Sun 22, 2021
BB V I Zingari
Venue: Torry Hill
I Zingari: 103 all out (36.2 overs)
BB: 106 for 3 (17.3 overs)
Result – BB win by 7 wickets
Following the significant amount of rain playing havoc with the Band of Brothers season and having looked at the forecast during the week, it seemed that we were going to be stumped once again with a significant downpour of rain from 5am through to 7am. However, a recent purchase of a plastic sheet by the Torry Hill Groundsman and the forward-thinking approach of the I Z Captain, Harry Thomson, covering the pitch overnight meant that come 11:30am, the pitch was dry and playable, ready for a classic day of English Cricket.
As the Captains walked out to the middle, the wind was blowing, the ground was damp and there was significant cloud cover. The toss was made and won by the Band of Brothers who decided that following the amount of rainfall in the morning, it would be the appropriate decision to bowl and make the most of the conditions, with the view that the pitch would dry out throughout the day.
The Band of Brothers took to the field with a very young and enthusiastic team with Brother Piers Richardson taking the new ball at one end and Brother Tom Pollington, taking the new ball at the other. It was clear that after a couple of overs, bowling was the right decision with the ball swinging, seaming and even at one point making a cup of tea. A couple of edges, one landing short of the BB Captain and the other at a very poachable height, were put down early on but then Brother Tom Pollington struck in the 10th over which was well deserved. It didn’t take long for brother Pollington to get a couple more and in his next over, he removed both numbers 3 & 4 for the I Z both for 0. At this time, Brother Piers Richardson was getting frustrated and looser as he came in and started bowling more like his 18-year-old self with speed, swing and seam at times, which was far too good for the opposition. Both opening Bowlers finishing their spells with very good opening numbers with Richardson 8 over, 4 maidens, no wickets for 17 runs and Pollington, 7 overs, 1 maiden, 3 wickets for 26 runs.
The I Zingari No. 1 was beginning to get his foot into the game and getting up into the mid-20’s but cometh the hour, cometh the man, the Candidate Callum Preece with an in swinging yorker, moving the set Batsman and making the middle stump cartwheel past the Wicket Keeper. This left the I Z 57 for 4 with Brother Huggett tying up the other end with his beautiful off-spin.
It wasn’t long until Brother Huggett removed No. 4 in the 21st over and then No. 5 who was also set in the mid-20s in the 25th over, caught by Brother Richardson on the boundary, who decided to run in on his hands and knees rather than using his feet. From here, the I Zingari were 77 for 6 and the BB could smell blood. The suicidal run after hitting the ball straight to Brother Richardson ensured that No. 7 was run out for 13 which left the I Z 87 for 7.
At this point, the fast bowler Preece had been taken off and replaced by the oldest Brother in the team, Tom Whyte, who was bowling lovely little off cutters. The trap was set with a first slip and a gully which worked a treat and a smashing catch by brother Pollington ensured that after 33 overs, the I Z were 90 for 8. From there it didn’t take long for Brother Huggett to take the remaining 2 wickets with a cracking diving catch by Brother Churchill to his right, with 4 or 5 jumpers over his shoulders and about 3 hats on his head, he did look like Superman!!
The I Z were bowled out for 103 off 36 overs with a strong BB batting line up keen to get going. The Skipper thinking it was a day for Tom Pollington, sent him out to open with Brother Churchill and unfortunately 3 balls in, Brother Pollington was back in the Pavilion. In came at No. 3 Charlie Harvey, another candidate, to support quick-firing Brother Churchill who was rather bored of the I Zingari opening spin bowling attack. Both batted very nicely until Charlie Harvey got one that scooted through when he went back and was bowled. As stated, the BB had a good batting attack and with Harvey back in the Pavilion, two of the hardest hitting BB Batsmen were at the crease with their favoured spin-bowling attack at both ends.
It didn’t take long for Brother Pask to get to 22 before they bought on the pacemen and whilst trying to hit one over the trees at Cow Corner, a bottom edge ensured that Pask was bowled for a quick-fire 22. At the other end, Brother Churchill was going sharply and had ensured that the I Z had to think considerably about what to do next. In came Brother Sam Middleton, who with a torn hamstring was very much looking forward to batting and not running as he had seen that Brother Churchill did not like singles. Middleton hit some fantastic square cuts to the boundary, with Churchill bludgeoning several boundaries with a quick 49 off 39 balls. The BB got to 106 off 17.3 overs with 3 wickets down, winning the match by 7 wickets.
A fully enjoyable day all round with some questionable banter between Brother Whyte and the I Zingari Umpire who clearly didn’t like Brother Whyte’s idea of jokes. There is a lot of reminiscing about old King School days between the various ex-King School pupils, realising that Brother Whyte actually may have taught Brothers Harvey and Middleton, clearly leaving a lasting memory.
A fantastic BB team that ensured a fantastic victory against an I Z team that has not been beaten like that for many years by the BB. A special note to go to Giles Mathey who kept wicket fantastically, giving 1 bye which was one of only 4 extras with no wides being bowled throughout the day by the BB. A win on the card and some very happy campers in the Carpenters Arms at Doddington at 5pm.
