Match Reports 2013

dixon's maiden mCC 50 isn't enough to prevent another heavy defeat for 3rd xI

Y our correspondent arrived at the beautiful Heytesbury ground at half past one, expecting to see a full Marshfield 3rd XI warming up. Only the first part was accurate – the Heytesbury ground is a classical English village cricket ground and I did arrive on time. However, I was expecting to umpire and negotiated with the home captain accordingly. No sign of the Marshfield captain at official tossing time, so young Redrum was sent out to the middle as the best tosser we had available. What a tosser! The greatest success of the afternoon – he won and elected to bat. Then Captain Dicko arrived with 10 minutes to go, after some minor navigational difficulties, but sans Piercey, so your correspondent was persuaded.

The pitch was duly examined for lumps, bumps and plantains and none were found; it was confidently declared a “300-run wicket”. The question was – could we actually score that many? Messrs Wills and Redman opened the MCC innings in vigorous pursuit of this target….scoring no runs off the bat in the first six overs. Your correspondent was puzzled – was he at a Test Match?

After Willsy succumbed Captain Roper (RN rtd) then wobbled the ship further by conceding his wicket. With two wickets down for modest scores, dismissed by some modest Heytesbury bowling, Captain Dicko came to the wicket under the paternal gaze and tried to steady the ship. There followed a fine display of leadership from the front by Dicko, scoring his first 50 for the club.

It’s a pity that none were following him, as wicket after wicket fell at the other end. Kartar Singh can be the only one classified as unlucky, hammering a long-hop hard to cover only to see the ball clutched from the air at full stretch. A very unfortunate golden duck. Your correspondent contributed his usual 0 not out before a tiring Dicko edged the ball to short third man to close the innings on 129 all out (a “300-run wicket?). Dicko Senior had retired to the pub in despair hours ago.

A good tea was taken al fresco. Would Heytesbury & Sutton Veny collapse under a penetrating and incisive Marshfield bowling attack? Where was the penetrating and incisive Marshfield bowling attack? The opening bowler (who is synonymous with a well-known brand of jam) had a few radar issues and conceded 10 off the first over. Despite his earlier exertions, Dicko managed to deliver a few overs of his usual slow trundle before claiming fatigue. James Ford bowled well without success and Kartar Singh startled the batsmen with his vicious off-breaks, snagging 2 for 30 off 9 overs. Your correspondent was entrusted with 4 overs, again claiming a victim through sheer lack of pace. With Marshfield in a perilous position, the ball was thrown to Mr. Wills for his first over for many a long year. A loud shout of “No Ball” greeted the first ball, a classical Willsy beamer too high to incommode or endanger the batsman.

Another loss by 7 wickets. Can we only win by forfeit?

Professor Mike Threadgill

Terry has done his stats for the Marshfield innings - Click Here

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