Charlton Down Cricket Club

Match Report Charlton Down vs. BAE 7 August 2007.

Birthday Boy Bonks BAE

Charlton Down ended their championship winning evening league season by beating BAE in an exciting game by a single run. The foundations for their win being laid by birthday boy Chris Rickard who bonked 43 not out.

Players arrived at the Herrison Oval to be greeted by the now traditional heavy rain which was, again, attributed to Mr Lingham’s over enthusiastic rain dance in April.

Lord Baden Powell (Boring Left Hand Bat), installed as the Charlton Down captain for the evening, successfully negotiated with the Good Lord for a rain free slot to get a 15 over game in. His motto for the game was ‘everyone gets a bat or a bowl or does something’ which resulted in the youthful Rickard and the evergreen Coates Dale being asked to open the batting.

BAE took the game seriously, which wasn’t in the script, but Rickard and Coates –D kept the score board ticking along, with a couple of rasping shots to the boundary from CC-D. Rickard joined in by perfecting the ‘cow corner’ bonk which brought many of his runs. CC-D got himself out going for runs, while Rickard continued bonking. Greg Sohowdoyouspellit? played a mini cameo and showed some of the others how to run, skid and turn in the wet conditions. A couple of other wickets fell, with Kevin Joy, supporting the ever more confident bonker through to a very creditable team total of 85-3. Lord Baden Powell managed to avoid batting as he goes rusty in the wet conditions due to his advanced age.

Special mention must be made of Mark ‘Dicky Bird’ Homewood who manfully umpired for a full 15 overs, which was good for his “educashon”.

Lord BP opening the bowling with the said Dicky Bird, who bowled with his usual great effect (whatever that is?) and prospective student Towndrow. Runs flowed and a couple of wickets were taken. Silk was brought in to the attack and showed more control of the cricket ball than his injured JCB. It was nip and tuck all the way, with Charlton Down’s ground fielding being very enthusiastic leading to many ‘whites’ becoming ‘browns’. (Can we get Persil to sponsor us?).

Down to the critical last over to be bowled by the ever competitive Cossens - 11 needed to win. 4 needed off the last ball and competitive C bowled a great loopy leg spinner which BAE could only hit for two – Charlton Down win by 1 run – perfect!

‘Cub Reporter’ – aka Lord Baden Powell – aka Andy Smith

Post Script

After the match BAE presented Lord Baden Powell with a prototype version of the BAE “Tardis”, after the success of the Apollo 111 trip to the Moon. Your fixture secretary is now investigating winter tour fixtures for Charlton Down that may involves time travel and games against the Darleks and various Timelords. Watch this website for match reports from the other side of the universe over the winter months!