V Leicestershire CCC (Academy) – T20 Double-Header

5 June 2018

Huntingdon C.C.C (Snrs) v Leicestershire CCC (Academy) – T20 Double-header. Played at Ramsey C.C. Cricketfield Lane, – Sunday 27 May 2018. By John N Wells - Deputy Chairman Hunts C.C.C.

Picture the scene; Wed 23 May, I’m miles out on the Ouse washes with poor mobile signal when the phone rings: It’s Adrian Cade the Hunts CCC Chairman; Q: “Do Ramsey have any black side-screens”? A: Me: “Nope Adrian, – only the white”! Both sided. Q: Adrian; “Leicestershire have requested a ‘white-ball’ game to give their young-guns some white ball experience”! Me: “ Oh, [and so I went quiet, deep in thought]. Best we let the Chairman know that”! “We could, go with black Terram  sheeting”. I’ll get onto Stephen Buddle (SB) and let him know.” It’s going to be busy from heron then…

After a few even more; hastier calls between SB, myself and Adrian we have a plan; with Michael and Elliot Cafferkey coming to our aid with a part-used roll of black builder’s scaffold sheeting, straight from their Company ‘lock-up’ and with some scaffold poles and timber in our Club garage, and speed of thought we have 2 assembled rolls of Terram stowed ready on the Friday evening to assemble after Saturdays home 2nd XI fixture. Which, luckily for us, but not the 2’s, ended in a low scoring affair allowing us to get on with the task in hand for an early Sunday am start. So, Sunday dawns bright, and the ground looks a picture, on a freshly prepared wicket for hosting the County in their first game after 2 previously rain-affected cancellations. Prepared by RCC groundsman team of Mr John Slack, Stephen Buddle-Chairman & myself.

Prior to the first game of 2; Rob Vitas (Hunts Team Manager) and Adrian issued newly sourced coloured County caps for the T20 format (see attached picture-JNW). Our team squad were looking resplendent in Blue/Gold coloured training and match-wear clothing, complete with modern ‘Stags’ insignia; designed by Robin and funded accordingly by Committee, via Treasurer Mr John Walker. Before the usual formalities; team photographs outside the pavilion with individual teams and officials, together, a ‘mixed’ group shot of players in a joint HCCC / Leics CCC Academy Team photo which was nice. A rousing speech from Adrian to the players on the future of the County Club, our intentions for competitive games and its’ new Committee structure was delivered and we were ready to go.

Squad: Rob Vitas (Manager), Michael Cafferkey (Capt), Josh Smith, Zeeshan Mansoor, Connor Craig, Jack Mousley, Shakir Mahmood, Peter Rowe, Jamie Dumford, Joash Mathys, Matt Milner, Harrison Craig. Accompanied by Chairman-Adrian Cade, Scorer; John Wells.

GAME 1 of 2. Huntingdonshire Innings Hunts won the toss, elected to bat. Early wickets saw the hosts on 27-3 in the 5th over. Losing Michael Cafferkey (10), Josh Smith (6) and Zeeshan Mansoor (2) all to H Khan. Before a 48 run partnership for the 4th wkt down Jack Mousley scoring 18. Increasing the rate Peter Rowe and Shakir Mahmood, put on a 48-run partnership for the 4th wkt. When Jack Mousley was out with score on 75. By which time Connor Craig was going nicely accumulating 3-4’s

1 and a 6 in his (29) before being stumped by (WK) R.Bell. The 6th wkt partnership of 31 between pairing of Shakir* Mahmood (13) ct by A Khunti [of R4 TMS hilarious laughter- fame]. Ably assisted by Peter Rowe the pairing took Hunts to 109-6 in the 16th over. In came Joash Mathys (13*), and Jamie Dumford (16) who was LBW to Jacob Bailey. Runs progressed at a good rate to 143-8 when JD was out. In the final 2 overs only 19 runs were added by Joash and Matt Milner (1). Harrison Craig (DNB). In our total of 145-9 in 20 overs; Top scorer was Connor Craig (29) and Peter Rowe (24). Top wickets taker was H.Khan (3 Wkts) and Jacob Bailey (2 wkts).

GAME 1 of 2. Leicestershire Academy Innings An opening stand of 39 between H.Funnel and N.Green saw Leicester away nicely, before Hunts took regular and steady wickets therein with Matt Milner opening with tidy economy and a good line of 4 Overs, 0 M, 0 for 17, before regular wkts tumbling on 58-2, 59-3, 79-4, and 86-5. 3 of the top 5 batsmen falling to prolific leg-spin of Harrison Craig in a spell of 3.5 Overs 3 wkts for 25 with himself Joash Mathys; 4 Overs, 0 M, 3 wkts for 25 and Michael Cafferkey 1 for 19 off his 2 Overs wrapping up the tail for a miserly; L.C.C.C (Academy); 128 all out RESULT: A WIN for Huntingdonshire. Score: 1-0. Lunch of a salad buffet, scones & cream and assorted cakes was taken provided by Jackie Slack Kelly Slack and Gail Clark.

GAME 2 of 2. Huntingdonshire Innings Another toss of the coin win by Michael Cafferkey who elects to bat for the second time.

LC.C.C had an early breakthrough with the skipper’ (Ct for 1), the score on 2, and 10 for 2 wkts when Josh Smith (1) falls in the 3rd over. The first wkt down brought in Zeeshan Mansoor our eventual top-scorer with (58), taking us to 75 for the 3rd wkt partnership Connor Craig (run out (43) affected by J.Nightingale; Zeeshan was on 21 at that stage. The bulk of the innings was middle order and SHAKIR Mahmood (16) together with Zeeshan took us to 134-5, when Zeeshan was out. The final pairings could only add 4 runs for the last 3 wkts, JACOB Dumford (2) M Milner (5*) and Harrison Craig (DNB) with Hunts end of innings score on 156 for 9 in the 20 Overs. Jacob Bailey again the pick of the Leics Acc bowlers with 3 for 22 off 4. A.J.Kunti the only other wkt taker.

GAME 2 of 2. Leicestershire Academy Innings This game an second inning went much the same as the first game a good opening paring put on 26 N Green (7*) and A Trusz (16) the first to fall. Green going on to 2nd top score with (24), the first wkt taken by Shakir Mahmood. After the second wkt fell on 66, Harrison and Michael ran riot both taking wkts at regular intervals: 66-2, 67-3, 79-4, 103-5, 103-6. With only H.Khan offering resistance in his (28*). WK Jamie Dumford had a nice collection of wickets with 3 stumpings and a caught behind as Leics’ Academy went chasing runs and leaving the crease. Leicestershire Academy 130-9; falling short of the hosts total by 26 runs at end of the final 20 over. Result: Hunts C.C.C winning by 26 runs. Match Score: 2-0 in games to Huntingdonshire C.C.C

Royal Air Force (Dev XI) V Huntingdonshire C.C.C. Royal Air Force Cricket Association: T20 x3-way games hosted by RAF XI with London Universities Cricket Club. Played at RAF Sports Board Ground; Vine Lane Uxbridge. Tuesday 5 June 2018.

Squad: [Batting Order] Squad: Rob Vitas (Manager), Batsmen 1-11; Jonny Carpenter (Capt), Graham Hudson [SA], Zeeshan Mansoor, Shakir Mahmood, Joash Mathys, Kieran Judd, Peter Rowe [Aus], Jacob Miller, Ryan Evans, Stuart Dockerill. Accompanied by Dep Chairman John Wells, Supporters; Mr Headley Swannell, Mr P Judd.

Arrival & 12:30 Lunch with RAF & London Universities XI sides, taken in the freshly renovated RAF Sports Board Cricket pavilion at Vine Lane, Uxbridge. A meal of; set salad coleslaw and sauces, accompanied by fresh fruit. Squash/Teas.

A different (x6) in the squad of 12, Hunts C.C.C players and supporting staff assemble at Vine Lane for our second game of the season. But before our match, we watch the London Universities XI (in-whites), assemble a low score of 111 versus the RAF (in coloured light llue clothing), played with a red-ball, on white side-screens. The RAF innings chase down the LU C.C score inside 15 overs. The RAF innings achieved the win on 115-3 wkts.

Huntingdonshire C.C.C new caps are gratefully received and professionally handed out by Rob and myself; together with their earlier new match kit; and ‘Stags’ warm-up team-wear; purchased by Robin. Photos; by Mr Judd / myself. At the presentation expertly positioned in front of the wooden ‘heritage building’ from 1940’s [est] that is the Old pavilion at Vine Lane. With the great habit of winning the toss; Hunts new ‘skip’ Johnny has no hesitation in batting. Both teams using the white ball, with the 4 black side-screens.

Shame about the first delivery; well that’s enough said, and all that; Hunts 0 for 1 and JC is on his way down the ‘slope’ gone for (0) . After a rebuild of 3 brisk boundaries; Graham Hudson follows the skipper back after a good one-handed diving catch by D.Walker at cover for (12). Zeeshan and Shakir; set about rebuilding and put on 63 for the third wkt. Whereupon Zeehshan is bowled, by the same opposition player for (30). Shakir progressing to (44) before he is snarled again by Walker, one of his 4 wkts taken on the day for the RAF ‘Eagles’.

From that wkt, a steady progress of boundaries and good stroke play take Hunts to 79-3 Mansoor(30) being bowled by Walker, the totals; 94-4 (Mahmood) LBW b Walker (44), 99-5 Mathys (3) Ct Sussex, b Walker. Watching all this at the other end standing firm is Keiran (44*) in a devastating partnership of 92 with Peter Rowe (38*), taking Hunts final score to 181-5 in the 20 overs. D. Walker of the ‘Eagles’ finishing with figures: 4 Ov, 3 wkts for 19. Fairclough (1) and Sussex (1) the other wicket takers.

RAF ‘Eagles XI – Innings. The hosts innings commenced steadily to 17 before two wickets fell on 17. First down was T. Fairclough without troubling me (as the scorer), Ct Hudson B Will Compton. Followed by A.

3 Cunningham; ct Evans B Dockerill one of Stuarts’ 3 wkts. The fall went: 24-3, 26-4, 70-5, 75- 6, 78-7, 97-8, 114-9. Two wkts being taken by Dockerill. Terrific ground fielding and catching restricted the RAF Eagles Innings in achieving anything like momentum or a score to worry us. Topped off by some skilled relay fielding and a one-handed diving catch in front of the old scorebox [that’s a big hit], by a ‘salmon-like’ Stuart Dockerill bringing all the lads in for a boisterous ‘group-celebration’! That wkt falling at 125-all out. Joash bowled tight lines and took 3-22 of his 5 and Stuarts final tally being: 4 Ovrs, 1 Mdns, 2 wkts for 22. All in all a sublime lesson metered out by the Stags to a developing RAF team comprising 3 of their senior side who were preparing for next week’s big event ‘at the home of cricket’ that being; the Inter-Services T20 at Lords.

Photo 2 – Huntingdonshire CCC V RAF ‘Eagles’ – Vine Lane, Uxbridge. L to R: Back Row: R. Evans, G. Hudson, S. Dockerill, R. Vitas, J. Miller, P. Rowe, K. Judd, W. Compton Front Row: J. Mathys, Z. Manzoor, J. Wells, J. Carpenter, S. Mahmood.

View from the scorebox; S.Dockerill inbound and a wicket ball. R Smith bowled. By J Wells.