Home

Woodfords v Durnfords

Submitted by admin on Sun, 13/09/2009 - 12:08.
13/09/2009 - 14:00
13/09/2009 - 17:00
There has never been any doubt in anybodies mind that the Durnfords could rustle up a stronger cricket team than the Woodfords, so the annual defeat has always been a bitter pill to swallow. It was perhaps with this thought in mind that some of the goliath's of the local game have feigned injury or unavailability for an entire season in order to make themselves eligible for The Big One. There might have been only nine of them, but Guy Hockley, Chris Stott, Hugo and Inigo Hawkings, Peter Curtis, John Stringer (token pro), Leslie Burgess, John Brooks and Jock, muscles bulging, chest hair flailing must have made a demoralising sight for The Woodfords as they rolled in, late as always (although they do have further to travel). With three no-shows for The Woodfords it really was men against boys, but cricket is a funny game and the job still had to be done.

With only three players available at the start it was decided that the Woodford's should bat and the nine Durnford beefcakes rumbled onto the pitch. The full Woodford line up was eventually Paul Dovey, Nick Stannah, Matthew and Michael Roller (token pro), Will and George Grant, Andrew and Reuben Webley and Peter, Rosheen and Isobel Ryan. Big scorers were Andrew Webley 26 (run out), Will Grant 21 (sent off), Peter Ryan 10 (drifted away), Michael Roller 14 (run out by Chris 'The Arm' Stott) and Rosheen Ryan 9 (off 6 balls, caught Guy Hockley) making a respectable score of 108. The game was on.

After a most enjoyable tea Hugo Hawkings and Leslie Burgers set about the task with relish. They were both retired having scored 20 each at just below the requried run rate. Messrs Curtis and Stott then blasted their 20 runs apiece for well above the required run-rate and when Stringer and Inigo Hawkings came to the middle the match was definitely the Durnford's to lose. Stringer who over the years as umpire has obviously grown used to cheating to keep the match even was determined to run a few players out but only succeeded in getting away with the most outrageous 1, 2 and 3's raising the run rate to crazy levels and the target score was reached with a few overs to spare.

The match was followed by an enjoyable barbecue in the evening sun to round off a most enjoyable afternoon.

It would be unfair to single out Barnaby as the highest scoring player in the children's game taking place during tea as they was a wide range of ages playing and cheating was rife, but players worthy of a special mention include George Grant, Jonas Stringer, Millie Newman, Seth Ryan, Georgia and Imogen Jarrett, Sarah Roller, Jasper and Barnaby Blackwood, Cosimo Hawkings, Holly Spencer, Molly and Lara Makins and Millie Webley.

The answers to the children's treasure hunt were: 1. Ben, 2 Pom, 3 Jess, 4, Bessie, 5 Skip, 6 Dora, 7 Milo, 8 Justin, 9 Ted Glenn and 10 Scooby Doo. The winner with 8 was: Jossie Stringer.
The answers to the family treasure hunt were Bolivia (capital is La Paz), Bear (would beat a lion in a fight), towel (get's wetter the more it dries), umbrella (goes up when rain cames down) - although we did accept flood, Nile (longest river in Africa), no idea (what you call a blind dear), Finland (calls themselves Suomi), 74 (ounces of silver for one ounce of gold). The joint winners with 4 were Jonas Stringer and Molly Makin.
The answers to the flag treasure hunt were: China (9), Egypt (1), Finland (6), France (7), Hungary (3), Ireland (5), Italy (2), Netherlands (8), Portugal (10) and Vietnam (4). The winner with an incredible 5 was Molly Makin.

The overall winner was ... Jonas Stringer.


»