19th may 2001

For what felt like the 25th time this season the Charlton Down elite lined up on a lovely sunny evening against a revitalised Frampton. I think Captain H lost the toss and Ed Square and Ron Weasley donned the pyjamas, picked up the willow and headed out.

Against some good bowling from Chas et al, Nick ensured he kept his elbow high and his bat straight. But the not too quick start had Cos gnashing at the pavilion upright like a caged animal made to wait too long for his fodder. Ed's departure for 18 let in Cos and Nick failed to run his bat in (nice work coach) before returning to the pavilion. Doyle and Cossens set about restoring order heaving up and down the pitch like aged hippos gasping for water but added 26 and 17 respectively before perishing in the pursuit of runs. The runs added at the end by the great finisher Zim and Smoother Silk, I seem to recall about 14 off the last over, ended making the difference between winning and losing. A good team batting performance in the end gave us 121 runs from 18 overs and a quiet confidence. However, one is confident at peril in these days of six hitting pyjama, pink ball madness, as we were to find.................

Now one doesn't like to blame people, but I couldn't help feeling Tims decision to clean bowl the opener second ball may have been a mistake. Graham Gooch strode to the crease and proceeded to take us apart with a fine display of clean hitting. You know you are in trouble when the six hit of the bottom edge disappears far into the long grass. Captain H bowled one over and brought on Ed, Tim was left to face the onslaught and at 60 off 7 overs it was quieter in the field than those times when Mum asks the kids who did the big jobbie in the toilet and didn't flush it.

Ed sorted it out and Goochie disappeared into the pavilion thanks to a nice catch by newbie Lloyd (reckon that's his first name) and we got in amongst them, a good come back by Tim and Ed's 3-25 from 5 overs and we were ahead of the game, even the mercurial JP couldn't put humpty together again. Excellent blockhole bowling from lloyd and swing from Alex meant the last over came with over 20 required. The field spread into the darkening distance as Lloyd kept it tight, there was to be no Frampton heroics though.

With a few balls to go the club captain was hiding carefully under a tree on the far boundary, when a big skier headed out in that direction. Afterwards some described it as a champagne moment, and other very kind comments. In truth it was a badly misjudged forward and backward shuffle, rescued by a forlorn hand stuck out behind the head resulting in a resounding smack into the palm, but it was a good way to finish a professional team display. 3 wins out of three for the first team and a cup match against first division St Georges on Monday.

Your cricket correspondant Doylie

	Charlton Down Cricket Club

	For what felt like the 25th time this season the Charlton Down elite lined up on a lovely sunny evening against a revitalised Frampton. I think Captain H lost the toss and Ed Square and Ron Weasley donned the pyjamas, picked up the willow and headed out. Against some good bowling from Chas et al, Nick ensured he kept his elbow high and his bat straight. But the not too quick start had Cos gnashing at the pavilion upright like a caged animal made to wait too long for his fodder. Ed's departure for 18 let in Cos and Nick failed to run his bat in (nice work coach) before returning to the pavilion. Doyle and Cossens set about restoring order heaving up and down the pitch like aged hippos gasping for water but added 26 and 17 respectively before perishing in the pursuit of runs. The runs added at the end by the great finisher Zim and Smoother Silk, I seem to recall about 14 off the last over, ended making the difference between winning and losing. A good team batting performance in the end gave us 121 runs from 18 overs and a quiet confidence. However, one is confident at peril in these days of six hitting pyjama, pink ball madness, as we were to find................. Now one doesn't like to blame people, but I couldn't help feeling Tims decision to clean bowl the opener second ball may have been a mistake. Graham Gooch strode to the crease and proceeded to take us apart with a fine display of clean hitting. You know you are in trouble when the six hit of the bottom edge disappears far into the long grass. Captain H bowled one over and brought on Ed, Tim was left to face the onslaught and at 60 off 7 overs it was quieter in the field than those times when Mum asks the kids who did the big jobbie in the toilet and didn't flush it. Ed sorted it out and Goochie disappeared into the pavilion thanks to a nice catch by newbie Lloyd (reckon that's his first name) and we got in amongst them, a good come back by Tim and Ed's 3-25 from 5 overs and we were ahead of the game, even the mercurial JP couldn't put humpty together again. Excellent blockhole bowling from lloyd and swing from Alex meant the last over came with over 20 required. The field spread into the darkening distance as Lloyd kept it tight, there was to be no Frampton heroics though. With a few balls to go the club captain was hiding carefully under a tree on the far boundary, when a big skier headed out in that direction. Afterwards some described it as a champagne moment, and other very kind comments. In truth it was a badly misjudged forward and backward shuffle, rescued by a forlorn hand stuck out behind the head resulting in a resounding smack into the palm, but it was a good way to finish a professional team display. 3 wins out of three for the first team and a cup match against first division St Georges on Monday. Your cricket correspondant Doylie