Sunday 17 May 2026
West End Esher 195-7 (35 overs)
SCCC 195-9 (35 overs)
Match tied
35 over match
SCCC won the toss
Scorecard
Richard Seeckts writes:
The fifth tie in recorded Cryptic history (488 games), and the second in the last eight games. Ironically, the item “super over in event of a tie” was booted off the spring committee agenda because it happens so rarely and most of the batting side are changed and having pint by that stage anyway.
Like Tilford before, this was a day for old fashioned lambswool cable knit jerseys. Captain Ed, being young and having played for Old Rutlishians 1stXI – Oooooh – the previous day, won the toss wearing a 100% man made fibre garment emblazoned with more adverts than a Formula 1 car and immediately offered himself up for a disciplinary hearing.
The ice cream van was optimistically at cow corner for the opening left-hander who was immediately encouraged from the cordon to aim for it, Daddy G now being well past his best and all that. Bait taken, catch taken fourth ball, 0-1. Don’t listen to the chatter, young man. A blinding gully catch from Hugs then moved DG’s career tally to 298 wickets.
Variable bounce and uncommonly disciplined spells from DG (7-2-22-2) and the less likely Goss, Rory, and then his Dad, made batting tricky for the first hour which produced about 55-2. Then West End Esher put something in the halfway drinks, transforming the circumspect Whistler into Harry Brook with a brain (imagine that if you can) as he raced from 30 to 100 and retired gracefully.
Nick Beresford dodged the worst of the punishment, taking two in two balls, a regulation caught and bowled following a slip catch by Seeckts. A rare event, made more so by the victim being the second Harlequins and England No 8 to be taken by those most buttery fingers, Chris Sheasby (7 caps) who wore the red rose around the time Alex Dombrandt (23 caps) was born. Now, who does Nick Easter play cricket for?
Daddy Goss put in a point-making spell of 1-19, Ed and Rory, in his second spell, were tonked a bit. Seeckts limped off to be replaced Oscar Ingles who took a fine catch, and debutant Arjun got his first over out of the way without drama.
Oscar and Daddy Ingo then became the latest F&S combo to open the batting, putting on a swift 16 before Oscar fell shovelling one to cover. Dom confidently hit a couple of sixes before opting for his day job as umpire. There followed a collapse like the old days from 48-2 to 55-7, poor old Arjun simply following the lead of Dom, Roly, Ed and Hugs after making a promising start. Ed came into the game needing three for a career 1000, a task now carried over to next time. Ricky the duck landed in his lap but, after eight months already in Chateau Grinders, Ricky was unimpressed by a move across the landing. Hugs came to his rescue with his 20th Cryptic duck, the little canard happy to return to a welcoming home.
Right, Nick, Rory, Gossy and DG, we need 135 off 22 overs with three wickets left. Our hosts probably didn’t know that No’s 10 and 11 have 5400 runs between them so charitably using nine bowlers to spare our blushes wasn’t necessary. But what a finish; Nick (26) and Rory (17) stroked and scampered the setup to 115-9 when the experienced last pair came together with 11 overs remaining and 81 required. Change bowlers or not, you still have to hit them and with six fours apiece the other 33 had to be run by these veterans (combined age 115) as the fielders spread out. Spectators got interested, the ice cream van disappeared in fear, the scorers got a little muddled, though always agreeing right up to the point when seven runs were needed from the final over and six were scored. A super over was not considered.
West End’s hospitality was warm as ever, the game played in great humour throughout. It turned into almost the perfect ambush, a thrilling game enjoyed by 24 players, 21 of whom batted and 15 bowled. Three Cryptic fathers and sons finished the game, our top seven amassed 47 runs and Nos 8-11 scored 120.
Fathers Grinders and Goss had combined bowling figures 14-3-41-3 and scored 77 unbeaten. Sons G&G notched 14-0-91-2 and 17-2. Nevertheless, the Pink and Black future looks to be in good hands. Writing on Bob Dylan’s 85th birthday, I will let him have the last word.
Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don’t criticize
What you can’t understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is rapidly agin’
Please get out of the new one
If you can’t lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin’