Winter Warmer
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FarleyTHE T-shirts still available Fox Election Day Megabits In search AGM – of RAM of sauce 3 th 5 6 December 6 The season’s stats The Worcester tour WINTER WARMER It probably sums up our topsy-turvy 2010 that the end-of-year Fox is released from the traps just after an October heatwave – with the weather far better than it was throughout the last month of the season. Unfortunately, the damp potential and Butch emerged August put paid to any hopes as a quality strike bowler, while of a strong end to the season, Wakeo and Geoff both had as the First team’s form good seasons. Others know OX OFF! deserted them and the Seconds that they didn’t consistently were on the wrong end of some play to their ability, and will be As many of you will already know, bizarre results. The tour, dinner looking to rectify that next year. the honourable Lord Oxley is and end of season curry night leaving Farley CC. He’s moving to all did their bit to lift spirits For the 2s, it’s been a difficult Norfolk to advise farmers on loans and ensure that come February, year with an ever-changing for their tractors and how to best we’ll all be itching to get back lineup. The big positives were invest their dubious EU grants. out there. the emergence of Shahab and Oxo has been a club stalwart for Luke, and Gary Waller was a several years, captaining the 2s There’s no doubt that, for the welcome addition to the and the Sunday side and coaching 1st team, 2010 will feel like an ranks. Next summer should the colts. But most of us will opportunity missed. At full see some of the Under 13s remember him for two things: strength, we looked a match graduate into men’s cricket, those ridiculous long levers that for most sides, but injuries and which will strengthen the enabled him to punish anything the usual mix of holidays and squad considerably. over-pitched or a fraction wide, work commitments took their and his dedication to the cricketing toll. The return of Tom Palmer fashions of a bygone era. We wish added real class to the batting, him and the rest of the Oxley clan Dan Gibson began to fulfil his all the best in Norwich. JULY 2010 | THE FARLEY FOX | 1 THE FINAL MONTH The end of the season now feels and Probert found it to his sure sufficient overs were like a distant memory, and in liking in a hostile opening completed. The skipper many ways that may be a good spell. But again aggressive brought on the spinners, thing. At the start of August, and unorthodox strokeplay who quickly took things past the 1sts still had the outside saw the home team scoring the 20 over mark, keeping it chance of a promotion spot runs at speed – dangerous tight in the process. and the 2nds had completed given the rain-reduced target two consecutive wins. But the they were chasing. A valuable With a result guaranteed, optimism was quashed with breakthrough from Jake meant however, Farley slipped off the the first weekend as the 1sts the match was evenly poised pedal. The bowlers lost their slumped to a comprehensive but in the gathering gloom, the discipline, and concentration defeat at fast-rising Petersfield. next batsman refused to come wavered in the field. The out of the hutch. But just as returning Probert finally broke It was the wrong day to have just he was persuaded to emerge, the stand, but some big hitting one of the first-choice seamers a bolt of lightning lit up the from the lower order suddenly available. Inserted on a greenish sky behind the pavilion and created the prospect of a galling track, Doc Warley and Al Cosh the game was over. defeat. Wakeo dismissed the made a promising start. But dangerous Newton and Probert once the opening partnership Dave lifts Ash cloud picked up his 5th wicket to snuff was broken, wickets tumbled It seemed the rain would out any such possibility, but we against a decent attack who have the last word again the couldn’t shift the last man and made the most of the pitch. next week when we headed ended up with 23 points. Al’s 24 was the top score as we to relegated Ashford Hill. To finished 129 all out in 35 overs. their immense credit, however, Don and dusted they were determined to play The less said about the final As the pitch dried, so the through the persistent drizzle fixture the better. Despite some movement disappeared and and it ended up as a cracking fairly wayward bowling, we Petersfield’s aggressive top game. dismissed Donnington out for order took full advantage, 143 – with the visiting opener romping home within 20 overs. Doc Warley, playing against making the most of several lives medical advice, smashed to carry his bat for 68. Butch Stormy weather the first ball for four and was the bright spot, picking up The damp weather – and proceeded to put on a century 4-26 despite arriving late having selection difficulties – continued opening partnership with forgotten his boots! with the following week’s trip Wakeo (46). But with some to Mottisfont. The first over saw tight middle overs, the innings With Tom Palmer and Dan Wakeo fending off a snorter lacked impetus till Marty Spayes Gibson at the crease, the chase from a good length, then getting came to the crease for his first looked well within our grasp. But a grubber the following delivery, knock of the season. His 27 Tom’s fall precipitated a middle but the pitch settled down and reignited the innings and Mike order collapse, as 53-1 became after a break for rain, Tom and Sam both added good 60-5. Captain Covill joined Dan Palmer, Andy Coveney and Mike contributions to see us to 201-4. (40) in rebuilding the innings, all got good runs. Dave Probert but against some tidy bowling launched into the bowling at Butch (2-25) and Dave Probert had to take a cautious approach. the end to see us to a reasonable then ripped through the Having taken the score past 100, total. Ashford Hill top order to leave both fell trying to up and the them reeling at 28-5. With the rate and the rest of the innings Before the Mottisfont innings rain getting heavier, however, quickly subsided, for a deeply the heavens opened again the emphasis shifted to making disappointing finale. JULY 2010 | THE FARLEY FOX | 2 The story so far cont… Twos get the blues Dining in style • 2nd XI Bowler – It was a similarly frustrating This year’s Annual Club Shahab Shahid month for the 2s. The first Dinner and Presentation • 2nd XI Player of the Year – game was a trip to high-flying Evening was held at the Andy Redding Ampfield, who duly won the Hook & Glove in Farley on • Sunday Player of Year – toss and put Prof’s Army in on a Friday 17th September. This was Matt Sell sporting track. Ian was the only a well attended event and the • Most Improved Player – man into double figures, as we food of an excellent quality. Simon Butcher were bowled out for 75. Despite • Clubman of the Year – good opening spells from The Chairman’s after dinner Ian Swain Luke and Shahab, the home speech which led up to the side batted sensibly to win by presentations looked back over Congratulations to all! six wickets. the season and reflected on the sad loss of Kevin McLoughlin George Manston The Redlynch III game was mid-season. There were thanks cancelled, so the next fixture for the Hook & Glove for against Michelmersh IIs seemed providing a high standard of an ideal opportunity to get the teas throughout the season and win that would secure RD3NW for hosting the Presentation status. To start with, everything Evening, Brian and Cyril for seemed to be going to plan as their work on the pavilion Oxo played as only Oxo can to and bar, Paul for his work rack up a classy century. With as chair of the selection valuable runs from Luke, we committee and the publication ended up 201-9. of the Farley Fox, Roger for mowing the outfield, Geoff REMEMBER, REMEMBER Exemplary opening spells from for his dedication to the THE 6TH DECEMBER Shahab (7 overs for 8) and Dan maintaining the square and The next date for diaries is the Jackson saw the visitors reduced setting up the friendly fixtures. club Annual General Meeting, to 15-2 off 14 overs. Wickets which will take place on continued to fall and at 69-6, it Last but not least the Chairman Monday December 6th. As ever, seemed victory was a formality. thanked the President and it will be the time to make some But then things went wrong as Vice Presidents for their important decisions about the the seventh wicket launched continuing support. club’s direction and how club a phenomenal assault, the money gets spent. It’s also where number 8 racing to 50 in 20 Club Captain Mike Covill we elect next year’s captains and balls. The partnership of 136 reviewed the 1st XI season club officials. your team manager saw Michelmersh home with and also made mention of all or coach. four overs to spare. those who deserved praise. EVERY post is up for grabs, and Licking their wounds, the 2s The winners of the awards several of last year’s officials then travelled to Wilton for the for 2010 were: could really do with a break (!) final game.