Cardiff Cavaliers Cricket Club

Match Report

Chartered Trust ("Ashes" decider), Tuesday 12 August

CT 138/6 (18ovs, Dawkins 2/26, Graveson 1/5). Cav 90/9 (18 ovs, J Thomas  27, Chapman 17). Lost by 48 runs. CT win the “Ashes” 2-1

Scorecard

A bit late in the day but the sun did actually make an appearance as the troops gathered on the third square at St Fagan’s to face Chartered Trust in the deciding "Ashes" rubber for the annual trophy.  Very pleasing to see quite a few Cavaliers arriving early to help set up the field of play as requested in Jez' e-mail.

In a scene reminiscent from an episode of Dad's Army, Corporal Jones, Private Godfrey and Sergeant Wilson (alias Sparkes, Poulsom and Thomas) were tasked with laying out a line of explosives otherwise known as the boundary rope.  In the meantime, Glenn and Jimmy set up the stumps - kindly loaned by St Fagan’s - since our own kit bag was safely locked away elsewhere!!

Jimmy won (or negotiated) the toss and elected to field with the skipper donning the keeper's gloves.  Andy (I've lost my keys) Steadman duly arrived a little late and took over the keeping duties.  Yet another brilliant spell of bowling from Andy Graveson (3 overs, 1 wicket for 5 runs) ably supported by Michael Dawkins (2/26) saw three Chartered Trust wickets down in no time at all.  In fact, "Waqar" Dawkins managed to remove both the Mohring brothers very cheaply indeed - not an easy task, as we know to our cost.

Joey and Jimmy then bowled in tandem and were very unlucky not to take any wickets in their fine spells with some catches just not going to hand - a familiar theme for this season?  All the bowlers were ably backed by some excellent all round ground fielding.  Glyn, Grizz and Glenn combined to bowl the final overs [Ed: with Spin Doctor Poulsom drawing on his years of craftmanship to produce a piece of beguilement to bowl the left-handed Provis - curious to see him in Trust colours after his batting for South Glam throughout the summer - round his legs, much to the batsman's astonishment] with the champagne moment of the game stemming from Grizz's very first ball - a superb diving catch by Gravy which resulted in a nasty grass burn to his elbow.  CT had managed to score steadily throughout the innings and finished on a very healthy 138 for 6.

The usual friendly banter ensued in preparing the troops for the run chase:

Jez - I see that the skipper is seeking advice from anyone who is prepared to offer it - so I will.

Jimmy - What the **** has Jez done with the batting order without asking me?

[Ed: one should never stifle initiative and it would be encouraging to see more club members doing so – once they’ve followed the correct procedures, completed the necessary forms and received the appropriate permissions, of course…]

Jimmy and Andy opened the innings but soon departed both very well caught on the boundary.  We then saw a fine partnership of 45 between JT (27) and Glenn (17) with the Chairman, in particular, continuing his return to form in imperious style including 6 fours.  Sadly there then followed a familiar Cavaliers mini collapse with Pritpal, JT and Andy G all out in quick succession. 

We were never able to achieve the required run rate despite some lusty blows from Grizz [Ed: who, he informed Brownie, maintained a hitherto unknown record of not being out for a duck since … well, many of those playing were certainly not playing for the Cavaliers and, indeed, may not even have been born .. so it was with hearts in mouths that we saw him caught without having scored only for the St Fagan’s 1^st team ‘guest’ ringer to then inexplicably let the ball out of his grasp and spill it on to the grass, making a right sow’s trotter of the simple chance] and Mike D at the end of the innings, but still, we did ensure that everyone had a bat.

In the bar Jimmy duly handed over the "Ashes" trophy to Craig and his team - the worthy winners with a menacing threat that "we want it back next year"!

Champagne Moment: superb diving catch by Andy Graveson at long on off Grizz' bowling

Team: Jimmy Marchant (capt), Andrew Steadman (wkt), Jonathan Thomas, Glenn Chapman, Pritpal Sagoo, Andrew Graveson, Joey Newbury, Michael Dawkins, Glyn Poulsom, Nigel Adams, Jeremy Sparkes