BB V Eton Ramblers — Band of Brothers CC

BB V Eton Ramblers

Venue: Torry Hill

BB won the toss and chose to bowl

Eton Ramblers: 204 all out (50.5 overs)

BB: 159 all out (40 overs)

Result – Eton Ramblers win by 45 runs

BB’s first home game of the fully stocked 2021 fixture card saw a visit from The Eton Ramblers at a blustery but bright Torry Hill.

Brother Boucher’s first task before delegating on field captaining duty’s to Brother Cousin Regan was to win the toss and stick them in. Toss won, hands sanitised, new caps presented, hopes high, the BB took to the field with the energy of 11 men who had been cooped up through a long dark winter - It was good to be back.

Charlie Mclean, Andy Pask, Arthur Leigh-Pemberton, Ben Regan, Rupert Connell (WK), Alex Bryant, Tom Pollington, Sam Middleton, Tom Boucher (C), Rich Watts, Toby Marriott

Ramblers settled early, building a reasonable opening partnership before Brother Boucher made the breakthrough, removing J Roy (not that one) for 14. Some tight first change bowling from Brother Middleton and Brother Regan stifled the flow of runs as both sides played some good cricket especially for so early in the season. Special mention to Brother Bryant who resembled a young Peter Schmeichel leaping with unbounded dedication in the covers - runs were hard to come by. It took the confusion of a “COVID safe” drinks break to interrupt the concentration of the Ramblers batsman with T. James chipping one straight back to Brother Watts at mid-on off Brother Middleton’s left arm-round-into-the-wind-mystery-ball, immediately after the break. What followed was very much BB’s session. Both Brother Regan and Brother Middleton picking up a couple more wickets as The Ramblers Middle order could not get going. Very new dad, Brother Mclean bowled some stunning tweakers including a wicket with his first ball - “A first ball for your first born” as the saying goes. Another wicket followed trapping F. Chambers L.B.W. Long overdue debutant, Brother A. Leigh-Pemberton bowled a tight line from the other end for a few overs before lunch. Ramblers going in at the break on 125 for 8.

A frustrating lack of cutlery and poor service station sandwich choices had everyone lusting for the return of a catered lunch - Nothing says BB cricket like Lasagne, but alas for now we wait.

After lunch, the plan was to swiftly dispatch the remaining Ramblers. Despite Brother Pollington taking an absolute worldie at midwicket off Brother Boucher’s bowling to take wicket number 9, it would be another 81 runs before we’d see the end of a very frustrating and fruitful last wicket stand. Number 10, T. Eckett played one shot too many, attempting to drive Brother Regan back over his head - Brother Leigh-Pemberton scrabbling and diving forward to take a very good catch at mid-on. We’ll never know if Brother L-P would have got his inaugural b*llocking for a dropped catch off Brother Regan. :)

Brother Pask didn’t contribute much with the Bat, but made up for it with Lemon Drizzle Cake…

BB’s reply to Ramblers’ 204 started with a wobble. A line up that boasted some of the finest Batsman in the club was on the ropes at 11-3. Brother Connell, batting at 5, took the attack to the Ramblers, carving balls to the boundary ropes again and again for a head turning 26 before being given LBW to a ball that pitched somewhere near Brother Pollington’s Grandparents’ parked car. Brother Marriott, who had been calmly keeping his head while all about him where losing theirs, duly lost his too...picking out a Rambler in the deep. Next Brother Boucher, looked very good for 0. Brother Regan staved his attacking urges to get a start of 18, before he and Bother Bother-in-Law Mclean fell in quick succession. Enter Brother Middleton and newly anointed Brother, Brother Watts. The pair carefully picked off singles, accumulating runs like seasoned openers. It was the Rambler’s turn to be frustrated in the field. Once the two were set, some glorious stroke play followed, a cover drive dripping with class from Brother Middleton and a back foot, dismissive, punch through the covers for 4 from Brother Watts, particularly got the socially distanced onlookers cooing.

It’s the hope that gets you.

Having batted us back into the game and clearly feeling like Joe Root, Brother Watts played an ambitious sweep shot - Unfortunately it was more 4th Test (of the India Tour) Joe Root than 1st Test (of the India Tour) Joe Root and Brother Watts had to go for 31. The Ramblers took their opportunity and wrapped up the game. BB bowled out for 159 with Brother Middleton stranded on 49 Not Out.

Despite the result it was a great day of cricket made even more special to think that this fixture along with most of last season didn’t happen. We are able to play the game we love once more and will do so with a renewed and acute awareness of just how lucky we are.

Brother Boucher