)
SCCC won by 30 runs
35 over match SCCC won the toss and decided to bat
Scorecard to follow
Keith Taylor writes:
So you thought it was hot at Frensham? So to Ripley, where the road sign outside the village reads, “Welcome to Ripley, twinned with Death Valley, Arizona.” Earlier in the week, the Government announced a red warning for exceptional heat, leading the only Cryptic ginger signed up for this game (Hugs) to declare himself unavailable due to (convenient?) Covid. Who better to replace him on such a hot day than Bridge the Fridge? The remainder of the team comprised three Hogbens for the first time, two Grindrods, three of Ed’s new young recruits and a couple of old lags; Daddy G making his 200th appearance for the pink and black.
Seeckts won the toss and decided (wisely) to bat first. With the Hogbens running late, Grinders Snr and Jnr opened the batting with a partnership of four, Grinders Snr falling LBW despite hitting the ball. Pad first was decision from the(ir) umpire. A case of third time unlucky, having survived two LBW appeals in the previous over and being given not out by the (our) umpire – one missing leg and one hitting outside the line. Seeckts joined Ed and they progressed to 30 before the next wicket fell, Ed missing a straight one. Joe Hurman then joined Seeckts and the pair put on 58. Seeckts seeming oblivious to the extreme heat decided to run most of them in singles before being caught at fine leg off a high full toss for 34 with the score on 88 in the 18th over. Both umpires and batsman had momentarily forgotten the (silly) law about height but with seven others waiting to bat and feeling the heat, skipper merrily headed for the shade.
Joe was joined by Dad Hogben who decided that running was not for him and belted a few to the boundary to up the rate. This pair also had a 50 partnership (57 in fact) before Hoggers was caught behind, bringing his elder son Alex to the wicket. Alex looked assured and hit a couple of impressive looking shots before being bowled by one that kept low.
Joe was next to go having reached his maiden 50 for the Cryptics, caught behind for 53. Keith followed and carried out the skipper’s orders “don’t get many and get out so your season’s average comes down.” 157 for 7. Paul Bridges looked every bit the batsman for 16* and there was great excitement when reluctant batsman Young Joe Witt hoiked his first ball over midwicket for his first Cryptic runs in his eighth game. Even more reluctant batsmen Sam Gibb then entered the fray hitting a couple of superb fours and taking Cryptics to a close at 190 from 35 overs. We were not sure if this was enough. Note that Ricky the duck was not required this week despite ten batsmen having a go.
Tea was taken in a game of find the shade and Grinder’s 200th game acknowledged celebrated.
Who should open the bowling? Young Joe Witt and the even younger Oliver Hogben, making his Cryptics debut. This opening partnership of ten overs left Ripley 44 for 3, Oli having claimed two wickets with some nippy pace and YJW taking one. Things started to change as Ripley’s No.4 Rosh hit a few hefty blows and Gerald started to look set for big one. Was 190 enough? Having bowled one over for quite a few, Sam Gibb then took hold of the game with an impressive run out followed by an even better catch in the deep to turn things back Cryptics’ way. Solid spells from Daddy G (3 for 23), Middle G (1 for 29) and five overs without a wicket from Alex (middle Hogben) slowed down the rate such that the result didn’t look in doubt, before YJW returned to claim the last two wickets to end the game with Ripley all out for 160.
Another win to Cryptics and cooling drinks were taken. Jugs were bought for career best performances (Young Joe Witt – his top score and most wickets and a catch) and for Joe Hurman’s fifty (Rod take note).
Jingle Bells, and off to Crondall.
Editor’s note: During Ripley’s ninth wicket stand, two 15-year-olds were facing the Hogben brothers, aged 15 and 13, in tandem. Combined age of the quartet 58, pretty much the same as one Daddy Grinders or Keith, or 84% of a PAJA.
Three Hogbens, the latest Cryptic triplets.
