Pazball in action!

Well, where do I start......what a day!!!! Pressure was mounting to record another famous victory and to maintain that 100% winning captains record. (I really set myself up there!)

The squad trials leading up to selecting the FCC First XI was extremely challenging. A vigorous assessment of the players ensured we put out the best team. Actually, as we got closer to the day, I was seriously worried that with only six players we would need to play exceptionally well.
So, having scoured many of my WhatsApp groups I managed to gather eleven willing and able players including a new recruit. Of course, there was never any doubt that FCC players itching for more success would in the latter stages of the week confirm their willingness to join in the challenge. Phew. Panic over, and so the team assembled at the Ley Hill Clubhouse for pre match drinks from 12.30pm. The first result was that by 13.16pm we had all eleven players ready to start. Bonus. However, 3 pints had been downed by then which meant there was only one option, we had to bat first.

Having agreed with the Ley Hill captain that a limited 35 overs game would be suited to our “pazball style” we set off to the crease with the umpire (Tony Greenham) to make the toss.
And so it was, FCC would bat first and hopefully allow sufficient time for our strong batting line up fuelled by Rebellion IPA would stamp their authority on the game. The message obviously had got back quick enough as another round of beers were ordered when I signalled we were

batting first. I set the team a challenge of 250, with anything over that being a bonus. Clearly, it took a few overs for the drinks to wear off and after 4 overs, FFC were settling in at 12-0.

Now then, it’s safe to say that when putting the batting order together, I looked around and whoever had not put their head down last when I asked “who wanted to open” got the gig. Enter stage left, Andy Spalton and Neil Sentance. What a fantastic opening partnership that was. Solid batting and swatting anything off centre took FCC to 91 before Neil (27) was caught in the 14th over.

Father and son (George (1) and Will Davies (1)) then followed in quick succession followed not long after by Ben Bilsland (0) making it 102-4 after 17 overs. Meanwhile, Andy (“Pazball”) Spalton was busy ramping up a fine score with boundaries and singles aplenty. Paul Reeves (36) ably supported Andy and took the score on to 165 before Reevo took a swipe half way up the pitch only to be stumped by a spinners dream ball. So, 165-5 after 23 overs. We a few intervals of rain the game stopped and resumed a few times but we managed to keep the flow going.

Miles Martin (35) joined Andy and moved the score on to 257 before Andy was eventually bowled. A fabulous 144 from Andy was greeted to a well-deserved cheers and clapping from both sides and spectators. Chris King joined Martin who was also pushing up the score until he was out for 35. So with Chris (6 Not out) and debutant Claudio Annicchiarico (1 Not Out) at the crease they saw out the last over taking the FCC score to 274 -7. (Did not bat Tom Reddy, Paul Serkis).

Tea was taken as we watched another drama begin to unfold at Wimbledon. I again rallied the team with those immortal words, “catches win matches” as we headed back out to seek another win. Play resumed at just after 4.30pm after several stop starts with the rain. Covers off, covers on, covers off, cover on and finally covers off. Game on.

Opening the bowling was Chris King and George Davies as FCC looked to mix the speed with excellent spin (King) and fast pace (Davies.) If you have ever played at Ley Hill, there is a very short boundary which has a road that runs parallel to the pitch with a golf course the other side. The scoring is four if it runs to the across the road, and six if you clear the road.

FCC played a tight game with at least 4 fielders on the short boundary and the bowlers did exceptionally well to play to the field settings. Behind the wicket Claudio whose boundless enthusiasm did well to protect many a ball that could have flown past him putting every part of his body in the way.

Ley Hill were stubborn and began to build a score before Ben Bilsland took a catch from some fine bowling from Miles Martin. 56-1 after 9 overs. And so it began. More fine bowling from Tom Reddy and Miles brought two more wickets (again catches) from Claudio and Will Davies. 110-3 and FCC were building a commanding position with positive bowling and tight fielding.

Despite the several showers and other interruptions, that being a motorcyclist using the ‘road” as a race track, speeding up and down at high speeds and making a very annoying loud noise. This was much to the chagrin of the cricketing fraternity. The bike fanatic (other names were mooted) eventually departed after being politely told by the Ley Hill Captain (who moved his car the block the road) to stop being a pest. I believe his words were “hey mate on yer bike!”

FCC carried on with fine bowling from Ben Bilsland and Paul Reeves. Ben took two wickets in the 24 over with catches from Chris King and Tom Reddy. At 150-5 it was always going to be an up hill battle for Ley Hill. More pressure bowling and tight fielding delivered two further wickets for Paul Reeves and Ben Bilsland again from catches from Miles Martin and yours truly in the final over. And so it was, Ley Hill finished on 232-5 after 35 overs, meaning FCC won by 42 runs taking seven catches from individual players. Result!

Gentlemen, it was a privilege and an honour again to skipper this team of hero’s and genuinely looking forward to next season already.

Paul Serkis (100% Match Winning Captain (2 of 2)