2nd’s fall at Hook Norton

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Posted 28 Jul 2010 — by Mikey
Category 1. Latest News, 3. Second XI

Arriving with only 10 men with some noticable players missing including the captain we still felt that after already beating them this season a good start could well bring our second victory in three weeks. However after an early breakthrough with Lewis just about clutching to a catch in the covers off nick t a big second wicket stand broken by another fine catch by Timmo on the long off boundary off Westy was followed by an even bigger third partnership left Marsh chasing the mammoth score of 323. Some positives were taken from the innings though especially the good bowling spell by little Tommy Leonard who then put an even better display in eating more tea than the rest of the team put together.

The Marsh innings got off to a steady but solid start with both openers Lucy and Jules reaching 20′s before being dismissed. Jules a dubious looking LBW shout and Lewis nicking behinddown the leg side. The innings then began to collapse with only Nick T (32) making any real contribution to the scoreboard. With wickets falling regularly including some dodgy run outs (naming no names. Scott and Matt) marsh finished on 119 a long way short of what we required and what we were aiming for with 15 overs of the innings gone.

With bottom of the league West Illsley coming to Marsh on Saturday a much better performance in all 3 areas of the game is needed to keep our survival hopes alive.

Where’s the ground again?

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Posted 21 Jul 2010 — by big dave
Category 2. The Originals

The Originals were left gutted after snatching defeat from the jaws of victory on Saturday against Faringdon. Marsh were full of hope after the Charlbury victory and were even happier having won the toss and bowling first on a very green wicket, which soon started to misbehave dramatically when the ball hit the right areas.

Stevie T (12-6-21-0) produced an excellent spell, with no reward for his control and skill, whilst Crouchy bowled well in patches to keep the score down after Faringdon got off to a reasonable start. Tim Thurston played the conditions well for Faringdon to anchor the innings before they looked to push on having kept wickets in hand. Crossy got four wickets from his 10 overs, but Marsh didn’t ever quite gain that control over the opposition with too many four balls for their batsmen to have a go at, as has been the case recently. Despite the pitch conditions, Marsh were delighted to keep Faringdon down to 188 off their 45 overs and looked forward to chasing them down, which we had done in all our victories so far this campaign.

After tea in the sun, Ollie and Joe got us off to a nice steady start, taking the sting out of Faringdons opening attack and setting their usual good platform for the innings. Ollie went for 15, whilst Joe maintained his excellent form this term with a solid 30, whilst supporting the destructive Wilbur. As the players each took turns to try out the now famous “fishing chair” (although I don’t think it will be long before Crouch brings one!), Marsh’s powerhouse smashed the bowling attack around on the way to an impressive 54, giving Marsh an excellent chance of victory. With 20 overs left, the required rate was around 4rpo, so it was well within reach with men in the hutch. With last weeks lower order collapse in mind, Stu, Shippo and Mathers played very carefully to not give their wickets away to see the team home. Marsh failed at this point to get to grips with the Faringdon slow bowlers and the scoring rate notched up a little but it was well within distance, however, in hindsight, we/I needed to push the ball around more and not let them settle into a rhythm, but with the thought that one big over would come as per the previous week, it still felt very much in control! This left us needing about 15 from the last two overs and when this only went for one run as Stu swiped and missed spectacularly!, this left Mathers with the difficult task in the last over and Marsh fell 7 runs short, leaving the batsmen dejected and the awaiting team not looking too impressed!!

A bad defeat, which we know we should have won, but we have to move on from this and get ourselves back up the league as its still wide open and we have shown we can the best teams if we apply ourselves! Although more of us (myself mainly!) take the blame more than others for this defeat, we should remember that we win as a team, but we also lose as a team….there are any number of incidents during a game which could have tipped it our way and saved those all important seven runs….a few less four balls, some better fielding….better running…..getting to the stumps for a run-out. This is in no way dismissing the error of judgement made in the middle overs by our batsmen or excusing it, but we need to remember that if you bowl on the stumps consistently, then its a lot harder for batsmen to score, regardless on the potency of the bowling! Its done in the middle, not on the sidelines or in the bar!

Anyway, after the disappointment we did have some fun with fines after Kim was very loose about some of Stu’s bedtime routines, Carlos was found guilty of simulation of an explicit act with a cuddly rabbit in front of young children and Wilbur was harshly judged on his Val Doonican jumper!

Onwards and upwards next Sat at home to Broughton.

Stu

Toftsy’s return ends in defeat for 2nd’s!

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Posted 18 Jul 2010 — by Mikey
Category 1. Latest News, 3. Second XI

After the heat wave of the last few weeks it was back to the normal cricket weather of cloudy skys and the threat of rain. With last weeks victory still at the front of everyones minds and the chance to get one over on Toftsy we all went into the match looking to build on the success of the previous week.

With Lewi’ magic 50p not working this week we were put into bat on what looked like a bowler friendly wicket. The opening partnership of Jeacock Snr and Jnr were sent it to see off the new ball whilst building a solid base to build from. However after four overs this was not going to plan with both Lewis and Paul back in the pavilion with the score not even into double figures. Jules then joined Derek in the middle to give Marsh two vastly experienced players to play us out of the situation we found ourselves in. With Toftsy already saying he wanted to change in the home team dressing room the whole team was left wondering if he wanted to play for us as well as he dropped no fewer than four catches in the next few overs giving Jules, Derek and Chris big let offs.

After last weeks innings Chris was looking full of confidence and with JC going along nicely the Marsh faithful were looking forward to seeing a big partnership forming. With the score pushing three figures Toftsy finally took one behind the stumps to dismiss Chris for 24. After cameos from Mason (11) and Nick Kiam (13) Timmo joined JC in the middle for the last few overs. With some lusty blows and quick running including a run four Marsh finished on 168-7, Timmo on 20 and Jules finishing on a well deserved 75.

After another good Marsh tea, by Mrs Wyatt this week which included donuts, eclairs and to the skippers delight sandwiches with no crusts we took to the pitch confident of defending the score we had posted and discussing who would get the prized wicket of Wolvercotes number 2. We didnt have to wait long to find out with Mason doing the honours of clean bowling him sending him packing for 14 and some well deserved banter. Timmo then joined the party getting their number 3 out LBW with the longest appeal village cricket has ever seen with the batsmen nearly running two by the time the umpire raised his finger leaving Wolvercote 37-2.

With the score at drinks reaching 100-4 which included two more Mason wickets the match was finally balanced with both teams thinking they could win the game. A quick wicket followed for Marsh soon after with Ollie Selway in his shiny new boots claiming the wicket of their wayne look alike. With still 60 odd runs to get we felt that the game was there for the taking, however soon after this diminished with Paul dropping their number 6 on 0 who eventually went on to top score with 41 and win them the match. The only noticable moment in the match after this point was the first wicket for Jules in 5 years he tells us.

Having been in a strong position a few times throughout the innings it was a disappointing loss, however after earlier performances this season it was defintly an improvement against one of the strongest teams in the league. With the pussy well fed again including a fine for the first time to an opposition player we set about drinking and eating the platefuls of watermelon, cheesy balls and cake that was left over.

With the skipper on holiday next week (convienent as its the long trip to hooky) its down to us to put in another good performance with Hook Norton being one of the teams we need to aim to beat if we are going to avoid the drop!

Midweekers chase down mammoth score

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Posted 15 Jul 2010 — by admin
Category 1. Latest News, 4. Mid-Week XI

On a blustery evening with rain in the air and the wind in my hair your correspondent was fortunate to take part in a mammoth run chase by the massed ranks of the Mighty Marsh Mid-weekers – even coping with the effects of Ollie’s amazing trousers.

After winning the toss and electing to bowl first on the still spongy artificial wicket Marsh made early inroads into a sprightly Westbury team with Crouchy, reinvigorated by his Southend sojourn, taking 2 early wickets. but then things started to go pear shaped. A combination of rapid fire running between the wickets, the wet outfield making Marsh fielders turn like Volvos, a far too many thick edges finding safety Westbury pressed ahead – the scoreboard ticking over too fast for our likings.

A combination of hit and miss batting and some good catches brought Westy 4 wickets but when the scoreboard stopped at 153 the crew were still somewhat despondent.

That said the indominantable Marsh spirit was soon to the fore – with banter aplenty as Joe and Ollie kept the bowlers at bay and the scoreboard moving – but far too slow for the assembled masses. That said Stu was able to keep us going (once we’d asked Marcelle to give us some space) with tales of Charlbury, lesbians, Tacky, Crossy and a lack of food and drink. (Seems the crew made up for that later – Ed)

Anyway with 5 overs to go the task seemed vast. But then Joe seemed to be hitting the ball better, Ollie was scampering between the wickets and for some unfathomable reason Westbury elected to bring on a bowler ( I shan’t name and shame him) whose first 3 balls were Wide, Wide and 6. Then Joe was out chasing another wide one. Stu came and went rapidly and with less than 2 overs to go it seemed it in the balance again.

But never fear striding to the wicket came the Skip, first off a few sighters, and then the final over – a 6 blissfully clubbed to square leg, a scampered 2 and a 4 over the covers and we were home. The banter was even better and we all managed to cope with the Jeacock’s sartorial inelegance – oh and the smell of Ollie’s trousers!

2nd’s win 2nd game of the season!

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Posted 14 Jul 2010 — by Mikey
Category 1. Latest News, 3. Second XI

After a much improved performance against league leaders Kilkenny last week we arrived in confident mood on a scorching hot afternoon. With the toss being won again by Lewi who informes us that its 8 out of 9 this season with his lucky 50p we decided to have a bat. With last weeks batting bolstered by the addition of JC we were looking forward to posting a big score on what looked like a good batting track. Things didnt start quite as planned though with Lucy whose mind was obviously on the arrival of the missus deciding to leave a straight one on middle stump. With Jordan joining JC in the middle the innings started to take shape with the scoring rate pushing up to four an over, giving us a solid base after 10 overs just as the captain had ordered! After Jordan had departed for 13 Jules was joined by Chris with both of them quickly getting into their stride pushing the score into three figures, Jules then edged behind after a fine knock of 58 to leave the innings finally balanced at half way. Nick Kiam then came and went quickly for a brisk 14 before Chris was joined by Timmo who recieved ironic applause after getting off the mark after two ducks in the last three weeks (thanks guys) A solid partnership was formed with Chris passing 50 his first for the club and Timmo heading that way pushing the score past 200 for the first time this season, with both departing soon after Chris (69), Timmo (38) it was left to Lewi and Tom “Boz” Bosley to take us to a very respectable 247-6.

After tucking into a fine selection of sandwiches and cakes we took to the field confident of defending by far the biggest score we had posted this season. With the Marsh faithful on the sidelines tucking into what was left of the tea which was considerably more than usual as Lucy had only had one helping (shocking i no!!) the innings started steadily with Hanney creaping up to 50 without loss after 10 overs. A wicket was needed and it came soon after with Timmo bowling one that nipped back to hit leg stump, another followed soon after with Scotty the replacement keeper taking a good catch behind the stumps off Nick Kiam to leave Hanney a mountain to climb. However some lusty blows from their number 3 kept the score board ticking and the nerves on edge. With a breakthrough desperately needed it was left to the skip and vice to make this with Timmo taking a stunning catch on the long off boundary to all but seal the game. Or so we thought!! With the scoreboard constantly ticking over the match started to come more and more into the balance with only excellent fielding from the whole team keeping the required rate at a high level. One noticable bit of fielding was Lucy who added in a dive and roll to impress the home support this however was missed by the two Mrs Jeacocks who were to busy with sudokus and reading the latest edition of Cosmo. With the match heading towards a close finish it was left to another catch from Timmo and tight bowling from Lewi (5-45) to see Marsh home winning in the end by a comfortable 28 runs.

A good all round display for the first time this season lifting us of the bottom of the league. With the return of Tofsy on Saturday (if he dares turn up) and a new found confidence lets hope this is a first win of many that can push us up the league into a position we deserve!

Fun in the cornfield!!

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Posted 11 Jul 2010 — by big dave
Category 2. The Originals

Marsh scraped to a deserved win against high-fliers Charlbury on a splendid day in a lovely setting. Marsh were looking forward to playing in front of a few people with the beer and food festival next door and having won the toss, we got off to a flier with Carlos and Wayne bowling with great skill and control to keep the home sides batsmen firmly under pressure. At 32-5 marsh were very happy with there work and with the music going, it was a carnival atmosphere!!

As Abba powered out from the beer tent, Marsh entered into the spirit as Satty busted some killer moves in the slips and Frankie had a little sing-a-long down at fine leg!! Runs were difficult to come by, as Marsh learn’t some of the lessons of last week by throwing themselves around and making Charlbury work for every run. With some decent hitting Charlbury got up to 168-8, which despite our excellent start, we would have been very happy with at the start of the day on a good wicket with a very fast outfield. Wayne (12-7-13-2) and Carlos (12-5-30-3) were the pick of the bowlers and really destroyed the top order to put Marsh in charge.

Marsh settled in for spot of nosh as the beer continued to flow, with Tacky longily looking on dreaming of that first pint! Olly and Joe got us off to a great start, working to ball around well and punished anything loose. This gave us a platform on which to build and with batting to come, Marsh felt very much in control as the players took a rather “windy” stroll around the field, stopping off along the way to admire the “scenery” and a very curious incident in the cornfield, behind what has now been christened “Crossys hedge”!!

With Olly (39) and Joe (38) it was now down to the rest of the strong batting line-up to see us home, but in true Marsh fashion, we didn’t make it an easy ride!! After a couple of quick wickets and some good spin bowling, Marsh played carefully knowing that one big over would come along at some point….and that it did! Stu (40) hit 18 from one over and Crossy a mighty maximum to leave Marsh only eight from victory, but three quick wickets sent Marsh reeling and it was down to the experienced Tacky and Carlos to see us home, which the skipper did with a couple of much needed boundaries. We breathed a huge sigh of relief as we finally gained victory as silence descended on the home crowd!

We did our best to blow it, but we managed to get home for a pleasing victory against one of the top teams. With the business now done, we were now looking to enjoy the festivities next door and having dispensed some massive fines with what can only be described as “graphic” scenes against a fence going on behind us, it was time to get involved! All we now needed was John Nettles and Sergeant Jones to appear and the day would have been like a scene from Midsomer Murders!! (Always been a big fan of Jones, i’ve always felt he added an extra dimension to the role, much to Tackys disbelief, having always been an admirer of Sergeant Troy….this could be a big talking point over the coming weeks!).

Having failed in their hunt for scoff, Marsh didn’t let that worry them too much as the lads stoved into the beer and enjoyed the very “free” entertainment (I think you all know what I mean boys!). Luckily, Will came prepared with his line-dancing outfit, so he fitted in perfectly! It was then back to the Dog to enjoy our victory and the party advanced into the early hours, resulting in Freddie and Tacky laying on a Yoga masterclass in the bar…….top lunges Tack! Having woken up Mrs Flonners (sorry Vics), the boys went off into the night having had a great day! Great setting, beer festival, splendid facilities, two good sets of players, some fine fillies and most importantly……a win for the Gibbon.

Well done lads. Come on, lets get a run going!!

Stu

Got the tea money?!!

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Posted 11 Jul 2010 — by big dave
Category 1. Latest News

Gibbon went down to Minster Lovell on another scorching day by the river. Marsh batted first and the usual pairing of Joe and Olly got us off to a steady start, although not getting full value for there shots on a suprisingly slow outfield given the weather conditions.

The home side bowled decent lines and runs were not easy to come by, but Marsh stuck too it with Wayne (47) and Matt (40no) the main contributors, backed up by a nice little cameo at the end by Stevie T. Marsh posted 177-7 off 45, which although a little light, with good bowling and fielding, the game was very much all to play for.

After tea (?), Marsh took the field full of beans with Carlos and Stevie opening up looking for the early breakthrough. Sadly, it didn’t come and Marsh didn’t really gain the control we wanted in order to apply some decent pressure. Some loose deliveries, average fielding and a lack of rub of the green really put pay to Gibbons chances of winning this one as Minster pulled away to reach the target with relative ease.

A really disappointing defeat which we must learn from if we are to achieve our seasons aims. When things aren’t going our way we must continue to fight, stay vocal and make the oppo work for every run!

We look to bounce back next week at Charlbury.

Stu

Young-guns fire again!!

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Posted 30 Jun 2010 — by big dave
Category 2. The Originals

The Originals got back into their stride following a lacklustre display at Letcombe with a fine win on Saturday against Watlington.

After a very forthright (and warranted) address from the skipper, who announced his intentions to either bat or………..bowl if he won the toss (!!), Marsh were asked to bowl first in glorious (yet boiling) cricket conditions. Despite the weather and the excellent track produced by our fine team of groundsmen, there was still something in it for the seamers with the ball swinging around from ball one! Stevie and Carlos (with a very economical 1-19 off 9) got us off to a good start removing the opening pair, before Chris Allen (84) started to punish anything loose, making a high total a distinct possibility. Marsh’s bowlers did an excellent job in pegging Watlington back, with Stevie (3-64) and Olly (4-37) the main contributors to the wicket column as Marsh dismissed the visitors for 205, which Marsh were confident of chasing down given the quality of the batting line-up and the deck.

A wonderful tea was devoured courtesy of my dearly beloved (“lovely melons” S.Turner, 2010), with another fine selection of savouries, which in my opinion has been a strength of the ladies performances so far this season!! ” Are the teas always like this?”, asked the umpire, whilst the other complained “the plates aren’t big enough!”, which really is a indictment of the quality of refreshments our valued ladies provide. We have a lot to live up to in the cricketing stakes as we are surely nearing the upper echelons of the official ICC tea rankings!!

Despite losing five players from the previous week, Gibbon went into bat with the belief they could win, which was immediately evident by the positive strokes Joe played at the top of the innings. Adam went early and we wondered whether a wobble was on the cards, but it was a day for the youngsters to lead the way and show us how it’s done! Joe and Will put on a magical 150-odd partnership for the second wicket, with some fantastic batting, illustrating both the touch and power either side of the wicket. Both Joe and Will played with a maturity belying their years, which was a pleasure to watch, giving a demonstration to all of us on how to construct and execute an innings. Despite losing Joe (71) and Will (77), Marsh moved to victory following a useful knock by Jules (16), Ollie (14no) and Matt (8no).

A good win with the youngsters leading the way, which takes us into an important few weeks with three away fixtures against three of the leading sides, starting with Minster Lovell this Saturday.

The pig was suitably fed with a diverse range of fines dispensed by our stand-in fines master (Joe). Notably, Stu for crying and leaving the field after being hit on the knee, Stevie for his comments on the tea ladies melons and a curious incident involving certain players and an egg sandwich in the changing rooms!!

We look forward to next weeks game at Minster.

Stu

Marsh swiftly return to winning ways!

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Posted 14 Jun 2010 — by big dave
Category 1. Latest News, 2. The Originals

Marsh got back on track with an excellent win against a strong Witney Swifts side on a lovely day at the Gibbon.

Swifts chose to bat first on a good track and made full use early on as Charlie Fisher (76) and Jason Seacole punished anything loose, which was made worse, as Marsh (much like the Rob Green) had problems with their handling! Runs came at a steady rate as Swifts looked to put on a big total and at 119-0, Marsh looked for a much needed breakthrough with Crossy and Stevie on the attack. Crossy removed Seacole (44) to get the ball rolling and Marsh never looked back as G-man and Stevo bowled with accuracy to build pressure and take wickets. Swifts were dismissed for 181, with Steve (3-34) and Grant 6-27 returning figures which were to prove vital after Swifts got off to a flier.

A splendid tea was taken, courtesy of the lovely Mrs Chambers, who provided a wonderful array of savouries I must say. I am informed that even Duke sampled a samosa!! Jacob provided good entertainment by finding a handily place coupled of goalposts (the stumps) to play footie against in the centre of the field, which interupted Jules’ fine tea eating display!! Marsh took to the field with the ever reliable opening pairing of Ollie J and Joe. The boys got us off to a steady start, setting a nice platform for the innings. With Ollie going for a useful 20, Joe and Wayne took the innings forward as Joe showed his array of shots through both sides of the wicket. With Wayne gone for 16, Stu (43no) and Joe took Marsh to victory with unbeaten stand of 91. Joe narrowly missed out on his maiden first team century with a majestic 95no, showing his class along the way, whilst really cementing his place as one of Gibbons dangermen at the top of the innings.

A great win was followed up by a lovely bit of tucker courtesy of Marcelle and Jackie (thanks very much ladies), as Marsh settled in to watch the footie, whilst the kids enjoyed their popcorn!

Marsh looked to carry on the good work against Hook Norton on Sunday in the second part of our doubleheader this weekend. Sadly, we were beaten by the weather with the game nicely poised for a good finish. Marsh batted first, posting a good score of 216-4, with Wayne (64) and Stu (47) the main protagonists in a fourth wicket stand of 105.

After a few rain breaks and much deliberation, the constant flow of rain put pay to the game with Hooky 114-1 off 26 overs, but with Marsh building up a head of steam both sides fancied their chances of a positive result, but it wasn’t to be! Marsh took 10 points from the game and a good haul of 40 for the weekend, taking us to fourth place and 7 points off second spot.

Also great to see another new addition (Alex) join the ranks. Welcome along Alex.

Look forward to next weeks game at Letcombe.

Stu

Super Satty Shines in Caribbean Sun!

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Posted 09 Jun 2010 — by big dave
Category 1. Latest News, 2. The Originals

Gibbon went down in disappointing fashion against Oxford Caribbean in sweltering conditions at Horspath Road.

Marsh won the toss and sensibly elected to bat given the hot conditions, which were bound to be draining on those fielding first. Much like the previous week the innings got off to the worst possible start, losing Joe third ball. Despite the firmness of the surface underneath, there was a little “spongeyness” on top, so it was hard going early doors, with the Caribbean attack giving Marsh little to hit. Jules went soon after and Marsh were in big trouble, so there was a need to steady the ship and fast!! Stu (34) and Carlos, managed to keep the bowlers at bay to nudge the score up slightly, but without much on offer to have a go at, it was a case of survival to keep the home side out there, to frustrate them and post a reasonable total. Stu and Sat put on a good partnership as Marsh’s version of the “little maestro” looked in sparkling form, showing his full array of shots.

The scored nudged up past 100 as Marsh gained in confidence, with Sat punishing anything loose. Stanley added a very useful 18 in another good partnership with Sat, but it was Sattys day to shine and that he certainly did! The stylish right-hander posted his highest score for Marsh (87 not out), showing the type of quality strokeplay we all know he’s capable of. Given the difficult situation faced when arriving at the crease, this made the knock even more special and something we hope will be the start of many big scores to come this season from the “middleton magician”! Tommy Leonard held very strong to support Sat to the end as Marsh managed to post a very respectable 178-9.

Marsh were in confident mood and things got even brighter when Stanley removed an opener for a first baller. However, this was one of the only shining lights for Marsh early on as the ball was smashed, smeered and edged around the park by the home sides attacking batsmen. Despite the ball seeming to narrowly missed Marsh’s clutches at time, our lack of control with the ball served up plenty to have a go at and that they certainly did! Coupled with some very average fielding, Caribbean raced to 100 off 16 overs as Marsh looked to remove the dangerous Matthews who inflicted the bulk of the scoring. Carlos showed the bowlers the way with a fine 4-31 and Sat capped off a good day personally with 2-13 with his wily spin. Despite managing to remove Caribbeans dangerman, it was too little too late as Marsh paid the price for their wayward bowling and fielding display, with the home side easing home by two wickets.

A very disappointing defeat given the way we salvaged what should have been a defendable target, but it’s onwards and upwards and we need to be back “on it” at the weekend for our double-header with Witney Swifts and Hook Norton! No excuses gentlemen, its time to produce some match winning performances from all of us as individuals and as a collective unit, to get back to the standard we produced in our first two games.

Saturdays game will start at 12.30pm due to the footie, which will be shown at the clubhouse on the big screen.

Heads on gents!!
Stu

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