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Brockley won by 14 runs
This report is dedicated to Bob Fenner, who on a Monday mornings gets very irritated at the length of these reports!
In recent months I have experienced a number of humbling experiences. I was recently thrown out of Newmarket newsagents for reading the first team match report in the BFP. Further bruising to my ego followed when following the advice of my saintly wife I offered a "gentleman of the road" a fiver after seeing him searching bins in the High Street, "I don't need your money" was his curt response. Five defeats out of six for the inexperienced second team had done nothing to restore my self confidence when following my match report on the recent Haverhill match in which I piously outlined my reasons for calling the opposition captain back following an LBW appeal (he indicted he had hit the ball) a correspondent wrote, "You jumped far too quickly at the opportunity to show your angelic disposition towards your opposition and didn't stop to consider the actual situation". The writer went onto say "The example set to the boys, if they cared to think about it, was that of a skipper who wasn't fully aware of the situation and who was all too willing to make an ill considered and rash decision." Feeling somewhat chastened I embarked on the organisation of Saturday's match against Kelvedon with some trepidation. After my mistake in the Haverhill game had I the full support of my young side? Still, although veterans Martin and Fisher were holidaying (together) star player Boreham had returned and JR was back behind the stumps; all would be well?
Having written the above paragraph before the match I'm delighted to inform you that things did go well, perhaps on paper the team was the weakest of the year but the boys all performed with great character and we won.
Losing the toss and being asked to bat on a slow low wicket the Kelvedon bowlers bowled tightly and swung the ball (or once again was I imagining things) and again Boreham was the victim of some wretched bad luck, playing on to a ball that jagged back at him viciously. After 20 overs we were 20 for two - a long way from the 150 that I felt would be a competitive total to defend. T. Fenner having resisted the overtures of the first team captain to play at East Bergholt once again batted with style and confidence giving the important part of our innings considerable impetus. Tom was well supported by his brother Steve and by Dave Bowler making his 2nd team debut; both made useful runs in the final overs.
The young Brockley team really came into their own in the field and, despite the team missing all the experienced bowlers, for the first time this season all our young bowlers performed at their best. It was good after his long battle with his bowling confidence to have Shinn back opening the bowling and his performance should give him a platform to build on for the future, meanwhile his opening partner Kimber was at his best; fast and accurate and despite not taking a wicket his miserly hostile spells were a major reason for the team success. He reminded me of the first team left armer Sykes who, although somewhat slower than Kimber, and is in his mid forties is still an effective performer. How long will it be before Kimber dethrones the king of swing I wonder? Once again it was the change bowlers who picked up the wickets and whilst Tom Fenner's figures were the best of the day his brother also bowled with character and promise. Brame was also at his best and held his nerve after being hit for a big six to bowl the attacking Cocks [53] with what turned out to be the match winning ball. Once again the bowlers were supported by some excellent catching and it was good to witness Adam Bowler holding onto his catch as well as taking an important wicket. Mention must be made of our wicketkeeper JR who despite mislaying his favourite trilby hat rolled back his 67 years with a performance of great skill. His modest reply when I congratulated him after the game was "It was easy today because the boys bowled accurately."
Our win was made memorable due to the excellence of our young cricketers and as for me I�d forgotten how sweet winning is.
Man of the match? Kimber�s bowling spell was impressive however Tom Fenner's all round performance; batting, bowling and fielding means that he is the winner of this week's award. It must have done the man's ego a world of good to perform so well with his grandma, mum and girlfriend all present.
Vice captain's man of the match? Well in Blackledge's absence the senior players Boreham and JR were canvassing for Brame for holding his nerve so well after being hit for six but I have overruled them to give it to Kimber for a stunning reflex catch.
Well it's time I let Blackledge have a go at this captaincy business; the game next week will see Mark make his Brockley captaincy debut and I wish him well. I will be walking the Pembrokeshire coastal path with amongst others the club chairman Dean Sykes; an experience that is guaranteed to leave me needing counselling.
Phil Reed |
